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25 August 2022
Ten-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge this week sentenced a convicted felon for illegally possessing firearms on separate occasions, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
United States District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon sentenced Richard Alexander Coleman, of Bessemer, to 73 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm on two occasions in 2021. Coleman pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2022.
According to court documents, on January 14, 2021, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Coleman’s vehicle because it had an obscured tag. After smelling marijuana coming from the vehicle and learning that Coleman had an outstanding warrant, deputies arrested him. During a search of the vehicle, a deputy retrieved a prescription pill in the front seat area and from under the driver’s seat, a loaded 9 millimeter pistol and a bag of marijuana.
After Coleman made bond for state charges related to the January 14th traffic stop, Gardendale police officers encountered Coleman on a March 21, 2021, during a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex. While investigating the incident, an officer saw a pistol in plain view in the front seat of Coleman’s vehicle. After Coleman was given a trespass warning for the property, officers retrieved the 9 millimeter pistol and arrested him for not having a pistol permit. Officers found a small amount of marijuana, 24 Xanax pills, and six counterfeit $100 bills in Coleman’s pockets.
Prior to the above arrests, Coleman incurred ten felony convictions: two for Theft of Property, Second Degree; one for Burglary, Third Degree; two for Theft of Property, First Degree; two for Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle; two for Identity Theft; and one for Receiving Stolen Property, Third Degree.
“This defendant is a prime example of the effectiveness of using federal firearms laws to remove habitual offenders from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “He now has six years to think about whether he’ll pick up another firearm.”
“This individual is another example of a person who repeatedly and intentionally violates local, state and federal laws,” said SAC French. “The ATF will continue to work diligently with our local, state and federal partners to remove these individuals from the communities that we serve and protect in order to create safer environments.”
ATF investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Gardendale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty prosecuted the case.
Ten MS-13 gang members indicted on murder and racketeering chargesRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 10 alleged MS-13 gang members with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering (VICAR), related firearms charges and obstruction of justice.
“The charges in this case reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling and disrupting MS-13, a criminal organization that sows violence, terror and fear in communities across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to root out criminal organizations wherever they exist and break the cycles of violence that they perpetuate.”
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants were leaders and members of La Mara Salvatrucha, more commonly known as MS-13. In total, the indictment includes criminal charges related to seven murders, one attempted murder and one murder conspiracy.
“Protecting the safety of our communities is fundamental to what we do at the FBI,” said Director Christopher Wray of the FBI. “This indictment is one example of the persistent work being done by the FBI and our partners to combat violent gangs like MS-13 that inundate communities with violence. The FBI is committed to reducing violent crime and combating the threat criminal enterprises pose. We are proud to work alongside our local, state, tribal and federal enforcement partners in bringing violent members of criminal organizations like MS-13 to justice.”
The indictment alleges that beginning prior to at least in or around 2015, and continuing through today, the defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery and obstruction of justice.
“This case is an important step in curbing crime in Texas and a message to criminal organizations that federal authorities are working with local law enforcement to stop the violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery for the Southern District of Texas. “The charges in this case are extensive and violent. We will continue the fight and will stop at nothing to bring those who we believe are putting our communities at risk to justice.”
The murders and other crimes charged in the indictment were allegedly committed in the Southern District of Texas and the District of Maryland. Defendants Franklin Trejo-Chavarria aka Impulsivo and Julio Vigil-Lopez aka Hades reside in El Salvador. All other defendants are in law enforcement custody in the United States.
“As demonstrated by the allegations in the indictment, transnational criminal street gangs like MS-13 are a plague upon society that must be rooted out in the interest of public safety and national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “HSI Houston is committed to continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring an end to the relentless terror and violence that they reign on the innocent and law-abiding members of our communities.”
Under the authority of MS-13 leadership in El Salvador and elsewhere, members engaged in a variety of violent crimes throughout the Southern District of Texas and District of Maryland, according to the charges. Over the past several years, law enforcement has allegedly uncovered several homicides and attempted murders related to these cliques and their associates. The investigation has revealed that these criminal acts were committed to maintain the gang’s control, to retaliate against rival gangs and to seek retribution against those who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement against the gang, according to the indictment.
Leaders in El Salvador and elsewhere allegedly authorized the acts to ensure individual members and cliques followed the customs, rules, and protocols of the larger MS-13 enterprise.
The seven murders alleged in the indictment span from 2015 through 2018 and include a range of victims. These murders were allegedly brutal in nature and include the killing of a juvenile female and a police informant. The murders also included multiple acts of mutilation and dismemberment with machetes, according to the charges.
“This indictment is a testament to the strong partnerships we have with our federal and local agencies to help bring violent gang offenders to justice,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “We thank our partners and look forward to working together to help keep our communities safe.”
The FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; police departments in Houston, Galveston and Prince George’s County, Maryland; and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britini Cooper and John M. Lewis are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Julie A. Finocchiaro, Matthew K. Hoff and Gerald A. Collins from the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Name
Age
Located In
Charges
Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo
25
El Salvador
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 2 and 3: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades
25
El Salvador
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Walter Antonio Chicas-Arcia, aka Walter, aka Mejia
25
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, aka Destino, aka Chele
30
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, aka Garcia, aka Lil Maligno
24
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice; Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, aka Discreto, aka Disco
26
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice
Wilman Rivas-Guido, aka Inquieto
26
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Carlos Elias Henriquez-Torres, aka Kalin
22
Houston, TX
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Angel Miguel Aguilar-Ochoa, aka Darki
37
Houston, TX
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Marlon Miranda-Moran, aka Chinki
23
Houston, TX
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Ten MS-13 Gang Members Indicted on Murder and Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas returned an indictment yesterday charging 10 alleged MS-13 gang members with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, related firearms charges, and obstruction of justice.
“The charges in this case reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling and disrupting MS-13, a criminal organization that sows violence, terror, and fear in communities across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to root out criminal organizations wherever they exist and break the cycles of violence that they perpetuate.”
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants were leaders and members of La Mara Salvatrucha, more commonly known as MS-13. In total, the indictment includes criminal charges related to seven murders, one attempted murder, and one murder conspiracy.
“Protecting the safety of our communities is fundamental to what we do at the FBI,” said Director Christopher Wray of the FBI. “This indictment is one example of the persistent work being done by the FBI and our partners to combat violent gangs like MS-13 that inundate communities with violence. The FBI is committed to reducing violent crime and combating the threat criminal enterprises pose. We are proud to work alongside our local, state, Tribal and federal enforcement partners in bringing violent members of criminal organizations like MS-13 to justice.”
The indictment alleges that beginning prior to at least in or around 2015, and continuing through today, the defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy involving murder, extortion, drug trafficking, robbery, and obstruction of justice.
“This case is an important step in curbing crime in Texas and a message to criminal organizations that federal authorities are working with local law enforcement to stop the violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery for the Southern District of Texas. “The charges in this case are extensive and violent. We will continue the fight and will stop at nothing to bring those who we believe are putting our communities at risk to justice.”
The murders and other crimes charged in the indictment were allegedly committed in the Southern District of Texas and the District of Maryland. Defendants Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo, and Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades, reside in El Salvador. All other defendants are in law enforcement custody in the United States.
“As demonstrated by the allegations in today’s indictments, transnational criminal street gangs like MS-13 are a plague upon society that must be rooted out in the interest of public safety and national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. “HSI Houston is committed to continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring an end to the relentless terror and violence that they reign on the innocent and law-abiding members of our communities.”
According to the indictment, under the authority of MS-13 leadership in El Salvador and elsewhere, members engaged in a variety of violent crimes throughout the Southern District of Texas and District of Maryland. Over the past several years, law enforcement uncovered several alleged homicides and attempted murders related to these cliques and their associates. The investigation revealed that these criminal acts were committed to maintain the gang’s control, to retaliate against rival gangs and to seek retribution against those who were believed to have cooperated with law enforcement against the gang.
“This indictment is a testament to the strong partnerships we have with our federal and local agencies to help bring violent gang offenders to justice,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner. “We thank our partners and look forward to working together to help keep our communities safe.”
Leaders in El Salvador and elsewhere allegedly authorized the acts to ensure individual members and cliques followed the customs, rules, and protocols of the larger MS-13 enterprise.
The seven murders alleged in the indictment span from 2015 through 2018 and include a range of victims. These murders were allegedly brutal in nature and include the killing of a juvenile female and a police informant. The murders also included multiple acts of mutilation and dismemberment with machetes, according to the charges.
The FBI, HSI, the Houston Police Department, the Galveston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating the case. The U.S. Marshals Service and DEA provided assistance.
Trial Attorneys Julie A. Finocchiaro, Matthew K. Hoff, and Gerald A. Collins from the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Britini Cooper and John M. Lewis of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Name, Location
Age
Charges
Max Penalty
Franklin Trejo-Chavarria, aka Impulsivo
El Salvador
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 2 and 3: VICAR Attempted Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Life
10 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Julio Vigil-Lopez, aka Hades
El Salvador
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Life
Walter Antonio Chicas-Garcia, aka Walter, aka Mejia
Houston, TX
25
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 13 and 14: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Luis Ernesto Carbajal-Peraza, aka Destino, aka Chele
Houston, TX
30
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Carlos Alexi Garcia-Gongora, aka Garcia, aka Lil Maligno
Houston, TX
24
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Counts 4 and 5: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 10 and 11: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 12: Obstruction of Justice
Life
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, aka Discreto, aka Disco
Houston, TX
26
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Wilman Rivas-Guido, aka Inquieto
Houston, TX
26
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 15 and 16: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Counts 17 and 18: Using a firearm to cause death
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Life (or death)
Life
Carlos Elias Henriquez-Torres, aka Kalin
Houston, TX
22
Count 1: RICO Conspiracy;
Count 6: Obstruction of Justice;
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life
20 years
Life (or death)
20 years
Angel Miguel Aguilar-Ochoa, aka Darki
Houston, TX
37
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life (or death)
20 years
Marlon Miranda-Moran, aka Chinki
Houston, TX
23
Counts 7 and 8: VICAR Murder and Conspiracy to Murder;
Count 9: Obstruction of Justice
Life (or death)
20 years
Tampa Man Indicted for Traveling to Orlando in Attempt to Entice Minor for SexRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Tulio Ivan Figueroa-Carrion (34, Tampa) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Figueroa-Carrion faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Figueroa-Carrion that the United States intends to forfeit the cellphone used to commit the alleged offense.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Salvadoran Man Indicted for Aggravated Identity Theft and Use of A Fraudulently Procured U.S. PassportRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Francisco Javier Aguilar Canales, a/k/a Javier Francisco Aguilar Canales (31, Hull, Georgia), with aggravated identity theft and use of a fraudulently obtained United States passport. If convicted, Aguilar Canales faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, Aguilar Canales used someone else’s name and birthdate to obtain a United States passport. Thereafter, he used that passport, even though he knew that it had been fraudulently obtained.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. CROIX, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Jason Lee Current, age 44, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty in District Court before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson, III, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Current’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 22, 2022.
According to court documents, on November 5, 2020, Custom and Border Protection officers in San Juan, PR, intercepted a mail parcel that contained 112 grams of methamphetamine and 341 grams of marijuana. The package was mailed from California and addressed to Current. On November 10, 2020, federal agents replaced the methamphetamine and marijuana with sham drugs and outfitted the parcel with a tracking device. That same day, Current picked up the parcel at the Sunny Isles Post Office in St. Croix. Federal agents followed Current using the tracking device, but he eluded the agents after discovering and destroying the tracking device. Current was subsequently taken into custody on November 13, 2020, and charged with the offense. For his conviction, Current faces a mandatory minimum 10 years and not more than life of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Repeat Bank Robber IndictedRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Timothy Paul Jones (59, Orlando) with two counts of bank robbery. If convicted, Jones faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Jones that the United States intends to forfeit $80,000, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, on June 2, 2022, Jones took $30,000 from a bank in Orlando in the presence of a bank employee by force and intimidation and forced an employee to accompany him during that robbery. Seven days later, Jones took $50,000 from a bank in Kissimmee in the presence of a bank employee by force and intimidation and again forced a bank employee to accompany him during that robbery.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Kissimmee Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Red Scaffold Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Red Scaffold, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Daniel Red Horse, Jr., age 52, was indicted in August of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 23, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum period of supervised release of at least five years, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between May 2, 2022, and June 3, 2022, Red Horse Jr., a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under Federal Law, did knowingly fail to register and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Red Horse Jr. is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Red Horse Jr. was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Rapid City Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on August 19, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Justin Coyle, age 36, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Coyle was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2020. He pleaded guilty on May 20, 2022. Coyle was part of a conspiracy responsible for distributing between 1.5 and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine in western South Dakota. Several times he wired money for methamphetamine to Mexico for the conspiracy to receive additional methamphetamine. He also helped facilitate the transport of the drugs to South Dakota, which he assisted in selling.
This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota National Guard, and South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.
Coyle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Inicia Nueva CampañaRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – MI MEJOR ARMA ES AMAR, es el lema oficial de la campaña publicitaria de prevención de violencia y armas ilegales de la iniciativa Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), constituida por agencias federales, estatales y entidades comunitarias entre las que se encuentran la Fiscalía Federal, la Administración de Vivienda Pública, el Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano, Departamento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico, Alianza para un Puerto Rico sin Drogas, Departamento de la Familia de PR, Departamento de Justicia de PR, Departamento de Recreación y Deportes y el Buró de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos.
“Con esta campaña de PSN buscamos unir las fuerzas del orden público federales, estatales y locales, junto con las estrategias de las organizaciones comunitarias que tienen un conocimiento vasto sobre lo que funciona, y más importante aún, lo que disuade y previene la violencia en sus comunidades,” dijo W. Stephen Muldrow, fiscal federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico. “Continuaremos llegando a nuestras comunidades junto con los demás grupos y agencias para buscar la manera de mantener nuestras comunidades seguras”.
“Nosotros, como sociedad, nos estamos acostumbrando a escuchar sobre tiroteos, asesinatos o conductas violentas. Las actividades delictivas no deben ser normalizadas. Es nuestra responsabilidad hacer un esfuerzo por promover espacios de paz y de seguridad por el bien de nuestra niñez y juventud”, afirmó la licenciada Katiana Pérez Torres, directora ejecutiva de la Alianza para un Puerto Rico sin Drogas, quienes colaboraron en la creación de los mensajes.
En 2001, se lanzó PSN para reducir la violencia con armas de fuego y los delitos violentos en los Estados Unidos. Es una iniciativa nacional que reúne a funcionarios encargados de hacer cumplir las leyes federales y estatales, fiscales, funcionarios gubernamentales, socios comunitarios y otras partes interesadas para identificar los problemas de delitos violentos más apremiantes en una comunidad y desarrollar soluciones para combatirlos.
A nivel local, la iniciativa está coordinada por las Fiscalías Federales en los 94 distritos en los 50 estados y territorios de los EE. UU. PSN utiliza la investigación, el análisis de datos y las lecciones aprendidas de otras iniciativas de reducción de delitos violentos, para informar la toma de decisiones sobre las estrategias de reducción de violencia más efectivas.
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Possession of child pornography sends Billings man to prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Billings man who admitted to possessing images and videos of child pornography was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Robert Christopher Baenziger, 42, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Judge Christensen ordered $3,000 restitution. Baenziger was allowed to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons.
The government alleged in court documents that in February 2019, law enforcement was reviewing peer-to-peer platforms on the internet and observed a certain IP address, designed, in part, to provide for anonymous file sharing, requesting parts of files associated with child pornography. The system, by design, is complex and requires significant technical skill to operate. Law enforcement determined that Baenziger had requested the files of child pornography using this system. Officers served a search warrant on Baenziger’s residence and seized electronic media belonging to him. An examination of the electronic media located almost 500 images and four videos depicting child pornography on Baenziger’s computer hardware.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Parmelee Man Indicted for Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Abuse.
Kyle Black Bull, age 32, was indicted in June of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 22, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, with a mandatory minimum of five years, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about April 17, 2022, at Parmelee, Black Bull knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with an adult female, who at the time was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct, and was physically incapable of declining participation in and communicating an unwillingness to engage in the sexual act.
The charges are merely accusations and Black Bull is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case.
Black Bull was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Parkersburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Toni Johnson, 58, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 27, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence. Johnson admitted to possessing approximately 82 grams of fentanyl found during the search, and further admitted that she intended to distribute it.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of Parkersburg Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Parkersburg Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-129.
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Palmer Man Convicted on Federal Murder Charges and String of Armed Home Invasion RobberiesRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – A federal jury in Alaska convicted a Palmer man on 10 felony counts, including two counts of murder, as well as robbery, drug and firearm related charges following an 11-day trial.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, John Pearl Smith, II, 36, attempted to rob people he believed were involved in trafficking drugs in September 2015, May 2016 and June 2016. He carried and brandished firearms during each of the three robberies.
In 2015, Smith identified a house off Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla as the location of a marijuana growing operation. Smith arrived at the house with a rifle, kicked in the door, fired a shot to frighten the resident, and stole drugs, firearms and jewelry.
In May 2016, Smith identified another house in Wasilla as the residence of a drug dealer. Smith forced his way in with a rifle, restrained the occupants with duct tape, and stole valuables including heroin and cash, as well as a .22 caliber revolver.
On June 5, 2016, Smith traveled to a property on Cloudy Lake in Wasilla owned by Ben Gross, who was in a detached garage with Crystal Denardi and a second man. Smith kicked open the door and fired warning shots into the ceiling. Gross threw a beer bottle at Smith and in response Smith fired multiple shots at Gross, killing him.
Holding the other victims at gunpoint, Smith searched the garage for drugs or other valuables, but was unable to find any. Smith then murdered Denardi by shooting her in the back of the head. The third victim was shot in the chest and in the head while trying to escape but managed to paddle to a nearby home across Cloudy Lake in a kayak, where the homeowner called 911. At the crime scene, Smith poured gasoline around the bodies of the victims and set the garage on fire.
Smith was arrested on June 28, 2016. In August of that year, investigators were able to recover the revolver from a marshy area off Johnson Road in Wasilla where Smith had concealed it after the murders. Investigators also recovered a map to site of the weapon that Smith had drawn while in prison; an expert forensic document examiner was able to confirm that the writing on the map was Smith’s.
Smith was convicted of two counts of using a firearm to commit murder in relation to drug trafficking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of attempted possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. These offenses carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 34 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, with extensive support from the Alaska State Troopers.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Vandergaw, James Klugman and Chris Schroeder prosecuted the case.
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Orlando Man Indicted for Attempting to Entice Minor for SexRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Gabriel Almenas Carrasquillo (34, Orlando) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Almenas Carrasquillo faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Almenas Carrasquillo that the United States intends to forfeit the cellphone used to commit the alleged offense.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Omaha Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jesse Neri, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jesse Neri conspired with his brother, Oswaldo Neri, 30, of Mexico, and others to distribute methamphetamine in Omaha in early 2021. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Neri to imprisonment for a term of 210 months as to each count, to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On January 4 and 5, 2021, a DEA undercover agent posing as a customer contacted a known Mexico-based methamphetamine supplier to order for purchase 1 pound of methamphetamine. The agent and the Mexican source of supply agreed that a local party would meet the customer at a business in Omaha to complete the sale and agreed that the customer would pay $4,100 for the pound. As planned, they met and completed the transaction. Investigators thereafter identified the Neri brothers as the persons who met with the undercover officer and delivered the methamphetamine.
A week later, on January 12, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at the Neri brothers’ residence in Omaha. Both brothers were arrested, and investigators recovered 6 additional pounds of methamphetamine from Oswaldo Neri’s bedroom closet, as well as additional evidence of distribution.
A jury trial of the brothers was set to commence on February 8, 2022. Jesse Neri pled guilty on the morning trial was to begin, leaving Oswaldo Neri as the sole defendant at trial. On February 10, 2022, a federal jury in the District of Nebraska found Oswaldo Neri guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the jury trial and will sentence Oswaldo Neri on October 5, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division, and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Chemistry Unit provide laboratory services for the investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Conspiracy and Assaulting Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jonathan Miller, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous or deadly weapon. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Miller to serve 205 months’ imprisonment on both charges. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Miller will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On October 6, 2021, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the metro fugitive task force were attempting to locate a person with a felony warrant. Officers received a tip that one of the warrant suspects was staying at an Omaha Super 8 Motel, driving a white Chevy Impala with In-transits. Officers located the vehicle in the hotel parking lot and set up surveillance.
As one female and two males exited the Super 8 motel and approached the Chevy Impala, officers drove an unmarked police vehicle toward the Impala. As the three parties began to enter the vehicle, an officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights, identified himself as police, and asked to speak with the female. Miller, the driver of the vehicle, put the car in reverse, backed up towards law enforcement, striking the front of the occupied law enforcement vehicle with the back of the Impala. Miller then struck a second police vehicle that had arrived on scene before fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. In doing so, Miller also struck a privately owned vehicle and the motel.
Disregarding law enforcement commands to stop, Miller continued to flee before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a fence at a nearby construction site. All three suspects then attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended. The Impala was impounded and found to contain a large amount of methamphetamine – half a pound – located in a bag on the floorboard of the vehicle, along with hypodermic needles and additional drug paraphernalia.
Miller’s two passengers remain under indictment and pending trial.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Metro Fugitive Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration.
New Orleans Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Interstate Car Theft RingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that AARON THIBODEAUX, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on August 24, 2022 before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to conspiring to transport and sell stolen cars across state lines in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy).
According to the indictment, THIBODEAUX and his co-conspirators stole cars from car dealerships and rental car facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. After the cars were stolen, these defendants would retitle the cars under fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. After the cars were retitled and cloned with fraudulent VINS, the defendants then would resell the cars to buyers in the New Orleans metro area at discounted prices.
At sentencing, which is set for December 8, 2022, THIBODEAUX faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Jon Maestri are in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Interstate Car Theft RingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JONATHAN BUSH, age 35, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022 before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to conspiring to transport and sell stolen cars across state lines in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy).
According to the indictment, BUSH and his co-conspirators stole cars from car dealerships and rental car facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. After the cars were stolen, these defendants would retitle the cars under fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. After the cars were retitled and cloned with fraudulent VINS, the defendants would then resell the cars to buyers in the New Orleans metro area at discounted prices.
At sentencing, which is set for December 8, 2022, BUSH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Jon Maestri are in charge of the prosecution.
New Orleans Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Interstate Car Theft RingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GREGORY BUTLER, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on August 24, 2022 before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to conspiring to transport and sell stolen cars across state lines in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy).
According to the indictment, BUTLER and his co-conspirators stole cars from car dealerships and rental car facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. After the cars were stolen, these defendants would retitle the cars under fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. After the cars were retitled and cloned with fraudulent VINS, the defendants would then resell the cars to buyers in the New Orleans metro area at discounted prices.
At sentencing, which is set for December 8, 2022, BUTLER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Jon Maestri are in charge of the prosecution.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VINCENT CLARK, also known as “Pudge,” 26, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between March and May 2021, law enforcement made six controlled purchases of redistribution quantities of fentanyl and heroin from Clark in New Haven. As the time of the drug sales, Clark was on state parole for a 2019 narcotics conviction.
Clark has been detained since his arrest on June 7, 2021. On November 29, 2021, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Mortgage Loan Officer and Real Estate Agents Charged in Mortgage Fraud Scheme in Central ValleyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment against German Antonio Lopez-Velasquez, 55, of Modesto; Marko Antonio Lopez, 27, of Modesto; and Lisa Marie Santos, 48, of Long Beach, charging them with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Lopez-Velasquez was also charged with witness tampering. He is alleged to have attempted to persuade an individual to make false statements to law enforcement officers regarding a mortgage loan under investigation.
According to court documents, Lopez-Velasquez and Lopez, who were both real estate agents, worked with Santos, a mortgage loan officer, to obtain fraudulent mortgage loans for properties based in Stanislaus County, San Joaquin County, Santa Clara County, and elsewhere. The three utilized false documents, fictional companies, and fictional individuals to obtain mortgage loans for borrowers who were not qualified to receive loans. In total, the defendants caused lenders to issue at least 30 loans based on false information with a total principal loan balance exceeding $10 million.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.
“The FHFA-OIG is committed to holding accountable those who waste, steal, or abuse the resources of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises regulated by FHFA, which the defendants have been charged with defrauding,” said Jay Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FHFA-OIG, Western Regional Office. “We are proud to have worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners on this case and to demonstrate, once again, that FHFA-OIG will investigate and hold accountable those who seek to victimize the Government-Sponsored Enterprises supervised and regulated by FHFA.”
“This case demonstrates HUD OIG’s commitment to pursuing and bringing to justice those who put Federal programs, such as the FHA Mortgage Insurance Fund at risk for their own enrichment,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark T. Kaminsky with HUD OIG Office of Investigation. “HUD OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California to investigate and hold accountable those who perpetrate mortgage fraud in central California.”
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. If convicted, Lopez‑Velasquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for witness tampering. 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.
Montpelier Woman Sentenced to 21 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Katina Miller, 50 years old, of Montpelier, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady on her plea of guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Miller was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $86,755.39 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, Miller was the Trustee of Bearcreek Township, located in Jay County, Bryant Indiana between January 2015 and December 2018. As the Trustee, Miller was responsible for the financial processes of the Township. Miller violated her fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Bearcreek Township by converting public money for her own personal benefit. The investigation revealed Miller had embezzled $86,755.39 by using Bearcreek Township bank accounts to make cash withdrawals and purchases for personal and unauthorized transactions.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Indiana State Board of Accounts. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Missouri doctor sentenced to year in prison for healthcare fraud, he and wife ordered to repay $235,000Read the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber on Thursday sentenced a doctor from Town and Country, Missouri to a year in prison for a health care fraud scheme and ordered he and his wife to repay $235,977.
On over 1,000 occasions spanning nearly a decade, Dr. Abdul Naushad, 58, and Wajiha Naushad, 47, had their unwitting patients injected with cheaper, foreign Orthovisc that had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman said in court. The Naushads betrayed the trust of elderly and impoverished patients to fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $2 million mansion, two vacation houses and four luxury cars, Wiseman said.
FDA-approved Orthovisc, which is sold by authorized distributors in the United States, comes in a pre-filled syringe. It is injected into the knee to relieve osteoarthritis pain and is available only by prescription.
The Naushads concealed their actions from patients, employees and publicly-funded health insurance programs by, among other things, stonewalling questions from their chief of purchasing. After a shipment of foreign, unapproved injections was seized by the FDA, the Naushads had the next shipment sent to their home.
Wajiha Naushad lied to her compliance officer and friend by telling her the injections came from a distributor in the U.S., and fraudulently persuaded the compliance officer that the Orthovisc had a required National Drug Code number.
A jury in April convicted the couple of one conspiracy count and one count of health care fraud. Wajiha Naushad was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation.
“Injectable unapproved medical devices that are smuggled from unknown foreign sources and come from outside the secure supply chain can present a serious health risk to patients who receive them,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead with the Kansas City Field Office of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “Not only are the device components completely unknown, the conditions under which they are manufactured and held are outside the regulatory scrutiny of the legitimate supply chain. We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who traffic in illegal unapproved medical products,” he said.
Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said, “The Naushads went to significant lengths to conceal their repeated use of and billing for a medication that they did not actually provide to patients. In addition to the defendants misleading patients and staff about the substance used for these injections, the Naushads deceived federal health care programs into reimbursing for a more expensive medication than was used. For HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners, ceasing fraudulent activity that targets these programs is a top priority.”
The Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Wiseman and Dorothy McMurtry prosecuted the case.
Mexican national sent to prison for firearm chargeRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 34-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Zapata has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Abelardo Javier Caballero-Zamora pleaded guilty Jan. 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Caballero-Zamora to serve 63 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Caballero-Zamora is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described how Caballero-Zamora admitted to relatives on recorded jail calls that he had been consuming drugs continuously for several days prior to the offense, but claimed to have no memory of it. Judge Saldana also noted his lengthy criminal record was an “absolute nightmare” and admonished him directly, telling him he needed to “grow up” and remain in Mexico.
On April 3, 2021, authorities responded to an emergency call reporting Caballero-Zamora was threatening people at a local motel. Law enforcement arrived to the location and found Caballero-Zamora illegally in possession of a loaded .44 caliber revolver. The Investigation revealed Caballero-Zamora had also pointed a handgun at a local Zapata store clerk earlier that same day.
As both an undocumented alien and a felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law. Caballero-Zamora was previously convicted in 2020 of illegally re-entering the United States after a previous deportation, a felony.
Caballero-Zamora will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
Media Advisory – Press Conference AnnouncementRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley, along with representatives from the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will hold a press conference on Friday, August 26 to announce the sentence of Reshod Everett, a convicted armed drug trafficker who ran his operation out of his home, which he also operated as a daycare center.
WHERE: Council Chambers in City Hall - 433 Hay Street, Fayetteville
WHEN: TOMORROW (FRIDAY) at 11:00 a.m.
Media, please arrive at by 10:30 a.m. for set up.
Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend. For additional information, please e-mail Don Connelly at [email protected]. Please RSVP your intentions to attend the event.
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McLaughlin Man Convicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Children and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Jerome Moses Goodhouse, Jr., age 30, of McLaughlin, South Dakota, was found guilty of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and one count of Witness Tampering as a result of a federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on August 24, 2022.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 30 years up to life in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Goodhouse was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2022.
In 2017, Goodhouse sexually abused two minor children in McLaughlin on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. After abusing one minor, he threatened her and told her to remain quiet about what he did to her.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron J. Cook and Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 14, 2022. The defendant was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Marrero Resident Pleads Guilty to Role in Interstate Car Theft RingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TAWUAN SYLVESTER, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022 before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to conspiring to transport and sell stolen cars across state lines in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy).
According to the indictment, SYLVESTER and his co-conspirators stole cars from car dealerships and rental car facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. After the cars were stolen, these defendants would retitle the cars under fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. After the cars were retitled and cloned with fraudulent VINS, the defendants would then resell the cars to buyers in the New Orleans metro area at discounted prices.
At sentencing, which is set for December 8, 2022, SYLVESTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Jon Maestri are in charge of the prosecution.
Man Who Trafficked 13-Year-Old Out of Irving Hotel Sentenced to 11+ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A 36-year-old man who trafficked a 13-year-old girl out of a hotel room in Irving was sentenced Wednesday to more than 11 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Curtis Vance Mathis was indicted in December 2019 and pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of children in June 2021. He was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to 135 months in prison.
“Those who exploit minors for the commercial sex industry have no regard for human decency. These predators are responsible for initiating a pattern of mental and physical abuse that is often hard for their victims to overcome ,” said Jesse Woods, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “Anyone who engages in this type of criminal behavior should know that HSI and its law enforcement partners of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force will work endlessly to remove these predators from our communities.”
According to plea papers, Mr. Mathis admitted that he advertised a 13-year-old girl’s sexual services on numerous commercial sex websites, including CityXGuide, a site the feds seized in summer 2020. (CityXGuide’s owner, Wilhan Martono, subsequently pleaded guilty to reckless disregard of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in interstate transportation in aid of racketeering and is awaiting sentencing. The site remains out of commission.)
In Oct. 2019, Mr. Mathis met the child and began posting her for commercial sex on websites and thereafter took those proceeds. After a disagreement, the child left, but returned to him only a few weeks later.
On Nov. 4, 2019, Mr. Mathis brought the child to a hotel room in Irving, where she met with multiple customers, including, allegedly, Kention Johnson and Sergio Carvajal. (Mr. Johnson and Mr. Carvajal have both been charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking of children; their cases are pending and they remain innocent until proven guilty in court.)
Meanwhile, law enforcement agents working the missing child case noticed her photograph on a CityXGuide advertisement. An undercover agent texted the associated phone number to arrange a meeting at the hotel. Posing as a commercial sex customer, he identified the room she used to meet customers and immediately recovered the child from the room.
Agents later reviewed surveillance video from the hotel and observed Mr. Mathis rent a room, escort the child upstairs, leave her there, and then return after her customers departed to retrieve cash.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myria Boehm prosecuted the case with help from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebekah Ricketts (fmr.) and Cara Foos Pierce (fmr.).
Man Who Sexually Assaulted 13-Year-Old on Mission Trip Sentenced to 20+ YearsRead the Press Release
A 24-year-old man who sexually assaulted a child while on a mission trip in El Salvador was sentenced today to more than 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Bryce Rawson, of Liberty, South Carolina, pleaded guilty in April to engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, that is, sex acts with a minor. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to 250 months in prison.
According to court documents, Mr. Rawson applied and was accepted to participate in a mission trip to El Salvador.
On July 5, 2018, he flew from DFW to El Salvador, where he stayed at the “Hope Center,” a property maintained by the religious organization sponsoring the mission trip. There, he met a 13-year-old girl who was also participating in the mission.
On July 22, he sexually assaulted the child on a balcony at the center.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas and Tampa Field Offices conducted the investigation with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleem, CEOS trial attorney Charles Schmitz, and Alex Lewis are prosecuting the case.
Lower Brule Woman Charged with Aiding and Abetting LarcenyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aiding and Abetting Larceny.
Stacey Flute, age 32, was indicted in May of 2022. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on August 22, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
LaRoche was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 11, 2022.
The Indictment alleges that between March 1, 2018, and May 1, 2018, at Lower Brule, Flute did unlawfully take and carry away with intent to steal and purloin the personal property of another, and did aid and abet in the same. The Indictment further alleges that the property in question had a value in excess of $1,000.
The charge is merely an accusation and Flute is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Flute was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Licensed Federal Firearm Dealer Pleads Guilty to Committing Firearm Violations with Unlicensed DealerRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Liberty Hill man pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in facilitating the dealing of firearms by an unlicensed co-conspirator.
According to court documents, Michael Anthony Flynn, 46, is a federally licensed firearm dealer who aided a co-conspirator in a business arrangement akin to straw purchasing. From October 2019 to February 2022, Truett Shane Street, 56, of Lakeway, conspired with Flynn to purchase bulk quantities of firearms through various gun brokers and other online retailers. Street then provided the firearms to Flynn, who sold them through his business, Strategic Dynamic International. After selling the firearms Street purchased, Flynn repaid him in cash.
At least 212 firearms were purchased online by Street and sold through Flynn’s business, primarily at gun shows in the San Antonio area.
Flynn pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting someone engaged in the firearms business without a license. A sentencing date has not been set. On July 21, 2022, Street pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the firearms business without a license. Street is scheduled for sentencing on November 30, 2022. Both men face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr.; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski made the announcement.
The FBI and ATF are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William F. Calve and Matthew Kinskey are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Anonymous tips involving gang crime and wanted fugitives can be submitted at www.stopsanantoniogangs.org.
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Lebanon Man Charged with Cocaine-Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Warionex Martinez-Medina, age 34, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug-trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on March 24, 2022, Martinez-Medina attempted to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. The indictment also alleges that Martinez-Medina possessed a handgun in furtherance of that crime.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for life, 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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Leader of Cocaine Trafficking and Money Laundering Organization Is Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell handed down a 20-year sentence to the leader and organizer of a cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization operating in the Carolinas and across the country, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Jervonta Antonio Walker, also known as Bruce Hudson and Stunna, 39, of Los Angeles, California, was ordered to serve five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney King is joined in making this announcement by Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office; Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which oversees Charlotte; Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina; and Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI).
According to filed documents and court proceedings, between 2014 and September 2020, Walker led a drug conspiracy responsible for trafficking approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine from California into North Carolina and South Carolina and laundered the criminal proceeds. During the investigation, law enforcement seized 30 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, and approximately $500,000 in cash. Walker previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, money laundering conspiracy, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Judge Bell has previously sentenced Walker’s co-defendants as follows:
- Jared Shemaiah Jones, 39, of Alphaetta, Georgia, was sentenced to 360 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Jasneko Marquell Wright, 35, of Newberry, S.C., was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering conspiracy.
- Joel Mark Walker, 36, of Columbia, S.C., was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for money laundering conspiracy.
- Jarmel Brownlee, 31, of Charlotte, N.C., was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering conspiracy.
- Nathasha Lawes, 33, of Clover, S.C., was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Phonesavanh Phonesavang, 39, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Marlaina Nashae Smoot, 27, of Newberry, S.C., was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Judiet Vontella Cooper, 36, of Charlotte, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, money laundering conspiracy, and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
- Marquita Andrea Hunter, 48, of Columbia, S.C., was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
An additional defendant indicted in this case, Yannick Anderson, 26, of New York, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, money laundering conspiracy, three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearm by felon, and remains a fugitive.
Today’s lengthy sentence stems from an investigation led by one of the Western District of North Carolina’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations. The OCDETF program identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA, USPIS, HSI, and IRS, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, the Rock Hill Police Department, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Lexington County, S.C., Sheriff’s Department, the Richland County, S.C., Sheriff’s Department, the York County, S.C., Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Columbia, S.C., Police Department for their investigative efforts.
Assistant United States Attorney Steven Kaufman, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Kentucky Woman Pleads Guilty to Spraying Pepper Spray at Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol BreachRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — A Kentucky woman pleaded guilty today to resisting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon and other crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Shelly Stallings, 43, of Morganfield, Kentucky, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to all counts in a superseding indictment charging her with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers using a dangerous weapon, interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, among other charges.
According to court documents, Stallings and three co-defendants sprayed a chemical irritant, pepper spray, at a line of police officers attempting to secure the area of the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol Building. The co-defendants, including her husband Peter J. Schwartz, 49, have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Stallings was arrested on Feb. 16, 2022, in Owensboro, Kentucky. She pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges. The charges include five felonies: assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon; interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. She also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor offenses: disorderly conduct in the Capitol Grounds of Buildings and committing an act of physical violence in the Capitol Grounds or Buildings. She is to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2023. She faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on the charge of assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon and statutory maximums totaling 36 additional years for the other offenses, as well as potential financial penalties.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Louisville Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 19 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 860 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 260 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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Justice Department Recovers Fraudulent Transfer of Proceeds Arising from Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
Carl “Casey” Estridge and Shannon Foster Estridge have agreed to pay $150,000 to resolve a civil lawsuit alleging that payments they received from an individual subsequently found liable for paying kickbacks violated the federal Debt Collection Procedures Act. Mr. and Mrs. Estridge had no involvement in the kickback violations.
Floyd Calhoun Dent III and two other individuals were found liable by a South Carolina jury in 2018 for submitting false claims to Medicare and TRICARE, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act. A judgment was subsequently entered against these defendants jointly for $114 million. Prior to the judgment, but after Mr. Dent had been served with a Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General subpoena, Mr. Dent and his wife, Christina Marie Dent, transferred $175,500 in cash and gold coins to Mr. and Mrs. Estridge. Mr. Estridge was a long-time employee of corporations owned by Mr. and Mrs. Dent. The government alleged that the Dents received nothing in return for the transferred assets.
“Individuals may not receive and retain gifts that are the proceeds of fraudulent activity,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Recovering ill-gotten gains that have been improperly transferred to third parties is an important component of the department’s commitment to combat fraud involving taxpayer funds.”
“This case demonstrates an important premise – fraudulently obtained money is not a gift,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs for the District of South Carolina.
The settlement resolves the United States’ allegations that Mr. and Mrs. Dent’s transfers to Mr. and Mrs. Estridge were fraudulent transfers. The settlement requires the Estridges to surrender $150,000 to the Department of Justice and the Liquidating Trustee for now bankrupt Health Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., which will split these assets pursuant to a bankruptcy court agreement.
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Fraud and Corporate/Financial Litigation Sections, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. Senior Trial Counsel Alicia J. Bentley and Trial Attorney Andrew Warner of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Leventis, Johanna Valenzuela and Joanna Stroud handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Justice Department Announces $49.85 Million in Office on Violence Against Women Grants to Support Legal Services and Related Programs for SurvivorsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today nearly $50 million in Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grants to provide survivors of gender-based violence with access to legal services and improve effective coordination of justice systems impacting victim and family safety. Specifically, OVW awarded a total of $35,659,296 to 59 grantees under the Legal Assistance for Victims Program, which addresses the legal needs of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. In addition, earlier this month, OVW’s Justice for Families Program awarded $14,191,208 to 26 projects that aim to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice systems to families with a history of domestic violence. The Justice for Families Program also supports supervised visitation and safe exchange of children.
“These grants will help expand access to the services and support that are essential to bringing justice within reach for survivors of gender-based violence,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department’s Office on Violence Against Women will continue its important work to empower survivors with the resources they need to navigate our justice system, including by expanding access to legal representation, language assistance, and court-related programs.”
“Legal services and systems, including family courts, have a tremendous impact on survivors’ and their families’ livelihood, wellbeing, and freedom,” said OVW Acting Director Allison Randall. “Meaningful representation for survivors is vital, but can be difficult to attain in the aftermath of violence, or when someone is still trying to find safety. Grantees under OVW’s Legal Assistance for Victims and Justice for Families Programs help survivors navigate complicated processes and potentially dangerous points along the way, including supervised visitation, protection orders, and divorce.”
In addition to addressing survivors’ civil and criminal legal needs, the Legal Assistance for Victims Program expands pro bono legal assistance for survivors. The Justice for Families Program also finances court and court-related programs, provides legal assistance for survivors, and supports training for court personnel, child protective services workers, and others.
Later this year, OVW will launch the new Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI) under the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program. ELSI will support entities that do not yet have a legal representation program and need assistance establishing one. Grantees will receive specific training to help create a legal program from the ground up, while prioritizing racial equity and underserved communities. OVW will release the solicitation for this new initiative in the fall. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and tribal governments or tribal organizations that intend to establish a program to provide legal representation to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. OVW will provide additional details at upcoming informational virtual events and answer questions from participants. Registration for virtual events will be added as it becomes available: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/events.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
Jury convicts final defendant in Scioto County human trafficking operation involving drugs exchanged for sexual access to childrenRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – All 11 defendants charged federally in a Scioto County child sex trafficking operation have been convicted.
A federal grand jury originally indicted Larry Dean Porter, 71, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and several of his family members and associates in June 2020. Porter exchanged drugs obtained in Columbus and elsewhere for sexual access to the children of drug-addicted mothers.
Porter and nine of the co-defendants have since pleaded guilty to federal charges.
A jury found the final co-defendant, Joshua Aldridge, 38, of South Webster, Ohio, guilty following a trial in Columbus that concluded this week. Aldridge transported minor victims to Porter’s home and received illegal drugs from Porter in return. He was convicted of conspiring to sex traffic children and conspiring to sex traffic adults by force, which are both crimes punishable by up to life in prison, and sex trafficking children, which is punishable by at least 15 years and up to life in prison.
“The defendants in this case committed heinous acts against some of the most vulnerable people in our society – children,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The jury properly found Joshua Aldridge guilty of his crimes. Now, each of the defendants will be held accountable for their roles in this atrocious child sex trafficking operation by facing significant time in federal prison. I cannot thank the jury enough for their service.”
Agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force began investigating Porter in April 2019 following reports from several sources that Porter was involved in sexually abusing male and female minors with consent of the minors’ parents in exchange for illegal drugs from Porter.
Porter sexually abused children and produced child pornography that he kept on flash drives and used extreme methods to conceal, including by burying the flash drives in the yard surrounding his house.
He often instructed drug-addicted parents to sexually abuse their own children and recorded it to use as blackmail. Porter also used other methods of force, such as duct taping and tying women to chairs, burning them with cigarettes and firing guns by their ears.
For example, two co-defendants took a seven-year-old child to Porter’s residence on a regular basis to traffic the child sexually in exchange for pills. The abuse occurred a few times per week for up to five years.
Porter was arrested in March 2020 on local charges during a human trafficking sting operation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
After Porter was arrested locally, his friends and relatives – including two of his daughters and one of his cousins – attempted to destroy evidence on Porter’s behalf.
For example, his daughters dug holes in the ground on Porter’s property to retrieve and attempt to conceal or destroy SD cards containing child pornography that had been buried in Porter’s yard. Agents found eight DVDs containing Porter’s child pornography at the house of one of Porter’s friends. Porter’s cousin discussed in jail calls with Porter their plans to assault and potentially kill a witness they believed was a source for law enforcement.
Porter pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to conspiring to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, child sex trafficking, and participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Porter’s plea agreement includes a sentencing range of a minimum of 15 years and up to 55 years in prison.
The Court will set future sentencing dates for each of the defendants and the sentences imposed will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Jackson County Sheriff Tedd E. Frazier; Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett; Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane A. Tieman announced the convictions. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rausch and Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case.
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Jury Convicts Man for Federal Firearms Charge Following Shootout with Nash County Deputies on I-95Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Jarred Javon Ford of Florida for illegally possessing a gun in an incident where he shot a Nash County Sheriff’s Deputy several times following a traffic stop. Ford is also facing state charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault on a law enforcement officer and other drug and traffic-related charges in state court arising from the incident.
“We stand by and support the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant was a prior felon illegally carrying a gun, with an extended magazine, that was used to fire at two Nash County deputies. Now, he is facing time in federal prison.”
“Brazen attacks on those dedicated to public safety should never be tolerated,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “We’ve worked collectively to bring a very dangerous individual to justice.”
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina for being prompt in bringing this case into court,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone. “Violent crime is trending upwards across America, and Jarred Ford's actions are an example of the destructive behavior that erodes away the safety of our citizens. Crime against law enforcement is increasing day by day, and this makes a difficult job all the more difficult but also even more important. In this case, the situation could have been far worse if not for the training and discipline of these deputies who bravely put themselves in harm's way to keep our citizens safe. As a law enforcement leader, I am proud to have these heroes, Deputy William Tony and Deputy Shelby Smith, safeguarding my family and friends. They are a brilliant representation of the Nash County Sheriff's Office.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Ford was pulled over in February 2021 for speeding on I-95 by a Nash County Sheriff’s Deputy. During the traffic stop, a struggle ensued, and Ford, using a Taurus 9 mm pistol, fired several rounds. One of the deputies assisting with the traffic stop was hit multiple times by the gunfire. Ford was ultimately subdued, and the gun was seized by officers on the scene.
Ford faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced later this year.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-00105-BO.
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Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Senior Victims in International Romance ScamRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Edwin Agbi, 29, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for mail fraud, use of a fictitious name in furtherance of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Agbi was found guilty on March 2, 2022, following a three-day federal jury trial.
According to documents and evidence introduced in court, in 2018, an international group of scammers working with Agbi created fake profiles on OurTime, an online dating service designed for adults over 50. Over time, the scammers were able to deceive several senior victims, making them believe that they were in genuine relationships with the fake personas. Eventually, the scammers asked the victims for money, explaining that they needed funds for various reasons, including taxes and travel expenses. The victims sometimes sent the requested money.
Agbi’s role in the scheme was to receive money from the victims and pass it along to his partners. The victims mailed packages containing large amounts of cash to Agbi’s home in Indianapolis because they believed he would get the money to their significant other. Agbi received those packages under the alias “Kareem Sunday.” Upon receiving the cash, Agbi would keep a portion for himself and then have the remaining money deposited into his co-conspirators’ foreign bank accounts.
In 2018 and 2019, multiple packages containing cash were delivered to Agbi’s home. In total, the packages contained at least $75,000 in cash. During the investigation, federal agents intercepted one of the packages sent by a victim to Agbi and found that it contained $20,000 in cash.
Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Jeffrey Adams, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service, and Rodney Hopkins, Inspector-in-Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Field Division, made the announcement.
The United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. As part of the sentence, Judge Sweeney ordered that Agbi be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison and to pay $95,500 in restitution to the victims.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Miller and MaryAnn T. Mindrum who prosecuted this case.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.
Identity Fraudster Pleads Guilty in Miami Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A 30-year-old Romanian national pled guilty this week to his role in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) “skimming” fraud scheme.
From in or about January of 2015, until in or about February of 2015, Alin Bambaloi and his co-conspirators used portable card-reading devices and miniature cameras to steal account information from bank customers using ATMs. With the stolen information re-encoded blank plastic cards or gift cards with the legitimate bank customers’ account information and then made unauthorized withdrawals from the customers’ accounts. As a result of this fraud scheme, there were 195 reported fraud loss cases and approximately $128,064 in losses.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, and Robert DeWitt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
The case was indicted in 2016. Bambaloi was a fugitive until December 20, 2021, when he was apprehended in Texas and later transferred to the Southern District of Florida for prosecution.
Bambaloi pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A. He faces a maximum term of 32 years’ imprisonment. His sentencing is currently scheduled for November 4, before U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom.
FBI Miami investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cynthia Wood and Adam Hapner. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco is handling asset forfeiture related to the matter.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 16-cr-60260.
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Idaho Power Company to Pay $1.5 Million in Civil Settlement for Powerline and Lime Hill FiresRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that Idaho Power Company, a Boise, Idaho-based utility that provides electricity to several states, including Oregon, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle allegations by the United States relating to the May 2014 Powerline and August 2015 Lime Hill fires in Baker County, Oregon.
The Powerline Fire ignited on May 31, 2014, and burned approximately 5 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Lime Hill Fire ignited on August 5, 2015, and burned approximately 2,592 acres of federal land managed by BLM and 9,337 acres of privately-owned land.
Idaho Power Company has a utility right-of-way on BLM land in Baker County on which it owns and operates its 138kV Ontario-to-Quartz transmission line. The United States contended in the civil action that the Powerline and Lime Hill fires were caused by the failure of structures on the Ontario-to-Quartz transmission line. The settlement reached is not an admission of liability by Idaho Power Company and the company denies the United States’ contentions.
This case was investigated by BLM with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service. The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla McClurg and Alexis Lien for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Oregon.
Henderson County Man Guilty of Child Obscenity ViolationsRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – The former mayor of Athens, Texas has pleaded guilty to federal child obscenity violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
James Monte Montgomery, 64, pleaded guilty to sending obscene materials to a minor today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.
According to public information, on June 3, 2021, Montgomery was arrested after arriving at an undisclosed location after soliciting sex online with investigators posing as minors. In June of 2020, Montgomery, then the mayor of Athens, Texas, began communicating by text messaging with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old female. Montgomery sent messages to the child describing sexually explicit acts that he wanted to perform on the child and offering to pay the child if she would meet him and have sex with him.
Montgomery faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tyler Field Office, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.
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Havelock Drug Dealer Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Havelock man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and heroin from June 2017, through July 10, 2019. On March 29, 2021, Michael Lamar Hill pled guilty to the charges.
According to Chief Chris Morning of the Havelock Police Department, this sentence represents “one small victory for the citizens of Havelock and surrounding counties. The war on drugs may never be won, but with strong partnerships between local, state and federal agencies, we can make a difference in our community, one conviction at a time.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Hill, who was convicted of federal drug trafficking and a gun crime in 2012, was released from federal prison in April 2017, to begin a five-year term of supervised release. Once back in the community, Hill quickly began trafficking in fentanyl and heroin and also opened a business named Havelock Super Tire Store. Hill used drug proceeds as the seed capital to fund the opening of his business. Hill also used his supply of fentanyl as a means of securing an inventory of new tires. Specifically, Hill made it known that he would pay one gram of fentanyl for each pair of new tires, which his drug customers would then steal from local businesses. Hill also used Havelock Super Tire Store to store and distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Hill assigned a store employee to assist in the drug distribution.
In 2018 and 2019, Havelock Police Department conducted numerous controlled purchases of fentanyl from Hill, both directly and through his employee. On July 10, 2019, Havelock Police Department and the DEA conducted a search of Havelock Super Tire Store and recovered 161 grams of fentanyl and 267 grams of cocaine. A search of Hill’s car resulted in the seizure of $10,000 in cash, a Rolex watch, and the vehicle titles having an aggregate worth in excess of $85,000. Judge Boyle sentenced Hill to 144 months on the new criminal conduct and 36 months’ imprisonment for the violation of supervised release, to be served consecutive to each other for a total sentence of 180 months.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Havelock Police Department, Carteret County Sheriff’s Department, the DEA Wilmington Resident Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis M. Duffy and Lucy Brown prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-CR-00018-BO.
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Groton Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Paul Emerson, 38, of Groton, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Rutland, Vermont by Chief Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont to time served to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for his possession of three items of child sexual abuse materials (formerly called “child pornography”).
Emerson pleaded guilty to the charged possession in March of 2022 and has been on pre-trial release since that time.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its work on the matter.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant United States Attorney Eugenia Cowles represented the government. Assistant Federal Public Defender Mary Nerino represented Mr. Emerson.
Greene County Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph D. Radcliffe, age 75, of Elka Park, New York, was sentenced today to three years of probation, and to spend four consecutive weekends in jail as a condition of his probation, for conspiring with others to evade taxes on income earned from stock sales.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Chief U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Radcliffe to pay $109,106 in restitution to the IRS.
Radcliffe, a former Wall Street stockbroker, pled guilty in December 2021 and admitted that from at least 2013 through 2019, he conspired with two family members to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal income that went unreported to the IRS, allowing him to defraud the IRS and evade the assessment and payment of taxes on approximately $500,000 in unreported income. At the time he was evading the payment of taxes, Radcliffe also owed more than $1 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), after settling fraud allegations with the SEC in 2011. Radcliffe has also failed to repay the SEC.
In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Suddaby called Radcliffe’s conduct “outrageous” and said Radcliffe had “doubled down” after his SEC fraud settlement in 2011, by subsequently defrauding the IRS.
Radcliffe’s unreported income originated from capital gains earned in brokerage accounts standing in the names of Crackerjack Classics LLC and Universal Consulting LLC. These companies made payments to Radcliffe, and for his benefit, including the following:
- $128,147 in mortgage payments and interest that the companies paid, from 2014 through 2019, to the bank that held the mortgage on Radcliffe’s house in Elka Park;
- $109,022 that the companies paid to a New Jersey law firm, in 2014, 2015 and 2017, to settle Radcliffe’s unpaid bills; and
- $99,675 that the companies paid, in 2015 and 2016, in checks made out to “Cash” and which Radcliffe negotiated for himself or had others negotiate for his benefit.
Radcliffe and his co-conspirators did not report Radcliffe’s income to the IRS. Radcliffe further admitted that he did not file a tax return for himself, or otherwise report his income to the IRS, for the tax years 2013 through 2019. He did not maintain any bank or brokerage accounts in his name, and he did not hold or trade any securities in his own name.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Global Shipping Container Suppliers China International Marine Containers and Maersk Container Industry Abandon Merger after Justice Department InvestigationRead the Press Release
China International Marine Containers Group Co. Ltd. (CIMC) confirmed today that it has abandoned its intended acquisition of Maersk Container Industry A/S and Maersk Container Industry Qingdao Ltd. (collectively, MCI) after the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division’s thorough investigation.
The proposed transaction would have combined two of the world’s four suppliers of insulated container boxes and refrigerated shipping containers. It would also have consolidated control of over 90% of insulated container box and refrigerated shipping container production worldwide in Chinese state-owned or state-controlled entities.
“American consumers depend on the global cold supply chain for many of our everyday essentials,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “CIMC’s acquisition of MCI threatened to harm this critical aspect of our economy leading to higher prices, lower quality, and less resiliency in global supply chains. It would have cemented CIMC’s dominant position in an already consolidated industry and eliminated MCI as an innovative, independent competitor. The deal also would have substantially increased the risk of coordination among the remaining suppliers in the marketplace, most of whom would have been aligned through common ownership and related alliances.”
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the German Bundeskartellamt cooperated during the course of their respective investigations.
Ghanaian National Ordered to Pay $156,073 in Restitution for Role in Romance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Banabas Ganidekam, 25, of Ghana, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including eight months on home detention with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay $156,073 in restitution for wire fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ganidekam admitted to his role in a romance fraud scheme. From June 2019 until at least May 14, 2020, Ganidekam received approximately $189,404 from at least 14 victims who were convinced to send the money for a variety of false and fraudulent reasons. The victims include a woman who in January and February 2020 sent thousands of dollars to a false persona she believed was her boyfriend.
Ganidekam admitted to receiving the fraudulent proceeds through his bank account in Ohio, where he lived at the time, via wire transfers and personal and cashier’s checks. Ganidekam further admitted to transferring a portion of these fraudulent proceeds to his bank account in Huntington, and to keeping some of the victims’ money for himself while forwarding some to others in the United States and abroad.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), the West Virginia State Police, and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Kathleen Robeson prosecuted the case.
The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams at https://www.ic3.gov.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-0071.
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Frame and Receiver Rule Goes into EffectRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) “Frame or Receiver” Final Rule goes into effect. The new rule modernizes the definition of a firearm and makes clear that parts kits that are readily convertible to functional weapons, or functional “frames” or “receivers” of weapons, are subject to the same regulations as traditional firearms. This rule will help curb the proliferation of “ghost guns,” which are often assembled from kits, do not contain serial numbers, and are sold without background checks, making them difficult to trace and easy to acquire by criminals.
“Last year, the Justice Department committed to modernizing our regulations to address the proliferation of ‘ghost guns’ that law enforcement officers across the country have increasingly recovered from crime scenes,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These guns have often been sold as build-your-own kits that contain all or almost all of the parts needed to quickly build an unmarked gun. And anyone could sell or buy these guns without a background check.
“That changes today. This rule will make it harder for criminals and other prohibited persons to obtain untraceable guns. It will help to ensure that law enforcement officers can retrieve the information they need to solve crimes. And it will help reduce the number of untraceable firearms flooding our communities. I am grateful to the professionals across the Department who worked tirelessly to get this important rule finalized and implemented, and who did so in a way that respects the rights of law-abiding Americans.
“The Justice Department will continue to do everything within its power to protect our communities from violent crime and put an end to the plague of gun violence.”
The rule, which was posted in the Federal Register in April, will address the proliferation of these un-serialized firearms in several ways. These include:
- To help keep guns from being sold to convicted felons and other prohibited purchasers, the rule makes clear that retailers must run background checks before selling kits that contain the parts necessary for someone to readily make a gun.
- To help law enforcement trace guns used in a crime, the rule modernizes the definition of frame or receiver, clarifying which part of a weapon must be marked with a serial number – including in easy-to-build firearm kits.
- To help reduce the number of unmarked and hard-to-trace “ghost guns,” the rule establishes requirements for federally licensed firearms dealers and gunsmiths to have a serial number added to 3D printed guns or other un-serialized firearms they take into inventory.
- To better support tracing efforts, the rule requires federal firearms licensees, including gun retailers, to retain records for the length of time they are licensed, thereby expanding records retention beyond the prior requirement of 20 years. Over the past decade, ATF has been unable to trace thousands of firearms – many reportedly used in homicides or other violent crimes – because the records had already been destroyed. These records will continue to belong to, and be maintained by, federal firearms licensees while they are in business.
The proliferation of privately made firearms (PMFs), also known as “ghost guns”, are a growing problem for law enforcement efforts to reduce violent crime. Recent federal prosecutions by the Chicago Firearms Trafficking Strike Force show the impact:
- An Orland Hills, Ill., man was charged with illegally selling 36 firearms, including “ghost guns” and machine guns, in the Chicago area. Many of the transactions occurred in a car wash in a Chicago suburb.
- Two Indianapolis men were charged with federal firearm violations for allegedly trafficking 10 guns, including four semiautomatic rifles and two “ghost guns,” from Indianapolis to Chicago.
- A Chicago resident was charged with trafficking more than a dozen guns, including a “ghost gun” and a machine gun, in Chicago.
- Five men were indicted for allegedly trafficking guns from St. Louis to Chicago.
As the final rule explains, from January 2016 to December 2021, ATF received approximately 45,240 reports of suspected PMFs recovered by law enforcement, including in 692 homicide or attempted homicide investigations.
In April 2021, the Attorney General announced that the ATF would be issuing a proposed rule within 30 days to address the proliferation of unmarked firearms increasingly being used in crimes. On May 7, 2021, the Department of Justice issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, and during the 90-day open comment period, the ATF received more than 290,000 comments, the highest number of comments submitted to a proposed rule in the Justice Department’s history.
The final rule, as submitted to the Federal Register, can be viewed here: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/definition-frame-or-receiver.
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Former State of Georgia employee created phony clients with non-existent disabilities to steal over $1.3 millionRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Former Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency counselor Karen C. Lyke (formerly known as Karen C. Gregory) has been charged with forging educational records and creating fake students with non-existent disabilities and illnesses in an elaborate, multi-year scheme to steal more than $1.3 million.
“By exploiting her position with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Lyke allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated, long-term scheme to fleece taxpayers of more than $1.3 million through doctored records and the creation of fake students with non-existent disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Lyke’s alleged enterprise was uncovered through the collaborative efforts of the Georgia Office of Inspector General in partnership with the FBI.”
“Through her alleged scheme, Karen Lyke targeted money meant for those with disabilities trying to improve their lives,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “I’m proud of the work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners for their work in this case. We will continue to work together to stop those who steal taxpayer funds.”
“Not only is theft of government money a serious crime that will be vigorously investigated, but all too often it also deprives our most vulnerable citizens of vital assistance,” said Georgia State Inspector General Scott McAfee. “OIG will continue to uphold the integrity of state programs and ensure taxpayer dollars are used for their intended purpose.”
“The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is committed to protecting the interests of Georgia’s taxpayers and our constituents. Therefore, we notified the Georgia Office of Inspector General as soon as we suspected fraud in this matter,” says GVRA Executive Director, Chris Wells.
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program is a federally funded program administered by the U.S. Department of Education that offers grant money to assist states to provide services to individuals with disabilities. To be eligible for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program, individuals must have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment and require services to achieve employment and to maximize career goals. Across the country, state vocational rehabilitation agencies offer various services to individuals with disabilities, including tuition assistance for vocational training and college education.
The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (“GVRA”) operates Georgia’s vocational rehabilitation program. Between 2017 and 2020, the GVRA annually received at least $100,000,000 in federal funds. The GVRA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program helped people with disabilities (known as “clients”) to find and maintain employment, including by providing funding and tuition assistance for college education.
During this time, the GVRA assigned counselors to assist its clients, including helping clients to obtain tuition assistance. To obtain tuition assistance, a client was required to provide the GVRA with documentation to support obtaining GVRA funds, including: (a) medical records demonstrating a disability related to employment, (b) a driver’s license, (c) proof of registration for classes, and (d) financial aid information. After receiving the information, the client’s GVRA counselor reviewed the documentation and, if the counselor approved the request for tuition assistance, a check was mailed to the client for the requested educational expenses. From June 2015 to March 2019, Lyke served as a GVRA counselor in its Norcross, Georgia office.
From approximately May 2016 to November 2020, Lyke and a close relative (the “Family Member”) allegedly conspired to steal money from the GVRA by claiming educational expenses for approximately 13 fake students. Lyke and the Family Member used the names of actual friends and relatives as the names of the fake disabled students seeking tuition assistance from the GVRA.
Lyke and the Family Member allegedly used the names of friends and relatives to create fake medical records to make it appear that the approximately 13 fake students qualified for tuition assistance from the GVRA. Lyke and the Family Member claimed that these fake students suffered from disabilities or illnesses like AIDS, cancer, psychosocial impairments, or muscular dystrophy.
As proof of identification, Lyke and the Family Member provided the GVRA with manufactured images of fake driver’s licenses that listed the names of their friends and relatives. In one instance, the Family Member created a fake driver’s license in his cousin’s name, by using a mug shot image of an unknown individual from the Internet as the driver’s license photograph.
Lyke and the Family Member then used photo-editing software to alter authentic college transcripts, financial aid reports, and proofs of registration from actual GVRA clients to support claims that the fake students attended schools like the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, or the University of Georgia. Lyke then allegedly uploaded the sham driver’s licenses, transcripts, financial aid reports, and other documentation into the GVRA’s electronic database.
Based on false documentation, Lyke caused more than 230 checks to be mailed to approximately 13 friends and relatives for claimed educational expenses. In fact, none of the 13 fake students attended any colleges or universities.
The GVRA mailed the checks to post office boxes that Lyke and the Family Member opened in their own names. After receiving the GVRA checks, Lyke and the Family Member allegedly either: (a) deposited the GVRA checks into their own bank accounts, or (b) gave the GVRA checks to their friends and relatives to be deposited. The friends and relatives funneled most of the GVRA funds back to Lyke and the Family Member after depositing the GVRA checks.
After Lyke left the GVRA in March 2019, Lyke and the Family Member allegedly continued to submit forged paperwork to the GVRA for non-existent educational expenses. Based on the false submissions, the GVRA continued to issue checks to the fake students for bogus educational expenses. Lyke and the Family Member used the stolen GVRA funds to pay for various personal expenses, including cars, jewelry, high-end guitars, and the down payment on a new home. In total, based on the false documentation they created, the GVRA mailed more than 230 checks to Lyke and the Family Member resulting in the theft of approximately $1.3 million.
From approximately August 2016 to February 2019, Lyke and the Family Member also allegedly conspired to steal several high-value computers from the GVRA. Lyke stole multiple computers in her capacity as a GVRA counselor by ordering:
- Several computers by falsely submitting paperwork to the GVRA claiming that three genuine GVRA clients needed computers to further their educational goals. In fact, the GVRA clients did not know that Lyke had ordered the computers under their names and never received the computers;
- Three computers by falsely submitting paperwork to the GVRA claiming that three fake students (that Lyke and the Family Member created) needed the computers to further their educational goals; and
- One computer by falsely submitting paperwork to the GVRA claiming that the Family Member was a GVRA client and needed a computer to further his educational goals.
Lyke arranged for at least six computers to be shipped to her attention at the GVRA office in Norcross. Upon delivery, Lyke stole the computers and computer accessories from the GVRA. Lyke and the Family Member then sold at least five of the computers on eBay using the Family Member’s account. Lyke and the Family Member kept one computer for personal use. In total, Lyke and the Family Member allegedly stole at least seven computers with various accessories worth approximately $32,000.
Based on the conduct alleged above, the U.S. Attorney charged Karen C. Lyke, 37, of Toledo, Ohio, in a criminal information with one count of conspiring to commit federal program theft. Lyke has stated her intent to plead guilty to the charge.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Office of Inspector General are investigating the case. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency also provided valuable investigative assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey W. Davis and Jesika W. French are prosecuting the case.
Members of the public are reminded that the information only contains a charge. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charge and it will be the government’s burden to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial if the defendant foregoes entry of a guilty plea and the matter is indicted.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.