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Friday 22 July 2022
Florida Man Charged with $1.6 Million Cares Act Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida man will make his initial court appearance today on charges related to his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.6 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payments, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Mohamed A. Awad, 60, of Ocala, Florida, is charged by complaint with two counts of wire fraud. He was arrested July 21, 2022, in Virginia and made his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick in the Eastern District of Virginia. He was detained pending transfer to the District of New Jersey.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
The CARES Act also authorized the U.S. Small Business Association to provide EIDLs of up to $2 million, through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awad engaged in a scheme to illegally obtain over $1.6 million in PPP and EIDL loans through numerous misrepresentations to lenders. He submitted fraudulent loan applications that fabricated numbers of employees and misrepresented company information, to induce PPP and EIDL lenders to approve the loan applications that they otherwise would not have approved. Awad submitted falsified tax documents in support of PPP applications. According to IRS records, none of the purported tax documents that Awad submitted were ever in fact filed with the IRS. Awad transferred the loan proceeds among various bank accounts he controlled, withdrawing significant amounts in cash and transferring at least approximately $760,000 out of the country via wire transfers to banks based in Egypt.
The charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; special agents of the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, under the direction of Stephen Donnelly, Eastern Region; special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Final Defendants in Moultrie Meth Trafficking Network SentencedRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – The remaining defendants guilty of participating in a methamphetamine trafficking network based out of Moultrie, Georgia, were sentenced to prison for their crimes.
Robert Lee Smith, III, 46, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release after he previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. April Contreras, 31, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Louis Sands handed down the sentences yesterday. There is no parole in the federal system.
“These defendants are responsible for supplying a significant amount of methamphetamine to a quiet Southwest Georgia community, much of which was orchestrated out of the local jail,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Law enforcement at every level are working to stop drug traffickers profiting from the sale of deadly controlled substances that cause overdoses and violent crime in our communities.”
“The lengthy sentence in this case clearly fits the crimes,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This defendant brokered the distribution of methamphetamine, even while incarcerated. Because of the hard work and dedication of DEA and its law enforcement partners, this defendant will now have to face the consequences of his actions.”
“Illegal drugs have no place in Georgia. They are dangerous and threaten the safety of our communities. We will continue to work diligently along with our local and federal partners to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds.
The following co-defendants previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced:
Melissa Barrow, 48, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release;
Aubrey Thompson, 55, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release;
Corey Haynes, 42, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to serve 43 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release; and,
Roderick Smith, 40, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to five years of probation.
According to court documents, GBI began investigating a drug distribution conspiracy in Colquitt and Brooks counties in Nov. 2020, initially based on information that co-defendant Contreras was selling methamphetamine in the region. During the course of the investigation, agents discovered that co-defendant Robert Smith, who was incarcerated at the Colquitt County Jail, was working with Contreras and co-defendants Thompson and Haynes in the sale of controlled substances. Co-defendant Barrow, working under the direction of Contreras, sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant (CI). Barrow would also collect drug proceeds on behalf of Contreras. Co-defendant Roderick Smith was directed by Robert Smith to provide cash to Contreras for the purposes of methamphetamine trafficking. In all, this methamphetamine trafficking network is accountable for the distribution of between 1.5 kilograms and 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by DEA, FBI, GBI, Georgia State Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Brooks County Sheriff’s Office, Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office and Moultrie Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Ellis prosecuted the case.
Felon Indicted on Firearm Charges in Connection with ShootingRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging Darrius Jaques Garrett (33, Orlando) with two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Garrett faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Garrett that the United States intends to forfeit all firearms and ammunition recovered as a result of the offense conduct.
According to court documents, on May 27, 2022, Garrett was charged with knowingly possessing a Glock pistol and .22 caliber rounds of ammunition in connection with a shooting. At approximately 4:00 p.m. that day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Americana Boulevard in Orlando where they found a man who had sustained gunshot wounds to the torso. That individual was later treated and released from the hospital. Surveillance images from a nearby business captured the shooting.
Five days later, on June 1, 2022, Garrett was observed in the same area by deputies with the same Dodge Charger depicted on the video. Inside, deputies found a loaded Glock firearm that authorities allege was used in the shooting.
Garrett is a five-time convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety – one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and re-entry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Federal Jury Convicts Antlers Resident of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Stetson Bruce, age 33, of Antlers, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a Federal jury of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country.
The jury trial began with testimony on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, and concluded on Thursday, July 21, 2022, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on more than one occasion during the time period of May 1, 2018, to May 31, 2020, the defendant sexually abused a five-year-old child. The evidence further revealed that on at least one occasion, another child witnessed the abuse.
The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office, the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Pushmataha County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Bernard M. Jones, II, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting in Oklahoma City, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Bruce was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony C. Marek and Hannah Jones represented the United States.
Evansville Woman Sentenced for Embezzling over $100,000 from her Former Employer and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE – LaDonna Livers, 67, of Evansville, Ind. was sentenced late yesterday afternoon to a year and a day after pleading guilty to the felony offenses of wire fraud and filing false federal income tax returns.
According to court documents, from approximately March 2009 to November 2017, Livers worked as the office manager for an Evansville business. As the office manager, she oversaw and conducted all financial operations for the business. Livers used her position to illegally enrich herself by embezzling funds from her employer’s bank accounts. Over the course of approximately five years, Livers stole $109,743.73 from her employer by making unauthorized transfers from the employer’s bank accounts to her own bank and credit card accounts.
The unauthorized transfers constituted income for Livers, and therefore should have been reported on her tax returns. Livers did not report any of this income, as required by law. Despite knowing that her tax returns were false, Livers certified that they were accurate and filed them with the Internal Revenue Service.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana; Herbert J. Stapleton, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Indianapolis; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. As part of the sentence, Judge Young ordered that Livers be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for one year following her release from prison. Livers was also ordered to pay $109,743.73 to the victim and $24,315 to the Internal Revenue Service, as restitution.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller who prosecuted this case.
El Departamento de Justicia lanza una investigación de justicia medioambiental en la Ciudad de Houston, TexasRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha iniciado una investigación de justicia medioambiental de las operaciones, políticas y prácticas de la Ciudad de Houston en lo que se refiere al vertido ilegal. La investigación, que será dirigida por la División de Derechos Civiles, examinará si la Ciudad responde a solicitudes de servicios municipales, incluyendo en respuesta al vertido ilegal, de una manera que discrimina a residentes negros y latinos, en contra de las leyes federales de derechos civiles.
“Los vertederos ilícitos no solo atraen a roedores, mosquitos y otros parásitos que representan un riesgo a la salud, sino que también contaminan el agua de superficie y afectan el drenaje adecuado, lo que hace que ciertas zonas sean más susceptibles a la inundación”, afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Nadie en los Estados Unidos debe ser expuesto al riesgo de la enfermedad u otro tipo de daño grave a causa de una gestión ineficaz de los residuos sólidos o de programas inadecuados de aplicación de la ley. Nosotros realizaremos una investigación justa y completa de estas preocupaciones de justicia medioambiental y su impacto en las comunidades negras y latinas de la Ciudad de Houston”.
“Los vertederos ilegales pueden generar un nivel de inquietud significativo en cuanto a la salud y seguridad públicas, los valores de las propiedades y la calidad de vida”, declaró Jennifer B. Lowery, la Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. “Estamos deseando colaborar con la División de Derechos Civiles para garantizar que la Ciudad de Houston cumpla con sus obligaciones federales en lo que se refiere a los derechos civiles”.
La investigación examinará si la aplicación de la ley de la Ciudad, así como sus operaciones, políticas y prácticas de gestión de los residuos sólidos en respuesta al vertido ilícito, han resultado en la discriminación de residentes negros y latinos, en contra del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (Título VI). El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel y origen nacional por parte de beneficiarios de fondos federales.
La Sección Federal de Coordinación y Cumplimiento de la División de Derechos Civiles está dirigiendo esta investigación, con el apoyo de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. Antes de la declaración, el Departamento informó a la Alcaldía de la Ciudad de Houston y su departamento legal del lanzamiento de la investigación.
Una de las prioridades principales de la División de Derechos Civiles es abordar los impactos discriminatorios en el medioambiente y la salud mediante la aplicación de las leyes nacionales de derechos civiles. En mayo del 2022, el Fiscal General Merrick Garland anunció (solo en inglés) la creación de la primera Oficina para la Justicia Medioambiental. También anunció la emisión por parte del Departamento de Justicia de la Estrategia Integral de Aplicación de la Justicia Medioambiental (solo en inglés), la cual ofrece una hoja de ruta para el uso de las herramientas y autoridades de cumplimiento de las leyes civiles y penales del Departamento, incluyendo las autoridades de derechos civiles, para lograr la justicia medioambiental. En julio del 2022, el Departamento emitió su Plan Estratégico 2022-26 (solo en inglés), que incluye la protección de los derechos civiles y la promoción de la justicia medioambiental como áreas de enfoque. En noviembre del 2021, la División de Derechos Civiles anunció su primera investigación de justicia medioambiental bajo el Título VI de beneficiarios del Departamento de Justicia, el Departamento de Salud Pública de Alabama y el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Lowndes.“La creación reciente por parte del Departamento de Justicia de la Oficina para la Justicia Medioambiental y una Estrategia Integral de Aplicación de la Justicia Mediomabiental afirma nuestro compromiso sólido a perseguir la justicia equitativa frente a la ley”, comentó el Fiscal General Auxiliar Todd Kim, de la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia. “Esta investigación ejemplifica el compromiso del Departamento a aliviar las cargas medioambientales desproporcionadas que en demasiados casos caen sobre las comunidades de color, las comunidades de bajos ingresos y las comunidades indígenas”.
Se le pide a cualquier persona con información relevante que se comunique con la Sección Federal de Coordinación y Cumplimiento por correo electrónico a [email protected] por teléfono al 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306). Para más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, visite su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt-espanol. Para más información sobre la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales, visite su sitio web en www.justice.gov/enrd (solo en inglés). Haga clic aquí para ver este comunicado de prensa en inglés.
Durham County Man Sentenced to 360 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – A North Carolina man was sentenced on July 22, 2022, to 360 months in prison, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, for knowingly receiving child pornography after multiple tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to his arrest.
According to court documents, Timothy James Bryant, 27, was identified by agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NSCBI), after a NCMEC tip revealed that a Twitter user in Durham was suspected of uploading images of suspected child pornography to the platform in 2019 and 2020. In October 2020, the NCSBI executed a search warrant at Bryant’s residence where they located several items that contained child pornography. Bryant was arrested later that day on state charges without incident.
Subsequent interviews and search warrants revealed Bryant to be in possession of multiple devices containing over twenty-five thousand images and videos of child pornography. During the pendency of the state case, NCMEC received a new tip from Snapchat regarding suspected inappropriate conduct by a user that the NCSBI connected to Bryant in March 2021. A federal search warrant for Bryant’s phone revealed that his device contained additional videos of child pornography. At the time of his arrest, Bryant had been previously convicted of two counts of Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Durham County Superior Court in 2014.
He was charged by Indictment in the Middle District of North Carolina in April 2021 with one count of knowingly receiving and attempting to receive child pornography and one count of knowingly possessing child pornography. In September 2021, Bryant pled guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. In addition to his imprisonment and supervised release, Bryant was ordered to pay $133,500 in restitution to 27 victims.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Durham Police Department assisted with the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kennedy Gates. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and focuses on coordinating federal, state, and local resources to better identify and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. www.projectsafechildhood.gov
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Donaldsonville Woman Indicted for Mail Fraud and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury recently returned a three-count indictment charging Tynea Lynnshay Gray, age 23, of Donaldsonville and Prairieville, Louisiana, with mail fraud and wire fraud. Gray appeared for her arraignment and pled not guilty to the pending charges.
According to the indictment, between June 2020 and October 2021, Gray submitted claims for unemployment insurance benefits in California in her name and in the names of other individuals. Gray also submitted claims for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) benefits in the names of fictitious businesses and based on fictitious business profits and losses.
Further, Gray obtained names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of others, and submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits in their names, with and without their knowledge or consent. Gray captured people’s identifying information through social media and used the information to file numerous unemployment insurance claims. Upon submitting the claims and receiving the funds, she either gave a portion of the funds to others or kept all the funds for herself. Through her scheme, Gray obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in prepaid debit cards in the mail.
In February 2021, Gray also devised a scheme to defraud a lender and the United States, through the Small Business Administration, by filing false and fraudulent applications for PPP funds. In furtherance of the scheme, on or about February 2, 2021, she submitted a false and misleading PPP application in the business name of “Royaldiamondzkollection LLC” seeking PPP funds. Gray submitted a forged bank statement, false tax documents, and made misrepresentations in her PPP applications.
Throughout the course of the fraudulent schemes, Gray caused over $550,000 in prepaid debit cards to be mailed to her addresses, to which she and others were not entitled. Additionally, Gray caused $20,833 to be deposited into her bank account, to which she was not entitled.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner.
NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.
Denison Youth Pastor Convicted of Child Exploitation ViolationsRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – An Anna, Texas man has been convicted for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Chad Michael Rider, 48, was found guilty of three counts of the sexual exploitation of children, also referred to as the production of child pornography. The jury returned the verdict late today following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.
According to the court documents and testimony at trial, in August 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents were investigating David Pettigrew, of Denison, for child pornography offenses. Agents seized a computer hard drive from Pettigrew’s office at the Denison Church of the Nazarene. Forensic review of the device revealed videos of Pettigrew and Rider setting up to film children while bathing at the church. Additional videos were located in which Rider filmed two other children in residential settings.
“One of the sacred safe havens for children is the church and all it stands for. Yet Rider and his conspirators purposefully used it as a lure to bring children in and then, despicably, exploited those children for their own perverted gratification,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “The jury heard all of the evidence and rendered its judgement and the law of the Eastern District of Texas federal court will render its punishment soon, at least as such punishment that may rendered on earth.”
Under federal statutes, Rider faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison on each count. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Anna Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa J. Miller and Jay Combs.
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Delray Beach Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Her Role in International Boiler Room ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle today sentenced Tracy Lee Jedlicki (56, Delray Beach) to 30 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of her sentence, the Court also ordered Jedlicki to forfeit $750,000, a 4.01 carat diamond ring, a 11-carat diamond necklace, and a South Florida residence worth more than $2 million. The Court also ordered Jedlicki to pay $3,244,592 in restitution to the victims. Jedlicki had pleaded guilty on February 24, 2022.
According to court documents, Jedlicki and her coconspirators operated international boiler rooms in Panama and elsewhere. The boiler rooms used high-pressure sales techniques to defraud individuals who believed they were investing substantial amounts of money in regulated financial products or markets, such as options in commodities and stocks. The majority of the victims targeted by the boiler rooms operated by Jedlicki and her coconspirators were located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Jedlicki and her coconspirators then laundered fraud proceeds generated by the boiler rooms through several money laundering rings, to overseas accounts, with the launderers receiving a percentage of the funds they had moved. Jedlicki's duties included, among other tasks, arranging travel for boiler room workers to the boiler room locations, calling victims while posing as an employee of a fake investment firm to set up loading calls for coconspirators operating the boiler rooms, serving as a liaison between the boiler rooms and a money laundering organization, maintaining records of coconspirator wire transfer payments to foreign and domestic bank accounts, and reconciling payments between the boiler rooms and the money laundering organization.
Jedlicki herself received a 2% referral fee for referring victims’ funds to a money laundering ring and used the funds to perpetuate the conspiracy and for her own personal enrichment. Jedlicki and her coconspirators wired or caused to be wired victims’ funds in the approximate amount of $3,244,592 to money laundering accounts in furtherance of the wire fraud conspiracy.
“We are committed to stopping transnational criminal organizations that target the elderly with fraudulent investment schemes that use high-pressure tactics,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas. “This conviction should send a message that HSI and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), working with together with our international partners, are a formidable investigative force that is unwavering in our pursuit of fraudsters.”
“These boiler rooms used high-pressure sales to peddle millions of dollars in bogus investments to unsuspecting victims across the globe,” said Brian Payne, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office. “Thanks to the investigative work of IRS-CI and HSI special agents, another transnational criminal organization has bit the dust.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee and Assistant United States Attorney Craig Gestring.
Dallas Man Arrested and Charged in Connection with Multiple Bank Robberies across Northeast TexasRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Dallas man has been arrested and charged in connection with multiple bank robberies across the Metroplex area, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Mark Robert Disch, 53, was named in a complaint filed in the Eastern District of Texas on July 19, 2022, charging him with two counts of bank robbery. Disch was arrested on July 21, 2022 and appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson today.
According to the complaint, Disch is alleged to have robbed five Texas banks between May 25 and June 27, 2022: two in the Eastern District of Texas and three in the Northern District of Texas. The banks were located in Lewisville, Arlington, DeSoto, Sulphur Springs, and University Park. Using video surveillance and witness accounts, along with other investigative techniques, law enforcement officers and federal agents were able to identify Disch and determine he was in the immediate vicinity of each bank robbery.
If convicted, Disch faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
A complaint, information or indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dallas Police Department, the Sulphur Springs Police Department, the Lewisville Police Department, and the University Park Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok with assistance from Northern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hammond.
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Cottage Grove Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Cottage Grove man was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in November 2021, Michael Thomas Prall, 43, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal thousands of dollars from three separate banks. On November 30, 2021, Prall entered a Wells Fargo bank in Cottage Grove, and presented a note to the teller directing the teller to give him the money in her cash drawer. Prall threatened that if the teller did not quickly do as he asked, he would shoot her or someone else in the bank. The teller complied with the Prall’s demand, and the defendant fled on foot. Law enforcement located and arrested Prall following a short foot chase.
According to court documents, Prall was also responsible for a bank robbery on November 5, 2021, at a U.S. Bank in Bloomington, where he stole $2,558 and a November 19, 2021, robbery at a Bremer Bank in Woodbury, where he stole approximately $4,589.
Prall was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. Prall pleaded guilty to one count bank robbery on March 22, 2022.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Cottage Grove Police Department, the Woodbury Police Department, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine prosecuted the case.
Colorado Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Denver, Colorado, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on July 20, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Timothy Zuk, age 49, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and a $1,000 fine.
Zuk was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2020. He pled guilty on April 18, 2022.
Beginning in at least January 2015, Zuk was involved with several other individuals to distribute pounds of methamphetamine and heroin in and around the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Zuk was the source of supply for several individuals who resided on the reservation. They would make trips to Denver to pick up methamphetamine from Zuk to distribute on the reservation. Zuk also made several trips to South Dakota to bring methamphetamine to them to distribute. Over 90,000 kilograms of converted drug weight of narcotics was involved in this conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Zuk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
A prohibited person who possessed a firearm was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison.
Rakeem Leonard, age 31, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after a February 11, 2022 guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Leonard admitted that, on July 19, 2021, he possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while he was subject to a no contact order.
Leonard was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Leonard was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the High Risk Unit of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is CR 21-53.
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Career Offender Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Thomasville, Georgia, resident with a violent criminal history who fled from police after being caught illegally with multiple weapons — including a stolen AR-15 semi-automatic rifle — was sentenced to serve 21 years in prison for his crime.
Torrieo Monte Johnson aka Corker, 40, was sentenced to 260 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson yesterday after he previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Armed career offenders face accountability for their crimes at the federal level,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program calls for reducing violent crime in our communities using all of the federal, state and local resources available. Enforcement efforts remain focused on bringing violent repeat offenders to justice as we work together to make our neighborhoods safer.”
“This case is the product of a concerted collaborative effort on the part of ATF and its local partners to target, investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of violent crime,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.
According to court documents and other evidence, Johnson—a convicted felon—and another individual ran from Thomasville Police Department officers after they discovered multiple weapons inside the vehicle Johnson was driving on June 26, 2019. The officers found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 semi-automatic rifle, and a Spikes Tactical .223 semi-automatic rifle, along with multiple firearm magazines and boxes of ammunition. The Spikes Tactical weapon was reported stolen during a burglary at a Thomasville residence on June 17, 2019. Arrest warrants were issued for Johnson and he was captured in Tallahassee, Florida, on July 3, 2019. Johnson has a lengthy criminal history to include felony convictions for arson in the 1st degree, distribution of a controlled substance and burglary.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Thomasville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
Cardiac Device Manufacturer Biotronik Inc. Agrees to Pay Nearly $13 Million to Settle Allegations of Improper Payments to DoctorsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Biotronik Inc., a medical device manufacturer based in Oregon, has agreed to pay $12.95 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid by paying kickbacks to physicians to induce their use of Biotronik’s implantable cardiac devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations in a “whistleblower” complaint that Biotronik engaged in a kickback scheme to pay certain favored physicians to induce and reward their use of Biotronik’s pacemakers, defibrillators and other cardiac devices. The case was partially unsealed by United States District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez and was made public on Thursday.
Biotronik allegedly abused a new employee training program by paying physicians for an excessive number of trainings and, in some cases, for training events that either never occurred or were of little or no value to trainees. Biotronik allegedly made these payments despite concerns raised by its own compliance department, which warned that salespeople had too much influence in selecting physicians to conduct new employee training and that the training payments were being over-utilized.
The settlement also resolves allegations that Biotronik violated the federal Anti-Kickback Statute when it paid for physicians’ holiday parties, winery tours, lavish meals with no legitimate business purpose, and international business class airfare and honoraria in exchange for making brief appearances at international conferences.
“Kickbacks to doctors are illegal because they impose hidden costs on the health care system and they taint the doctor-patient relationship,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephanie S. Christensen. “The resolution to this matter concludes a lengthy investigation that demonstrates our commitment to take strong action when patient care takes a backseat to generating profits.”
“Paying kickbacks to doctors to influence their selection of medical devices undermines the integrity of federal healthcare programs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When medical devices are used in surgical procedures, patients deserve to know that their device was selected based on quality of care considerations and not on improper payments from manufacturers.”
“Valuable taxpayer dollars that fund Medicare and Medicaid are meant to support the delivery of health care services most suitable for beneficiaries. The payment of kickbacks to medical providers to impel their use of certain devices can improperly divert those dollars and undermine the quality of care being provided to patients," said Special Agent in Charge Timothy DeFrancesca of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains dedicated to working with fellow law enforcement agencies to safeguard the integrity of federal health care programs and the services they cover.”
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives.
Medicaid is funded jointly by the states and the federal government. The states of Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri and Nevada paid for a portion of the Medicaid claims at issue and will receive a total of approximately $933,400 from the settlement with Biotronik.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam – or whistleblower – provisions of the False Claims Act by Jeffrey Bell and Andrew Schmid, two former independent sales representatives for Biotronik. Under the qui tam provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Mr. Bell and Mr. Schmid will receive approximately $2.1 million as their share of the recovery in this case, United States ex rel. Bell, et al. v. Biotronik, Inc. et al., CV18-1895 (C.D. Cal.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section. HHS-OIG assisted in the investigation.
The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Karen Paik of the Civil Fraud Section and Justice Department Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Breanna Peterson and Jonathan Hoerner.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Bộ Tư Pháp Mở Cuộc Điều Tra Công Lý Môi Trường Đối Với Thành Phố Houston, TexasRead the Press Release
Download Vietnamese Press Release Translation
Hôm nay, Bộ Tư Pháp (Department of Justice, DOJ) ra thông báo mở cuộc điều tra công lý môi trường đối với các hoạt động, chính sách và phương thức của Thành Phố Houston liên quan đến hành vi xả rác bất hợp pháp. Cuộc điều tra này - do Civil Rights Division (Ban Dân Quyền) tiến hành - sẽ kiểm tra xem liệu Thành Phố có phản hồi các yêu cầu thị chính (bao gồm biện pháp ứng phó với hành vi xả rác bất hợp pháp) theo cách phân biệt đối xử với cư dân Houston là người Da Đen và người Latinh vi phạm luật dân quyền liên bang hay không.
“Không chỉ thu hút các loài gặm nhấm, muỗi cũng như những loài côn trùng khác gây nguy hiểm cho sức khỏe, các bãi rác bất hợp pháp còn làm ô nhiễm nước mặt và ảnh hưởng đến hệ thống thoát nước thích hợp, khiến cho các khu vực dễ bị ngập lụt hơn.” - Kristen Clarke, Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp thuộc Civil Rights Division của DOJ cho biết. “Không ai ở Hoa Kỳ đáng phải chịu rủi ro bệnh tật và các tổn hại nghiêm trọng khác vì hoạt động quản lý chất thải rắn không hiệu quả hoặc các chương trình thực thi không đầy đủ. Chúng tôi sẽ tiến hành một cuộc điều tra công bằng và kỹ lưỡng về những mối lo ngại liên quan đến công lý môi trường này, cũng như tác động của các vấn đề nói trên đến cộng đồng người Da Đen và người Latinh ở Thành phố Houston.”
“Các bãi rác bất hợp pháp có thể làm dấy lên những lo ngại đáng kể về sức khỏe, an toàn cộng đồng, giá trị tài sản và chất lượng cuộc sống.” - Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Jennifer B. Lowery thuộc Quận Phía Nam của Texas chia sẻ. “Chúng tôi mong muốn được hợp tác với Civil Rights Division để đảm bảo Thành Phố Houston tuân thủ các nghĩa vụ dân quyền liên bang của mình.”
Cuộc điều tra này sẽ kiểm tra xem liệu các hoạt động thực thi, vận hành quản lý chất thải rắn, những chính sách cũng như phương thức ứng phó của Thành Phố với hành vi xả rác bất hợp pháp có dẫn đến sự phân biệt đối xử với cư dân là người Da Đen và người Latinh vi phạm Mục VI của Đạo Luật Quyền Công Dân năm 1964 (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI) hay không. Title VI cấm các bên nhận hỗ trợ tài chính liên bang phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da hoặc nguồn gốc quốc gia.
Bộ Phận Tuân Thủ và Điều Phối Liên Bang (Federal Coordination and Compliance Section) của Civil Rights Division sẽ tiến hành cuộc điều tra này với sự hỗ trợ của Văn Phòng Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ thuộc Quận Phía Nam của Texas. Trước khi công bố, bộ đã thông báo cho văn phòng thị trưởng của Thành Phố Houston và bộ phận pháp lý về việc bắt đầu cuộc điều tra.
Ưu tiên hàng đầu của DOJ là giải quyết các tác động của hành vi phân biệt đối xử về môi trường và sức khỏe thông qua quá trình thực thi luật dân quyền của quốc gia. Vào tháng 5 năm 2022, Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Merrick Garland đã thông báo về việc thành lập Văn Phòng Công Lý Môi Trường (Office of Environmental Justice) đầu tiên. Ông cũng thông báo về việc ban hành Chiến Lược Thực Thi Công Lý Môi Trường Toàn Diện (Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy) của DOJ , qua đó đưa ra lộ trình vận dụng các công cụ cũng như cơ quan thực thi dân sự và hình sự của bộ (bao gồm các cơ quan dân quyền) nhằm đạt được công lý môi trường. Vào tháng 7 năm 2022, bộ đã phát hành Kế Hoạch Chiến Lược Năm 2022-26 (2022-26 Strategic Plan) ,bao gồm lĩnh vực trọng tâm là bảo vệ các quyền công dân và thúc đẩy công lý môi trường. Vào tháng 11/2021, Civil Rights Division đã công bố cuộc điều tra đầu tiên về công lý môi trường Tiêu Đề VI đối với những bên nhận của DOJ, Sở Y Tế Công Cộng Alabama và Sở Y Tế Quận Lowndes.
“Việc DOJ gần đây thành lập Office of Environmental Justice và Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy đã khẳng định cam kết sâu sắc của chúng tôi trong quá trình theo đuổi công lý bình đẳng theo luật pháp.” - Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Todd Kim thuộc Ban Tài Nguyên và Môi Trường (Environment and Natural Resources Division) của DOJ cho biết “Cuộc điều tra này thể hiện cam kết của bộ trong việc giảm bớt gánh nặng không cân xứng về môi trường mà các cộng đồng da màu, cộng đồng có thu nhập thấp và cộng đồng bộ tộc phải chịu đựng thường xuyên.”
Các cá nhân có thông tin phù hợp nên liên hệ với Federal Coordination and Compliance Section qua email tại [email protected] hoặc qua điện thoại theo số 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888- 848-5306). Thông tin thêm về Civil Rights Division có trên trang web của họ tại www.justice.gov/crt. Thông tin thêm về Environment and Natural Resources Division có trên trang web của họ tại www.justice.gov/enrd. Xem bản dịch tiếng Tây Ban Nha của thông cáo báo chí này tại đây.
Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Artie Ray Warwick, Jr., 53, of Beckley, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 2, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Warwick’s residence and found in excess of 300 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of heroin, cocaine, and an assortment of prescription pills. Warwick admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine in and around Raleigh County. The officers also recovered 104 marijuana plants that Warwick was growing inside his house. Warwick further admitted to possessing more than 800 grams of methamphetamine on October 25, 2021, which he intended to distribute in and around Beckley, and to selling small quantities of marijuana.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit is comprised of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess prosecuted 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. 5:21-cr-230.
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Beaver Dam Man Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Richard G. Frohling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 21, 2022, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper sentenced Kyle R. Halgrimson (age: 38) of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to 15 years’ imprisonment for production of child pornography.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Pepper noted this was an extremely aggravating and serious offense. Following his release from prison, Halgrimson will spend three years on supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sexual offender.
When entering his guilty plea in this matter, Halgrimson acknowledged that he had recorded his girlfriend at the time, Angelique Boll, having intercourse with a child on several different occasions. Angelique Boll is also charged in this case with production of child pornography. Boll has entered a plea of not guilty, and her case is scheduled for trial starting on October 31, 2022. Like all defendants, Boll is presumed innocent unless and until the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Beaver Dam Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s Megan J. Paulson and Abbey M. Marzick.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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For further information contact: Public Information Officer
(414) 297-1700
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Bank Robber SentencedRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH REED, age 35, of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 21, 2022 to one (1) year and a day in the Bureau of Prisons for committing Attempted Bank Robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).
According to court documents, on October 9, 2021, REED attempted to rob the Chase Bank located in New Orleans, Louisiana. REED entered the bank on foot and slipped a note underneath the protective glass. The note stated the following: “I only want $3,000 all in hundreds don’t take long or try anything on my way out cause someone will be here for you Tuesday.” The victim teller was unable to dispense the cash requested by the suspect. The suspect then removed his phone from his pocket and appeared to try and take a photograph of the victim teller. The Jefferson Parish Crime Laboratory matched fingerprints recovered from the demand note to that of REED.
United States Chief District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced REED to one (1) year and a day in the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release. REED was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force as well as officers with the New Orleans Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon M. Maestri is handling the prosecution.
Baltimore Man Admits Using Female Aliases on Social Media and Messaging Applications to Entice Boys to Send Him Sexually Explicit Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Matthew K. Walsh, age 24, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of a minor in order to produce child pornography. Specifically, Walsh admitted that he created fictitious online profiles purporting to be a minor female to contact and induce minor males between the ages of 12 and 17 to send sexually explicit images and videos the individual they believed to be a minor female, but was, in fact, Walsh.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, from at least 2016 through 2021, Walsh created fictitious profiles on several online platforms posing as a minor female to make contact with minor males between the ages of twelve and seventeen to induce them to produce sexually explicit images and videos to send to the purported minor female. Once Walsh obtained the sexually explicit images and videos, he extorted the minor males into producing more sexually explicit images and videos at his instruction and threatened that if they failed to do so, Walsh would send the previously provided images and videos to the minor victims’ friends, family, and classmates. Walsh directed the minor males to send him the images and videos he directed them to produce, and that the images and videos needed to include their face.
In some of the communications, by text, email, and video, the minor victims are crying and begging Walsh not to send the images and videos to their families and classmates, to leave them alone, and not to make them do more, but Walsh persisted with his threats and demands. Walsh admitted that he harassed some of the victims for years and obtained hundreds of files depicting sexually explicit conduct from some of the victims. In total, Walsh obtained approximately 2000 images and videos depicting sexually explicit conduct of the various minor males.
As detailed in the plea agreement, once Walsh received the sexually explicit files from the victims, he saved them into folders of fake names or a variation of the victim’s real name in a cloud storage account. Walsh also uploaded the minor males’ files to various Twitter accounts and sold the sexually explicit files of the minors to others, obtaining approximately $8000 from the sale of the files. Specifically, Walsh communicated with at least 50 different Twitter users interested in purchasing either individual files of child sex abuse material (CSAM), or Walsh’s “collections” of CSAM. The “collections” contained over 100 different victims’ files. In several messages, the Twitter users were aware that some of the individuals in the sexually explicit files were as young as 14-years-old. Several Twitter users exchanged “tips” with Walsh on how to evade law enforcement and discussed methods for enticing and extorting victims’ nude images and videos. Walsh was also a member of online groups which included other offenders who would post, sell, and trade CSAM.
During the investigation, federal search warrants were executed on 17 Google accounts, 22 Twitter accounts, 4 Facebook accounts, 7 Instagram accounts, 6 Snap accounts, 3 Dropbox accounts, 3 TextNow accounts, a Kik account, an Apple account, and an Oath/Yahoo! account, all created and utilized by Walsh. To date over 40 minor males have been positively identified as victims of Walsh’s conduct. At least 30 victims’ pictures and videos were sold and/or distributed to others by Walsh.
Walsh faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for production of child pornography. As required by his plea agreement, Walsh will make full restitution to all minor victims of his offenses as to all counts charged, whether or not he has entered a guilty plea to those counts. As a consequence of Walsh’s conviction, upon his release from prison, Walsh will be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, is an employee, and is a student, pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Noblesville, Indiana Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Judson T. Mihok and Paul E. Budlow, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Alleged Members of a Multi-State Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine Trafficking Ring ArrestedRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging twenty-one individuals for their roles in an Indianapolis-based drug trafficking organization with conspiracies to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The indictment was unsealed late yesterday following their arrests and initial appearances.
As alleged in court documents, Keith Jones, aka “Keybo,” 56, Indianapolis, was the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Indianapolis. Jones received parcels containing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl from Kevin Backstrom, 56, of Los Angeles, California and another individual in Desert Hot Springs, California. Jones directed other individuals to receive the drug parcels at their residences and places of business and transport the drugs to a stash location at 2877 North Centennial Street in Indianapolis. Jones then delivered the controlled substances to other individuals for redistribution. The indictment also alleges that Jones enlisted his twelve-year-old daughter to assist him in the distribution of the controlled substances.
In addition, DEA filed a federal criminal complaint against Michael Tyrone Hill of Indianapolis for the offenses of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Law enforcement officers from 22 different agencies served search and arrest warrants at 25 locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Los Angeles, California on Thursday morning, ultimately arresting 20 individuals. During the execution of the search warrants, officers seized approximately 43 firearms, $300,000 in U.S. currency, four ounces of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, and two kilograms of fentanyl. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.
The following individuals are in custody or have been ordered to appear in federal court:
Defendant
Charge(s)
Keith Jones, aka “Keybo” 56, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
Kevin Backstrom, 56, of Los Angeles, CA
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
Jamie Rayner, 32, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
Imany Jones, 30, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
Tameka Washington, 47, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Jerry Bibbs, 54, of Ft. Wayne
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Emmanuel O’Hara, 24, of Ft. Wayne
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Danyale Buchanan, 52, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Charles Davis, 37, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
LaDonna Jones, 38, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Anthony Moore, 36, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Marcus Miles, aka “Old Hat” 47, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Steve Young, aka “Friday” 39, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Sean Devonish, 44, of Indianapolis
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Katrina Green, 50, of Indianapolis
Maintaining drug involved premises
Fredrick Garner, 52, of Indianapolis
Unlawful use of communication facility
Nicholas Ray, 31, of Indianapolis
Possession of cocaine hydrochloride with intent to distribute
Theodore Poinsett, Jr., aka “Grover” 41, of Indianapolis
Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
William Starks, 58, of Indianapolis
Possession of cocaine hydrochloride with intent to distribute
The defendants face the following possible penalties, if convicted:Charge
Penalties
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
10 years to life in prison
Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
0 to 20 years in prison
Continuing criminal enterprise
Life in prison
Maintaining drug involved premises
0 to 20 years in prison
Unlawful use of communication facility
0 to 3 years in prison
Possession of cocaine hydrochloride with intent to distribute
0 to 20 years in prison
Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
10 years to life in prison
Actual sentences are determined by a federal district court judge and are typically less than the maximum penalties.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, Chief Randal Taylor, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Major Charles Harting, Hamilton-Boone County Drug Task Force, Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division, and Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the IRS Criminal Investigations, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force, the Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Brad Blackington, who is prosecuting this 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Thursday 21 July 2022
York County Man Sentenced to over Ten Years in Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeremy Michael Kohler, age 34, of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 130 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Kohler was indicted for his role in methamphetamine trafficking. On July 2, 2020, Kohler and his codefendant, Nicole Botterbusch, were stopped in a vehicle with over 400 grams of methamphetamine. Both Kohler and Botterbusch previously entered guilty pleas to drug trafficking. Botterbusch is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
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Winchester Man Arrested for Making Straw Purchase of Firearm Used in HomicideRead the Press Release
HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Winchester, Virginia man was arrested today on criminal charges related to his alleged straw purchase of a firearm, which was used four days later in a homicide in Washington, D.C.
According to court documents, Gerald Kendrick Oxner, 25, lied when he purchased a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun from a Front Royal, Virginia gun store in January 2021. Oxner did not disclose that he was purchasing the weapon for a close relative and provided a false home address on required forms. Investigators obtained security camera footage and receipts from the store, which show Oxner buying the firearm and using his relative’s debit card to make the purchase.
“To reduce violent crime in our communities, we must leverage all available federal laws to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “My Office is committed to prosecuting individuals who directly contribute to the surging violence in our communities, including those who circumvent the law and providing firearms to violent felons. We will find and identify those responsible through traditional investigative efforts and advanced forensic analysis.”
“The straw purchase of firearms will continue to be at the forefront of our investigations as we combat violent gun crime,” said ATF Washington Field Division Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson. “We know people that purchase illegal firearms almost always have ill intentions, and the consequences can be deadly. Our mission is clear, we will continue working with our partners as we disrupt the cycle of illegal firearm acquisition to maintain public safety.”
Law enforcement later recovered the firearm in Maryland, but its serial number had been obliterated. Through forensic analysis, the serial number was restored, and the firearm was linked to evidence recovered the scene of a shooting. On January 25, 2021, the firearm was used in a shooting in Southeast Washington D.C. where one person was killed and three others were injured. Oxner’s relative was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
The criminal complaint further alleges Oxner conducted additional straw purchases in Virginia, including purchasing a firearm later found in possession of a felon in a separate shooting investigation.
Oxner is charged with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Oxner will make his initial court appearance today at 2:00 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith and Katie B. Medearis are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
West Des Moines Man Charged for Sexually Exploiting and Enticing Numerous MinorsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IOWA – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an indictment on July 20, 2022, charging a West Des Moines man with exploiting minors to produce child pornography and attempting to entice and persuade other minors to do the same thing.
According to court documents, Jonathan Francis Speidel, age 30, used the social media application Snapchat to manipulate and entice numerous children to produce child pornography for him. Speidel had multiple Snapchat usernames, including “Letssbang” and “SD_Backupacct.”
Speidel is charged with twenty-eight crimes, including seven counts of Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, eight counts of Enticement and Attempted Enticement of a Minor, four counts of Transportation of Child Pornography, five counts of Receipt of Child Pornography, one count of Possession of Child Pornography, and three counts of Transfer and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.
Speidel has been ordered to remain in custody until his trial or sentencing. If convicted, Speidel faces a mandatory minimum fifteen-year prison sentence and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
If you have information relevant to this investigation, please contact [email protected], an email account dedicated to identifying possible victims.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the North Olmsted (Ohio) Police Department, and the Gladstone (Oregon) Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.
U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Essley is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Valdosta Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Producing Child Sexual Assault MaterialRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Valdosta man who produced child sexual assault material involving two young children was sentenced to the statutory maximum prison sentence of 60 years in prison today.
Henry Theodore Salmons aka Ted, 48, of Valdosta, Georgia, was sentenced to serve a total of 720 months in prison (the statutory maximum of 360 months imprisonment per count) to be followed by 25 years of supervised release and pay $150,000 in restitution to each of the two minor victims by U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson after he previously pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography. In addition, Salmons will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison. There is no parole.
“Ted Salmons will spend the rest of his life in prison where he will no longer be able to sexually assault children and film their horrific suffering,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office and our law enforcement partners have an unwavering commitment to protect children from exploitation; we will use every resource at our disposal to track down dangerous sex offenders who target children and bring them to justice.”
“Finding and stopping predators like Salmons, that not only victimize innocent children, but also share those horrific images with others who delight in viewing this filth is one of our highest priorities,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the great work done by our agents along with our state, local and federal partners we were able to remove a serious threat from our community and we will continue to pursue those who commit these evil acts.”
“The U.S. Marshals and our K-9 unit helped us track down and take this defendant into custody; and thanks to our federal partners, we were able to build a good case against him. With this sentence, Ted Salmons will not see the light of day in Lowndes County again,” said Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk.
According to court documents, Salmons admitted that he enticed two minor children under the age of ten years old to engage in sexually explicit acts which were filmed or photographed in April and July 2021. For the protection of the minor victims, Salmon’s guilty plea was sealed by the Court at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI) and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Semales prosecuted the case with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McCullers.
U.S. Attorney's Office Closes Investigation into Officer Involved Shooting in Lame DeerRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana is closing its investigation into the Dec. 2, 2021 fatal shooting of Arlin Bordeaux by a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.
“After a thorough investigation by the FBI into the shooting of Mr. Bordeaux by a BIA officer and an extensive review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the office has declined to prosecute the case.
“According to the evidence reviewed during the investigation, the shooting occurred when a BIA officer responded to a call of a suspicious man near a residence and encountered Mr. Bordeaux, who was acting in a peculiar manner. Mr. Bordeaux disobeyed orders to stop and get on the ground and began fighting with the officer. The responding officer called for assistance and a second BIA officer arrived. Using non-lethal methods, including tasers, both officers tried unsuccessfully to gain control of Mr. Bordeaux, who was taller and heavier than the officers. During the fighting, Mr. Bordeaux obtained the assisting officer’s taser and was within arm’s reach of the responding officer. Believing the taser could incapacitate the responding officer or himself, the assisting officer shot Mr. Bordeaux twice. The first shot was through the back. The assisting officer shot Mr. Bordeaux a second time, in the shoulder, because Mr. Bordeaux again reached for the taser while he was still within arm’s reach of the responding officer. Both officers received minor injuries.
“An autopsy determined that the first shot did not incapacitate or kill Mr. Bordeaux, while the second shot nicked his heart and killed him. The autopsy also showed that Mr. Bordeaux had methamphetamine in his system.
“Evidence reviewed in the investigation included law enforcement video and audio files, interviews of the officers and the person who called the police, and autopsy records.
“As in all cases under its consideration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for determining whether the government can prove each element of a federal crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors would have to establish that the assisting officer’s actions were objectively unreasonable under the circumstances, and that his actions were willful. To establish willfulness, the government must show that the officer acted with deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids – one of the highest standards of intent imposed by law. An officer reasonably believing that he or she is acting in self-defense or defense of others – even if predicated on mistake, misperception, negligence or poor judgment – is insufficient to establish this high standard.
“After a careful and thorough review into the facts surrounding the shooting, the evidence, when viewed as whole, is insufficient to prove that the officer’s actions were ‘objectively unreasonable’ under the law. The evidence is also insufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer acted willfully, that is with the specific intent to break the law.
“Accordingly, the investigation into this tragic incident has been closed. This decision is limited to the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s inability to meet the high legal standard required to prosecute the case under the applicable federal civil rights statute; it does not reflect an assessment of any other aspect of the shooting.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to ensure that all such allegations are fully investigated and aggressively prosecuted whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Calls Mexico’s Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero to Discuss the Extradition of Rafael Caro-QuinteroRead the Press Release
This afternoon, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland spoke by phone with Mexico’s Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero. Attorney General Garland called to express his gratitude to Attorney General Gertz and the Government of Mexico for successfully arresting Rafael Caro-Quintero, who is wanted in the United States on a number of criminal charges, including his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. Attorney General Garland offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the Mexican servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country last week. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue working in lockstep on the extradition of Caro-Quintero and pledged to continue building upon successful collaboration in criminal investigations and prosecutions of cross-border crime.
Two People Arrested and Charged for Carson City Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident made her initial appearance on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carla L. Baldwin for allegedly conspiring to commit bank robbery and for bank robbery.
Shanequa Charles (31) is charged in a superseding indictment with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Robbery and Bank Robbery. The superseding indictment alleges that on January 27, 2022, Charles and her co-defendant, Devon Jones (29) conspired to rob the Plumas Bank, 1101 North Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada. Jones is also charged with discharging a semi-automatic pistol during the bank robbery. Loss to the Plumas Bank was approximately $10,000.
The superseding indictment also charges Jones with interfering with commerce by robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. On January 24, 2020, Jones allegedly discharged a semi-automatic pistol during the robbery at USA Cash Services, 699 Moana Lane, Reno, Nevada.
If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for bank robbery is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The penalty for conspiracy is 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The statutory maximum penalty for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence is life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years that must run consecutive to any other related count of conviction and a fine of $250,000. The statutory maximum penalty for interference with commerce by robbery is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A jury trial has been set for August 29, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force which is comprised of members from the FBI, Reno Police Department, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada Parole and Probation, Nevada Department of Corrections, Nevada Highway Patrol, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow is prosecuting the case.
A superseding indictment contains merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Two Morgan Management Employees Sentenced for Bank LarcenyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frank Giacobbe and Michael Tremiti, who were convicted of bank larceny, were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. Giacobbe was sentenced to serve one year probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine, while Tremiti was sentenced to time served and a $500 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that defendant Tremiti worked for Morgan Management, LLC., a real estate management company that managed over 100 multi-family properties, as the Vice President of Finance. Tremiti admitted submitting false documents to the ESL Federal Credit Union to obtain a construction loan. The loan was used to construct Ellison Heights Apartments, a multi-family residential complex in Penfield, NY.
Defendant Giacobbe owned and operated Aurora Capital Advisors, LLC, which brokered loans for borrowers seeking financing for multi-family properties such as apartment complexes. Through Aurora, Giacobbe worked as a mortgage broker on behalf of Morgan Management. Morgan Ellicott Apartments, LLC, was a limited liability company created to purchase a multi-family residential apartment complex located at 221 and 291 William Street in Buffalo, NY, known as Morgan Ellicott Apartments. Morgan Ellicott sought to obtain a loan from Evans Bank. Giacobbe, working with others, submitted documents and information to Evans Bank that overstated the contract purchase price of Morgan Ellicott, falsely represented the obligations associated with Morgan Ellicott, and misrepresented the actual purchase price of the property. Giacobbe also made misrepresentations designed to conceal from Evans Bank that he and others were not using the loan proceeds to purchase or maintain the property as required by the loan agreement.
The sentencings are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Manchak, Northeast Region.
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Two Marysville, Washington residents arrested following discovery of fentanyl pill manufacturing labRead the Press Release
Seattle – Two residents of Marysville, Washington, were arrested today following an investigation into parts shipped from China that could be used to make counterfeit oxycodone pills, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Jose Eduardo Garnica and Lauren Malina Wilson, appeared in U.S. District Court today charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Both remain detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac pending additional hearings.
“Fentanyl pills are linked to the huge increase in overdose deaths in Washington State,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “A pill press, such as the one in this case, can create 30-50 pills a minute – up to 3,000 potentially deadly pills per hour. Seizure of this press helps reduce the supply of these dangerous pills.”
According to the criminal complaint, the pair came to the attention of law enforcement on June 17, 2022, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Los Angeles inspected a package shipped from China to Garnica’s Marysville address. The package was labeled “furniture parts,” but in fact it contained die sets for use in a pill press, and would make pills that appear to have the markings of oxycodone pills. Further investigation of Garnica and Wilson revealed numerous unusual cash transactions and the purchase of 11 firearms in a three-month span of 2020.
This morning agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI executed search warrants at the Marysville residence and in the garage seized a pill press and other materials for making fake oxycodone pills. Both Garnica and Wilson were arrested at the scene. Officers called a hazmat team to secure the lab, due to the potentially deadly nature of fentanyl powder. The investigation of the scene is ongoing. In the vehicles associated with the defendants, law enforcement found multiple suspected counterfeit oxycodone pills.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI with assistance from the Washington State Patrol, National Guard Civil Service Team, the Snohomish County Drug Task Force, and the Skagit County Drug Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.
garnica-wilson_complaint.pdf Pill press in garageTwo Defendants Plead Guilty for Their Roles in A Narcotics Conspiracy Which Resulted in A Triple HomicideRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jariel Cobb a/k/a Doobie a/k/a Black, 49, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct justice, use of fire to commit a felony, and conspiracy to damage and destroy a vehicle used in interstate commerce by fire. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $20,000,000 fine. Co-defendant James Reed, 39, of Buffalo, also pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and use of fire to commit a felony, as well as accessory after the fact, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $20,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that beginning in 2014, Cobb, Reed, and others, began receiving and selling marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Cobb, Reed, and their co-conspirators utilized 973 Fillmore Avenue to store, package, and sell the illegal narcotics. In furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy, on September 15, 2019, Cobb arranged a purchase of a kilogram of cocaine from Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred, who served as Cobb’s sources of supply. Valentin-Colon, along with his wife. Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, their minor son, and Roman-Audiffred, arrived in their vehicle, a white minivan, at a residence on Roebling Avenue, as directed by Cobb. Roman-Audiffred exited the van and entered the residence’s kitchen, at which time a co-defendant her in the head with a blunt object and she fell to the floor. The co-defendant then went outside and shot and killed both Valentin-Colon and Merced Plaud, in the presence of their minor son, who was seated in a child’s car seat. The co-defendant then drove the minivan and parked it on Scajaquada Street near Kilhoffer Street in Buffalo.
A short time later, Cobb and Reed moved the body of Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred from the kitchen into the residence’s basement, where they dismembered her body. Cobb placed the body parts into multiple trash bags and placed them into the trunk of his vehicle, and then drove to a residence on Box Avenue, removed the trash bags, and placed them into a burning fire in a fire pit area in the backyard.
The following day, during the early morning hours of September 16, 2019, Cobb and another co-defendant retrieved the minivan from Scajaquada Street, with the bodies of Miguel Valentin-Colon and Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud still inside, as well as their minor son. Cobb and the co-defendant drove the minivan into the yard of a residence on Tonawanda Street and doused the vehicle and the bodies with gasoline, lighting the vehicle and bodies on fire. They took the minor child and left him on a stranger’s porch on Potomac Avenue in Buffalo.
In addition, co-defendant Deshema Clark pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of marijuana and faces up to one year in prison.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, under the direction of Commissioner James Jancewicz. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn.
Sentencing's will be scheduled at a later date.
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Two Beckley Women Plead Guilty to Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Lakeshia Nicole Simon, 23, and Tyana Bly, also known as “Biggie,” 22, both of Beckley, each pleaded guilty today to straw purchasing roles in a conspiracy to traffic over 130 firearms from the Beckley area to Philadelphia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Simon and Bly each admitted to straw purchasing firearms in Beckley for Bisheem Jones, also known as “Bosh.” Jones provided Bly with money to buy the firearms and told her which ones to buy, and did the same with Simon through an intermediary.
Simon admitted to purchasing two Ruger Model Ruger 57, 5.7x28mm 5.7-caliber pistols for Jones on April 20, 2021. Simon further admitted to buying at least three additional firearms for Jones in April 2021 so he and others could transport and resell them outside of West Virginia.
Bly admitted to buying two SCCY CPX-2 9mm pistols and a Taurus G3C 9mm pistol for Jones in Beckley on April 2, 2021. Bly further admitted to purchasing at least five firearms for Jones in March and April 2021 so he and others could transport and resell them outside of West Virginia.
Simon and Bly pleaded guilty to making false statements in acquisition of firearms, admitting they falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that they were the buyers of the firearms while knowing they were purchasing the firearms for someone else.
Simon and Bly are among 13 individuals indicted in connection with their roles in a conspiracy to traffic over 130 firearms from the Beckley area to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More than 40 of the firearms have been recovered in Philadelphia and have been connected to two homicides, crimes of domestic violence, and other violent crimes.
Stephanie Cohernour, Arileah Lacy, and Terri Lawhorn previously admitted to making straw purchases in the conspiracy, pleading guilty to making false statements in acquisition of firearms. Co-defendant Derrick Woodard pleaded guilty to interstate travel with the intent to engage in dealing firearms without a license. The case remains pending against Jones and five other co-defendants. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Simon is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2022, and Bly is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2022. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the ATF’s investigative work.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.
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. 5:22-cr-46.
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Three indicted on fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and “boot” chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Maryland men and a West Virginia man were indicted this week on multiple drug charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
The three are accused of working together to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, and Eutylone, also known as “boot.” Those charged are:
- Steven Bernard Parker, Jr., also known as “Mac Man,” 43, of Baltimore, Maryland
- Danny Otero Johnson, Jr., also known as “Black,” 39, of Owings Mill, Maryland
- Travis Jackson Latta, 34, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
The crimes are alleged to have occurred from April 2021 to June 2021 in Berkeley County and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Firearms; and the Martinsburg Police Department investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Individuals Plead Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining Pandemic Unemployment Benefits for Virginia Prison InmatesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Three individuals pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to use the personal identifying information (PII) of Virginia prison inmates in order to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
According to court documents, Veldreka L. Crockett, 31, of Hopewell, pleaded guilty today, the last of the three defendants in the conspiracy to enter a guilty plea. Crockett was an employee of a company contracted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide services related to the Commonwealth's management of its Medicaid program. In this capacity, Crockett worked to determine the Medicaid eligibility of incarcerated individuals in the Commonwealth.
At the same time, in 2020 and 2021, Crockett conspired with at least two other inmates at Virginia correctional institutions – Clarence Stith III, 38, of Lawrenceville Correctional Center in Lawrenceville, and Andre C. Mason, Jr., 35, of Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt – to collect the PII of other Virginia inmates. After receiving the inmate information from her co-defendants, Crockett used it to file pandemic unemployment claims on behalf of at least 30 inmates with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). The defendants caused the VEC to disburse approximately $318,727 in fraudulent pandemic-related unemployment benefits. The VEC was able to reclaim $25,920 of the disbursed funds after discovering the fraud.
In order for the claims to be successful, Crockett and her co-conspirators included numerous false statements about the inmates’ addresses, last employers, and employment statuses, including that they were unable to work because of the pandemic. In truth, the inmates could not work and did not qualify for unemployment benefits because they were incarcerated. Crockett and her co-conspirators also filed weekly re-certifications for unemployment claims to ensure that the VEC would continue to pay benefits. Such UI claims caused the VEC to create and send pre-paid debit cards in the name of the Virginia inmates to addresses designated by Crockett and her co-conspirators.
Crockett coordinated with Stith and Mason to ensure that Crockett would receive the pre-paid debit cards in the name of Virginia inmates so that Crockett could take a portion of the funds. As part of the scheme, Crockett also transferred funds from these pre-paid debit cards to Stith via Stith's prison commissary account and to individuals designated by Mason.
Crockett pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum sentence of 32 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years when sentenced on October 20. Stith pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum sentence of 32 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years when sentenced on October 20. Mason pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison when sentenced on October 13. 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 Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark R. Colombell accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth 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 Nos. 3:22-cr-32.
Three Charged in First Ever Cryptocurrency Insider Trading Tipping SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ISHAN WAHI, a former product manager at Coinbase Global, Inc. (“Coinbase”), NIKHIL WAHI, and SAMEER RAMANI, with wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to commit insider trading in cryptocurrency assets by using confidential Coinbase information about which crypto assets were scheduled to be listed on Coinbase’s exchanges. ISHAN WAHI and NIKHIL WAHI were arrested this morning in Seattle, Washington and will be presented today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. SAMEER RAMANI was also charged today and remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today’s charges are a further reminder that Web3 is not a law-free zone. Just last month, I announced the first ever insider trading case involving NFTs, and today I announce the first ever insider trading case involving cryptocurrency markets. Our message with these charges is clear: fraud is fraud is fraud, whether it occurs on the blockchain or on Wall Street. And the Southern District of New York will continue to be relentless in bringing fraudsters to justice, wherever we may find them.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Although the allegations in this case relate to transactions made in a crypto exchange - rather than a more traditional financial market – they still constitute insider trading. As alleged, the defendants made illegal trades in at least 25 different crypto assets and realized ill-gotten gains totaling approximately $1.5 million. Today’s action should demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to protecting the integrity of all financial markets – both ‘old’ and ‘new.’”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:
Background
At all relevant times, Coinbase was one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Coinbase users could acquire, exchange, and sell various crypto assets through online user accounts with Coinbase. Periodically, Coinbase added new crypto assets to those that could be traded through its exchange, and the market value of crypto assets typically significantly increased after Coinbase announced that it would be listing a particular crypto asset. Accordingly, Coinbase kept such information strictly confidential and prohibited its employees from sharing that information with others, including by providing a “tip” to any person who might trade based on that information.
Beginning in approximately October 2020, ISHAN WAHI worked at Coinbase as a product manager assigned to a Coinbase asset listing team. In that role, ISHAN WAHI was involved in the highly confidential process of listing crypto assets on Coinbase’s exchanges and had detailed and advanced knowledge of which crypto assets Coinbase was planning to list and the timing of public announcements about those crypto asset listings. Beginning at least in August 2021 and continuing through May 2022, ISHAN WAHI was a member of a private Coinbase messaging channel reserved for a small number of Coinbase employees with direct involvement in the Coinbase asset listing process. The private channel was used to discuss, among other things, “exact announcement / launch dates + timelines” that Coinbase did not wish to share with all of its employees.
The Insider Trading Scheme
On at least 14 occasions beginning at least in June 2021 and continuing through April 2022, ISHAN WAHI knew in advance both that Coinbase planned to list particular crypto assets and the timing of Coinbase’s public announcements of those asset listings and misappropriated that Coinbase confidential information by tipping either his brother, NIKHIL WAHI, or ISHAN WAHI’s friend and associate, SAMEER RAMANI, so that they could place profitable trades in those crypto assets in advance of Coinbase’s public listing announcements.
After getting tips from ISHAN WAHI, NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI used anonymous Ethereum blockchain wallets to acquire crypto assets shortly before Coinbase publicly announced that it was listing or considering listing these crypto assets on its exchanges. Following Coinbase public listing announcements, NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI sold the crypto assets for a profit. Based on confidential information provided by ISHAN WAHI, NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI collectively traded shortly in advance of at least 14 separate Coinbase public listing announcements concerning at least 25 different crypto assets. As a result of the insider trading scheme, NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI collectively generated realized and unrealized gains totaling at least approximately $1.5 million.
To conceal their purchases of crypto assets in advance of Coinbase listing announcements, NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI used accounts at centralized exchanges held in the names of others, and transferred funds, crypto assets, and proceeds of their scheme through multiple anonymous Ethereum blockchain wallets. NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI also regularly created and used new Ethereum blockchain wallets without any prior transaction history in order to further conceal their involvement in the scheme.
ISHAN WAHI’s Attempt to Flee the United States
On April 11, 2022, Coinbase announced that it was considering potentially listing dozens of crypto assets on its exchanges. Based on Coinbase confidential information provided by ISHAN WAHI, RAMANI caused multiple anonymous Ethereum blockchain wallets to purchase large quantities of at least six of the crypto assets that were to be included in Coinbase’s April 11, 2022 listing announcement.
Shortly after RAMANI traded in advance of Coinbase’s April 11 listing announcement, on April 12, 2022, a Twitter account that is well known in the crypto community tweeted regarding an Ethereum blockchain wallet “that bought hundreds of thousands of dollars of tokens exclusively featured in the Coinbase Asset Listing post about 24 hours before it was published.” The trading activity referenced in the April 12 tweet was the trading caused by RAMANI. Coinbase thereafter publicly replied on Twitter noting that it had already begun investigating the matter and a few weeks later stated in a public blog post that any Coinbase employee who leaked confidential company information would be “immediately terminated and referred to relevant authorities (potentially for criminal prosecution).”
On May 11, 2022, Coinbase’s director of security operations emailed ISHAN WAHI to inform him that he should appear for an in-person meeting relating to Coinbase’s asset listing process at Coinbase’s Seattle, Washington office on Monday, May 16, 2022. ISHAN WAHI confirmed he would attend the meeting.
On the evening of Sunday, May 15, 2022, ISHAN WAHI purchased a one-way flight to India that was scheduled to depart the next day shortly before ISHAN WAHI was supposed to be interviewed by Coinbase. Prior to boarding the flight, ISHAN WAHI falsely told Coinbase employees that he had already departed for India when he had not. In the hours between booking the flight and his scheduled departure, ISHAN WAHI called and texted NIKHIL WAHI and RAMANI about Coinbase’s investigation, and sent both of them a photograph of the messages he had received on May 11, 2022, from Coinbase’s director of security operations. Prior to boarding the May 16, 2022 flight to India, ISHAN WAHI was stopped by law enforcement and prevented from leaving the country.
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ISHAN WAHI, 32, of Seattle, Washington, is charged with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy and two counts of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
NIKHIL WAHI, 26, of Seattle, Washington, is charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
SAMEER RAMANI, 33, of Houston, Texas, is charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Justice Department’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, as well as that of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which separately initiated civil proceedings against the defendants today. Mr. Williams further thanked Coinbase Global, Inc. for its cooperation with the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Noah Solowiejczyk and Nicolas Roos are in charge of the prosecution.
The allegations in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Three Arrested for Scheme to Steal Unclaimed Funds from the NYS ComptrollerRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Daniel B. Brubaker, Postal Inspector in Charge, Postal Service Inspection Service, New York Division, and Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, announced the arrest of BAKARE DOUKOURE, SANNEH TUNKARA, and LASSANA SYLLA on mail fraud and identity theft charges arising out of their scheme to fraudulently obtain unclaimed funds held by the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. TUNKARA was arrested on July 19, 2022 and presented before the Hon. Andrew E. Krause, United States Magistrate Judge. SYLLA surrendered upon learning of an outstanding arrest warrant and was presented before Judge Krause on July 20, 2022. Earlier today, DOUKOURE also surrendered upon learning of an outstanding arrest warrant and was presented before Judge Krause.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Complaint, Bakare Doukoure, Sanneh Tunkara, and Lassana Sylla defrauded over 100 unsuspecting New York residents out of money to which they were entitled that was held in trust by the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. My Office and our partners in law enforcement will not stand idly by when wrongdoers target government programs designed to protect the assets of the people of this State.”
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division Daniel B. Brubaker said: “The defendants thought no one was looking while they carried out their scheme to defraud the New York State Comptroller’s Office, and in an attempt to hide their crimes steal the identities of numerous victims. They gamed the system for over one hundred thousand dollars and tarnished the names of innocent people, all in the pursuit of their greed. However, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners are ever vigilant when it comes to exposing fraudsters. We will commit every resource available to us in the fight against identity theft and fraud. Today’s arrests should also serve as a warning to anyone who uses the mail for illegal purposes: once Postal Inspectors are on the case, it’s game over for the bad guys.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said: “The defendants unconscionably stole people’s identities to submit claims for money that did not belong to them, stealing from those who had unclaimed funds held by the state. Thanks to the work of my investigations team, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the New York City Housing Authority’s Office of Inspector General, they have been arrested and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint filed yesterday and unsealed today[1]:
New York State’s Abandoned Property Law requires banks and other financial institutions to transfer abandoned customer funds in their custody to the Office of Unclaimed Funds after a specified period of time. The Office of Unclaimed Funds maintains an online database in which anyone can search to see if the Office of Unclaimed Funds is holding any unclaimed funds in someone’s name. The owner of the funds can recover the money from the Office of Unclaimed Funds by filing a claim and proving he or she is the rightful owner of the money by providing personal identifying information such as a Social Security number or an address. New York State has approximately $17.5 billion in unclaimed money with more than 46 million account records remaining unclaimed. The Office of Unclaimed Funds returns over $1.5 million to individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and municipalities daily.
An investigation by the State Comptroller’s Office initially discovered the identity theft and the fraud. State Comptroller investigators brought the matter to the federal authorities and worked jointly with the Postal Inspection Service and the United States Attorney’s Office to fully uncover the scheme.
From at least in or about June 2012 to in or about April 2018, DOUKOURE, TUNKARA, and SYLLA worked together in a fraudulent scheme in which they filed fraudulent claims with the Office of Unclaimed Funds for abandoned monies held in trust by the New York State Comptroller. Bank records show that, during the relevant period, the Office of Unclaimed Funds issued approximately 170 checks made out to approximately 120 different payees that were deposited into approximately eight different bank accounts that were controlled by either DOUKOURE or TUNKARA.
In connection with the scheme, bank accounts controlled by DOUKOURE and TUNKARA were used to make purchases from online databases that collect public records on individuals, such as names, dates of birth, and addresses. DOUKOURE and TUNKARA also used stolen identities to perpetrate their scheme, including fake driver’s licenses.
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DOUKOURE, 54, of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years in prison. TUNKARA, 38, of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years in prison. SYLLA, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 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 defendants will be determined by a judge.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and DOUKOURE, TUNKARA and SYLLA are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Postal Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service, Investigators with the Office of the New York State Comptroller, and Investigators with the New York City Housing Authority’s Office of Inspector General.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin A. Gianforti and James McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.
[1]As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Third defendant arraigned for Shiprock assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Raynorma Rae Billy was arraigned on July 20 on an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm. Billy, 34, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
A grand jury indicted Raynorma Billy and co-defendants Raydell Billy and Alvin White on May 24. According to the indictment and other court records, on April 11, Raynorma allegedly drove Raydell and White to a residence at South Side Non-profit Housing in Shiprock with the intent to assault a victim, identified as John Doe. After they entered the residence, Raynorma allegedly prevented the other occupants of the residence from intervening while Raydell and White assaulted John Doe. The indictment alleges that White threatened John Doe with a machete and both Raydell and White allegedly beat John Doe with their fists.
The alleged assault occurred on the Navajo Nation.
Raydell Billy was arraigned on May 27. White was arraigned on May 31. Raydell Billy and White will remain in custody pending trial.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Raydell, Raynorma and White each face up to five years in prison for conspiracy and up to ten years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Pfizenmayer is prosecuting the case.
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Texas Man Charged with Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Torres, age 31, of San Antonio, Texas, was indicted on July 14, 2022, by a federal grand jury on a drug trafficking charge.
According to United States Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Torres with possession with intent to distribute at more than 500 grams of cocaine on May 31, 2022, in Centre County.
This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine is 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine. A sentence for each of these offenses also includes a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
This case was 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.
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Terre Haute Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal Prison After Overdose Report Leads to Discovery of Methamphetamine Dealing and Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Matthew Beeler, 32, of Terre Haute, Ind., was sentenced to 183 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, on Nov. 7, 2020, the Terre Haute Police Department and medics responded to a report of a possible heroin overdose of several persons in a Terre Haute residence. Beeler and another individual were found unresponsive prompting medics to administer Narcan. Medics found a large plastic bag containing methamphetamine underneath Beeler’s body while trying to revive him.
While searching for other overdose victims, officers found several firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition and additional methamphetamine, located in plain view in Beeler’s bedroom. Beeler had approximately 2,658 grams of methamphetamine in the residence. The drugs, guns, ammunition, digital scales, and packaging materials were all seized following the execution of a search warrant. All items were present in the home, left unsecured and accessible to children living in the home, putting them at substantial risk.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana; Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office; and Terre Haute Police Chief Sean Keen made the announcement.
DEA and the Terre Haute Police Department investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. As part of the sentence, Judge Sweeney ordered that Beeler be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney William McCoskey who prosecuted this case.
Tampa Felon Indicted on Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Raequin Smith (26, Tampa) with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Smith faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the controlled substance offense, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for possessing the firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also notifies Smith that the United States intends to forfeit all firearms and ammunition recovered as a result of the offense conduct.
According to the indictment, on April 5, 2022, Smith knowingly possessed a Glock .45 caliber pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition, and a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine). Smith had previously been convicted of aggravated battery on or about September 18, 2014. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety – one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and re-entry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.
Sun Prairie Man Sentenced to 72 Months for Possessing Cocaine for Distribution & Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Carlos Carter, 33, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of firearms. Carter pleaded guilty to this charge on April 28, 2022.
In 2020, federal and state law enforcement agencies started investigating several known cocaine traffickers in Dane County, Wisconsin. As part of this joint investigation, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) obtained state-authorized wiretaps on two phones belonging to Andre McClinton. Over the course of several months, investigators intercepted numerous calls and text messages between McClinton and Carter. Most of these conversations centered on McClinton selling large amounts of drugs to Carter, a felon with prior drug convictions.
On March 8, 2021, law enforcement officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) and DCI stopped Carter for speeding and detained him as part of the narcotics investigation. Investigators also searched a house in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin where Carter stayed. During the search, investigators found 260 grams of a powder cocaine, 76 grams of crack cocaine, drug packaging material, two digital scales, six cellphones, a drug ledger, two loaded 9 mm handguns, and a loaded .44 caliber revolver which was reported stolen.
In sentencing Carter, Judge Peterson wanted to protect the community from someone who had a capacity for violence. Judge Peterson explained that the amount of drugs Carter distributed and the number of firearms he illegally possessed warranted a significant term of imprisonment.
On March 23, 2022, Judge Peterson sentenced Andre McClinton to 108 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and illegally possessing firearms. In addition, Judge Peterson entered a money judgment against McClinton in the amount of $313,100. McClinton also agreed to forfeit $116,890 in cash, property located in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, three vehicles, and two firearms. Other defendants convicted as part of this investigation include:
- Michael Henderson, who received a sentence of 84 months’ imprisonment on December 9, 2021 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine;
- Jeffrey Kemp, who received a sentence of 48 months’ imprisonment on May 6, 2022 for attempting to possess fentanyl for distribution; and
- Antonio Dillard, who received a sentence of 24 months’ imprisonment on April 1, 2022 for attempting to possess fentanyl for distribution.
The charges against Carter were the result of an investigation conducted by DCI, WSP, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.
Stockton and Modesto Methamphetamine and Cocaine Traffickers ChargedRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment today against Heidy Isabel Torres Lopez, 40, of Stockton; Cesar Mag Rodriguez Hernandez, 23, of Stockton; and Marco Antonio Sanchez Garcia, 37, of Modesto, charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, cocaine base, and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Lopez, Hernandez, and Garcia distributed methamphetamine and cocaine to a confidential informant working for law enforcement. In total, the group attempted to sell over 13 pounds of methamphetamine and 3.7 pounds of cocaine.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the Stockton Police Department, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, all three defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life years in prison, and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Nick Brown regarding voter intimidation or threatsRead the Press Release
Seattle – U.S. Attorney Nick Brown today issued the following statement as Western Washington voters mark their primary ballots and prepare to use ballot drop boxes throughout the Western District of Washington.
“Voter intimidation is a federal crime and any attempt to harass or discourage citizens from voting at our state’s secure election drop boxes will be investigated and prosecuted in federal court, said U.S. Attorney Brown. “We recognize and revere the First Amendment right to free speech and political debate. But there is a time when protected speech turns into acts of intimidation or threats of violence. We will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate threats of violence, hate crimes, and any effort to intimidate voters or those tasked with ensuring free and fair elections in our state.”
Under federal law, it is a felony to intimidate or threaten other persons to discourage them from voting or for assisting others in voting. This crime is punishable by up to five years in prison. Federal law also prohibits bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
Through the primary and general election periods, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will have District Election Officer Seth Wilkinson working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and respond to any reports of voter intimidation or threats. Assistant United States Attorney Wilkinson can be reached at (206) 553-7970 and ask to leave a message with the Civil Rights complaint hotline. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (206) 622-0460.
St. Petersburg Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for His Involvement in Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Eurich Griffin III to four years and nine months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing false and fraudulent tax returns. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the court also ordered Griffin to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution to the United States. Griffin had pleaded guilty on March 14, 2022.
According to court documents, Griffin was involved in a conspiracy that recruited clients by convincing them that their mortgages and other debts entitled them to tax refunds and prepared false tax returns on the clients’ behalf. Between 2013 and 2018, as part of the conspiracy, Griffin helped prepare and file tax returns for clients that sought more than $5.2 million in fraudulent tax refunds. The tax returns falsely claimed that banks and other financial institutions had withheld large amounts of income tax from the clients, thereby entitling the clients to a refund. In reality, the financial institutions had not paid any income to, or withheld any taxes from, these individuals. To make the refund claims appear legitimate, however, Griffin and his co-conspirators filed fraudulent tax documents with the IRS that matched the withholding information listed on the tax returns, making them appear as if they had been issued by the banks. As part of the conspiracy, Griffin also submitted fraudulent promissory notes to the IRS totaling more than $1.35 million in which he falsely purported to pay the clients’ tax debts.
“Let’s call this scheme what it is – stealing. Griffin and his co-conspirators attempted to steal millions of dollars from the government by submitting fabricated tax returns,” said Brian Payne, Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Field Office. “Thanks to the investigative work of our IRS-CI agents, we were able to shut this scheme down and prevent tax refunds from going to undeserving fraudsters.”
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L Peresie.
St. Petersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Fentanyl Distribution Counts and Possessing A Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that William Lee Shumaker, Jr. (39, St. Petersburg) has pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Shumaker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each controlled substance offense and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the firearm offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Shumaker, a convicted felon, sold quantities of fentanyl to undercover law enforcement officers on multiple occasions and in increasingly large amounts in March and April 2021. During one of the fentanyl transactions, Shumaker also sold a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver and also offered to sell a .22 caliber pistol. As a previously convicted felon, Shumaker is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
South Windsor Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Grandparents of $679KRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOUGLAS SENERTH, 33, of South Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing approximately $679,000 from his grandparents. Judge Chatigny also ordered Senerth to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2011 and 2019, Senerth defrauded his grandmother and his late grandfather by falsely claiming to be a college student and inducing them to give him approximately $419,000 to pay for nonexistent college tuition and other related expenses, and an additional approximately $260,000 by falsely claiming that he would invest their money into an investment fund run by one of his nonexistent professors. As part of the scheme, Senerth created fraudulent college transcripts, letters and email accounts that he used to corroborate his lies.
Judge Chatigny ordered Senerth to pay restitution of $679,944.
Senerth has been detained in state custody since February 10, 2021, when he was arrested on unrelated charges. On February 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud.
Senerth’s state case is pending. His federal sentence will begin when his state case is resolved.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.
The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). For more information, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.
South Texas man handed life sentence for child exploitationRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A South Texas man and woman have been ordered to federal prison for production of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Reid Etheridge, 42, McAllen, and Alicia Cronkhite, 30, Edinburg, pleaded guilty April 1, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Etheridge to serve a life sentence. Cronkhite was ordered to serve 180 months to be immediately followed by a lifetime of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional facts discussing the abuse both minor victims sustained at Etheridge and Cronkhite’s hands. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane considered and heavily weighed the chances that Etheridge would re-offend in the future should he be released from federal prison. Judge Crane also considered that Etheridge manipulated Cronkhite into participating in their criminal conduct.
“This lengthy sentence is a testament to the repugnant nature of child exploitation crimes, particularly the production of child pornography which only perpetuates the trauma endured by victims,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alejandro Amaro of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Antonio. “HSI agents make it a top priority to protect vulnerable children from victimization by working with their law enforcement partners to investigate predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material and ensure they are held accountable for their heinous actions.”
Etheridge had filmed himself committing the sexual abuse and assault of two minor children from on or about Jan. 1, 2020, to approximately Oct. 1, 2020. As part of her guilty plea, Cronkhite admitted she took photographs of one minor victim’s exposed genitals and transmitted those photographs to Etheridge at his request.
The investigation began when authorities identified an IP address in McAllen that had uploaded images and videos depicting minor children engaged in sex acts. On Oct. 2, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant and encountered Etheridge at the residence. He soon admitted he had filmed himself sexually assaulting one minor victim.
Further investigation revealed communication between Etheridge and Cronkhite detailing the sexual exploitation of another minor victim. Authorities searched her residence, at which time she admitted she produced multiple images of a minor victim and transmitted the images to Etheridge.
Etheridge and Cronkhite will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
South Bend Man Sentenced to 108 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Timothy Humphries, 40 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty to receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Humphries was sentenced to 108 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $6000 assessment.
According to documents in the case, in 2019, Humphries created fake social media profiles where he posed as a young teenage girl. He used those profiles to chat with female minors. Between September and October, he convinced a female minor to send him images of herself that constituted child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Muskegon County, Michigan Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
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Sixth Member of Credit Card Fraud Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Lazaro Adrian Quintana Martinez (27, Tampa) to four years and three months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Quintana Martinez had pleaded guilty on January 13, 2022.
According to court documents, Quintana Martinez and others conspired to obtain breached and stolen credit card and debit card account information and then use the stolen information to manufacture counterfeit credit cards. The conspirators used the counterfeit credit cards at retailers throughout the United States. The total loss from the conspirators’ use of the counterfeit credit cards is at least $435,000.
Quintana Martinez is the last of six conspirators to be sentenced. His codefendant, Lazaro Jesus Izquierdo (29, Tampa), was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment. Four other conspirators were sentenced in related cases as follows:
- On July 10, 2020, Yosvani Concepcion Izquierdo (33, Tampa) was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
- On November 10, 2020, Greisy Alfonso Lujan (29, Tampa) was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.
- On December 7, 2021, Jany Angelica Hernandez Guerra (28, Tampa) was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment.
- On January 26, 2022, Michael William Perez Castillo (32, Brandon) was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
“I would like to thank our agents, analysts, local, interstate, federal agencies and business partner for their hard work in solving this case. This complex, sophisticated fraud scheme case began in 2016 and spanned multiple counties in Florida and into other states. The collaboration between the public and private sectors made it possible to identify and dismantle this criminal organization,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Mark Brutnell, Special Agent in Charge, Tampa.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L Peresie.