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Friday 15 July 2022
Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on Capture of Rafael Caro-QuinteroRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today released the following statement on the capture of Rafael Caro-Quintero, one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Caro-Quintero was wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985.
“There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement. We are deeply grateful to Mexican authorities for their capture and arrest of Rafael Caro-Quintero. Today’s arrest is the culmination of tireless work by DEA and their Mexican partners to bring Caro-Quintero to justice for his alleged crimes, including the torture and execution of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. We will be seeking his immediate extradition to the United States so he can be tried for these crimes in the very justice system Special Agent Camarena died defending.
“We join in mourning the 14 Mexican servicemembers who gave their lives in service to their country and extend our condolences to the loved ones they left behind.”
Springfield Residents Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two Springfield, Illinois, residents, Brandy Friday, 36, and Brent Garner, 42, both of the 1200 block of South Livingston, were sentenced to five years and ten years respectively in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Friday was sentenced on July 6, 2022, and Garner on July 13, 2022. In addition to the prison sentences, Friday was ordered to serve four years of supervised release and Garner eight years of supervised release.
At the sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, the government presented evidence showing that Friday and Garner conspired to distribute methamphetamine and that they also distributed heroin. Friday was held responsible for 11.86 grams of ice methamphetamine, 10,888.4 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and 1,521.13 grams of heroin. Garner was held responsible for 11.86 grams of ice methamphetamine and 21.13 grams of heroin. Among other prior convictions, Garner had previously been convicted of a prior federal drug offense in 2009.
Both Friday and Garner have remained in the custody of U.S. Marshals since they were arrested in February of 2021.
Friday faced statutory penalties of up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. Due to his prior federal felony, Garner faced statutory penalties of a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment, up to a $8,000,000 fine, and up to life term of supervised release.
The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Office; the West Central Illinois Task Force; the Quincy Police Department; and the Springfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.
Southern California Men Plead Guilty in Scheme to Manufacture and Sell AR-15-Type ‘Ghost Guns’Read the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two men have pleaded guilty in a conspiracy that operated an illegal business that built and sold unserialized AR-15-type firearms – commonly referred to as “ghost guns” – capable of accepting high-capacity magazines.
The week before they were scheduled to go on trial, the two defendants each pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of conspiracy to engage in the business of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license.
The two defendants who pleaded guilty are Travis Schlotterbeck, 37, of Fountain Valley, and James Bradley Vlha, 29, of Norco. The scheme was based at two Bellflower businesses controlled by Schlotterbeck called Sign Imaging and Live Fire Coatings. Neither the businesses nor the defendants had a federal firearms license to engage in the manufacture or sale of firearms.
According to court documents, Schlotterbeck and Vlha admitted that they took custom orders for AR-15-type firearms – both rifles and pistols – which they then manufactured and sold to undercover operatives with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The defendants obtained the firearm parts, arranged for certain parts – including unfinished lower receivers often called “80% lowers” – to be machined for use in building completed firearms, and assembled and finished the firearms for sale without any serial numbers or manufacturer markings.
As part of the scheme that lasted from 2015 through 2017, Schlotterbeck and Vhla sold six of the ghost guns to ATF undercover agents and a confidential informant in 2015 and 2016, charging from $1,500 to $2,000 for each firearm. Both men were charged in a federal grand jury indictment filed in 2019.
In addition to the conspiracy count, Schlotterbeck also pleaded guilty to one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon in relation to the sale of an AR-15-type rifle to the informant while being aware that the informant had previously been convicted of a felony offense.
Schlotterbeck and Vlha pleaded guilty before United States District Judge George H. Wu, who scheduled sentencing hearings for both defendants on November 17.
The conspiracy count that both defendants pleaded guilty to carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge of selling a firearm to a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The ATF conducted the investigation in this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian R. Faerstein of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section and Dan G. Boyle of the Asset Forfeiture Section are prosecuting this case.
Second Man Pleads Guilty in Marijuana Grow Burglary That Sparked A Gun BattleRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Joevonne Ralls pleaded guilty today in federal court to attempted possession of marijuana plants with the intent to sell them, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, and United States Marshal Service Acting United States Marshal Mark Kolc.
Ralls, 25, a resident of Oakland, entered a plea agreement as part of his guilty plea today that described his attempted theft of marijuana plants from a warehouse grow in Richmond during the late evening of August 1 and early morning hours of August 2, 2017. Ralls admitted in the plea agreement that he and two others broke into a Richmond warehouse containing a large marijuana grow. They cut down 200 marijuana plants and stuffed the plants into trash bags, intending to sell the plants later. As the three carried the bags outside to a waiting vehicle, a car pulled up on the street outside of the warehouse’s gate. Its occupants began shooting at them. Ralls described in his plea agreement that he was shot in the ankle and ran back into the warehouse’s garage. He admitted that one of his associates fired shots from the garage back towards the street. Ralls described in his plea agreement that he then drove away in a black Honda with an associate, and Richmond police officers pursued them. Ralls admitted that he eventually crashed the Honda in Albany after striking a curb at a high speed, and he was arrested at the crash scene. According to the plea agreement, officers opened the Honda’s trunk and found a black trash bag full of stolen marijuana plants.
On May 12, 2022, Vernell Thrower, who was a co-defendant of Ralls in this case, also admitted to participating in the attempted marijuana theft and to firing two shots from the warehouse’s garage during the shootout. Thrower was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison.
Ralls is now scheduled for a sentencing hearing before United States District Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco federal court on October 19, 2022. Ralls remains out of custody pending his sentencing hearing.
Ralls pleaded guilty to one count of attempted possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). He faces maximum statutory penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a life term of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. However, any sentence following a conviction is imposed by a court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Daniel Pastor is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case with the assistance of Andy Ding and Helen Yee. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the United States Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Oakland Police Department, Richmond Police Department, and the San Francisco Police Department.
Sacramento Couple Indicted for Mail Fraud, Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Possession of Mail Keys or LocksRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment Thursday against Roderick Rigmaiden, 37, and his wife Onjale Nettles, 32, both of Sacramento, charging them with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Rigmaiden is also charged with possession of stolen mail and possession of mail keys or locks.
According to court documents, Rigmaiden was in possession of stolen mail and mail keys or locks. From the stolen mail, Rigmaiden and Nettles then created fake identification cards showing the faces of Rigmaiden, Nettles, and other conspirators, but bearing the names and information of individuals whose identities had been stolen. Rigmaiden and Nettles used the stolen identities to purchase multiple vehicles from auto dealerships and obtain financing for those purchases. The vehicle purchases were typically accomplished by providing a down payment in the form of cash or an instrument that purported to be a check, cashier’s check, or other monetary instrument, and the remainder of the purchase price was secured by an auto loan. Typically, however, the monetary instrument presented for the down payment turned out to be fraudulent and no payments were ever made towards the auto loans.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot C. Wong is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Rigmaiden and Nettles face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for each count of mail fraud and a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any sentence imposed for aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Rigmaiden further faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of stolen mail, and a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for possession of a mail key or lock. 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.
Putnam County Convicted Felon and Registered Sex Offender Indicted for Possessing an ExplosiveRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Paul Bryan McCorkle (54, Interlachen) with possession of an explosive by a convicted felon. If convicted, McCorkle faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies McCorkle that the United States intends to forfeit an improvised explosive device, which is alleged to have been unlawfully possessed.
According to the indictment, on February 22, 2022, McCorkle possessed an explosive (Pyrodex powder), which is a black powder substitute. McCorkle had been twice convicted of failure to register as a sex offender, which is a felony, and was therefore prohibited under federal law from possessing an explosive.
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, the Florida Bureau of Fire Arson and Explosives Investigation, and the Putnam County Fire Rescue Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor. The asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
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.
Nine men and woman indicted for illegal firearms possession, drugsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Nine defendants are among those facing federal charges including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms after separate indictments by a grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, while recent actions in U.S. District Court include guilty pleas and criminal sentences related to illegal gun possession.
The indicted cases are being investigated as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally carry guns.
“The fight against violent crime continues to be an intense focus of our office and of our law enforcement partners,” said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “A key part of that fight is our effort to remove guns from the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them – particularly in the case of previously convicted felons.”
In the past four years, more than 760 defendants have been federally charged in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony.
Defendants named in federal indictments from the July 2022 term of the U.S. District Court grand jury include:
- Jacob Bragg, 20, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery; Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; four counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery; and four counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. The indictment alleges that in October 2021, Bragg participated in the armed robberies of four Chatham County convenience stores.
- Quentin Jashawn Putney, 46, of Wrightsville, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 or More Grams of Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Corinthia Jenae Dansby, 26, of Augusta, charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 or More Grams of Fentanyl; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime;
- Jesu Aurelius Fox, 26, of Savannah, charged with two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- James Travon Walker, 22, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm;
- Daquan Dwayne Young, 27, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Seth Patrick Anderson, a/k/a “Shane Anderson,” a/k/a “AB,” 37, of Hinesville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Ryan Nickolus Smiley, a/k/a “Nick Smiley,” 39, of Springfield, Ga., charged with two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon;
- Charles Deon Jones, 26, of Newnan, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Additional defendants recently have been adjudicated on federal charges that include illegal firearms possession:
- Shawn Green, 28, of Savannah, was sentenced 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. During a May 2020 traffic stop, Savannah Police officers found a pistol under the seat of the vehicle Green was driving. Green has multiple prior felony convictions.
- Treyon Antonio Williams, 31, of Savannah, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Savannah Police officers investigating reports of gunshots in February 2021 arrested Williams on an outstanding felony warrant after finding a pistol in his pocket. Williams, an admitted member of a violent criminal street gang with multiple prior convictions for state felonies, was on probation for a conviction on state assault charges at the time of his arrest. He also faces a pending state charge of armed robbery in South Carolina.
- William McCrae Jr., 43, of Hinesville, Ga., was sentenced to 87 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. McRae admitted possessing a .38 caliber revolver that he knew was stolen when he was arrested during a traffic stop in February 2019 by Liberty County Sheriff’s deputies. McCrae has prior felony convictions in state court for armed robbery and firearms possession, and was on state probation at the time of his arrest.
- Shakeem Douse, a/k/a “G Street NBA,” a/k/a “Pothead,” 27, of Savannah, was sentenced to 62 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Douse was one of 29 defendants indicted in December 2020 as part of Operation Deadlier Catch, an investigation targeting a violent Savannah-area drug-trafficking network. At the time of his arrest, Douse was on parole from a conviction in state court for firearms possession and drug trafficking.
- Ricardo DeAngelo Norman, 33, of Augusta, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful Drug User. Norman was charged in October 2021 as part of Operation Washout, an investigation into a cocaine-trafficking ring in the Burke County area.
- Keyon Quinton Adams, 28, of Augusta, was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. U.S. Marshals serving warrants for Adams’ arrest on Florida charges found him in possession of a pistol when they took him into custody in October 2021 in Martinez. Adams still faces prosecution for the Florida state charges, which include attempted sexual battery and armed false imprisonment.
- Johnathon Emanuel McGahee, 24, of Thomson, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. McGahee crashed his vehicle while fleeing Georgia State Patrol troopers attempting a traffic stop on Jan. 1, 2021, and ran into woods where he was captured. Troopers found drugs and a loaded pistol with a high-capacity magazine in McGahee’s car.
- Jonathan R. White, 25, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers investigating a vehicle crash arrested White after seeing him remove a pistol from the vehicle and learning that White had a prior felony conviction.
- Elijawan Leysath Rhodes, 29, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigators responding to gunfire at a Wrightsboro Road motel Dec. 31, 2021, arrested Rhodes after a brief chase when they found a pistol in Rhodes’ vehicle.
- Robert Alexander DuBose, 40, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies investigating a vehicle break-in arrested DuBose after finding a pistol in his pants.
- Jonathan McGregor, 46, of Woodbine, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin, and Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Kingsland Police officers arrested McGregor in November 2020 after finding a loaded pistol, two rifles, drugs and cash in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
- James Hoffman, 37, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers arrested Hoffman after a foot chase in August 2020 while investigating a report of a man firing a pistol. The officers found a loaded pistol on the ground after tackling Hoffman, who has multiple prior felony convictions for violent crimes.
- Carlos Middleton, 21, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Interference with Commerce by Robbery. Middleton admitted brandishing a firearm Jan. 20, 2022, when he threatened and robbed employees of a Chatham County video game store. The plea subjects Middleton to a statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the DEA, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including E. Gregory Gilluly Jr., Jeremiah L. Johnson, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Tania D. Groover, with firearms forfeitures coordinated through the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office Asset Recovery Unit.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
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Nigerian Man Extradited for Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme in Which He Impersonated Procurement Officials of U.S. State and Local Governments and Educational InstitutionsRead 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 that FATADE IDOWU OLAMILEKAN, a/k/a “Fatade Olamilekan Idowu,” a/k/a “Olamilekan Idowu Fatade,” a/k/a “Idowu Fatade,” a citizen of Nigeria, was extradited and arrived in the United States yesterday evening. OLAMILEKAN was extradited on fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain and attempt to obtain millions of dollars of medical equipment, laboratory products, computer equipment and hardware, and other merchandise from suppliers of such merchandise across the United States by impersonating, among other individuals, procurement officials of U.S. state and local governments and educational institutions. OLAMILEKAN will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Fatade Idowu Olamilekan is alleged to have carried out a sprawling criminal scheme to fraudulently obtain medical equipment and other merchandise. Olamilekan allegedly identified U.S. procurement officials, including the Chief Procurement Officer for New York, to then impersonate them and use their credentials to request millions of dollars in equipment shipments from various suppliers without advance payment. Olamileken has now been extradited to the U.S. for his alleged attempt to illegally profiteer from the worldwide pandemic.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “We allege Olamilekan impersonated state procurement officials during the height of the pandemic and stole critically-needed medical equipment that was in high demand and short supply. Fraud can have immediate and direct impacts on people, and we remain determined to bring those who commit it to justice.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:
From at least in or about 2018 through at least on or about September 14, 2020, OLAMILEKAN engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and attempt to obtain millions of dollars of medical equipment, laboratory products, computer equipment and hardware, and other merchandise from suppliers of such merchandise across the United States by impersonating, among other individuals, procurement officials of U.S. state and local governments and educational institutions. In particular, during the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, OLAMILEKAN impersonated the Chief Procurement Officer of New York State in an effort to fraudulently obtain medical equipment, including defibrillators. OLAMILEKAN engaged in the following conduct to carry out his criminal scheme:
First, OLAMILEKAN engaged in extensive research to identify specific procurement officials of U.S. state and local governments and educational institutions to impersonate and U.S. suppliers of medical, laboratory, and computer equipment to target as part of the scheme. This research included obtaining information about the current suppliers to the state and local governments and educational institutions OLAMILEKAN sought to impersonate and targeting those suppliers in order to avoid arousing suspicion. For example, OLAMILEKAN appears to have specifically targeted a medical supplier that was already providing medical equipment to New York State in or to avoid suspicion when OLAMILEKAN, who was impersonating the Chief Procurement Officer of New York State, contacted the supplier to obtain medical equipment.
Second, after OLAMILEKAN identified procurement officials to impersonate, he used aliases and a Lithuanian web hosting company to register email accounts with domains that had slight variations from the legitimate email accounts used by procurement officials in order to “spoof” or impersonate those officials’ email accounts (the “spoofed emailed accounts”). The spoofed email accounts used by OLAMILEKAN usually had the same username as the procurement official’s email account but added an extra letter or common domain name to the domain of the email account. These spoofed email accounts were therefore specifically designed to trick suppliers to impersonated procurement officials into thinking the spoofed email accounts were authentic. In total, OLAMILEKAN registered and used spoofed email accounts impersonating at least (i) eight different procurement officials of state and local governments in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont; and (ii) three procurement officials of educational institutions located in Georgia and New York.
Third, OLAMILEKAN used the spoofed email accounts to send emails impersonating the procurement official and seeking quotes for medical, laboratory, and computer equipment from targeted suppliers. These emails typically indicated that the payment terms would be “net 30 days,” which is a standard term of trade credit for government and educational entities that only requires payment for the goods within 30 days of delivery. OLAMILEKAN therefore impersonated the identities of procurement officials of government entities and educational institutions in order to exploit this industry standard and fraudulently obtain equipment without providing any advance payment information or deposit prior to delivery of the equipment.
Finally, once OLAMILEKAN received a response from a targeted supplier, he provided the supplier with a purchase order containing the forged signature of the impersonated procurement official and an address for a warehouse located in the United States for delivery and storage of the equipment purchased. Once the purchased items shipped to the warehouse provided by OLAMILEKAN, he typically had the warehouse re-ship the items to another warehouse and, ultimately, from the United States to locations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and/or Nigeria. OLAMILEKAN also coordinated with the warehouses receiving the shipments from the targeted suppliers using the stolen identity of at least one U.S. resident, thereby further concealing his own identity and avoiding detection of his criminal activity. Because payment was not due to the suppliers until 30 days after delivery of the equipment, OLAMILEKAN was able to take possession of the equipment prior to detection of the fraud, which typically occurred after payment was not received by the supplier within the 30-day period.
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OLAMILEKAN, 40, of Lagos, Nigeria, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 27 years in prison, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum penalty of 17 years in prison, and 12 counts of aggravated theft, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison to be run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The maximum and minimum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (“EFCC”), the Central Authority Unit of Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, and the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their assistance in the investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Nigeria.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sagar K. Ravi is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
New Jersey Men Sentenced in Mail Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patrick Barkers-Woode, age 30, of Pine Hill, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 13, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 111 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release.
On November 22, 2019, both Barkers-Woode and co-defendant Nana Mensah were convicted on 15 counts of mail fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft. Mensah is awaiting sentencing.
Judge Wilson also sentenced co-defendant Jason Moskovitz to 39 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release. On November 14, 2019, Moskovitz pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Barkers-Woode and Moskovitz were both ordered to pay restitution to Sprint, Inc. in the amount of $357,565.92 and Moskovitz was ordered to forfeit $576,929 and 107 electronic devices.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the defendants were involved in an international scheme in which co-conspirators would steal victims’ identity in order to open Sprint Cell phone accounts. As part of opening the new accounts, the co-conspirators would order new cell phones and have them delivered to vacant homes where they would be picked up by other co-conspirators and eventually resold. At trial, the Government presented evidence that the conspiracy involved over 270 packages, containing over 830 cell phones, valued at over $595,000. Further, the conspiracy took advantage of over 240 identity theft victims.
The case was prosecuted by Homeland Security Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Delaware State Police, and the Derry Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott R. Ford and Christian T. Haugsby are prosecuting the case.
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Naugatuck Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO SMALL, also known as “Tone” and “Bert,” 30, formerly of Naugatuck, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 300 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and crack cocaine in Bridgeport.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants. The investigation revealed that Antonio Small, Louie McDowell, Christian Rodriguez, Evan Sheffield, Anthony Small and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Bridgeport area.
Small was the leader of an organization that was based on the west side of Bridgeport. Small and his associates used a residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics, and his group was involved in violence. Intercepted calls revealed that Small kept a firearm at the residence, and that he possessed it while looking to retaliate against someone he believed had wronged him. On October 31, 2018, a close associate of Small was shot and killed in the vicinity of the Poplar Street residence. A female who was close by was also killed during the incident.
In addition, one of Small’s co-conspirators, while in possession of drugs that he intended to distribute, engaged police in a car chase and struck and killed another motorist and maimed two pedestrians.
Small’s criminal history includes convictions for drug, firearm, evidence tampering, and other offenses, and he was on state probation while engaged in the conduct that resulted in his federal prosecution.
Small has been detained since his arrest on November 6, 2018. On January 24, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, more than one kilogram of heroin and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).
McDowell, Rodriguez, Sheffield and Anthony Small also pleaded guilty. McDowell, Rodriguez and Sheffield have been sentenced, and Anthony Small awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Mount Airy Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, Obstruction of Justice and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RAYDELL SCOTT, age 45, of Mount Airy, Louisiana, pled guilty on June 14, 2022 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Specifically, on July 13, 2022, SCOTT pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a quantity of heroin, a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, one count of obstruction of justice in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(1), and one count of felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
According to court documents, SCOTT conspired with others to distribute cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Louisiana. On April 12, 2019, SCOTT attempted to destroy a quantity of heroin, although the heroin was later seized by law enforcement. Additionally, on May 30, 2019, SCOTT possessed a Ruger P89 9 mm caliber firearm.
On the drug count, SCOTT faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment up to 40 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, at least 4 years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. On the obstruction of justice count, SCOTT faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Finally, on the felon in possession count, SCOTT faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
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 works 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 prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.
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Montrose Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Denver – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Omar Briceno-Quijano, age 31, of Montrose, Colorado, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to the plea agreement, between January 1, 2019, and December 18, 2019, Briceno-Quijano was mainly located in Mexico and was involved in sending illegal narcotics from Mexico to the western slope of Colorado, to include Montrose, Colorado. Once the narcotics were in the United States and Colorado, the defendant would receive telephone calls from drug customers. Once the defendant had the drug order, he would contact a drug courier, who would deliver the narcotics to the customer. One way the defendant received drug proceeds was through electronic wire transfers of funds from Colorado to Mexico.
Judge Christine M. Arguello sentenced Briceno-Quijano on July 14, 2022. In addition to 14 years in prison, he will serve a term of five years of supervised release.
“This defendant was a ring-leader in a major drug trafficking operation, impacting a small community in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “This was a lengthy prosecution that involved 13 defendants. This significant sentence demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to keep offenders from dealing drugs on our streets.”
“IRS:CI special agents are uniquely trained to trace financial transactions and use this expertise to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. “Omar Briceno-Quijano’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and IRS:CI’s commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of drugs into and drug proceeds out of the United States.”
“This sentencing proves that DEA and our law enforcement partners are aggressively committed to disrupting the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities by stopping it at the source, whether here or abroad,” said Brian Besser, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Denver Field Office. “I applaud our Agents and Task Force officers who were able to stay the course on an extensive investigation and successful prosecution, as well as the U.S. Marshals who ultimately apprehended Briceno-Quijano in Mexico.”
IRS-CI, DEA Rocky Mountain Division-Montrose Post of Duty, the Montrose Police Department, the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, and the Seventh Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Duncan and Zachary Phillips handled the prosecution.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Case number: 19-cr-00535
Monmouth County Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was convicted of narcotics and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Marnell Johnson, 46, of Long Branch, New Jersey, was convicted on July 14, 2022, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court. Johnson was convicted of possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On four occasions in early 2020, Johnson, a previously convicted felon, sold heroin to a confidential source. On April 8, 2020, the special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a federal search warrant of Johnson’s apartment and recovered heroin and packaging paraphernalia. The DEA also recovered a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic firearm from the drawer of the same table on which Johnson’s heroin and packaging material were found.
Johnson faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the count of possession with intent to distribute; 10 years in prison on the felon in possession count; and a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life on the count charging possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which must run consecutive to the sentences imposed on the other counts. Johnson also faces a potential maximum fine of $1.5 million.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Domingos A. Saldida; the Lakewood Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Gregory Howard Meyer; the Neptune Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Larry B. Fisher; and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Shaun Golden, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Matthews of the Criminal Division and J. Brendan Day, Attorney-in-Charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Trenton office.
Modesto Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Illegally Cultivating Marijuana in the Stanislaus National ForestRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Garcia-Zamora, 30, of Modesto, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to eight years and four months in prison for illegally cultivating marijuana in the Stanislaus National Forest and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that offense, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in July 2019, law enforcement agents found a large marijuana grow that contained over 2,600 marijuana plants. At the grow site, agents encountered Garcia-Zamora. He had been tending to the marijuana and was carrying a loaded pistol. On April 1, 2022, Garcia-Zamora pleaded guilty to the charges.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Indicted for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that LUIS ENRIQUE GUTIERREZ-SAUSEDO, a/k/a “Armando Luis Gutierrez”, a/k/a “Luis Gutierrez”, a/k/a “Enrique Sausedo”, and a/k/a “Luis E. Sausedo”, age 41, was charged in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the indictment, LUIS ENRIQUE GUTIERREZ-SAUSEDO (“GUTIERREZ-SAUSEDO”), reentered the United States after he was previously deported on July 25, 2013. If convicted, GUTIERREZ-SAUSEDO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to two years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of up to one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.
Mexican Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Unlawfully Possessing A Firearm and Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Efrain Cabrera-Cabrera, age 35, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 18 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as an illegal alien and illegal re-entry into the United States as a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Cabrera-Cabrera, a citizen of Mexico, previously admitted that in June 2021, he possessed a loaded AR-15 rifle in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He also admitted that he had entered the United States after previously being removed from the country in 2010. It is expected that Cabrera-Cabrera will be removed to Mexico after the completion of his sentence.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Metropolitan Transition Center Detainee Pleads Guilty to Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges Relating to a Smuggling SchemeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Christopher Mann, age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to racketeering conspiracy in relation to a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Metropolitan Transition Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
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 Secretary Robert Green of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
According to his guilty plea, from June 2020 to November 2020, while Mann was a detainee at the Metropolitan Transition Center, he and other employees, detainees, and associates of MTC conspired to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug distribution and bribery. Additionally, while Mann was a detainee, he engaged in a romantic relationship with a correctional officer (Co-conspirator 1).
Specifically, Mann, and at least three other conspirators, including outside facilitator, Cania Jefferson, age 35, and two correctional officers (Co-conspirator 1 and Co-conspirator 2) worked together to smuggle contraband into MTC in exchange for bribe payments. At Mann’s direction, Co-conspirator 1 sent $1,000 bribe payments to Co-conspirator 2 on multiple occasions. In exchange for these bribe payments, Co-conspirator 2 smuggled contraband into MTC and delivered it to Mann. For example, in July 2020, after receiving a bribe payment from Mann, Co-conspirator 2 smuggled two cell phones, suboxone, and K2 into MTC but was apprehended by law enforcement on their way to MTC.
As stated in his guilty plea, in September 2020, law enforcement intercepted a series of phone calls in which Co-conspirator 1 and Mann devised a scheme to spray liquid K2 onto a piece of paper, and to smuggle the paper into MTC through the United States mail service. At Mann’s direction, Co-conspirator 1 sent the piece of paper to another detainee. The mailing was seized by jail administrators, tested by a chemist, and found to have been soaked in synthetic marijuana.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Mann faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for October 21, 2022, at 2 p.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Aaron S.J. Zelinsky who are prosecuting the 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 and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Justice Department Launch Investigation of Maryland Department of State Police Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Read the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether MDSP has engaged in racially discriminatory hiring and promotion practices.
“This office strives to protect the civil rights of all Marylanders, including the rights of our sworn law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “This investigation also furthers our mission to restore trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve by ensuring fair employment practices by police departments.”
“Discrimination has no place in any workplace, and especially in law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation will determine whether the Maryland Department of State Police has created racially discriminatory barriers for Black people seeking job opportunities and promotions and, if so, identify the reforms necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities. All communities deserve law enforcement agencies that are built upon principles of fairness and equity.”
The employment discrimination investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Under Title VII, the Justice Department has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers where it has reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination exists. The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. The Governor and Maryland State Police Superintendent have been informed and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
This matter is being investigated jointly by attorneys from the Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the Employment Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department at 1-800-556-1950 (option 9), or via email at [email protected].
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report civil rights violations and to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/civil-rights.# # #
Maryland Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Terrell Armstead, 31, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced today to 23 years in prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and a related firearms offense.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Armstead was found guilty in March 2020, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. In a related case, he pleaded guilty in September 2019 to conspiracy to resell firearms illegally, and to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Honorable Amit P. Mehta sentenced Armstead to 23 years in prison on the sex trafficking charge, and sentenced him to a concurrent 10-year prison term on the firearms charges. Following his prison term, Armstead will be placed on 20 years of supervised release. Armstead was also ordered to pay $28,644 in victim restitution.
A second defendant, Anthony Gray, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of transportation of minors, related to his activities with Armstead. Gray, 39 of Cheverly, Maryland, was sentenced on July 13, 2022, to 10 years in prison for his role in the crimes. He was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release following his prison term and ordered to pay $15,000 in victim restitution.
According to evidence presented at trial, from March 2015 until September 2019, in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and elsewhere, Armstead trafficked several young women for commercial sex, including one who was only 16 years old. He was found guilty of a charge involving an adult woman. He used social media to lure this victim across the country based on false promises of fantastic success and financial comfort and security. Instead, after three months of being forced to work in Armstead’s commercial sex enterprise for his profit, she left the Washington, D.C. area with nothing.
Armstead operated his enterprise by recruiting young women as commercial sex workers, then advertising them in online forums (like Backpage.com), having them work in strip clubs to meet “customers,” and coercing them to engage in commercial sex on “the blade,” the track in downtown Washington, D.C. Armstead promoted himself on social media, purporting to live a life of luxury with the money he took from the women in his commercial sex enterprise. He controlled and manipulated the victims, including by threats of force; brandishing various weapons, including large automatic weapons; taking and controlling all the proceeds from their commercial sex work; limiting their contact with friends and family, such as smashing a cellphone; and by controlling their access to transportation and even their own identification documents.
During the course of the investigation into Armstead’s activities, law enforcement determined that Gray joined Armstead in bringing victims to hotels in Alexandria, Virginia and Lusby, Maryland in March 2015, for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. On one of these occasions, Gray took pictures of two of the victims and then posted these pictures as advertisements online, offering them for commercial sex. Gray determined who the clients could be and the prices that could be charged.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI and MPD. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department, including Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, the Witness Security Section of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, and former Paralegal Specialist Kenny Nguyen.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenya Davis, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Justice Department Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
Man Who Posed as Girls’ Soccer Recruiter Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
A man who apparently posed as a college soccer recruiter pleaded guilty this week to receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham.
Michael Ansley Twing, 43, was charged via criminal complaint on May 18. He pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging receipt of child pornography before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cureton on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Mr. Twing – already a registered sex offender – acquired sexually explicit images of minor girls on his laptop. The files were downloaded via eMule, a file-sharing program similar to BitTorrent.
At a detention hearing, prosecutors introduced evidence showing that Mr. Twing had been posing as a recruiter for a local university under the name “Michael Krogen.” (There is no evidence of wrongdoing by the university, which is cooperating fully with the investigation.)
In his bedroom, agents recovered a note on university letterhead in which Mr. Twing, writing under his alias, claimed to be a recruiter. They also found a roster of high school soccer players and identified at least one text in which Mr. Twing asked a coach for contact info for a student.
Twing now faces up to 40 years in federal prison. His sentencing has been set for Oct. 21 before U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor in Fort Worth.
Mr. Twing is a 6’2” white male, approximately 195 pounds, with dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and glasses.
If you are aware of a minor who may have had inappropriate contact with Mr. Twing, also known as “Michael Krogen” and “Christopher Michael Crogen,” at a soccer tournament or elsewhere, please contact Crimestoppers at 817-469-TIPS (8477) or www.469TIPS.com.
The U.S. Secret Service’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Hurst Special Investigations Unit, the Fort Worth Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and Sex Offender Investigations Units, the Grand Prairie Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem is prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Shooting Rampage on I-95 in North CarolinaRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A South Carolina man was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for a shooting rampage targeting moving vehicles on I-95 in North Carolina. Charges included possessing an unregistered short-barrel shotgun, transporting an unregistered firearm across state lines, and transporting a prohibited weapon without a license. Franklin Joseph Dangerfield, 35, pled guilty to all three charges.
“This defendant created terror on a major interstate by his reckless and criminal behavior of shooting at innocent people simply driving their car,” commented U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “I am grateful for the cooperation of many law enforcement agencies in bringing this crime spree to an end. We will vigorously prosecute those who use gun violence to inflict trauma and fear in our community.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on September 5, 2020, Dangerfield drove from his home in Goose Creek, South Carolina, north along I-95 into North Carolina in a black pickup truck. As Dangerfield entered Robeson County, still driving north on I-95, he began shooting from his vehicle into other moving vehicles. Dangerfield fired at least three separate shots at a moving vehicle, striking the driver’s side window. No occupants were injured at this point.
Dangerfield continued travelling north through Nash County, where he began firing again at multiple moving vehicles along I-95. Dangerfield shot at ten (10) separate occupied vehicles while in Nash County, causing damage to nine (9) of them. During this spree, Dangerfield shot an elderly female victim in her shoulder. She was airlifted to Vidant Trauma Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Another victim in a separate vehicle sustained damage from glass fragments that entered their eyes, face, back and feet. This victim was taken to Vidant North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
Deputies with the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office pursued Dangerfield in his pickup truck in a high-speed chase along I-95. During the chase, Dangerfield exceeded speeds of 110 miles per hour and drove in the middle of both lanes, forcing multiple vehicles off the road. The pursuit ended after 37 miles, when Dangerfield attempted to take an exit in Emporia, Virginia at a high rate of speed, and collided with an embankment before striking a guardrail and flipping over. Virginia State Police officers then secured Dangerfield into custody. At the time, Dangerfield was unresponsive. Law enforcement transported Dangerfield to Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center to treat his injuries. Bloodwork confirmed Dangerfield’s blood alcohol content was 0.265.
Inside Dangerfield’s truck, law enforcement recovered a Savage Arms Springfield 67H 12-gauge shotgun with a 13-inch barrel, eight (8) 12-gauge shotgun shells, and nine (9) spent 12-gauge shotgun shells.
On September 9, 2020, Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested Dangerfield on a criminal complaint. On September 23, 2020, a federal grand jury charged Dangerfield in a three-count Indictment, charging him with Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Transport of an Unregistered Firearm, and Transport of a Prohibited Weapon without a License.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-439-M.
Local Paving Company Owner Charged with Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a local paving company was charged today and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a seven-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns.
Robert Brainard, 52, of Weymouth, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of tax evasion. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging document, Brainard, the former owner of Got Pavement Needs, Inc., underreported income on his personal tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2021, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $593,993. In addition, to hide his control of the business, Brainard allegedly transferred ownership of his company in a straw sale, while maintaining control over the company’s operations and income.
The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Leader of Illegal Pill Distribution Network Sentenced to 25 Years for Violating Federal Narcotics, Firearms and Fraud LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 25 years imprisonment on his conviction of violating federal narcotics, firearms and health care fraud laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on William Richardson, age 61, formerly of the City’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood.
According to information presented to the court, Richardson was the leader of the large-scale illegal pill distribution network that also involved fraudulent health care fraud claims. Richardson and numerous others were part of the criminal enterprise in which Richardson and his conspirators obtained powerful and addictive prescription pain medication through physicians under the false pretense that they needed the medication and that they intended to use that medication themselves. In fact, they intended to sell the medication for profit to individuals addicted to those medications. Additionally, medication was often paid for through taxpayer-funded health care insurance programs. Thus, the taxpayers ended paying much of the prescription medications that these conspirators sold. Another source of supply for the pills distributed through this network was a pill supplier from the Detroit area named Kavon Dawkins.
Richardson was captured on court-authorized intercepted communications coordinating this enterprise, which involved the use of a minor to transport some of the pills and also involved actual and threatened use of violence. The court-authorized intercepted communications included a threat to harm a Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Detective who originated the investigation of Richardson.
Additionally, Richardson sold pills to an undercover Pittsburgh Police Officer, and when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Richardson’s home, they found a cache of firearms and ammunition. Richardson was precluded from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law before of previous felony convictions.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Richardson.
Keller Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison and Ordered to Pay $14M in Restitution for Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
MIDLAND – A Keller man was sentenced yesterday to 168 months in prison and ordered to pay $14,538,967.27 in restitution for operating a Ponzi scheme.
According to court documents, Marco Perez Jr., aka Sully Perez, 37, is the founder and director of Permian Basin Proppants, Inc. (PBP), a company headquartered in Midland that claims to sell proppants such as sand for fracking operations, i.e., “frac sand.” Between 2017 and 2022, Perez used PBP to perpetuate a Ponzi scheme by soliciting investor money based on misrepresentations. During this time, Perez received over $14 million from the scheme. He used most of the funds for his own personal benefit, buying property, vacations, a lavish wedding, and luxury vehicles including a Lamborghini, a Rolls-Royce, a BMW, and a Cadillac Escalade. Perez also purchased a helicopter.
Perez enticed victims to fund or invest in PBP transactions, promising substantial guaranteed returns on their investment. However, the representations Perez made were based on false and misleading promises, such as promising victims that their investments would be used to purchase frac sand at a discount and that frac sand would then be resold at a profit to fracking operations in and around the Permian Basin. Investors were promised they would receive back their entire investment plus an additional return, often within a relatively short time period. Perez rarely used the investment money to purchase frac sand or complete promised transactions. Instead, he diverted significant amounts of investor money to fund his lifestyle and keep the scheme running, such as by making payments to prior PBP investors.
On April 13, 2022, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activities.
“We will work tirelessly to prosecute fraudsters like Perez,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “His greed and total disregard for the livelihood of his victims is unconscionable. I want to thank the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for their hard work in providing some justice to Perez’ victims and trying to recoup their losses.”
“The FBI will continue to vigorously pursue scam artists, like the defendant, who convince others to entrust them with their hard-earned money, but instead use that money for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey, FBI El Paso. “This sentence ensures that Mr. Perez Jr. is punished and sends the strong message that investment schemes don’t pay.”
The FBI and SEC investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John A. Fedock and Fidel Esparza prosecuted the case.
If you feel you have been a victim of a fraud scheme, contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or call 800-CALL-FBI.
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Justice Department Launches Investigation of Maryland Department of State Police Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Read the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether MDSP has engaged in racially discriminatory hiring and promotion practices.
“Discrimination has no place in any workplace, and especially in law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation will determine whether the Maryland Department of State Police has created racially discriminatory barriers for Black people seeking job opportunities and promotions and, if so, identify the reforms necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities. All communities deserve law enforcement agencies that are built upon principles of fairness and equity.”
“This office strives to protect the civil rights of all Marylanders, including the rights of our sworn law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “This investigation also furthers our mission to restore trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve by ensuring fair employment practices by police departments.”
The employment discrimination investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and religion. Under Title VII, the Justice Department has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers where it has reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination exists. The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. The Governor and Maryland State Police Superintendent have been informed and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
This matter is being investigated jointly by attorneys from the Employment Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department at 1-800-556-1950 (option 9), or via email at [email protected].
Addressing discriminatory employment practices of state and local government employers through enforcement of the nation’s civil rights laws is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. The department has conducted numerous pattern or practice investigations of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, city, county and state governments under Title VII. Where violations have been found, the resulting settlements have led to important remedies. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.
Jefferson County Woman Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Tanya Bui, age 24, of Littleton has been sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to facts contained in the plea agreement, on January 27, 2021, investigators searched the defendant’s Littleton residence as part of an investigation of a homicide that occurred in Denver in August of 2020. The defendant’s bedroom was located in the basement of the residence and was searched. In the nightstand drawer next to her bed was a clear plastic bag with 692 fentanyl pills. On top of the defendant’s dresser was a loaded magazine. In the defendant’s closet were jars of marijuana, a loaded firearm, a scale with apparent drug residue, plastic baggies, a large trash bag containing marijuana, two boxes of ammunition and $6,825 in cash. In addition, a search warrant was obtained for her social media accounts, which showed she was using her juvenile brother to aid her in distributing marijuana, fentanyl and firearms to various customers, including juveniles.
Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer sentenced Bui to 130 months in prison on July 15, 2022.
“This defendant’s outrageous actions, including dealing drugs to juveniles, are worthy of a lengthy prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We appreciate the diligent work of our partners at the ATF and the Denver Police Department.”
“Firearms and Fentanyl are the tools of violent crime. This investigation was not possible without our local law enforcement partners, and we are grateful to the prosecutors in acquiring a lengthy sentence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge David S. Booth.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Denver Police Department’s Homicide Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celeste Rangel.
CASE NUMBER: 21-cr-00012
Jamaican Citizen Going to Prison for Passport FraudRead 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 Caswell Richards, 55, of Jamaica, who was convicted of use of a U.S. passport secured by a false statement, was sentenced to serve eight months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated in December 2020, Richards used another individual’s name and birth certificate to apply for and secure a United States passport. On that application, Richards also indicated that there were no other names he had used in the past and affirmed to a Passport Acceptance Agent that all the information provided was true and correct. On November 25, 2021, Richards sought entry to the United States at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry using the fraudulent passport.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
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Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Damien Deshaun Dennis (42, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Dennis faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud and a 2-year minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft. He must also pay restitution to the victims he defrauded.
According to court documents, on August 9, 2021, Dennis entered a Community First Credit Union (CFCU) branch in Jacksonville and, using the identity of G.M., explained that he wanted to open a bank account. He then presented a counterfeit South Carolina driver license bearing a photo of Dennis, but in the name of and containing the date of birth of G.M. Dennis also provided a fraudulent document showing a home address in Jacksonville and a fraudulent pay stub outlining his purported employment at a company in Jacksonville. After completing a “New Membership Application” using G.M.’s identity, including his Social Security number, CFCU approved the application. Dennis then applied for a personal loan, stating he needed to pay for an upcoming wedding. In reliance on his false statements, the counterfeit driver license, and the accompanying fraudulent documents, CFCU approved the personal loan in the name of G.M. for $20,000. Dennis subsequently made a cash withdrawal of $20,000 and left the branch.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Jacksonville Convicted Felon Indicted for Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Stephan Leon Marshall (34, Jacksonville) with possessing two firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Marshall that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition traceable to the offense. Marshall was arrested on July 11, 2022, in Jacksonville. He made his initial appearance on July 14, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Patricia D. Barksdale and was ordered detained pending trial.
According to the indictment, on April 10, 2022, Marshall was in possession of two firearms and ammunition. At the time of the incident, Marshall had previous felony convictions for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing, and two burglaries. As a previously convicted felon, Marshall is prohibited from possessing firearms 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 Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
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.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on July 14 was:
Andre Jean Reum, 24, of Wolf Point, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and threatening a family member of a federal law enforcement officer. If convicted of the most serious crime, Reum faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Reum was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-52.
Jessica Rose Menth, 33, of Helena, on charges of access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of stolen mail. If convicted of the most serious crime, Menth faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud charge and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the identity theft charge. Menth was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service and Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-05.
Nolan James Hendrickson, 34, of Poplar, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault of intimate partner by strangulation and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hendrickson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hendrickson was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Peck Department of Law and Justice investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-49.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on July 15 was:
Shania Lynn Burns, 19, a transient, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burns faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud charge and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other crime, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the identity theft charge. Burns was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-67.
Appearing on July 14 was:
William Jay Crow, 57, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Crow faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Crow was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-64.
Appearing on July 12 was:
Mary Johanna Amyotte, 41, of Lodge Grass, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Amyotte faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Amyotte was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-37.
Jonathan Andrew Rasco, 42, a transient, on charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, counterfeiting obligations of the United States and possession of stolen mail. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rasco faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charge and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the identity theft charge. Rasco was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-45.
Charles Allen Johnson, 58, of Henderson, Nevada, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-45.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on July 8 was:
Jeremy Johannes Hennick, 51, of Superior, on charges of timber set afire. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hennick faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hennick was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Forest Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-35.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indiana Woman Sentenced to 240 Months for Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – An Auburn, Indiana woman, Tiffany Miller, 38, was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, for possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to her plea agreement, in the early morning hours of July 10, 2021, in Knott County, Miller stole a firearm from Timothy Cornett and then a truck from Winford Cornett. Thereafter, Trooper Bradley Couch, of KSP Post 13 in Hazard, responded to the thefts and ultimately engaged in a vehicle pursuit of Miller. Miller refused to exit the vehicle and ultimately shot Trooper Couch in the shoulder, with the stolen firearm. Miller also fired a shot at Trooper Jacobs, also of KSP Post 13 in Hazard, who had responded to the scene. It took several additional KSP officials to ultimately place Miller in custody. At the time of these incidents, Miller was under the influence of methamphetamine and was a fugitive, with multiple pending arrest warrants from Indiana. Miller also had multiple prior felony convictions, which included violence and resisting arrest.
Miller pleaded guilty in March 2022.
Under federal law, Miller must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years after her release.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Office, and Col. Phillip Burnett, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and KSP. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble.
This 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. The PSN program involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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INTERPOL Washington Assists with Investigation into Philadelphia Pizza Shop Fire That Resulted in the Death of a FirefighterRead the Press Release
In a June 28th news release, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Al-Ashraf Basem Khalil, 28, of Philadelphia, PA, was arrested on June 24, 2022, after being charged by Criminal Complaint with arson on June 23, 2022. The arson resulted in the death of Philadelphia Fire Lieutenant Sean Williamson. The release acknowledges the assistance of INTERPOL Washington and other organizations. This case is an excellent example of cooperation between law enforcement agencies. Read the full release here: U.S. Attorney Romero Announces Arson Charges Against Philadelphia Man for Pizza Shop Fire That Resulted in Death of Firefighter | USAO-EDPA | Department of Justice
Honduran National with History of Illegally Reentering the United States Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Franklyn Leonel Venturas-Calderon, age 28, of Villanueva, Cortes, Honduras, to 37 months in federal prison following his second conviction for illegal re-entry into the United States by a removed alien.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on June 28, 2021, agents with the United States Border Patrol came into contact with Venturas-Calderon at the Livingston Parish Detention Center, following his arrest by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Based on identifying information he provided during the course of his arrest, Border Patrol confirmed Venturas-Calderon’s true identity as a Honduran citizen. Immigration records and databases establish that Venturas-Calderon has no lawful status to live, work, or reside in the United States, and further, that he has never applied for or been granted permission to enter the United States by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
This sentence follows Venturas-Calderon’s May 9, 2022, conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm in the 21st Judicial District Court, in Livingston Parish, for which he was sentenced to two years at hard labor. The Court specified that Venturas-Calderon’s federal sentence would run concurrently with that sentence.
This matter was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caroline Gardner.
Guatemalan Woman Indicted for Falsely Using Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Guatemalan national with one count of possession of a false social security card/number.According to court documents, Isabel Xorxe Tay, 35, is accused of using the name and security number of another person to apply for and obtain employment at a company in Dodge City, Kansas, under the guise of being a United States citizen.
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Michele Bonham aka Michele Williamson, 39, of Wichita was indicted on one count of distribution of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.
Jonathan Bonilla, 26, was indicted on three counts of possession of counterfeit currency. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.
Ethan Bray, 22, of Wichita was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Gordon and Jason Hart are prosecuting the case.
Jesse James Edwards, 41, of Fort Scott was indicted on count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Gordon and Jason Hart are prosecuting the case.
Danny Griffin, 37, of Wichita was indicted on one count of fentanyl and heroin conspiracy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.
Wayne Howard Hunter, 59, of Geneseo was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the case.
Toreon Jenkins, 21, of Wichita was indicted on one count of use, carry, and possess a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and one count of collection of extortionate extensions of credit. Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Debra Barnett and Alan Metzger are prosecuting this case.
Deon B. Lacey, 36, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, and Anthony E. Brown, 39, of Washington, D.C., were indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case.
Karl Williams Jr., 31, of Wichita of was indicted on one count of possession of counterfeit obligations and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Fort Stewart soldier admits guilt in prolific fraud scheme targeting COVID-19 relief programs, student loansRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Stewart awaits sentencing after admitting she led a “prolific fraud scheme” in which she and others illegally raked in millions of dollars from COVID-19 relief programs and federal student loan forgiveness.
Dara Buck, a/k/a Dara Butler, 39, of Ladson, S.C., a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 stationed at Fort Stewart, pled guilty to an information charging her with Conspiracy to Commit an Offense Against the United States, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The guilty plea subjects Buck to a sentence of up to five years in prison and substantial financial penalties and restitution, followed by up to three years of supervised release after completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Dara Buck swore an oath to protect and defend her country, and then engaged in a massive scheme to defraud the nation’s taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “She is now being held accountable for this fraud and betrayal, thanks to the diligence of our civilian and military law enforcement partners.”
As spelled out in the Information and plea agreement, from August 2017 through May 2021, Buck led a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and to secure the fraudulent discharge of federal student loans using falsified disability claims.
Altogether, Buck admitted submitting more than 150 fraudulent PPP loan applications to the Small Business Administrating for herself and others in the conspiracy, resulting in more than $3.5 million in fraudulent disbursements from banks to members of the conspiracy. Buck directly received fraudulently obtained PPP funding, or was paid by conspirators for submitting their fraudulent applications.
In addition, conspirators paid Buck to submit falsified U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certifications for total and permanent disability to the U.S. Department of Education in order to fraudulently secure the discharge of more than a dozen student loans totaling more than $1 million.
Sentencing in the case will be held before U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker after completion of a pre-sentencing investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
“Falsifying documents to gain access to SBA program funds intended for the nation’s small businesses is reprehensible,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
SBA’s Acting General Counsel, Therese Meers, stated “This is yet a further example of the significant results achieved through the joint efforts of SBA and other Federal agencies to uncover, and forcefully respond to, fraud committed by individuals seeking to abuse SBA’s assistance programs. Identifying, and aggressively pursuing, fraudulent activity which harms not only the Agency’s financial assistance programs, but the public interest, in general, and, in particular, those in our communities that are the intended beneficiaries of such programs, is one of SBA’s top priorities.”
“CW2 Buck choose to dishonor the U.S. Military and defraud the American people she swore to protect and defend,” stated Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “DCIS with our investigative counterparts will continue to diligently investigate those who engage in corruption and other illegal acts.”
“This defendant falsified VA disability documents that were, in turn, used to fraudulently discharge federal loans at the taxpayers’ expense for someone who wasn’t even a veteran,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG is committed to investigating anyone who would exploit VA’s programs and services and will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold wrongdoers accountable.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is committed to protecting the nation’s tax system from waste, fraud and abuse,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “Abusing a Federal program designed to assist Americans in need by fraudulently applying for loans has and will continue to be aggressively investigated. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s office for their commitment to this goal.”
“I’m proud of the OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement colleagues whose efforts brought about today’s action,” said Reginald J. France, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southeastern Regional Office. “The OIG is committed to fighting student aid fraud in all its forms and we will continue to pursue anyone who participants in these types of crimes.”
The case is being investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General; the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; and, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Porter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Schwedler.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Former Postal Employee Charged with Embezzling the MailRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that COI MORRIS, age 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana was indicted on July 14, 2022 for embezzling the mail.
According to documents filed in federal court, COI MORRIS was employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail handler at the processing center in New Orleans when he was apprehended stealing the content of mail items he was entrusted to handle for the Postal Service.
The maximum penalty for the offense is five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of one hundred dollars.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.
Former Municipal Director of Finance Pleads Guilty to Misappropriation of $2.5 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López to one count of misappropriation of government funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
On or about October 28, 2014, defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero used his position as the director of finance of the Municipality of Toa Baja to make an unauthorized transfer of $2,538,164.41 from HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program funds into the municipality’s general fund. These funds were utilized to make payroll payments to municipal employees and to pay various municipal contractors.
All federal funds and financing provided by HUD to the Municipality of Toa Baja as a part of the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program were required to be used only for purposes authorized by HUD. At no time did HUD authorize the Municipality of Toa Baja or any municipal employees to utilize HUD federal funds or financing to pay non-HUD program municipal employees or to otherwise pay non-HUD program municipal contracts.
On March 18, 2021, the Municipality of Toa Baja recognized the misappropriation of these funds and executed a Repayment Agreement with HUD to make five annual payments to HUD totaling $2,605,164.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General (HUD-OIG), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe is in charge of the prosecution of this case.
Defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Florida Men Sentenced to Federal Prison in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Danny Wayne Holmes (62, Kathleen) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On June 14, 2022, Judge Berger sentenced codefendant Robert Wayne Watson (59, Seville) to 9 years in federal prison. Holmes had pleaded guilty on February 23, 2022, and Watson had pleaded guilty on March 29, 2022.
According to court documents, Holmes and Watson were part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from a distribution hub in Crescent City, through Watson’s home in Seville, to points throughout central Florida, including Holmes’s location in Kathleen. Watson served as the primary conduit for methamphetamine from Crescent City to street-level dealers. Further, Holmes obstructed justice by absconding while on pretrial release in this case.
Eleven others previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this case. See below for details.
Defendant
(age, city of residence)
Plea Date
Sentence Hearing Date
Incarceration
Alejandro Alvarado
(30, Crescent City)
11/2/21
3/31/22
25 years
Miguel Angel Perez
(29, Deland)
12/14/21
3/31/22
12 years, 3 months
Jose Martinez
(43, Crescent City)
11/16/21
3/31/22
12 years, 3 months
Miguel Angel Ortiz
(39, Crescent City)
11/30/21
2/15/22
5 years, 10 months
Jonathan Arroyo Ontiveros
(25, Crescent City)
11/30/21
2/16/22
5 years, 11 months
Noel Bueno Jr.
(27, Crescent City)
8/24/21
11/16/21
3 years
Robert Wayne Watson
(59, Seville)
3/29/21
6/14/22
9 years
Danny Wayne Holmes
(61, Kathleen)
2/23/22
7/14/22
15 years, 8 months
George Edward Sykes
(46, Bunnell)
11/16/21
4/7/22
6 years, 10 months
David John Doerr
(56, Astor)
11/16/21
2/16/22
4 years, 9 months
Dina Dynnette Kempher
(38, Satsuma)
11/30/21
2/15/22
2 years
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Federal Health Care Fraud Charge Filed against Suburban Chicago PhysicianRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago physician prescribed opioids to patients without a medical examination or visit and then fraudulently billed Medicare for the nonexistent treatment, according to a criminal charge filed in federal court.
ELIZA DIACONESCU, 73, of Lake Forest, Ill., is charged with one count of health care fraud. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison. Arraignment is scheduled for July 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez.
The charge was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert J. Bell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the DEA; Mario Pinto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten, Charles W. Mulaney, and Ernest Y. Ling.
The charge was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Task Force, which was formed in 2019 for the purpose of combatting the growing number of unlawful distributions of controlled substances fueling the nation’s opioid crisis.
A criminal information filed Thursday in federal court alleges that from 2016 to 2021, Diaconescu pre-signed blank prescriptions for hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl for patients of her pain clinic in Gurnee, Ill., so that the prescriptions could be provided to the patients when she was not at the clinic. The patients picked up the pre-signed prescriptions for the opioids from other workers at the clinic without having a contemporaneous examination with Diaconescu, the information states.
Diaconescu then knowingly submitted false claims seeking reimbursement from Medicare for the purported visits, knowing that such visits did not occur. Diaconescu and others at the clinic created false paperwork indicating that Diaconescu had face-to-face exams with patients when, in fact, the patients had come only to pick up the pre-signed prescriptions and had not visited with Diaconescu, the charge alleges.
The public is reminded that an information is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal Crackdown in Yakima County Yields Firearm Seizures and IndictmentsRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that a federal Grand Jury has returned indictments charging multiple Yakima residents with federal firearms offenses.
The Indictments are the result of the collaborative efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and the Yakima Police Department (“YPD”), who worked together as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) initiative. PSN is a critical piece of the Department of Justice’s crime reduction efforts. The PSN program focuses on prosecuting individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities. It supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement, schools, the faith community, and local community leaders, to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
In the Eastern District of Washington, U.S. Attorney Waldref has designated Yakima County for this special community-based crime-fighting program, to focus on reducing gang and gun-related violent crime in the Yakima Valley.
United States Attorney Waldref announced the filing of Indictments today against the following Defendants:
• David Hernandez Moreno, also known as “Peanut,” age 26, of Yakima, Washington. Defendant Moreno has prior convictions for Identity Theft, 4th Degree Assault, and Robbery. He was arrested on April 25, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of federal law.
• Julio Armando Chavez-Medina, also known as “Loki,” age 23, of Yakima, Washington. Defendant Chavez-Medina has previously been convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm on three separate occasions. He was arrested on May 13, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of federal law.
• Alberto Pastrana, age 25, of Yakima, Washington. Defendant Pastrana has previously been convicted of 2nd Degree Assault, 3rd Degree Assault, and 4th Degree Assault. He was arrested on May 6, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine Ibarra has previously been convicted of 1st Degree Burglary and 2nd Degree Assault. He was arrested on June 28, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Juan Carlos Moreno-Oregel, also known as “Bambino,” age 21, of Yakima, Washington. Defendant Moreno-Oregel has previously been convicted of 1st Degree Robbery. He was arrested on June 30, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Ray Jesus Greedy, age 34, of Mabton, Washington. Defendant Greedy has previously been convicted of 4th Degree Assault. He was arrested on June 3, 2022, and has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
During the arrests in these cases, law enforcement officers recovered seven firearms and three high-capacity magazines. “The heart of the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative is a commitment to keeping our communities in Eastern Washington safe and strong. Our collaborative, focused prosecution efforts are part of the overall community solution to pressing violent crime issues,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. She went on to commend DHS, ATF, and YPD’s Gang Unit for their dedication to combating gang violence and pursuing violent offenders in the Yakima community. “These arrests and Indictments demonstrate the impact we can have when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together.”
“ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes, which affect all of us in the Eastern District,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “The people of Eastern Washington deserve to live in safety. To ensure that they can, we will continue to work with our partners to remove violent offenders and their firearms from our streets.”
“Illegal firearm activity will not be tolerated in our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI will continue to leverage law enforcement partnerships, to address violence, providing community safety through the dedicated service of our skillful agents.”
“I cannot overstate how important it is to the Yakima Police Department to have such a strong, effective relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Matthew Murray, Chief of the Yakima Police Department. “Indicting those who engage in violence in our community is a powerful tool and sends an even more powerful message. In a perfect world, those involved in violent conduct could find the strength to walk away from that life on their own – but if they will not, the Yakima Police Department will do everything we can to hold them accountable and make the community safer and stronger. U.S. Attorney Waldref and her team are present, proactive, and reliable partners in our focused effort to reduce violent crime, including domestic violence, in the Yakima community, and I thank and commend them.”
These cases are being prosecuted by Tom Hanlon, Rick Burson and Michael Murphy, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fatal stabbing in Crow Agency sends man to prison for five yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted to fatally stabbing another man during an argument at a Crow Agency convenience store on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
James Posey Fisher Sr., 36, pleaded guilty in February to voluntary manslaughter.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters ordered the sentence to run consecutive to pending state cases in Yellowstone and Big Horn counties.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 28, 2020, at the Teepee Station convenience store in Crow Agency, Fisher stabbed the victim, identified as John Doe, once in the chest. The victim died of a single stab wound before reaching the hospital. Fisher and the victim were with other individuals and were drinking heavily. At some point, Fisher and John Doe began arguing in a car that Fisher was driving and continued the argument when they got out at the convenience store. The argument turned physical. Witnesses thought it was only a fist fight until John Doe backed up suddenly, ran a short distance and collapsed. Witnesses realized John Doe had been stabbed because he was bleeding. Fisher jumped back into the car and drove away.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Harper Suek and Jeanne R. Torske and student intern, Alex Butler, prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
XXXDover-Foxcroft Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Dover-Foxcroft man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to possessing with intent to distribute a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, Malcolm Peirce, 45, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on I-95 by a Maine State Police trooper in December 2019. The trooper arrested Peirce after determining that there was an active state warrant. The trooper then located 32 individually wrapped 10-gram sticks of suspected heroin inside Peirce’s jacket as well as an additional stick of heroin and small bags of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine in the vehicle. In total, police seized approximately 326 grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, 2.94 grams of a mixture containing cocaine, and 2 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Peirce faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. He also faces between three years and a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Maine State Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: 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.
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Dorchester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man previously convicted of state firearm charges pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal possession of a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition.
Michael King, a/k/a “Rugga”, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper deferred acceptance of the plea until sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2022. Lee was indicted in March 2021.
On Dec. 18, 2020, King possessed a Smith & Wesson, Model 442 Airweight, .38 caliber revolver, loaded with five rounds of .38 caliber ammunition. King is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz; and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrisey made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley, Jr. of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
District of Columbia Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics and Use FirearmsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Steven Phillips, Jr., 28, of Washington D.C. was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for his role in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute narcotics and a related conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Phillips was the fifth defendant to plead guilty for his role in the charged conspiracies.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Phillips is one of more than a dozen individuals arrested as part of a joint FBI/ATF investigation which resulted in the seizure of more than 34 pounds of marijuana, 16 firearms, and more than $270,000 in cash.
Phillips, who utilized the street nickname “33,” pleaded guilty on April 12, 2022, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, as well as oxycodone and codeine. As part of his plea agreement, Phillips admitted to participating in a separate conspiracy to use, carry, and possess firearms. Phillips was sentenced by the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson. Following completion of his prison term, Phillips will be placed on four years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, beginning in approximately June 2018, and continuing through April 2021, Phillips and his co-conspirators maintained drug dealing territory on Trenton Place SE in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. – a territory they defended by carrying, and discharging, firearms at perceived rivals. As part of his role in the conspiracy, Phillips distributed narcotics in street-level transactions and served as an armed defender of the co-conspirators’ drug dealing territory. Phillips encouraged his co-conspirators to pool their money to buy as many firearms as possible for use in defending their territory and, as part of the conspiracy possessed and trafficked in firearms which he sold and offered for sale to his co-conspirators and others. As part of his sentence, Phillips agreed to forfeit a Glock, Model 45, 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a high-capacity magazine, and 31 rounds of ammunition, all of which were seized from the defendant.
Phillips was arrested on Sept. 3, 2020. He has been detained ever since.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Special Agent in Charge Patterson commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI and ATF. They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Genevieve de Guzman, Kim Hall, and Teesha Tobias. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson, who investigated and prosecuted the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin Vaillancourt and Christopher Berridge.
Delaware County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Three BoysRead the Press Release
A Delaware County man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court for sexually abusing three boys, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Jeffery Carl Cunningham, 45, of Eucha, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under 12 in Indian Country.
Cunningham admitted that in 2003 he sexually abused a 9-year-old boy during an outing at a creek in Delaware County. In 2011, Cunningham woke up a 10-year-old boy who had been asleep in Cunningham’s home when he began sexually abusing the child. Finally, sometime between Jan. 1, 1997 and Dec. 3, 1999, Cunningham woke a third child under the age of 12 by sexually abusing him. The child had also been staying in Cunningham’s home at the time of the abuse.
The FBI and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case.
*Cunningham’s first name is spelled Jeffery in court documents.
Coweta Man who Fraudulently Obtained Almost $200,000 in Loans from the Small Business Administration Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
A Coweta man who received $192,071 from the Small Business Administration after fraudulently applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EDIL) and a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Scott Wayne Jarman, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of false statement to the United States Small Business Administration.
Jarman faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years of imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000. A federal judge will determine appropriate sentences and restitution amounts at the defendants’ sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled by the court.
In his plea agreement, Jarman stated that he submitted false statements and documentation in loan applications to the Small Business Administration on behalf of the business SKT Concessions, which he claimed to own and operate. He further stated that he knowingly certified all the information in the applications and supporting documents were true and correct when he knew the information to be incorrect.
On March 30, 2020, Jarman made false representations about SKT Concessions when applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, to include when the business was operational, gross revenue, annual operating expenses, cost of goods sold and number of employees. Jarman was able to secure a loan in the amount of $146, 171 based on the information submitted.
On April 24, 2020, Jarman made false representations about the business when applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, to include gross sales, cost of goods sold, gross profits, and car and truck expenses. As a result of the fraudulent information, he secured a loan in the amount of $45,900.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Office of Inspector General; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case.
To learn more about the Justice Department’s COVID response and to report COVID-19 fraud, visit: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. For further information on the Criminal Division’s enforcement efforts on PPP fraud, including court documents from significant cases, visit the following website: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
Connecticut Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses, Making Interstate ThreatsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that GREGORY BUTTS, 51, of Sprague, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses and making threatening communications.
Butts appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford. He has been detained since March 4, 2022, when he was arrested for violating his state probation.
As alleged in the complaint, in November 2020, family and friends of two missing juveniles in Colorado posted information about the missing juveniles on social media pages and included a phone number asking the public to call with information. Butts, with his own phone number blocked, called the number and spoke to a female friend of the missing juveniles, who recorded the conversation. Butts stated that he was with the missing juveniles and had had sexual contact with them. He threatened to harm the missing juveniles if the conversation were recorded or if law enforcement were contacted, and threatened the female friend who answered the phone. He then said that he would return the missing juveniles if the female friend would have sexual intercourse with him. Shortly after the juveniles had been reported missing, they returned home. They were not harmed and had not been kidnapped.
Is it further alleged that investigators determined that the call emanated from a lightly-populated area in Sprague, Connecticut, and that Butts was a registered sex offender living in the area who was on probation following a state conviction for illegal sexual contact with a minor. After a Connecticut probation officer identified Butts’ voice on the recording, probation officers searched Butts’ residence and another residence where he also had been staying and seized a computer, storage devices, multiple cell phones and other items. A search of the seized items revealed thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
It is also alleged that a search of the seized items revealed downloaded conversations Butts had on Snapchat with minors. In the chats, Butts engaged in sexually explicit conversations, made numerous threats and demanded, and sometimes received, sexually explicit photos.
The complaint charges Butts with possession of a child pornography, which, based on his criminal history, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; and making an interstate threat to injure, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Connecticut and Loveland, Colorado, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com
Coast Guard Investigative Service Arrests 3 Individuals Charged with Conspiracy to Communicate a False Distress SignalRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 14, 2022, a federal grand jury sitting in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Harold Carrion Butter, Justinita Butter, and Miriam Delgado-Serrano with Conspiracy to Communicate a False Distress Signal, in violation of 14 U.S.C. § 521(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 371; Communicating a False Distress Signal, in violation of 14 U.S.C. § 521(c), and 18 U.S.C. § 2; Conspiracy to Destroy, Alter, or Falsify Records in Federal Investigations, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 and 371; and Destruction, Alteration, or Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1519. The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow, and Captain Jose E. Diaz, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector San Juan.
Additionally, Justinita Butter and Miriam Delgado-Serrano were charged with multiple counts of making false statements to United States Coast Guard personnel and United States Coast Guard Investigative Service agents, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).
Pursuant to court filings, on June 28, 2022, Harold Carrion Butter, while trying to evade local authorities regarding a domestic violence case, purposefully hid himself in an attempt to make it seem like he was swept out to sea at La Poza Del Obispo in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Carrion Butter called his mother, Justinita Butter who, after several phone conversations with her son, called local 9-1-1. She falsely reported that her son had not been answering his phone and was missing from the beach at Poza Del Obispo in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Her 9-1-1 call was transferred to United States Coast Guard Sector San Juan, which immediately began to coordinate a search and rescue operation for Carrion Butter. Throughout that night and following two days, through multiple phone calls with Coast Guard Officers, Justinita Butter and Miriam Delgado-Serrano, made multiple false claims that Carrion Butter did not have a phone, must have been swept out to sea, and that there was no other place he could be. All these claims were made while they were both in continuous and surreptitious communication with Carrion Butter through multiple phone calls and text messages.
On July 1, 2022, Carrion Butter was discovered by local Puerto Rico police, in a location near his family home. The United States Coast Guard subsequently ended its search and rescue operation, after having diverted multiple ships, boats, and aircraft from other potential search and rescue missions and criminal-interdictions, and after having expended over $1,000,000 in assets and resources in the search.
“The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute those who make false reports to law enforcement. The defendants' actions in this case not only placed law enforcement officers and emergency responders participating in the rescue efforts in danger, but diverted essential resources from other law enforcement and potential rescue efforts,” said United States Attorney Stephen Muldrow.
“I want it to be very clear to the people and the maritime community of Puerto Rico, both commercial and recreational, that this unfortunate situation will not deter our response in future cases and maritime emergencies,” said Capt. José E. Díaz, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander. “Of all our missions, search and rescue, and the safety of life at sea are my top priorities. It is important for everyone to know that the Coast Guard is always ready to respond to rescue people in distress at sea and that no one should ever hesitate to call the Coast Guard for help during a maritime distress.”
“For the Coast Guard, a false distress call diverts assets and personnel away from our critical missions, it is also a crime, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service will treat it accordingly,” said Zinnia James, Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent in Charge Southeast Region.
“In the Department of Public Security we do not hold back resources and personnel to safeguard lives and guarantee the safety of the people of Puerto Rico,” said Alexis Torres, Secretary of the Department of Public Security. “Harold Carrion Butter’s actions is unacceptable because he lied to federal and local authorities. Additionally, he placed the lives of emergency responders in jeopardy. The filing of the charges demonstrates show that any person who lies to authorities will have to answer for their actions.”
The prosecutors in charge of the case are, Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section; Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Bonhomme, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Martin. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory sentence of not more than 5 years for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2), less than 10 years in prison for violations of 14 U.S.C. § 521, and up to 20 years for obstruction of justice.
Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Clay County Man Who Sexually Exploited Three Children in His Custody Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Edward Alan Hardin (35, Clay County) to 40 years in federal prison for attempted production of child sex abuse material and possession of child sex abuse material. After serving his prison term, Hardin will be required to register as a sex offender and serve a lifetime of supervised release. Hardin had pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022. As part of his plea agreement, Hardin also admitted to sex trafficking two children under 14 years old and to the online enticement of a third child to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to court documents, at various times in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Hardin had access to three female children who were in his custody. One of those children – referred to as Minor Victim 1 – had known Hardin since she was a toddler and considered Hardin to be a father figure. Beginning when Minor Victim 1 was about 12 or 13 years old, Hardin provided money and gifts to Minor Victim 1 in exchange for the sexual abuse of Minor Victim 1.
On May 8, 2020, a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office observed Hardin’s truck parked at a shopping center in Orange Park. As the deputy approached Hardin’s truck on foot, he observed Hardin in the driver’s seat of the truck, and then observed Minor Victim 1 sit up in the passenger seat of the truck. The deputy smelled the aroma of marijuana emanating from the truck. As the deputy approached the passenger door of the truck, he could see that Hardin’s pants were unzipped and that Hardin and Minor Victim 1 appeared nervous. Minor Victim 1 agreed to speak with a detective and disclosed text messages between she and Hardin that showed that Hardin, on multiple occasions, had made arrangements to pay Minor Victim 1 for sex. Minor Victim 1 stated that Hardin had been sexually abusing her in the truck prior to the deputy approaching. Hardin was arrested and admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with Minor Victim 1 earlier that day, but he claimed it was the first time and that it had been consensual.
Minor Victim 1 also identified two other child victims who had been sexually abused by Hardin.
Minor Victim 2 was interviewed and disclosed that Hardin had transported her to Valdosta, Georgia, to visit a particular theme park in July 2018, when she was 15 years old. Minor Victim 2 informed detectives that Hardin had sexually abused her during the trip and continued to maintain a sexual relationship with her until around March 2020, during all of which time Minor Victim 2 was underage.
Minor Victim 3 was interviewed and disclosed that when she was 13 years old she had attended a sleepover with Minor Victim 1. During the sleepover, Hardin provided Minor Victim 3 and Minor Victim 1 with marijuana, and Minor Victim 3 was encouraged to allow Hardin to sexually assault her, and he did so. Hardin then gave Minor Victim 3 and Minor Victim 1 $20 as payment for the sex act.
Hardin’s phone was searched and contained photos of Minor Victim 2 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Hardin’s phone contained text messages to Minor Victim 1 in which Hardin repeatedly requested that Minor Victim 1 produce pornographic images of herself and provide them to Hardin.
“This predator took advantage of the innocence of minor girls and sexually abused them through manipulation,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “This successful sentencing is a testament to the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our commitment to serve and protect the community.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Chinle Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Rogche Yoe Begay, 25, of Chinle, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 16 years in prison. Begay previously pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder.
On July 16, 2019, Begay stabbed the victim with a knife, killing him. The crime occurred on the Navajo Nation, where Begay is an enrolled member.
The FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Besancon, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-08185-PCT-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-118_Begay# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.