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Friday 15 July 2022
Centerville cocaine dealer sentenced to 57 months in prisonRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – Jermaine Treadwell, 31, of Centerville was sentenced in U.S. District Court here to 57 months in prison for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute it. FBI's Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force, a multi-jurisdiction agency which includes FBI, Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Trotwood Police Department, investigated Treadwell.
According to court documents, in May 2021 law enforcement conducted a court authorized search of Treadwell’s residence in Centerville—a residence he shared with his girlfriend and three children. Agents found more than 13 grams of cocaine, a scale, drug cutting agents, approximately $17,000, ammunition, and multiple loaded firearms as well as a key to a storage unit. Law enforcement searched the storage unit and discovered $60,000, a scale with drug residue, cutting agents, and a kilogram hydraulic press with metal molds containing fentanyl residue.
“His actions helped continue the cycle of addiction in his own community,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “The presence of children in this environment exposes another generation to the specter of addiction.”
Treadwell pleaded guilty on October 14, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Joining Mr. Parker in announcing the sentence was J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck, Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal, and Trotwood Police Chief Erik Wilson. Senior U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice imposed the sentence on July 14. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Saunders represented the United States in this case.
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Career Criminal Offender Sentenced for Dealing Drugs with a FirearmRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm with a fifty-round drum magazine in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2021, Nakia Lamont Platt, 29, was found unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle parked at a gas station pump. Norfolk Police Department officers responding to a call for service observed a bag of cocaine on Platt’s lap. On the floorboard, near Platt’s feet, they also found a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol.
Platt was classified at sentencing as a career offender based on his prior convictions in state court for attempted robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and multiple drug felonies.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-127.
Campbell County Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – An Alexandria, Ky., man, Rodger William Moore, 54, was sentenced on Thursday to 120 months in federal prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for transporting child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, in May of 2019, the Defendant flew from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport to Fayetteville, Arkansas. When he got off the plane, he left his cell phone behind. Airline staff found it, turned it in to lost-and-found, and later accessed it to try to identify the owner. When they did, they observed what appeared to be child pornography and contacted law enforcement. A forensic review of the phone revealed approximately 171 videos and images of child pornography. Then, on a subsequent occasion, Northern Kentucky law enforcement discovered child pornography in his car and on various computers and storage devices in his residence.
Moore pleaded guilty in September 2021.
Under federal law, Moore must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for life, after his release.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jerry Templet, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Casey Kilgore, Ft. Thomas Police Department; and Chief Mike Ward, Alexandria Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DHS-HSI, Ft. Thomas Police Department, and Alexandria Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Leonhard.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Bronx Woman Charged with Trafficking 20 FirearmsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and Keechant L. Sewell, Police Commissioner for the City of New York (NYPD), announced today that BRANDY ARIAS was charged with firearms trafficking and traveling interstate with intent to engage in firearms trafficking, in connection with her illegally selling firearms in the Bronx, New York. ARIAS was arrested yesterday and will be presented today before Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Brandy Arias was in the business of illegally selling guns on the streets of New York City. Because of the efforts of our law enforcement partners in this investigation, we have taken twenty guns off the streets and prevented more from coming to New York City from another state. Arias’s arrest and prosecution should send a message to anyone attempting to illegally traffick guns in our City that they will be found and prosecuted.”
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John DeVito said: “This arrest highlights ATF’s mission to stop the flow of illegal firearms into our communities. We will continue to partner with others to disrupt the shooting cycle and to keep people safe. Special thanks to the NYPD’s 46th Field Intelligence Unit for their partnership and commitment to this case.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Stopping the flow of illegal guns into New York City is at the forefront of our public-safety mission. The NYPD and our law-enforcement partners are sending a clear and definitive message: If you traffic in these deadly weapons, you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That is the promise we made to the people we serve, and we will never relent in our fight against gun violence. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the ATF’s New York Field Division, and all of the investigators who worked on this important case.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint filed in court today[1]:
From about March 2022 to July 2022, BRANDY ARIAS illegally sold twenty firearms, as well as ammunition and magazines, to an undercover law enforcement officer (the “UC”) in the Bronx, New York. These sales occurred on eight different occasions, including in the middle of the day near a residential building and outside of a fast-food restaurant.
As part of the scheme, in or about June 2022 and July 2022, ARIAS traveled between New York and Florida for the purpose of obtaining firearms to illegally resell in New York. On at least two occasions shortly after traveling to Florida, ARIAS sold firearms to the UC in the Bronx.
On July 14, 2022, ARIAS met the UC outside of a fast-food restaurant in the Bronx with the intent to sell the UC an additional firearm. At that time, ARIAS was arrested.
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BRANDY ARIAS, 21, of the Bronx, New York is charged with one count of firearms trafficking, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and one count of interstate travel with intent to engage in firearms trafficking, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the ATF and the NYPD in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Ni Qian and Madison Reddick Smyser are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Berkeley County man guilty of firearms chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel Kion Garrison, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Garrison, 30, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting False Statement During Purchase of Firearm.” Garrison admitted to working with another to illegally purchase a .380 caliber pistol from a licensed dealer in Berkeley County in May 2021.
Garrison faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Armed Drug Trafficker Going to PrisonRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Wilfredo Sanchez, 25, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that Sanchez was arrested on March 23, 2021, following a search of his Saranac Street residence, during which investigators seized over 88 grams of para-flourofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, and over 64 grams of cocaine. A loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, digital scales, and drug packaging material were also recovered. At the time of his arrest, Sanchez was on supervised release after serving five years in prison following a March 2017 federal conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.The sentencing was the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito.
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Armed Career Criminal in Akron Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Ralph L. Millender, 47, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after Millender pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court records, on November 2, 2019, Akron Police Officers arrested Millender following an altercation he had with another individual. During the dispute, officers became aware that Millender possessed a firearm in his vehicle. Officers then searched the vehicle and located a loaded, semiautomatic weapon.
Millender is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple previous convictions of domestic violence in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
During sentencing, Millender was designated as an Armed Career Criminal due to three prior convictions for violent felonies committed on separate occasions.
This case was investigated by the Akron Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Joyce.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced Alvin Porterie, Jr., age 51, of Port Allen, Louisiana, to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Court further sentenced Porterie to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited.
According to admissions made as a part of his guilty plea, on December 8, 2020, a Louisiana State Police trooper conducted a routine roadside welfare check on an apparently disabled vehicle in the median on Airline Highway, near Siegen Lane, in Baton Rouge. Porterie and another man were attempting to change the rear tire on the passenger side of the vehicle. While at the scene, the trooper learned that the vehicle had previously been reported stolen. Porterie ultimately admitted to being in possession of a firearm, which was recovered from the vehicle, and to being a convicted felon. Prior to possessing the firearm, Porterie had been convicted of aggravated battery, as well as multiple counts of distribution of cocaine, in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caroline B. Gardner.
After Acquittal on State Charges, Defendant Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun OffenseRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who had been acquitted in state court of a May 2019 murder in the City of Roanoke after claiming self-defense, pled guilty today to a federal firearms offense.
Demarcus Shaiquan Glenn, 23, pled guilty in federal court to one count of possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Glenn is expected to be sentenced to 144 months in federal prison.
“Drug dealers with firearms should take heed: You cannot shoot someone during a drug deal and then claim self-defense when you are carrying that firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, a federal crime with a 10-year mandatory minimum,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “The cornerstone of keeping our communities safe is prosecuting anyone who discharges a firearm while participating in the drug trafficking trade, and my Office will continue to prioritize and seek federal charges for anyone who does so within the Western District of Virginia.”
“Today's conviction demonstrates the FBI's commitment to vigorously investigate and bring to justice those who commit violent crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador said today. “Keeping illegal guns off our streets is an important step in keeping our communities safe. We encourage residents to immediately report incidents to local law enforcement or the FBI through tips.FBI.gov.”
“The outcome of this investigation is a direct and positive result of state, local, and federal agencies working together to address gun violence in the City of Roanoke,” said Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman. “Though Glenn was acquitted on charges from our jurisdiction, our public safety partners at the federal level were able to open an investigation and work with our officers and detectives on appropriate, federal charges for this offense. This is a valuable partnership that greatly benefits the residents of Roanoke by keeping violent offenders off our streets. We are grateful to work with agencies at every level of the criminal and judicial system to keep Roanoke safe, and hold those who choose to engage in gun violence accountable.”
According to court documents, T.P., a 16-year-old male, contacted Glenn through a friend on May 31, 2019, in order to purchase two ounces of marijuana. Glenn agreed to sell T.P. the marijuana for $300 and was to meet him at T.P.’s Denniston Avenue residence to conduct the transaction. Glenn later arrived at T.P.’s residence to conduct the transaction. In the course of that transaction, Glenn produced a firearm and shot and killed T.P.
Glenn was charged in state court for the shooting but later acquitted, claiming self-defense.
During his state jury trial, Glenn testified in his own defense. According to Glenn, when he arrived to sell T.P. marijuana, he was carrying a firearm in his right pocket. The firearm was loaded with a round in the chamber. Glenn testified that he carried the firearm for protection because he sold drugs and it can be dangerous. Glenn admitted under oath to discharging that firearm and shooting T.P. in the course of the drug deal.
Federal law prohibits drug dealers from possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Coleman Adams and Kristin B. Johnson are prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops 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.
Aberdeen, Maryland Man Who Engaged in Sexual Acts with a Minor Victim Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Anthony Gonzalez, age 40, of Aberdeen, Maryland to 13 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for coercion and enticement of a minor. Judge Chasanow also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Gonzalez must continue to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).
The sentence 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; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Director Darrell R. Reider of the Swatara Township, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, between 2017 and 2019, Gonzalez coerced three minor females to engage in sexual activity. Specifically, in June 2018, Gonzalez made contact with a minor female victim (Victim 1) on a social media application. Although Victim 1’s profile stated that she was 18 years old, Victim 1 informed Gonzalez that her actual age was 16 years old. During their communication, Gonzalez referred to Victim 1 as his girlfriend, discussed getting married to her, and initiated sexual conversations.
In one instance, Gonzalez asked Victim 1 to sneak out of her hotel room that she was sharing with her father to meet Gonzalez. Specifically, on June 27, 2018, Gonzalez traveled from his Bel Air, Maryland residence to meet Victim 1 at the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania hotel. There, Gonzalez and Victim 1 engaged in sexually explicit activity twice. In one sexual encounter, Gonzalez recorded the sexual acts on his cell phone. Additionally, Gonzalez brought Victim 1 a cell phone with the ability to take pictures and videos as her cell phone could not. Following their meeting, Gonzalez asked Victim 1 “Do you always delete our messages from your phone baby?”.
Between 2017 and 2018, Gonzalez met Victim 2, when she was 13 years old. Gonzalez initiated a romantic online relationship with Victim 2. During their conversations, Gonzalez frequently held sexual conversations with Victim 2, convinced Victim 2 to send sexual images, and discussed meeting with Victim 2 in person. When Victim 2 declined and blocked Gonzalez multiple times, a mutual friend encouraged her to communicate with him.
Gonzalez met Victim 3 in 2018 when she was 15 years old. Gonzalez told Victim 3 that they were “boyfriend and girlfriend” and convinced her to send him sexually explicit images at his request. Victim 3 genuinely believed that she had to do what Gonzalez requested because she was his “girlfriend.” In total, Victim 3 sent explicit images over 500 times at the defendant’s request.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on January 24, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Gonzalez’s Aberdeen, Maryland residence. As a result of the search warrant, law enforcement seized several devices including two tablets, three cell phones, and a SIM card. In an interview with law enforcement, Gonzalez admitted to engaging in sex acts with Victim 1 and saved the recordings to an internet storage system. He also admitted to law enforcement that he knew Victim 2 was a minor during their conversations and had approximately four sexually explicit images of her.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Maryland State Police Department, and the Swatara Township Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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21 Defendants Convicted During Three-Year Investigation into Drug Trafficking and Criminal Activities Led by Inmates Inside State Prison Walls Using Contraband Cell PhonesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A three-year investigation into an Oklahoma prison-based drug trafficking organization has resulted in 21 defendants being convicted across multiple federal cases. The wrap-up of this investigation and prosecution is jointly announced by Robert J. Troester, United States Attorney, Edward Chavez, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office, Christopher Altemus, IRS Criminal Investigations, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office, and Wade Gourley, Chief of Police, Oklahoma City Police Department.
Public records reflect that over the course of this investigation, federal, state, and local law enforcement identified and targeted a drug trafficking organization run by Todd Mathew Strand, who was an Oklahoma Department of Corrections inmate already serving a 30-year state sentence for prior drug trafficking activity. Strand, with the assistance of fellow inmate Hugo Gonzalez, Jr., ran his operation from inside state prison using contraband cell phones. The pair then relied on a network of distributors and couriers on the streets to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and collect proceeds from those sales. Further, Strand and his organization gathered firearms (often in exchange for drugs), with at least some of those firearms intended to be exported to Mexico. In one instance, a search of a storage facility controlled by one of Strand’s associates resulted in the seizure of 13 assorted assault rifles, shotguns, parts, and ammunition that had been gathered for exportation to Mexico.
Crimes for which the defendants were convicted include drug distribution, drug conspiracy, money laundering, maintaining drug-involved premises, and illegal firearms possession. Strand also ordered acts of violence, including acts against his own associates, during the course of the conspiracy.
In the end, Strand was sentenced to serve 384 months (32 years) in federal prison. Strand’s second in command, Gonzalez, Jr., was sentenced to serve 264 months (22 years) in federal prison. Numerous other defendants with roles ranging from mid-level dealers and couriers to significant drug traffickers received sentences between 192 months and 36 months. Collectively, the 21 defendants received sentences of more than 187 years in federal prison. In addition, law enforcement seized approximately 46 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin, more than 50 firearms, and $35,000 in drug proceeds.
"This sprawling drug trafficking operation was primarily operated by inmates using contraband cell phones from inside state prison walls," said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. "Thanks to the dedicated work and coordinated efforts of law enforcement, this drug trafficking network was stopped, and 21 defendants will collectively serve more than 18 decades in prison. I commend each of our law enforcement partners who worked together with prosecutors to achieve this outstanding result."
"Drug trafficking, on our streets and in our prisons, impacts the safety and security of all of our lives," said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas/Oklahoma. "These convictions and prison terms should send a strong message to others that drug trafficking and its related violent crimes are not welcome here. DEA and our partners will continue to identify, disrupt, and destroy, these criminal organizations that choose to distribute drugs."
"The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs," said Gerardo Gomez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. "Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations. The significant sentencings in this investigation should send a clear message to would-be criminals—you will be caught, and you will be punished. We, along with our law enforcement partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office, continue to do our part to put drug traffickers in jail or in this case, keep them in jail."
"This case demonstrates just how dangerous and determined some criminals can be," said Wade Gourley, Chief of the Oklahoma City Police Department. "We are thankful to have law enforcement partners as committed as we are to the safety of the residents who depend on us all."
This investigation was spearheaded by the DEA with assistance from numerous other law enforcement partners, including the Oklahoma City Police Department, the IRS Criminal Investigative Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Sallisaw Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Moore Police Department, the Edmond Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
These prosecutions were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Snyder and Jason Harley prosecuted these cases.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Thursday 14 July 2022
Woonsocket Businessman Sentenced for Defrauding the IRSRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Woonsocket businessman described in court documents as a “vital cog” in a tax fraud conspiracy that defrauded the United States of millions of dollars was sentenced today to three years probation, the first fifty-two weekends to be served in detention at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Jesus Jose Mendez, 44, co-owner of J&J Drywall, Inc., a subcontracting business incorporated in Massachusetts and operating in Rhode Island, and his fugitive business partner, paid the bulk of their employees, mostly undocumented workers, cash “under the table,” skirting tax laws and unemployment programs.
According to court documents, from 2013 to 2017, Mendez and his business partner, Jamie Zambrano, 37, of Woonsocket, allegedly used check-cashing businesses to cash more than 600 business receipt checks totaling more than $16 million dollars. While under law enforcement surveillance, Mendez and Zambrano allegedly cashed checks at a Rhode Island check-casher, then travelled to construction sites carrying backpacks full of cash, which they left at the construction sites to be used to pay their employees.
During the same period, Mendez and Zambrano made just over $4 million in deposits in the business’s bank accounts, frequently structured in amounts of less than $10,000. Most of the remaining millions were allegedly used to fund a cash payroll for under-the-table laborers. With the exception of a small number of employees placed on an official payroll and paid by check, it is alleged that income and employment taxes were not withheld or paid to the IRS, and unemployment contributions were not made.
The IRS calculated the total federal tax loss at $2,821,463; the Massachusetts Department of Labor calculated a loss of unemployment contributions to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at $62,730. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., ordered Mendez to pay the full amounts due the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Labor.
Zambrano is currently a fugitive facing an indictment charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States (IRS); 17 counts of failure to collect and pay over taxes; tax evasion; and eight counts of structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards in Boston and the Rhode Island State Police.
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Woman Pleads Guilty for Leading a Retail Theft Organization that Netted $4.5 MillionRead the Press Release
A Tulsa-area woman who headed a retail theft organization that caused more than $10 million in losses to retailers pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Linda Ann Been, 49, admitted to leading the operation in a blind plea. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy (Count 1); wire fraud (Counts 2-166); conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Count 167); conspiracy to commit money laundering (Counts 168-169); relating to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity Counts 170-214).
In January, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson and Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor announced charges against 29 members of the organization who were arrested following a joint law enforcement investigation titled Operation Booster Buster. In total, 16 federal defendants have pleaded guilty thus far.
“Cities across the United States, including Tulsa, have seen a sharp rise in organized retail theft. The losses drive up costs for retailers which are then passed on to consumers,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “As shown in this case, my office and our law enforcement partners will diligently work together to identify, investigate and prosecute theft rings operating within northeastern Oklahoma.”
According to state and federal court documents, Been led the ring of “boosters” that netted $4.5 million from the sale of stolen merchandise and over-the-counter products to fencing organizations outside of Oklahoma. “Fences” then sold the stolen products through e-commerce sites, like eBay and Amazon.
Operations were staged out of northeastern Oklahoma and sometimes crossed state lines. Stores targeted include Reasor’s, Sprouts, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Walgreens, CVS, GNC and others.
For example, on Sept. 4, 2019, several defendants boosted $1,329 worth of over-the-counter products, such as Flonase, Mucinex, Nexium, Zegerid, and Allegra, from a Reasor’s in Jenks, Oklahoma.
Normally, fences paid Been half the market value for each item. Been, in turn, paid boosters half of her expected profit for each item they brought to her. Financial payments for stolen products were normally made through PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App.
Been provided her boosters with a detailed list of items to steal and the pricing she would pay for each. She further instructed her ring on boosting techniques, including box stuffing. Box stuffing occurs when criminals conceal higher-value items inside lower-value item boxes and only paying for the lower-valued items.
Been and her team of boosters stole products from retailers in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado. Been would pay boosters’ expenses when they traveled outside the state. She would further pay boosters’ bond when arrested so they could continue boosting.
Boosters would then deliver the goods to predetermined locations in Tulsa, Sand Springs, and Cleveland, Oklahoma. According to the federal indictment, defendants Billy Osborne, Juston Osborne, helped manage the operation by storing stolen inventory at their residences or businesses and by prepping the merchandise for bulk shipments to fences outside the state. Been also stored stolen merchandise at her residences, prepared inventories, coordinated payment, and shipped the pallets of stolen items.
Two co-defendants who helped Been manage the operation have pleaded guilty:
• Billy Don Osborne, 49: conspiracy to commit money laundering
• Juston Paul Osborne, 37: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Other co-defendants who have pleaded guilty are:
• Brandon Jamal Baldwin, 34: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Ambermeloni Charda Crawford, 24: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Amber Marie Clason, 28: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Toni Larae Crisp, 27 : conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Derek James Enloe, 32: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Corey Ray Fields, 44: conspiracy
• Sharee Nashawn Galloway, 45: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Ashley Nicole Gill, 30: conspiracy
• Brittany Nicole Harkins, 29: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Amanda Kay Johnson, 40: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Daniel Eugene Payne, 53: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Katrina Danielle Robison, 34: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
• Karissa Ray Russell, 32: conspiracy to commit wire fraud
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Richard M. Cella and Reagan V. Reininger are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
Whitehall Man Indicted for Possessing Videos and Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on July 12, named Erik Jones, 24, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, from in and around September 2021 to in and around December 2021, Jones did knowingly possess visual depictions, namely, images in computer graphic and digital files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. More specifically, Jones possessed approximately 350 videos of child pornography and over 500 images of child pornography.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more 20 years in prison. Defendant is also subject to a fine of not more than $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least five years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Wetzel County man admits to methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Franklin Keith Dotson, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Dotson, 38, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Dotson admitted to having methamphetamine in July 2021 in Marshall County.
Dotson faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Washington, PA Man Charged with CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Washington, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh of cyberstalking, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on July 12, named Eric Scholl, 54, as the sole defendant.
According to Indictment, beginning around March 2021 and continuing through May 2022, after a domestic incident that led to his wife seeking a Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Order against him, Scholl engaged in a cyberstalking campaign targeting his wife. Among other things, he placed a GPS tracking device on her car which tracked her movements; directed harassing and intimidating emails, texts, and phone calls to her, including using a web-based service that allowed him to disguise his phone number; posted lewd content about her on the internet; impersonated her in messages with others; accessed her mobile phone account and PayPal account without her permission; and threatened her through a text message he transmitted to a family member. Scholl engaged in this course of conduct, and other related and threatening activities, while subject to a domestic violence protection order against him. Scholl’s campaign placed his wife in fear of death or serious bodily injury and caused substantial emotional distress to her.
The law provides for a total sentence of not less than one but not more than ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Shaler Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Warwick Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Warwick man who admitted to distributing child pornography and, according to court filings, admitted to law enforcement officers that he previously molested a prepubescent child, was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Owen Batista, 27, previously admitted to a federal judge that in August 2020, he posted a link in an online child pornography chat group that, when clicked, directed users to an online storage folder containing images and videos of child sexual abuse. Working in an undercover capacity, a Salt Lake City, Utah, law enforcement officer accessed the link, which was found to contain 738 mp4 video files. Eighteen of the video files were downloaded as a sample; seventeen of them depicted sexual abuse of children.
In October 2020, after it was determined by law enforcement that Batista was the administrator of the files, FBI agents in Providence executed a court-authorized search warrant at Batista’s residence; videos of child sexual abuse, including a collage of images depicting children between the ages of 2 to 10 years old being abused, were discovered on an electronic device belonging to Batista.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest, when asked if he had ever had inappropriate contact with a child, Batista stated that approximately one year prior he had an “opportunity” alone with a 5-year-old female and that he “took advantage of the moment.” Batista admitted to making multiple videos of this abuse, and to sending these images to another individual. Further investigation determined that Batista had been communicating online with other individuals about the sharing of videos of child sexual abuse. One such person was later identified as a New York man, who was subsequently arrested by the FBI and charged in New York with distribution of child pornography.
Batista was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
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United States Attorney’s Office Seeks to Civilly Forfeit Assets in Nearly $6 Million Alleged Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the filing of a civil complaint seeking forfeiture of assets acquired in an alleged fraud scheme involving almost $6 million.
According to the civil complaint, Brett Cook, deceased, of Fremont, Nebraska, utilized his position as Vice President at Darland Properties to orchestrate an alleged fraud scheme involving Jeff Stenstrom, Brian Cook, and others. The civil complaint alleges Brett Cook directed repair work for Darland Properties’ clients to Stenstrom’s company, Stenstrom Services, Inc., and then billed the clients for work that was not performed, overbilled clients for work that was performed, and submitted inflated invoices to insurance companies to obtain insurance proceeds. This scheme resulted in a loss of approximately $4,250,000, which personally benefitted Brett Cook and Stenstrom.
By 2019, Brett Cook and Stenstrom ceased directly using Stenstrom Services for Darland Properties repairs. Brett Cook then created a new company with his brother, Brian Cook, called Midwest Property Maintenance Solutions. Midwest Property Maintenance Solutions operated in the same manner as Stenstrom Services had, whereby it billed Darland Properties’ clients for work that was not performed, work that had previously been paid for and completed by Stenstrom Services, and overbilled for work that was performed, among other things. The civil complaint alleges that this continued scheme resulted in a loss of at least an additional $600,000, most of which benefitted Brett and Brian Cook.
The civil complaint further alleges that Brett Cook used his Vice President position to fraudulently obtain monies from Darland Properties’ clients by reimbursing himself for personal expenses, requiring subcontractors to pay kickbacks indirectly to him and others in order to obtain work, and by receiving an approximate $850,000 fee for negotiations with insurance companies on behalf of the clients. This conduct resulted in an additional loss of at least $1,100,000 to the clients.
In total, the civil complaint alleges that the schemes identified above resulted in a loss of at least $5,950,000. The fraudulently obtained proceeds were ultimately used to acquire residential and commercial real estate, luxury vehicles, loan payments, credit card purchases, and high-end jewelry and watches.
The Internal Revenue Service is leading the investigation with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal investigation in ongoing.
Uniontown Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Materials Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Uniontown, PA, pleaded guilty on July 12 in federal court to a charge of Production of a Visual Depiction of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Zachary Bosh, 39, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Friday, April 12, 2019, a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity (UC) entered a public chat group titled #parentstoys, using an internet-based, free mobile application. The user “ascott5505,” later identified as Bosh, initiated a private chat with the UC.
During the conversation, Bosh sent the UC approximately seven video clips and/or images of a minor victim, one of which depicted the sexual exploitation of the minor victim, and verified with the UC that the video clips and/or images were “live”. The Court was further informed of the content of the communications between Bosh and the UC.
Investigators were able to obtain emergency disclosures from the mobile application as well as internet service provider, enabling them to identify – on the same day – the residence where the video of the minor victim’s sexual exploitation had been produced. During a search of the residence, which also occurred that day, law enforcement seized bedsheets that matched the sheets visible in the video.
Judge Hornak stated sentencing will be scheduled by further order of court. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered Bosh remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the FBI Washington Field Office’s (WFO) Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bosh.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Files Suit against Chicago Cubs Alleging Wrigley Field Renovations and Expansion Violated Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois today filed a federal civil lawsuit against the CHICAGO CUBS, alleging the team failed to ensure that recent additions and alterations at Wrigley Field were appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit alleges that the team’s renovation, rehabilitation, expansion, and reconstruction of Wrigley Field – a multi-year undertaking known as “the 1060 Project” – discriminated against individuals with disabilities. To facilitate the changes made by the 1060 Project, the Cubs rebuilt a sizable portion of the preexisting Wrigley Field facility, including demolishing and reconstructing the bleachers and tearing down most of the lower grandstand and rebuilding it. These extensive changes were subject to the ADA’s requirements for design, construction, and alterations, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit alleges that throughout the 1060 Project, the Cubs failed to provide wheelchair users with adequate sightlines as compared to standing patrons or incorporate wheelchair seating into new premium clubs and group seating areas. In the general admission areas, the Cubs designed and constructed the wheelchair seating so that it is largely clustered in the last row of seating sections – in violation of the requirements of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design – and failed to remove architectural barriers to access in unaltered portions of Wrigley Field where it was readily achievable to do so, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, names as defendants the Cubs and other corporate owners and operators of the Wrigley Field facility – CHICAGO BASEBALL HOLDINGS LLC, WRIGLEY FIELD HOLDINGS LLC, and WF MASTER TENANT LLC. The suit seeks declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief to remedy the alleged ADA violations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham J. Souza and Patrick W. Johnson represent the government.
“The Cubs rebuilt much of Wrigley Field and had ample opportunity – and a significant ADA obligation – to incorporate wheelchair seating and other accessible elements into the updated facility,” said John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to ensuring equal accessibility for individuals with disabilities.”
“For 32 years, the ADA has set clear requirements to ensure that public venues such as sports facilities are accessible,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the law to ensure that fans with disabilities and their families are able to enjoy their ballpark experience.”
Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, such as sports stadiums, from excluding people with disabilities from enjoying goods, services, privileges, facilities, and advantages provided. To learn more about the obligations of public accommodations under federal disability rights statutes, call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301, 800-514-0383 (TTY).
For more information regarding the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat discrimination in public accommodations, please visit the official ADA government website.
U.S. Attorney, Vermont Attorney General, and Rutland Area NAACP to Co-Host Hate-Free Vermont ForumRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, and the Rutland Area NAACP will be co-hosting a Hate-Free Vermont Forum in Rutland on July 21 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
“The Forum aims to bring policymakers, stakeholders, and community members together for productive and difficult conversations that will work to reduce animus, discord, and misunderstandings,” said Co-facilitator Etan Nasreddin-Longo. “When we began this series of fora back in 2019, its intent was to take the pulse of Vermonters’ experiences of discrimination. Much has happened since that time, and our hope is to engage and to listen to our historically-disadvantaged communities about what they view as the continuing and new problems in 2022.”
Community members are encouraged to join us for a conversation on understanding and addressing bias, discrimination, and hate crimes in Vermont.
When: Thursday, July 21, 2022, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: The Forum will be hosted in-person and remotely.- Physical location: Leahy Community Health Education Center, 160 Allen St, Rutland VT
- Remote registration link: https://bit.ly/HateFreeVTRutland
Who: All are welcome. Community members have expressed that some participants may not wish to be recorded during the event, and that participants who are willing to speak with members of the media will designate themselves. Media is asked to join 30 minutes ahead of the start time.
For physical attendance, masks are required. Registration is required for remote attendance.
Two sent to prison for conspiring to import kilos of methRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 60-year-old San Antonio resident has been ordered to federal prison after admitting to conspiring to import 18 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Douglas Wayne Tatum pleaded guilty Feb. 1.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Tatum to serve a 188-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Tatum was more than average participant and had recruited the driver who imported the meth.
At the time of his plea, Tatum admitted that on Sept. 30, 2019, he directed Kandy Martinez to drive into Mexico and smuggle a vehicle loaded with bundles of meth into the United States. He said he would be waiting for her when she returned and would pay her $4,000.
He admitted he drove Martinez from San Antonio to Rio Grande Valley. She then drove into Mexico and exchanged her car for the vehicle loaded with meth.
Martinez attempted to drive the vehicle into the United States at the Donna Port of Entry. At inspection, a search of the vehicle revealed 18 bundles of meth weighing 18 kilograms hidden within the rear panel of the vehicle and in the spare tire.
Martinez, 52, San Antonio, previously pleaded guilty and received a 42-month term of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
Tatum will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.
Two Ohio Gambling Business Owners Plead Guilty to Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
An Ohio husband and wife pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the IRS relating to their ownership and operation of illegal gambling businesses in Canton.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2010 through 2018, Jason Kachner and Rebecca Kachner, along with other co-conspirators, owned and operated two illegal gambling businesses, Skilled Shamrock and Redemption Skill Games 777 (Redemption). The Kachners admitted to conspiring together and with the other owners to defraud the IRS by filing false tax returns that omitted most of the income they received from their ownership of the illegal gambling businesses and by using a nominee owner to conceal their ownership of the businesses.
From 2012 through 2017, patrons at Skilled Shamrock wagered a total of more than $34 million, which resulted in more than $4 million in income for the owners of the gambling business. During these years, Jason and Rebecca Kachner received more than $900,000 in income from Skilled Shamrock. In total, from 2009 through 2018, they received approximately $2.3 million in income from Skilled Shamrock and Redemption. They did not report the vast majority of this income on their annual tax returns during these years. Rebecca Kachner also admitted to renting a storage locker to hold cash, which was generated from the illegal gambling businesses. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to forfeit approximately $241,000 in cash that investigators found in the storage locker.
Rebecca Kachner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, and Jason Kachner pleaded guilty to two counts. Sentencing hearings for both defendants will be scheduled at a later date. Both face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of conspiring to defraud the IRS. They also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General, the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Casino Control Commission are investigating the case. Homeland Security Investigations provided substantial assistance.
Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing and Sam Bean of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Patton and David Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
Two New Jersey Men Admit Health Care Fraud Conspiracy Targeting State Health Benefits ProgramsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – Two New Jersey men today admitted defrauding New Jersey state and local health benefits programs and other insurers by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.
Brian Pugh, 45, of Absecon, New Jersey, and Thomas Schallus, 45, of Northfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to one count each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Pugh and Schallus were part of a criminal conspiracy in which state and local government employees were recruited and compensated to receive medically unnecessary compound prescription medications. Pugh and Schallus caused the pharmacy benefits administrator to pay approximately $1.47 million and $477,958.00, respectively, for medically unnecessary compounded prescription medications for individuals they recruited into the scheme.
Pugh and Schallus were previously charged alongside others in an indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and other offenses. Conspiracy leader William Hickman pleaded guilty in June of 2020 to defrauding New Jersey health benefits programs and other insurers out of more than $50 million and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against co-defendants John Sher, Thomas Sher, and Christopher Broccoli, who are set to proceed to trial before Judge Kugler in Camden federal court on Aug. 15, 2022. The charges against those three defendants are merely accusations, and they remain innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pugh and Schallus each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing for Pugh is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2022, and for Schallus, Nov. 14, 2022.
Attorney for the United States Khanna credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jesse Levine in Newark; special agents of IRS Office of Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina O. Hud of the Criminal Division, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division Desiree Grace, and R. David Walk Jr., Chief of the Opioid Abuse Prevention & Enforcement Unit.
Defense counsel:
Pugh: Michael A. Baldassare Esq. and Jennifer Mara Esq., Newark
Schallus: John C. Whipple Esq., Moorestown, New JerseyTwo Men Who Chose to Flee from Police are Sentenced for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Two young men from Shreveport were sentenced late yesterday to federal prison for firearms violations, United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced the two men as follows:
Shelby Alvin Chapple, 30, of Shreveport, was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On October 18, 2020, a Shreveport Police officer patrolling Hollywood Avenue shortly after midnight attempted to stop a car after observing it swerve across the center dividing line multiple times. When the officer activated his cruiser’s overhead lights and siren, the car refused to pull over and, instead, drove through several red lights at high speed. The car eventually turned down a residential street and shutoff its running lights to avoid detection.
During the ensuing police pursuit, the car slowed to a near stop when the driver, later identified as Chapple, jumped from the driver’s seat with the car still in drive and sprinted in between several homes while carrying a handgun loaded with a high-capacity magazine. A police K-9 team eventually located Chapple who was hiding in a wooded area behind the homes. Police found the loaded handgun on the ground where Chapple had discarded it. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Chapple admitted to police that he possessed that gun and threw it before his arrest. At the time of this incident, Chapple was on parole for a prior felony weapons offense.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon.
The second defendant sentenced was Decoby J. Office, 20, of Shreveport, who received a 24 month prison sentence, followed by 2 years of supervised release.
In this case, a Shreveport Police Department officer tried to stop a car being driven by Office on June 3, 2021. The car fled and during the ensuing pursuit, Office threw a Glock 9mm handgun from the vehicle. Officers were able to recover the weapon and eventually the pursuit ended, and Office was arrested. A Shreveport Police Department officer searched the car and discovered a loaded magazine below the driver’s seat, where Office had been seated. Office possessed the firearm and ammunition knowing that he was prohibited from doing so. His prior felony conviction is for illegal use of a weapon in 2021 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
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Three Federally Charged for Armed Robbery of Columbia Postal CarrierRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Don Everett Peters, III, a/k/a “Pop,” 21, and Shylik Lamont Smalls, a/k/a “Mitch,” 22, both of Columbia, and Elijah Rasue Dewayne Ellis, a/k/a “Smoke,” a/k/a “Black,” 21, of Valdosta, Georgia, all appeared in federal court in Columbia for their first appearance on federal complaints charging them with conspiracy to commit armed robbery of a postal carrier, armed robbery of a postal carrier, and theft/possession of a postal arrow key.
The charges stem from an incident in Columbia on March 17, 2022, where a United States Postal carrier was robbed at gunpoint.
All three face a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment on the armed robbery charge, five years on the conspiracy charge, and 10 years on the theft/possession of the arrow key charge. They are all currently detained.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis stated that all charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Texas company forfeits proceeds and pays fine after supplying potentially tainted rocket fuel to NASARead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Anahuac Transport Inc. must pay a substantial fine after admitting to fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Corporate representatives Gary Monteau and Brant Charpiot admitted their guilt Feb. 23 on behalf of the company and agreed to forfeit $251,401 in gross proceeds that it obtained from the criminal scheme.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett ordered the company to serve three years on probation and to pay an additional fine of $275,000. During the hearing, the court noted the importance of the Johnson Space Center to the identity of the Houston area and how it was a privilege for a company like Anahuac to play a role in the U.S. space program. He noted that Anahuac had abused that privilege.
At the time of the plea, Monteau, Charpiot and Anahuac entered voluntary exclusions with the United States in which each agreed to be banned from federal government contracting for two years.
Anahuac admitted to falsifying its records and delivering potentially tainted rocket fuel for NASA and Department of Defense (DOD) rocket launches.
NASA and DOD entered into contracts with various companies, including Space Explorations Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), to launch rockets with supplies for the International Space Station and with military payloads.
These companies procured fuel for the rocket launches and contracted for transportation of the fuel to the launch sites. Anahuac was in the business of hauling chemicals in tanker trailers. From approximately 2012 through 2020, NASA and DOD subcontracted Anahuac to transport the rocket fuel.
To prevent contamination, Anahuac was required to ensure the tanker trailer they used did not previously contain certain chemicals that may have adverse reactions with the fuel. However, Anahuac intentionally falsified its documents, claiming it had not previously hauled incompatible chemicals with its tanker trailers. In fact, it had.
Anahuac transported the rocket fuel with its contaminated trailers. As a result, NASA used the fuel for rocket launches.
NASA - Office of Inspector General (OIG) and DOD – OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Johnson is prosecuting the case.
Telfair County man sentenced after admitting he bought life insurance policy on woman without her permissionRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Telfair County man has been sentenced in federal court after admitting he took out a life insurance policy on a woman without her knowledge, naming himself as the potential beneficiary.
Jonathan Seay, 56, of McRae-Helena, Ga., was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to the felony charge of Unlawful Use of a Means of Identification In or Affecting Interstate Commerce, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
“This guilty plea and felony sentence ensures Jonathan Seay is held accountable for this attempt to cash in on an innocent victim’s death,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “It also should serve as a warning to others tempted to try such a cynical ploy at profiting from someone else’s demise.”
As spelled out in court, Seay admitted using a woman’s information without her knowledge or consent to take out a life insurance policy for $250,000, naming himself as the beneficiary in the event of her accidental death. The policy later was discovered and canceled.
“Seay has admitted his wrongdoing and will now be held accountable for his crime of greed,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “No matter the depth of the crime, the FBI will always work with our law enforcement partners to protect our citizens and do everything in our power to stop fraud and restore justice.”
“This type of fraud will not be tolerated in Georgia,” said Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We value the partnership with federal agencies to ensure these offenders are held accountable and the victims get justice.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry W. Syms Jr. and Jerimiah L. Johnson.
Stockton Methamphetamine Traffickers ChargedRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Stockton residents Jose Curiel, 35, and Roberto Tostado-Cadenas, 43, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Curiel and Cadenas arranged to sell 115 pounds of methamphetamine to a law enforcement informant. Curiel and Cadenas met with the informant at a public parking lot in Stockton. They told the informant that they had staged the methamphetamine in different cars located in the parking lot. Prior to the drug transaction being completed, law enforcement stopped three of the cars in Curiel’s entourage. Inside of one of the vehicle, law enforcement found 37 pounds of methamphetamine.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the Stockton Police Department, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, both defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life years in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Stockton Man Indicted for Drug Offenses and Illegal Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Gary Wayne Stuckey, 56, of Stockton, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of ammunition, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Stuckey’s vehicle and observed several pounds of marijuana, plastic baggies, and digital scales on the floorboard of the vehicle. They also found a Polymer 80 handgun (a “ghost gun,” an assembled weapon lacking a serial number) wedged in between the driver’s seat and center console, later determined to contain six rounds of ammunition. Stuckey is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered over a pound of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and ecstasy.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Stockton Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alstyn Bennett is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the drug charge, Stuckey faces a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine. If convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition charge, Stuckey faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
Stealing from job lands local woman in prisonRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 47-year-old Bay City woman has been ordered to federal prison after admitting defrauding a company of nearly half a million dollars, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Kimberly Knebel Janise pleaded guilty April 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffery V. Brown sentenced her to 27 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In assessing the term of punishment, the court imposed one month for every two months she stole.
The court also considered victim impact statements, one which described the profound effect of Janise’s embezzlement on the family-owned business and its employees. Janise was further ordered to pay $450,648.04 in restitution to the victims.
Janice worked as an accountant for McAda Drilling Fluids Inc. located in Bay City. In that role, Janice was responsible for paying bills, posting deposits and accounting.
In August 2018, while reviewing business accounts, the company’s president noticed withdrawals linked to Janice’s credit card. The investigation revealed that Janise conducted 67 wire transactions from the company’s business account to pay off her credit card bill totaling almost half a million dollars.
Janise regularly withdrew between $4,000 to $12,000. However, in one particular month, she took $22,000. She continued to steal money to pay for travel and dining, while the company struggled with financial hardships. In fact, the president had not collected a paycheck for two years in an effort to retain employees.
Janise was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
FBI – Texas City conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zahra Jivani Fenelon prosecuted the case.
St. Louis County man sentenced to 12+ years for two carjackingsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Thursday sentenced a St. Louis County man to 12 years and 10 months in prison for his role in carjacking two drivers in 2021.
On Feb. 9, 2021 Joman Williams and another man stole a 2018 Honda Civic from a man outside his apartment in St. Louis. Williams was armed with a pistol with a distinctive blue-colored laser sight.
Three and a half hours later, at 11:15 p.m., the men pulled up at a gas station in Brentwood in the stolen Civic and Williams stole a 2017 BMW 320i at gunpoint. Williams got into the BMW, but switched back to the Civic before both vehicles drove off.
Richmond Heights police quickly spotted both stolen cars, triggering a chase involving multiple police departments that reached speeds of 112 m.p.h. Police eventually stopped the Civic in Maryland Heights, on the Maryland Heights Expressway near Prichard Farm Road. Williams ran away and was later found hiding in a wooded area. He had a Glock pistol with a blue laser sight and a credit card belonging to the Civic’s owner.
Williams, 22, pleaded guilty March 24 to two counts of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The gun crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, consecutive to other charges.
Williams’ companion has not been identified.
The case was investigated by the FBI and multiple area police departments, including St. Louis, Brentwood and Maryland Heights. Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Boyce prosecuted the case.
Springfield Woman Pleads Guilty in Drug Trafficking, Firearms and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to her role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed heroin and crack cocaine across western Massachusetts and into Vermont.
Nia Dinzey, a/k/a “Nia Moore-Bush,” 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and/or crack cocaine; two counts of money laundering conspiracy; seven counts of money laundering; one count of conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; one count of engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; one count of aiding and abetting the crime of engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; and one count of aiding and abetting the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2022.
Nia Dinzey was arrested and charged in January 2018 and subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in December 2018 along with other members and associates of a Springfield-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that allegedly distributed heroin and crack cocaine.
“Ms. Dinzey was a main actor in a conspiracy that promoted drug distribution and violence in western Massachusetts and into Vermont,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This defendant and her co-conspirators jeopardized the safety of our communities by trafficking large quantities of deadly narcotics and dealing firearms that made their way into our Commonwealth, Vermont and New Hampshire. The scope of this illicit conduct is egregious and for that, she appropriately faces significant jail time.”
“Reducing violent crime and protecting the public in the communities that we serve is a priority for the ATF and our law enforcement partners,” James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Office. “We will continue to work vigorously with our law enforcement partners to make sure those individuals who commit violent firearms and narcotics crimes are brought to justice.”
Nia Dinzey and her husband, Dinelson Dinzey, obtained narcotics in the Springfield area, transported them to Vermont themselves or via couriers and distributed the drugs in the Barre area. The two then conspired to launder the drug proceeds through bank accounts allegedly held by co-defendant Daphne Moore in trust for Nia Dinzey. The DTO would make cash deposits of its Vermont drug proceeds into the accounts. To obtain the proceeds, Nia Dinzey and, allegedly, Moore would facilitate withdrawals of those funds from the accounts in Massachusetts. Additionally, Nia Dinzey, her husband and others also conspired to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and in a May 5, 2017 firearms sale. According to court documents, six firearms involved in this conspiracy were traced to individuals connected to Vermont or New Hampshire.
Dinelson Dinzey previously pleaded guilty and, in October 2019, was sentenced to 19 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Moore has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of money laundering conspiracy and money laundering provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charges of conspiring to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aiding and abetting the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Rollins and ATF SAC Ferguson made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the ATF’s Springfield Area Firearms Enforcement Task Force with assistance of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, ATF’s Burlington Field Office, the Massachusetts State Police and the Vermont State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Office is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
South Texas man admits to hauling onions…and 68 people in trailerRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 45-year-old Pharr resident has pleaded guilty to illegally transporting undocumented aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Leonardo Davila Sr. admitted to smuggling the individuals while driving an 18-wheeler.
On May 4, 2021, Davila drove a tractor trailer into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. At inspection, a K-9 alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans. Law enforcement opened the trailer and discovered 68 undocumented individuals among pallets of onions.
The individuals in the trailer were from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala and Peru. They were all determined to be in the United States illegally.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Oct. 13. At that time, Davila faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Davila has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman is prosecuting the case.
South Carolina Jury Convicts Man of Robbing A Restaurant at GunpointRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – A federal jury in Charleston has returned a guilty verdict against Brandon Lloyd Daniels, 30, of North Charleston, South Carolina, for the 2018 armed robbery of the Tavern and Table restaurant in Mount Pleasant, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks presided over the three-day trial, which ended late yesterday.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in South Carolina, and Chief Mark Arnold of the Mount Pleasant Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
“Daniels used a gun to rob a restaurant he previously worked at and, in the process, he shot at his former co-workers, seriously injuring one of them. Today’s guilty verdict holds Daniels accountable for his dangerous and reckless criminal actions and ensures that he can no longer pose a threat to the community,” said U.S. Attorney King, whose office is in charge of the prosecution, upon recusal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
“The combined efforts of our local and federal agencies have helped bring a very dangerous individual to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Mims. “ATF is proud to join our law enforcement partners in addressing gun violence and making communities safer.”
“I would like to thank the ATF and U. S. Attorney’s Office for their collaborative effort to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Chief Arnold.
According to filed court documents and evidence presented at trial, on the evening of April 4, 2018, officers with the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to reports of a robbery and shooting at the Tavern and Table restaurant, located at 100 Church Street in Mount Pleasant. Trial evidence established that around 11:30 p.m., shortly after the restaurant closed for the evening, Daniels entered the restaurant through the back door wearing a face covering and went into the restaurant’s office, where several employees were gathered. Daniels pointed his firearm at the employees and demanded money. According to trial evidence, Daniels aimed his firearm at the restaurant’s assistant manager and shot him in the lower back. The victim sustained serious, permanent injuries from the gunshot.
Following the shooting, the employees complied with Daniels’ demands and handed him several of the restaurant’s cash drawers. As Daniels fled the scene, he fired two more shots inside the restaurant in the direction of another employee.
The jury convicted Daniels on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, discharging a firearm during and in relation to the robbery, and possessing ammunition while a felon.
This was the second trial in this matter. On October 21, 2021, Judge Hendricks convicted Daniels of possessing a sawed-off shotgun and possessing a firearm while a felon following a bench trial. These convictions stemmed from investigators’ discovery of a sawed-off shotgun in Daniels’ bedroom during execution of a search warrant in connection with the Tavern and Table robbery. Daniels was a convicted felon and not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Daniels remains in custody. A sentencing hearing for both trial convictions will be set at a later date.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and the Mount Pleasant Police Department for their investigation of the case and thanked the FBI for their substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Taylor Stout, Regina Pack, and Erik Lindahl, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, are prosecuting the case.
Siblings Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine from Arizona to WisconsinRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Douglas Mack, 45, Phoenix, Arizona, and Emily Mack, 36, Madison, Wisconsin were sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley. Douglas Mack was sentenced yesterday to 132 months in federal prison for his leadership role in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to that charge on March 30, 2022. Emily Mack was sentenced today to 60 months for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine for distribution. She pleaded guilty to that charge on April 5, 2022. Douglas Mack and Emily Mack are brother and sister.
The Macks were charged in January 2021 in a multiple-count indictment with conspiring with each other and with Tonia Greenwood and D’Angelo Lashore to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Douglas Mack supplied the others with over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine between November 2018 and January 2021, that he mailed from Arizona to Emily Mack and Lashore in Madison and Greenwood in Sauk County. Emily Mack received over 4.5 kilograms during this time period, some of which she distributed in the Madison area and some she used herself.
Greenwood pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Lashore pleaded guilty to attempting to possess methamphetamine for distribution and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The charges in this case were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Madison Police Department, DeForest Police Department, Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, State Line Area Narcotics Team, and Wisconsin State Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn prosecuted this case.
Settlement with PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer to Require Treatment of More Than a Billion Pounds of Hazardous Waste and Closure of Huge Phosphogypsum Waste Stacks and ImpoundmentsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) announced a settlement with PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer L.P. (PCS Nitrogen), to remedy hazardous waste issues at its former fertilizer manufacturing facility in Geismar, Louisiana.
This settlement resolves alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at the facility, including that PCS Nitrogen failed to properly identify and manage certain waste streams as hazardous wastes. These corrosive (acidic) hazardous wastes were illegally mixed with process wastewater and phosphogypsum from phosphoric acid production. The resulting mixture of wastes was disposed of in surface impoundments. The settlement requires PCS Nitrogen to treat over one billion pounds of acidic hazardous process wastewater over the next several years. The acidic hazardous process wastewaters will be contained in the phosphogypsum stack system and then treated in the newly constructed water treatment plant. The settlement also regulates the long-term closure of PCS Nitrogen’s phosphogypsum stacks and surface impoundments for over 50 years and requires PCS Nitrogen to ensure that financial resources will be available for environmentally sound closure of the facility. PCS Nitrogen will provide over $84 million of financial assurance to secure the full cost of closure and pay a civil penalty of $1,510,023.
“This settlement requires treatment of all contaminated wastewater accumulated at the PCS Nitrogen facility, thus protecting sensitive wetlands and the Mississippi River,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “PCS Nitrogen also will secure the full cost of closure with $84 million in financial assurance to protect taxpayers, demonstrating our continued commitment to hold this industry accountable both for past violations and future contingencies.”
“This settlement requires PCS Nitrogen to treat over one billion pounds of hazardous waste and take steps to ensure that the long-term closure of its facility is protective of the environment,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This is a very important outcome as the facility is located in an area prone to hurricanes and the financial assurance secured will protect taxpayers from paying future closure and cleanup costs.”
“This settlement represents a lot of hard work by LDEQ enforcement and legal staffs who joined their EPA counterparts in drafting this settlement,” said LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown. “It will provide a protective solution for decades to come.”
PCS Nitrogen manufactured phosphate products in Louisiana for agriculture and industry from the 1960s to 2018, including phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer, through processes that generated large quantities of acidic wastewater and a solid material called phosphogypsum. The phosphogypsum was deposited and remains in large piles (some over 100 acres large and 200 feet high) referred to as phosphogypsum stacks. Acidic wastewaters are stored in the phosphogypsum stacks and surface impoundments. The facility is now undergoing closure.
The settlement requires PCS Nitrogen to comply with RCRA requirements to make RCRA hazardous waste determinations and properly manage all hazardous wastes in its phosphogypsum stacks and surface impoundments. This injunctive relief will be governed by the terms of the consent decree and by administrative agreements, permits, and/or orders issued by LDEQ under its authorized state program, and subject to EPA’s authorities under RCRA or any other applicable law. Additionally, PCS Nitrogen has completed certain site assessment and remedial activities pursuant to EPA and Louisiana regulations.
The EPA has completed judicial and administrative settlements with 13 phosphate fertilizer facilities across the United States, all requiring extensive injunctive relief and financial assurance to bring their operations into compliance with RCRA.
A consent decree formalizing this settlement with PCS Nitrogen was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana and is subject to a 45-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. The consent decree can be viewed at the Department of Justice website: www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Santo Domingo woman indicted for assault on a federal officerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Henryetta John was arraigned on July 11 on an indictment charging her with assault on a federal officer inflicting bodily injury. John, 29, of Santo Domingo, New Mexico, and a member of the Pueblo of Santo Domingo, will remain on conditions of release pending trial.
A federal grand jury indicted John on June 15. As alleged in the indictment, on Oct. 20, 2021, John forcibly assaulted and resisted a federal law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs while the officer was engaged in the performance of her official duties. The officer sustained injuries as a result of John’s alleged actions. John allegedly committed the offense on the Santo Domingo Pueblo in Sandoval County, New Mexico.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, John faces up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
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San Benito man admits to trafficking over 250 kilograms of meth in gas tankRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 44-year-old San Benito resident has pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute liquid meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Pedro Rodriguez III pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute approximately 253.2 kilograms of liquid meth.
On Jan. 11, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Rodriguez III after he switched lanes without signaling. They soon discovered he had several pending state arrest warrants and took him into custody.
As they conducted a search of his vehicle, they found approximately 253.2 kilograms of liquid meth hidden inside an auxiliary gas tank. Rodriguez III admitted he knew the meth was inside the gas tank and had agreed to transport the narcotics from South Texas to Dallas.
Rodriguez III is set for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera on Oct. 5. At that time, he faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Rodriguez III will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the San Benito Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Rocky Mount Man Arrested for Illegally Selling Firearms Stolen Guns and High-Capacity Rifles SeizedRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Rocky Mount man was arrested today on charges of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted, Antonio Joseph Santos, 49, faces a maximum penalty of 120 months.
“Our violent crime strategy in Rocky Mount is focused on bringing those contributing to violent crimes to swift justice and getting illegal guns off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Our close collaboration and partnership across federal, state and local law enforcement enables us to move quickly to bring charges when they are warranted.”
“ATF is committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of prohibited individuals,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “We’ll continue to support the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal partners to stop illegal firearms sales.”
“My appreciation goes to the US Attorney’s Office and ATF for working so closely with the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rocky Mount Police Department. This case is an example of how partnerships between agencies make our communities safer,” commented Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone. “As we have always done, we will continue to fight the guns, gangs, and drugs in our communities.”
Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland Atkinson stated, “It is always great when agencies can partner together. It's even greater when these partnerships span across several counties to disrupt and prevent criminal activity.”
"The Rocky Mount Police Department will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to make our city safer,” said Police Chief Robert Hassell. “Through our partnerships, we will continue to conduct investigations to identify those involved directly or indirectly with illegal gun use, possession, and sales. In addition, we will continue placing more resources on dealing with gun violence in our city."
According to court documents, between May and July 2022, Santos, 49, sold eight (8) firearms illegally to a confidential informant employed by law enforcement in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Of the eight (8) firearms, one (1) had an obliterated serial number, two (2) had an extended or high-capacity magazine, and two (2) were previously reported stolen. Federal and local agents also surveilled Santos traveling to a storage unit facility in Rocky Mount prior to the various firearm transactions.
On July 8, 2022, agents executed search warrants at Santos’ residence and his storage unit. Inside Santos’ residence, law enforcement located an additional two (2) firearms: one (1) AR-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine and one (1) AK-style rifle that did not bear a serial number. At Santos’ storage unit, law enforcement located an additional four (4) firearms: three (3) rifles and one (1) revolver. One (1) of these firearms was previously reported stolen. Agents also found assorted ammunition and magazines, and pistol conversion kits.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD), and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:22-MJ-1656-BM.
A(n) indictment/criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing More Than 400 Grams of FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Dawson Boston, 23, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2019, the FBI learned that Boston was selling fentanyl in the Rochester area. Between April 9, 2019 and July 29, 2019, the FBI used informants to make six controlled purchases from Boston, resulting in the purchase of a total of approximately 489 grams of fentanyl.
Boston is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2022.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dover Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.
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Riverside County Man Charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking in Madera CountyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jose Efren Beltran, 32, of Mecca, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2021, in Madera County, Beltran possessed over 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Fresno High Impact Investigation Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Beltran faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rioter Sentenced to Federal Prison for Torching Providence Police CruiserRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Cranston, RI, man who admitted to torching a Providence Police cruiser when he sprayed a flammable liquid into the cruiser during a June 2020 riot in downtown Providence, fueling and intensifying a fire that ultimately destroyed the vehicle, was sentenced today to three years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Nicholas L. Scaglione, 32, previously admitted to a federal judge that he climbed atop the unoccupied police cruiser; threw an object at the vehicle; joined with others in an unsuccessful attempt to flip the vehicle onto its side; and ultimately sprayed a flammable liquid into the vehicle, intensifying a small fire already burning. The fire consumed the vehicle, rendering it unrecognizable.
Scaglione pleaded guilty on April 14, 2022, to conspiracy to commit arson.
“This defendant chose to quite literally fan the flames of a riot,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “Incinerating a police car, he needlessly endangered the lives of law enforcement and the public, and dishonored the proud legacy of Americans who have worked for change through peaceful means. Arson is not advocacy. Today’s sentence should make it abundantly clear that this type of lawless conduct cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”
“Nicholas Scaglione’s reckless and violent behavior deprived others of their right to peacefully protest, contributed to chaos, inspired lawlessness, and put the safety of police officers and the public in danger,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence makes it crystal clear to others that we have zero tolerance for anyone committing violence in our communities, especially when that violence is directed towards police.”
Providence Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., added, “The Providence Police Department is appreciative of the collaboration of our law enforcement partners in holding this defendant accountable for his actions.”
According to court documents, in a text message, Scaglione took responsibility for what he did and defiantly professed that he would do it again: “But that police cruiser that went up in flames last night can be replaced... I was pissed. I’ve been pissed. That was pent up years of rage and frustration with the way I’ve seen and been treated by police. That cop car can be replaced. Peoples lives cannot... Then I go out fighting and standing up for [sh*t] I believe in. Cuz I know for a fact if it was you or anyone else I was close to I’d burn the whole police force down and not even blink.”
Today, U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Scaglione to 36 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of federal supervised release. Scaglione was ordered to pay restitution to the Providence Police Department in the amount of $52,166.80.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. The matter was investigated by the Providence FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Providence Police Department, and Rhode Island State Police.
United States Attorney Cunha thanks the Rhode Island State Police for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Richmond man arrested for making illegal referralsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 43-year-old health care marketer has been indicted in a conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Authorities took Patrick Osemwengie, Richmond, into custody today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m.
The indictment, returned July 12, alleges Osemwengie paid Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for home health services and made referrals to specific companies.
Osemwengie allegedly received more than $25,000 in kickback payments for referring patients to Grace Healthcare Services and Ebra Health Care Services. The health care companies submitted claims to Medicare using the patients Osemwengie referred according to the charges.
Medicare rules and federal law prohibits paying and receiving money for referrals.
If convicted, Osemwengie faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and FBI conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Abdul Farukhi is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Previously Deported Honduras Man Charged with Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marvin Javier Godoy-Mendoza, age 46, a citizen of Honduras, was charged by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2022, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Godoy-Mendoza was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in February 2013, and illegally reentered the United States again sometime thereafter. Godoy-Mendoza was found in the United States in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts.
Godoy-Mendoza faces a maximum penalty of 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Portage Man Sentenced to 240 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Romio Xavier Hawkins, 24 years old, of Portage, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to production of material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Hawkins was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on multiple occasions between January and February 2021, Hawkins instructed Jane Doe 1, a 16-year-old minor, to produce images and live videos depicting Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, a four-year-old minor, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Hawkins admitted to law enforcement that he possessed over 1,000 images and 300 videos containing child pornography, including materials featuring toddlers and infants.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abizer Zanzi.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
Owner of tax preparation business indicted for defrauding pandemic relief funding programRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Georgia woman faces up to 20 years in prison after an indictment alleging she fraudulently obtained funds intended for COVID-19 small business assistance.
Gladys Harun, 43, of Byron, Ga., is charged with one count of Wire Fraud, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge subjects Harun upon conviction to a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison along with substantial financial penalties and restitution, followed by up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Congress appropriated nearly $650 billion to help small businesses struggling to survive during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “That amount of money rang the dinner bell for those who would exploit the system to feed their greed, and with our law enforcement partners we are holding them accountable.”
As described in the indictment returned by a U.S. District Court Grand Jury and in court proceedings, Harun, who operates a tax preparation business with several locations, is accused of providing “false and altered supporting documentation” to obtain $299,913 in loan proceeds from a California lender through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’s Paycheck Protection Program.
Prior to the indictment, Harun was arrested on a criminal complaint and ordered detained by U.S. Magistrate Brian K. Epps.
Criminal indictments and complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, and IRS Criminal Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
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.
Out-of-State thief gets 30 years for robbing local bankRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 36-year-old bank robber who last resided in the Wilmington, Delaware, area has been ordered to federal prison for robbing an IBC Bank in Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury convicted Sye Newton Nov. 19, 2021, on all counts as charged following a two-day-trial and several hours of deliberation.
Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake sentenced him to 276 months for bank robbery as well as 84 months for using a firearm during commission of a crime of violence. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 360 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing how Newton committed other felony offenses in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
At trial, the jury heard that on March 25, 2019, Newton wore a face covering, glasses and a hijab. He then entered the IBC Bank on Kirkwood Drive in Houston. Once inside, he threatened bank employees with a firearm and ordered them to the ground while he took over the bank lobby and stole a large amount of U.S. currency.
As he fled, a customer chased after him and was able to obtain the license plate number, ultimately leading to Newton’s arrest.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI and Houston Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Peneguy and Erin Epley prosecuted the case.
This is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts and enhancing training, public awareness and education. It stems from the 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.
Ohio man admits to methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Blake Aron Davis, of Bellaire, Ohio, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Davis, 29, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Davis admitted to selling methamphetamine in November 2021 in Marshall County.
Davis faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Ohio Man Sentenced for Traveling to KC to Meet Child Victim for SexRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Ohio man was sentenced in federal court today for traveling to Missouri in an attempt to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 12-year-old child.
Timothy M. Zukoski, 35, of Southington, Ohio, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Zukoski to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration and ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution to each of four victims of child pornography.
On Feb. 18, 2022, Zukoski pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Zukoski admitted that he began communicating through Instagram on Oct. 21, 2020, with a person he believed to be 12 years old. In reality, the Instagram account had been set up by a woman for her daughter. Once the woman learned of Zukoski’s attempted communication with her daughter, she contacted the FBI. An FBI undercover employee then began communicating with Zukoski through the Instagram account, assuming the identity of the 12-year-old girl. Zukoski began making arrangements to travel to the Kansas City area so that he could meet the child victim for sex.
Zukoski made plans with the FBI undercover employee to stay in Kansas City while the child victim’s mother was purportedly out of town over Thanksgiving weekend. Zukoski also suggested that the child victim could come live with him. When Zukoski arrived in Kansas City on Nov. 27, 2020, he was arrested. Investigators found numerous images of child pornography on his cell phone.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."