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10 August 2022
St. Louis man admits six committing 6 armed robberiesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis on Wednesday admitted robbing five St. Louis-area gas stations and a Walgreens store of cash and cigarettes in less than a month in 2021.
Leonard Love, 53, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey to six robbery charges and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.
In each of the robberies, Love handed a note to a store employee and pointed a gun at employees or, in one case, displayed the gun. Three of those notes were written on pages from a "Relapse Prevention Counseling Workbook" that was being used in a drug treatment class Love was attending. Love’s DNA was on the notes and he left his cell phone behind after one robbery.
Love admitted as part of his plea robbing a Walgreens at 4218 Lindbergh Boulevard in St. Louis at 1:25 a.m. on June 19 of cash and 20 cartons of Kool brand cigarettes.
On June 23 at midnight, he robbed the Circle K at 10691 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann of cash and two cartons of cigarettes.
A week later at 11:42 p.m., Love robbed the Mobil gas station at 2600 Lemay Ferry Road in south St. Louis County.
During a robbery on July 9 at midnight at the U-Gas at 10743 Watson Road in Sunset Hills, the clerk initially refused to comply with Love’s note demanding money. Love pulled a gun, pointed it at the employee and asked, “Do you want to die?” Love stole cash and multiple cartons of cigarettes.
On July 11 1:30 a.m. at the Circle K at 1514 Hampton Avenue in St. Louis, Love stole cash and several cartons of cigarettes.
At 12:42 a.m. the next day, Love stole cash from the Mobil on the Run at 1401 South Fifth Street in St. Charles.
During a July 16 search of Love’s home in the 5400 block of Thrush Avenue in St. Louis, FBI agents and police found two guns and clothing used in the robberies.
Love is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 8. Both prosecutors and Love’s lawyer have agreed to recommend a sentence of 20 years in prison, but the decision is ultimately up to Judge Autrey.
The FBI and the St. Charles City Police Department, the Sunset Hills Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Ann Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.
St. Louis County man who broke into 7 beauty stores sentenced to a year in prisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Wednesday sentenced a man who stole $141,000 worth of beauty supplies from six Missouri stores to a year in prison and ordered him to pay $141,611 in restitution.
Between Nov. 19, 2020 and Jan. 25, 2021, Demetrius Owens, now 20, and another man, Ryan Jones, stole large quantities of perfume, men's fragrances, and other beauty supplies from Ulta Beauty stores in Brentwood, Columbia, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Fenton and Washington, Owens admitted in his guilty plea to a wire fraud charge in May. The men then sold the stolen items on the black market.
The men also broke into a south St. Louis County store but didn’t take anything.
The recommended sentencing guideline for the crime was 12 to 18 months in prison.
A co-defendant, Ryan Jones, 38, is in jail in California on another charge. Leo Finerson Jr., 37, of St. Ann, was sentenced in May to 120 days behind bars after pleading guilty to a charge of misprision of a felony. Finerson posted some of the stolen items for sale on Facebook before removing the post to conceal the crime.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the following police departments investigated the case: St. Louis County, Brentwood, Chesterfield, Columbia, Washington, St. Louis Metropolitan and Fairview Heights, Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware prosecuted the case.
Special Deputy United States Marshal Facing Federal Charges for Money Laundering Related to a Romance Scam Involving More Than 20 VictimsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Isidore Iwuagwu, age 35, of Upper Malboro, Maryland, with the federal charge of conspiring to commit money laundering related to numerous online romance scams.
Iwuagwu will have his initial appearance today beginning at 2 p.m., in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Andrew Hartwell of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General Fraud Detection Office (DOJ-OIG); and Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Tira Hayward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division (USPIS).
“If you find yourself in an online relationship and you’re asked for a bunch of money, it’s probably fraud not love,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron. “We’re prosecuting elder fraud, including romance scams, to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Iwuagwu is a Special Deputy United States Marshal and Department of Justice contractor providing security for critical Department of Justice facilities.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, between October 2015 and July 2021, Iwuagwu participated in a romance scam in which individuals contacted victims on social media platforms and dating sites, engaged in online relationships with the victims, then convinced victims to send large sums of money claiming the funds were needed for purported personal hardships or shipping costs for various imports. Many victims reported sending funds at the request of individuals claiming to be deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces who asked for money for various personal hardships. The alleged scam involved more than 20 victims, many of whom are senior citizens. The victims linked to Iwuagwu reported losing a combined $1.9 million to the scheme.
For example, the affidavit details an account of a victim who was approached on a social media platform by an individual who claimed to be a Major General in the U.S. Army. Eventually, the self-proclaimed Major General asked Victim F to help him with financial expenses as he transitioned out of the military. Victim F believed the individual was returning to the United States to be with her. At the Major General’s request, Victim F sent more than $300,000 to Iwuagwu who Victim F was told was the Major General’s attorney.
In a different case, another victim was contacted by an individual claiming to be a Spanish doctor living in California and who was leaving on a ship to provide medical treatment to individuals in other countries. The individual claimed to not have access to their bank account and asked the victim to send them $1,120, which the victim did. Following this, the victim wired funds to bank accounts controlled by Iwuagwu and also sent money to Iwuagwu through the mail. In total, the victim estimated sending $51,880 to Iwuagwu. When the victim began to express doubts about the funds she was sending, the individual sent the victim a photograph of Iwuagwu’s Department of Justice contractor credentials to ease her concerns.
As stated in the criminal complaint, law enforcement reviewed 30 accounts controlled by Iwuagwu between 2013 and 2021. During this time, Iwuagwu allegedly received approximately $1.65 million in wire transfers from 119 individuals and approximately $1.138 million in other deposits, including money orders, personal checks, cashier’s checks and cash. Allegedly, Iwuagwu routinely withdrew the criminal proceeds through structured cash withdrawals or wire transfers to foreign banks. Specifically, Iwuagwu is alleged to have wired more than $1.5 million from his accounts, including $200,000 to a Nigerian company, and withdrew approximately $511,900 through ATM and other cash withdrawals.
If convicted, Iwuagwu faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
The Department of Justice runs the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), or here, for elders who have been financially exploited to report their incident, and be connected with additional resources and information. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DOJ-OIG and USPIS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajeev R. Raghavan and Jennifer L. Wine, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Southfield Resident Sentenced in COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
DETROIT - Southfield resident Mykia King was sentenced today to 34 months in prison after having pleaded guilty earlier this year to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft arising out of a pandemic-related unemployment insurance fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge John Marengo, United States Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office and Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale.
Mykia King, 29, pleaded guilty in January to one count of wire fraud arising out of her submission of 34 fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. She also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft, which reflected the fact that she used stolen personal identifying information to further her unemployment assistance fraud scheme.
According to the plea agreement, King filed approximately 34 fraudulent UI claims seeking pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits to which she was not entitled. These fraudulent claims were submitted in the names of multiple individuals without those individuals’ authorization or consent. King submitted adulterated identification documents as proof of identification for her fraudulent PUA claims. Indeed, King submitted identical driver’s license photos and social security cards as proof of identification for multiple claims, although she used different names and addresses for the claims. The funds associated with King’s fraudulent claims were typically loaded onto Bank of America debit cards and mailed to addresses King controlled. King would then withdraw the funds on these cards, usually at ATMs located in the Eastern District of Michigan.
According to the plea documents, one such fraudulent claim was submitted in the name of a victim whose initials were T.R. King filed a fraudulent PUA claim using T.R.’s name and social security number on June 5, 2020. King was not lawfully in possession of T.R.’s social security number and was not authorized to file a PUA claim on T.R.’s behalf. The claim used King’s street address (with a different apartment number). The system requested an Identity Verification (IDV), and King uploaded an adulterated Michigan driver’s license bearing T.R.’s name as proof of identification. Benefits were paid on King’s fraudulent T.R. claim on approximately June 23 and 24, 2020. King accessed the fraudulently obtained benefits by using a Bank of America debit card issued for the T.R. claim at ATMs in the Detroit Metro area on approximately June 25–30, July 1–2, July 6, and July 10–11, 2020, obtaining approximately $11,880. This fraudulent use of T.R.’s identifying information in furtherance of her fraud scheme gave rise to the aggravated identity theft charge to which King pleaded guilty.
United States Attorney Ison stated “Our office has been vigilant in pursuing those who deprived unemployed workers who rightfully needed assistance during the pandemic. We will continue to seek out those who exploited the system and enriched themselves at the public’s expense.”
“Mykia King conspired to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, diverting vital taxpayer resources away from those in need of benefits. Protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the unemployment benefits for those who need it,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Special Agent in Charge Marengo said, “The U.S. Secret Service is dedicated to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in UIA fraud cases. The U.S. Secret Service continues to focus on criminals exploiting the American people.”
“Today’s sentencing makes clear that we will find and punish anybody who steals taxpayer money from deserving Michigan workers who rely on unemployment benefits when they lose their jobs,” Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale said. “It doesn’t matter if you worked within the UIA or conspire from the outside, our investigators – working closely with our federal law enforcement partners – will chase down those who betray the public trust in our Agency. We won’t stop until every criminal is brought to justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Alyse Wu. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and the Secret Service. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency provided valuable assistance in this investigation.
South Bay Man Indicted for Alleged Scheme that Used Name of Famous Television Production Company to Swindle InvestorsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A South Bay man was charged today in a federal grand jury indictment alleging he used the “Desilu” name – the same name used by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s television production company famous for shows such as “I Love Lucy” and “Star Trek” – to dupe investors into giving him money for sham investments, money that was actually used for personal expenses that included trips to Las Vegas.
Charles Hensley, 68, of Redondo Beach, is charged with 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He will be summonsed into United States District Court for an arraignment in the coming weeks.
According to the indictment returned today, from August 2017 to May 2018, Hensley successfully pitched investments in companies he owned, including Desilu Studios Inc. and Migranade Inc., which he operated out of offices in Manhattan Beach and other locations in Southern California. While Hensley claimed his businesses were real and successful, in fact, the indictment alleges, they were little more than shell corporations used as part of an investment scam.
In 2016, Hensley began using the name Desilu, which was similar to the name Desilu Productions Inc., the company that produced classic television shows during the 1950s and 1960s. He then claimed he was making new content for his company, Desilu Studios.
Hensley allegedly told investors he was extremely wealthy and was backing Desilu Studios with his personal funds. In fact, according to the indictment, Hensley had few assets, and he repeatedly bounced checks and overdrew bank accounts to get cash and pay expenses.
Hensley also allegedly provided victim-investors false and misleading valuation letters that purported to show that Desilu Studios was valued at more than $11 billion and Migranade at more than $50 million. In fact, the indictment alleges, the companies had little to no assets and were worth nowhere near the represented value.
In addition to these false statements, Hensley allegedly misrepresented that his companies had acquired valuable intellectual property, distribution agreements, subsidiaries and development rights, and that they were actively developing projects and bringing products to market, including new film and television projects using the Desilu name. In reality, Hensley did not own the intellectual property and other assets he said he did, and he used misleading representations regarding new film and television productions he was supposedly producing to dupe victim-investors into giving him money.
The indictment further alleges Hensley falsely represented that Desilu Studios was about to go public and that the company’s stock was worth more than its face value and more than investors were paying and would increase in value following its imminent initial public offering. In fact, according to the indictment, none of this was accurate and Hensley stole someone’s identity to list as Desilu Studio’s chief financial officer in offering materials.
The overall scheme allegedly impacted multiple victim-investors, including some who wired the approximately $331,000 identified in the wire fraud counts. In addition to these victims, Hensley allegedly also targeted multiple companies in the entertainment industry. In this part of the scheme, Hensley allegedly used some of the same misrepresentations to convince owners and executives to sell their companies to him in exchange for Desilu Studio’s stock that, unbeknownst to them, was worthless. The indictment further alleges that Hensley touted these purchases to the individual investors, further misleading them about his purported acquisitions of valuable assets.
If convicted, Hensley would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count plus a mandatory two-year prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
Safford Felon Sentenced to 48 Months for Smuggling Illegal Aliens and Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, Jordon Mark Skinner, 29, of Safford, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 48 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Skinner previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for the Purpose of Private Financial Gain, Transportation of Illegal Aliens for the Purpose of Private Financial Gain, and Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.
On June 29, 2021, Skinner was arrested by United States Border Patrol agents for smuggling six undocumented noncitizens, including one unaccompanied minor, in a pickup truck. He initially attempted to flee from law enforcement but stopped his truck once agents deployed a tire deflation device. Further investigation revealed that Skinner had over $1,000, two stolen firearms, an extended magazine capable of accepting 15 rounds of ammunition, several rounds of 9 mm ammunition, six fentanyl pills, and six grams of methamphetamine in his possession. Skinner is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and live ammunition.
Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, Sonoita Station, conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hopkins, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-02108-TUC-SHR-1
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-134_SKINNER# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Rochester Teen Arrested, Facing Gun and Carjacking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jaden Z. Campbell, 18, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with carjacking and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in the early morning hours of July 11, 2022, Rochester Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Resolute Street and North Clinton Avenue, for a report of an armed robbery and carjacking. While in route to the scene, officers saw the vehicle, and a chase ensued, lasting for approximately 27 minutes throughout Rochester, Irondequoit, and Scottsville. The chase ended with a motor vehicle accident on Quaker Road in Scottsville. Campbell exited the vehicle and ran but was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
The victim told police that while he was at 80 Resolute, Campbell came out from behind a tree with a gun and demanded all of his stuff or he would be shot. Campbell then reached into the victim’s pockets and took his car keys. After failing to start the victim’s car, Campbell told the victim to start the car, or he would be shot. Later in the morning on July 11, 2022, a concerned citizen called 911 to report a handgun in the roadway on Cranbrooke Drive in Irondequoit, one of the streets included in the case. Officers responded and recovered a 9mm pistol.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and is being held.
The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Alan Laird, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester Man Suspected of Being Involved in Two Recent Shootings Arrested on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jimmy L. Harris, Jr., 43, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Harris had five previous felony drug and firearm convictions in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2011, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On August 2, 2022, a Rochester Police officer spotted a blue Nissan Sentra at the intersection of Avenue D and Hudson Avenue, which the officer recognized from an officer safety bulletin. The bulletin advised that the vehicle was suspected of being involved in two recent Rochester shooting incidents, Harris was suspected to be driving the Nissan, he was believed to possess a pistol, and he did not have a valid driver’s license. After calling for backup, the officer approached Harris in a nearby store parking lot. Despite being commanded to stop, Harris ran but was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Harris physically resisted being taken into custody causing another officer to sustain a cut on his arm that required stitches. During a search of the Nissan, officers located a 9mm pistol and 31 rounds of ammunition.
Harris made an initial appearance on August 4, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and remains in custody. His next court date is September 15, 2022.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester Man Going to Prison for 17 Years for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Roger Roberts, 50, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 204 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that between May 5 and October 19, 2020, Roberts engaged in Snapchat communications with a 13-year-old girl living in England. Roberts persuaded the girl to send sexually explicit photos and videos involving herself and a five-year-old girl.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian J. Ratajczak and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
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Richmond Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchasing Firearms from Virginia Firearms DealersRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty yesterday to federal firearm charges for conspiring to straw purchase firearms from licensed firearms dealers throughout Virginia.
According to court documents, Tre’Shawn N. Brooks, 22, purchased firearms in 2021 from licensed firearms dealers and falsely certified on federal forms that he was the actual buyer of each firearm. In reality, Brooks purchased the firearms on behalf of at least four other individuals, who specified for Brooks which firearms Brooks was to purchase. Brooks in turn sold these firearms to co-conspirators. On at least three separate occasions, Brooks purchased firearms for minor-aged individuals who, as Brooks well knew, were not eligible to legally purchase firearms. On another occasion, Brooks purchased a firearm for another individual and the Richmond Police Department eventually recovered this firearm while executing a search warrant as part of a homicide investigation. As part of his plea agreement, Brooks consented to the forfeiture of nine firearms that law enforcement recovered during the investigation.
Brooks is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. Senior District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi Panth and Stephen E. Anthony are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-110.
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Thomas J. Hook, 43, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 20 years in federal prison for possessing and transporting child pornography. This term of imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime period of supervised release. Hook pleaded guilty to these offenses on January 13, 2022.
In March 2020, law enforcement received four different CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding Hook’s illegal online activity involving the sexual exploitation of children. Based on these tips, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hook’s home where they found multiple images of child pornography on his cell phone and laptop, including some that appeared to have been taken by Hook’s phone.
This is Hook’s second conviction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. In 2000, he was convicted of 3rd degree sexual assault and exposing his genitals for an assault involving a 13-year-old girl. As a result of those offenses, he was required to register as a sex offender, and has three convictions for failing to comply with his sex offender registry requirements.
Judge Peterson said a lengthy sentence was warranted based on Hook’s demonstrated offenses against children and his noncompliance with his sex offender registry requirements. Judge Peterson was also concerned that Hook did not understand the seriousness of his actions.
The charges against Hook were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Coulee Region Children’s Internet Protection Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.
Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine to ConnecticutRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE ANGEL SUAREZ, 39, of Veja Baja, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department revealed that Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, also known as “Chaca,” acquired fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates in the greater New Haven area. Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera. Subsequent court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Connecticut.
In March 2019, Rubiera-Herrera and William Claudio-Suarez were intercepted on a wiretap discussing the shipment of two kilograms of cocaine two Connecticut. On March 7, 2019, a series of intercepted calls revealed that Jose Suarez and Mario Llanos-Ayala had just sold a kilogram of cocaine and were traveling in a car in New Jersey. Investigators alerted New Jersey law enforcement authorities who stopped and searched the car and recovered approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber handgun and more than $2,500 in cash.
On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Suarez, Rubiera-Herrera, Claudio-Suarez, Llanos-Ayala and 10 other individuals with fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses. Suarez was located and arrested in Puerto Rico on April 20, 2021. At the time of his arrest, he possessed nearly 200 rounds of ammunition.
Suarez has been detained since his arrest. On April 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Suarez is separately charged in the District of Puerto Rico with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department, and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.
The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Role in Heroin Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release on his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV imposed the sentence on Lamont Goodwine, Jr., 34.
According to information presented to the court, Goodwine conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute heroin from June of 2019 through December of 2019. In 2019 the Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating a heroin trafficking organization operating throughout the greater Pittsburgh area of which Goodwine was a member. Beginning in July of 2019 and continuing through August of 2019, the FBI initiated a Title III wiretap investigation into the organization. Goodwine was intercepted communicating with his codefendant about acquiring quantities of heroin, prices of heroin, and the purity of the heroin. Through extensive physical and electronic surveillance, Goodwine was observed meeting with his codefendant to conduct heroin transactions. Judge Stickman referenced the seriousness of the offense as well as Goodwine’s criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, the North Versailles Police Department, the Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, the Munhall Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Goodwine.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 9 Years after PA State Police Find Drugs Hidden in His CarRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 108 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release on his conviction for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Cristobal Rosa-Robles, 51.
According to information presented to the court, on March 27, 2019, a Trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police stopped Mr. Rosa-Robles’ vehicle for traffic violations as he drove eastbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After speaking with Mr. Rosa-Robles, the Trooper believed that he may be involved in drug trafficking, so the Trooper asked for his consent to search his vehicle. Mr. Rosa-Robles voluntarily consented to a search of his vehicle. The Trooper searched Mr. Rosa-Robles’ vehicle and discovered an aftermarket hidden compartment that contained approximately 400 bricks, or 20,000 dosage units, of a mixture of heroin; fentanyl; valeryl fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue; and methamphetamine. Judge Ranjan referenced the seriousness of the offense.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rosa-Robles.
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Narcotics and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Philadelphia, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Jelahn Williams, a/k/a “Boog”, 27, pleaded guilty on August 9, 2022, to Counts One and Two of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, from on or about July 5, 2018, and continuing thereafter to on or about May 5, 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Williams conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin, as well as, conspired to commit money laundering.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 14, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, at Count One, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both, at Count Two. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
OCDETF conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Indiana Borough Police Department.
Philadelphia Fentanyl Supplier Charged by Superseding Indictment with Attempted Murder After Attempting to Evade Law Enforcement, Firing at OfficerRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Natanael Alberto Montas, 33, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Superseding Indictment with attempted murder and assault of a federal officer, and multiple firearms and narcotics offenses, all stemming from his leadership of a fentanyl trafficking organization operating primarily in the Kensington section of Phildelphia. Kirsis Francisca Caceres, 36, also of Philadelphia, PA, was also charged with narcotics offenses for her role in the organization.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Montas was the leader of a drug trafficking group (DTG) that obtained bulk quantities of fentanyl to package and re-distribute the drugs to street-level organizations. In this role, Montas allegedly oversaw the entire operation, which included maintaining stash houses in Philadelphia which were utilized to mix, cut, and package the narcotics for resale to street-level dealers. Caceres and others in the DTG followed the direction of Montas, utilizing stamps to market and identify their product with names like ‘Walgreens,’ ‘F150,’ ‘RedBull,’ ‘Polo,’ ‘Monster,’ and others. Further, Montas maintained firearms at his disposal to protect himself and his drug trafficking business.
After several weeks of surveillance by law enforcement, in March 2021, investigators approached a vehicle being driven by Montas in which they believed he was transporting illegal narcotics. In an effort to evade officers, Montas led police on a high-speed chase through the narrow streets of Philadelphia’s Mayfair neighborhood, driving around stopped vehicles until he could no longer navigate on the roads, and ultimately fled on foot through backyards and alleyways. When he was confronted by a federal task force officer in pursuit, Montas allegedly fired a shot at the officer, which fortunately missed. As the officer took cover, Montas fired three more shots before breaking into a private residence occupied by a woman and two children, where he was ultimately apprehended. Montas, Caceres and others in the DTG were eventually apprehended following this dramatic series of events.
“Fentanyl is one of the deadliest narcotics flooding the streets of our country; Montas and the operation he directed made sure there was a steady supply of it right here in Philadelphia,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “And his danger to the community did not end there: he directly threatened the lives of dozens of people when he fled from law enforcement, and is now charged with attempting to take the life of a federal officer. We will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to get dangerous criminals like this defendant off the streets.”
“Let this indictment serve as a crystal clear message that any acts of violence committed against a federal agent will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “As if Montas and Caceres’ alleged distribution of illicit fentanyl wasn’t dangerous enough to the community, they allegedly stock-piled numerous firearms in furtherance of their drug-trafficking activities. Montas’ alleged shooting at a task force officer assigned to our office will not be without a severe consequence.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Grenell and Erica Kivitz.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Peabody Man Sentenced for Distributing Drugs Laced with FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Peabody man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for participating in a conspiracy that distributed fentanyl and drugs laced with fentanyl.
Francisco Tavarez, a/k/a “Jose,” 25, was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Tavarez previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl on March 29, 2022.
“This case is an unfortunate illustration of the deadly effects of opioids and the destruction they cause to people, families, and communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Tavarez was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that exploited pain and suffering for profit. The opioid crisis - which flourishes due to actions by individuals like Mr. Tavarez - has taken far too many lives in our Commonwealth. With today’s sentencing, we honor the memory of the young woman whose overdose death in January 2017 sparked the instant investigation.”
“Fentanyl is causing tremendous damage to our community,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division. “Those who distribute this poison are endangering the safety of the citizens of the Massachusetts. The DEA will continue to work each day alongside our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing fentanyl and other deadly drugs. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic.”
In January 2017, a fatal opioid overdose in Melrose prompted an investigation into drug activity on the North Shore of Boston. Tavarez’s co-defendant Yeffry Reynoso was identified as a heroin and fentanyl supplier who ran an active drug business and employed various individuals as runners who delivered the drugs on his behalf. The investigation determined that Reynoso supplied the opioids that led to the fatal overdose in January and that he had previously supplied the victim with heroin and a heroin/fentanyl mixture on a regular basis in 2016.
During the subsequent investigation into Reynoso’s drug trafficking activities in the Spring of 2017, a cooperating witness made a controlled purchase of heroin and a heroin/fentanyl mixture from Reynoso. The cooperating witness then introduced Reynoso to an undercover investigator who was posing as a new customer. In March 2017, Tavarez was identified as a runner for Reynoso when he delivered fentanyl to the undercover investigator on Reynoso’s behalf. Tavarez was later observed engaging in multiple suspected drug transactions with individuals believed to be Reynoso’s drug customers. Following a suspected hand-to-hand drug deal in Salem, local law enforcement stopped Tavarez and seized a small quantity of fentanyl, a small quantity of a cocaine/fentanyl mixture, and $2,340 from his car.
In January 2019, Reynoso pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June 2019 to 150 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Reynoso was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,765.
U.S. Attorney Rollins, DEA SAC Boyle, Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle and Salem Police Chief Lucas J. Miller made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Ohio County man admits to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua H. Ruschel, of Valley Grove, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Ruschel, 42, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Ruschel admitted to having child pornography depicting a child under the age of 12 in June 2020 in Ohio County.
Ruschel faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
New Jersey Woman Sentenced to More than Seven Years in Prison for Role in Drug OrganizationRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A New Jersey woman who was caught transporting more than a kilogram of a heroin-fentanyl mixture was sentenced today to 90 months in prison for her role in a drug conspiracy. On April 7, 2022, Bridgett Renettier Burrows, 53, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
According to court documents, the investigation identified Burrows as a drug courier routinely used by a source of supply from New Jersey. Burrows transported heroin from New Jersey to Wilmington, NC and Henderson, NC on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2020. On September 26, 2020, investigators learned that Burrows was traveling south from New Jersey on I-95 and I-85. Surveillance was established and Burrows was observed committing a traffic violation. During the traffic stop in Warren County, NC, Burrows, who was accompanied by a minor child, acted nervously, and a K-9 sniff of the vehicle indicated positive for narcotics. The resulting search of the vehicle recovered 1.02 kilograms of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Newby and Bryan Stephany prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. 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-00326-D.
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Nashville Man Convicted in Music City Pawn Robbery Headed to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A Nashville, Tennessee man convicted last summer for his role in the robbery of Music City Pawn in June 2018, was sentenced today to 17 ½ years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Herbert Marsh, 32, convicted by a federal jury last year of conspiracy, robbery, theft, possession of stolen firearms, being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, and witness tampering, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. Two others, also charged in the robbery, James Horton, 28, and Hakeem Mannie, 32, previously pleaded guilty to the charges. Mannie was sentenced in January 2019 to 176 months in prison and Horton was sentenced in August 2021 to 64 months in prison.
“I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecution team for taking these violent offenders off of our streets and out of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “Our efforts to drive down violent crime will continue unabated as we will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to hold dangerous criminals accountable.”
On June 26, 2018, the trio robbed Music City Pawn on Nolensville Pike, taking 11 firearms and nearly $8,000 in cash. The trio entered the store wearing masks and gloves and one was armed with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine and a weapon-mounted light. Two employees were then ordered to the ground and bound with cable, while another employee was dragged to the rear of the store and ordered to open the safe. After taking the firearms and cash, the assailants fled the store in a U-Haul van.
Metropolitan Nashville police officers later stopped a BMW at the intersection of 24th Ave. N. and Rosa Parks Blvd. for a traffic violation. Officers identified James Horton as the driver and Mannie and Marsh as two of the three passengers. During the subsequent investigation, five stolen firearms were recovered from the vehicle, four of which were taken during the robbery at Music City Pawn. Video surveillance and witness statements also linked the trio to the robbery as well as the recovery of the U-Haul van at Marsh’s sister’s house, which was used during the getaway.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke K. Schiferle and Juliet Aldridge prosecuted the case.
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Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, Patrick Lashone Delbridge, 38, from Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to court records, on February 7, 2022, officers with the Montgomery Police Department spotted Delbridge driving an SUV and knew him to have outstanding arrest warrants. Officers initiated an investigative stop and Delbridge pulled the vehicle over at a residence on Foster Street. Once stopped, Delbridge quickly got out of the vehicle and attempted to enter the house. Officers observed Delbridge toss a handgun and detained him before he entered the home. A Glock .40-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene. Law enforcement later learned that the firearm had previously been stolen.
Delbridge was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2022, and his trial was scheduled to begin today at 9:00am. However, Delbridge pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm just before the trial began. During Delbridge’s plea hearing, he specifically admitted to possessing the firearm and having knowledge that it was stolen.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. At that hearing, Delbridge will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski and Joel Feil are prosecuting the case.
Missoula meth trafficker sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula woman who admitted to distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jessica Rachel Graff, 46, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Graff’s residence and recovered meth, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of U.S. currency. Investigators learned from a witness that from January 2021 to September 2021, Graff distributed one to two ounces of meth per day and was seen in possession of approximately a half-pound to one pound of meth. Another witness told investigators about buying large quantities of meth and heroin from Graff and purchased approximately one ounce of meth every day from Graff and one of Graff’s associates for more than a year.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.
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.
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Midland Businessman Sentenced to Prison and to Pay over $12M in Restitution for Failure to Pay Employee Withholding TaxesRead the Press Release
MIDLAND – Yesterday, a Midland man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for failure to pay over employment taxes.
According to court documents, Thomas Valdez Rodriguez, 45, was the owner of both Tom-E-Lee Trucking and Tom-E-Lee Industries. From 2012 through 2018, Rodriguez failed to pay employment taxes withheld from the employees of his trucking company. Also from 2015 to 2018, Rodriguez failed to pay the employment taxes withheld from the employees of his industry company. In addition, Rodriguez failed to pay personal income taxes since 2011. Rodriguez caused a total tax harm of $12,714,214.42 in unpaid payroll taxes for both companies and unpaid personal income taxes.
Rodriguez used some of the unpaid tax money for season tickets on the 50-yard line at Dallas Cowboys football games and chartered jets to take him and friends to the those games. He also purchased a new residence for over $2 million.
On January 12, 2022, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two counts of willful failure to account for and pay over federal withholding taxes. In addition to his prison sentence, Rodriguez was ordered to pay $12,714,214.42 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He paid $1 million of that right before his sentencing.
“This sentence serves as a reckoning for a defendant that deliberately evaded paying federal payroll taxes, cheating the tax system, his employees, and in the end, all American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Here we had a business owner who withheld money from his employees’ pay and rather than paying the employment taxes as he was trusted to do, he turned those funds into a personal piggy bank to fuel whatever he desired in his extravagant lifestyle.”
“The collection and payment of employment taxes by business owners on behalf of their employees is a cornerstone of our country’s voluntary tax system. Thomas Rodriguez’s failure to pay over withheld employment taxes to the IRS is a serious criminal offense,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the Houston Field Office. “Additionally, Rodriguez spent the millions in unpaid employment taxes on himself, funding his lavish lifestyle and burgeoning business. These actions not only harmed his employees’ future Social Security and Medicare benefits, he was also stealing from all honest taxpayers and the United States Treasury. IRS-CI will continue to track down business owners and payroll professionals who, like Rodriguez, use their employees’ withheld employment taxes for their own personal gain.”
IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandi Young prosecuted the case.
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Michigan Woman Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Fraud Scheme Involving PUA BenefitsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to a charge of wire fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Brittany White, age 28, of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of six months followed by a three-year term of supervised release by Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
The information presented to the Court indicated that, in July 2020, White had traveled to Pittsburgh in order to retrieve debit cards issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a result of fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. As part of the scheme, the debit cards had been directed to an address in Etna unconnected to White.
White was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,835.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of White.
Member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Charged with Plot to Murder the Former National Security AdvisorRead the Press Release
Note: A video statement from Department officials is available here.
An Iranian national and member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was charged by complaint, unsealed today in the District of Columbia, with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot.
According to court documents, beginning in October 2021, Shahram Poursafi, aka Mehdi Rezayi, 45, of Tehran, Iran, attempted to arrange the murder of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF) commander Qasem Soleimani. Poursafi, working on behalf of the IRGC-QF, attempted to pay individuals in the United States $300,000 to carry out the murder in Washington, D.C. or Maryland.
“The Justice Department has the solemn duty to defend our citizens from hostile governments who seek to hurt or kill them,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This is not the first time we have uncovered Iranian plots to exact revenge against individuals on U.S. soil and we will work tirelessly to expose and disrupt every one of these efforts.”
“Iran has a history of plotting to assassinate individuals in the U.S. it deems a threat, but the U.S. Government has a longer history of holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our citizens,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Let there be no doubt: The FBI, the U.S. government, and our partners remain vigilant in the fight against such threats here in the U.S. and overseas.”
“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, through the Defendant, tried to hatch a brazen plot: assassinate a former U.S. official on U.S. soil in retaliation for U.S. actions,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Iran and other hostile governments should understand that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to thwart their violent plots and bring those responsible to justice.”
“An attempted assassination of a former U.S. Government official on U.S. soil is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to identify and disrupt any efforts by Iran or any hostile government seeking to bring harm or death to U.S. persons at home or abroad. This should serve as a warning to any others attempting to do the same – the FBI will be relentless in our efforts to identify, stop, and bring to justice those who would threaten our people and violate our laws.”
According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2021, Poursafi asked Individual A, a U.S. resident whom Poursafi previously met online, to take photographs of the former National Security Advisor, claiming the photographs were for a book Poursafi was writing. Individual A told Poursafi that he/she could introduce Poursafi to another person who would take the pictures for $5,000-$10,000. Individual A later introduced Poursafi to an associate (referred to in court documents as the confidential human source or CHS).
On Nov. 9, 2021, Poursafi contacted the CHS on an encrypted messaging application, and then directed the CHS to a second encrypted messaging application for further communications. Poursafi offered the CHS $250,000 to hire someone to “eliminate” the former National Security Advisor. This amount would later be negotiated up to $300,000. Poursafi added that he had an additional “job,” for which he would pay $1 million.
Poursafi directed the CHS to open a cryptocurrency account to facilitate payment, but stipulated that the CHS would likely have to carry out the murder before he/she could be paid. He further explained to the CHS that if he/she was paid and the murder was not completed, Poursafi’s “group” would be angry. A later search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts revealed pictures of Poursafi wearing a uniform with an IRGC patch. During their communications, the CHS made several references to Poursafi being associated with IRGC-QF. Poursafi never denied his involvement with IRGC-QF.
On Nov. 14, 2021, the CHS asked Poursafi for help locating the former National Security Advisor. Poursafi subsequently provided the CHS with the target’s work address in Washington, D.C. According to results from the search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts, on Nov. 25, 2021, Poursafi took screenshots of a map application showing a street view of the former National Security Advisor’s office. One screenshot noted that the address was “10,162 km away,” which is the approximate distance between Washington, D.C. and Tehran, Iran.
On Nov. 19, 2021, Poursafi told the CHS that it did not matter how the murder was carried out, but his “group” would require video confirmation of the target’s death. The CHS asked Poursafi what would happen if the killing was attributed to Iran. Poursafi told the CHS not to worry and that Poursafi’s “group” would take care of it.
Poursafi also advised the CHS to communicate about the plot in construction and building terms. For example, when the CHS asked Poursafi to specify how the murder was to be carried out, Poursafi told the CHS that he only asked the CHS to build a structure, but the method of construction was up to the CHS.
On Dec. 22, 2021, Poursafi sent the CHS a photograph of two plastic bags, each of which appeared to contain bound stacks of U.S. currency and a handwritten note beneath them that said, “[CHS’s name] 22.12.2021”.
On Dec. 29, 2021, Poursafi asked the CHS when the murder would be carried out and informed the CHS that his “group” wanted it done quickly.
On Jan. 3, 2022, Poursafi noted he was under pressure from “his people” to complete the murder and that Poursafi had to report any delays. The CHS asked Poursafi how many people were involved. Poursafi told the CHS that he only had to report to one person, but that there was a chain of command to whom his superior reported. That same day, Poursafi expressed regret that the murder would not be conducted by the anniversary of Qasem Soleimani’s death. He stated he was concerned that if it was not carried out soon, the job would be taken from Poursafi and the CHS. Poursafi counseled the CHS that if he/she used a “small weapon,” he/she would have to get close to the target, but if he/she used a “larger weapon,” he/she could stay farther away.
On Jan. 18, 2022, the CHS sent Poursafi publicly available information that suggested the former National Security Advisor might be travelling out of the Washington, D.C., area during the time Poursafi indicated he would like the CHS to carry out the murder. Poursafi told the CHS that he needed to “check something.” Within an hour, he told the CHS that the target was, in fact, not travelling. He then provided the CHS with specifics regarding the former National Security Advisor’s schedule that do not appear to have been publicly available.
On Jan. 21, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that after successful completion of the first “job,” he had a second “job” for the CHS and informed the CHS that surveillance of the second target was complete. Poursafi said the information was gathered “from the United States,” not “via Google,” indicating someone working on behalf of the IRGC-QF had already conducted pre-operational surveillance on the second target in the United States.
On Feb. 1, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that if he/she did not eliminate the target within two weeks, the job would be taken from the CHS. He also informed the CHS that someone checked the area around the former National Security Advisor’s home, and he believed there was not a security presence, so the CHS should be able to “finish the job.”
On March 10, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS he had another assassination job for the CHS in the United States, but to “keep [the former National Security Advisor] in the back of your mind.” Approximately one month later, Poursafi encouraged the CHS to accept this offer, explaining that if it was done successfully, Poursafi would be able to ingratiate himself with his “group” and regain the tasking to murder the former National Security Advisor.
On April 28, 2022, the CHS told Poursafi that he/she would not continue to work without being paid. Poursafi agreed to send the CHS $100 in cryptocurrency to a virtual wallet the CHS created earlier that day, to prove payment could be made. Later that day, the cryptocurrency wallet received two payments totaling $100.
If convicted, Poursafi faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, and up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot. Poursafi remains at large abroad.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough provided assistance in the case.
Member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Charged with Plot to Murder the Former National Security AdvisorRead the Press Release
Defendant Worked on Behalf of the IRGC to Hire Persons in the United States to Carry Out the Murder, Likely in Retaliation for the January 2020 Death of Qasem Soleimani
WASHINGTON – An Iranian national and member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was charged by complaint in the District of Columbia with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot.
According to court documents, beginning in October 2021, Shahram Poursafi, aka Mehdi Rezayi, 45, of Tehran, Iran, attempted to arrange the murder of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF) commander Qasem Soleimani. Poursafi, working on behalf of the IRGC-QF, attempted to pay individuals in the United States $300,000 to carry out the murder in Washington, D.C. or Maryland.
“The Justice Department has the solemn duty to defend our citizens from hostile governments who seek to hurt or kill them,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This is not the first time we have uncovered Iranian plots to exact revenge against individuals on U.S. soil and we will work tirelessly to expose and disrupt every one of these efforts.”
“Iran has a history of plotting to assassinate individuals in the U.S. it deems a threat, but the U.S. Government has a longer history of holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our citizens,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Let there be no doubt: The FBI, the U.S. government, and our partners remain vigilant in the fight against such threats here in the U.S. and overseas.”
“Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, through the Defendant, tried to hatch a brazen plot: assassinate a U.S. official on U.S. soil in retaliation for U.S. actions,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Iran and other hostile governments should understand that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to thwart their violent plots and bring those responsible to justice.”
“An attempted assassination of a former U.S. Government official on U.S. soil is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to identify and disrupt any efforts by Iran or any hostile government seeking to bring harm or death to U.S. persons at home or abroad. This should serve as a warning to any others attempting to do the same – the FBI will be relentless in our efforts to identify, stop, and bring to justice those who would threaten our people and violate our laws.”
According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2021, Poursafi asked Individual A, a U.S. resident whom Poursafi previously met online, to take photographs of the former National Security Advisor, claiming the photographs were for a book Poursafi was writing. Individual A told Poursafi that he/she could introduce Poursafi to another person who would take the pictures for $5,000-$10,000. Individual A later introduced Poursafi to an associate (referred to in court documents as the confidential human source or CHS).
On Nov. 9, 2021, Poursafi contacted the CHS on an encrypted messaging application, and then directed the CHS to a second encrypted messaging application for further communications. Poursafi offered the CHS $250,000 to hire someone to “eliminate” the former National Security Advisor. This amount would later be negotiated up to $300,000. Poursafi added that he had an additional “job,” for which he would pay $1 million.
Poursafi directed the CHS to open a cryptocurrency account to facilitate payment, but stipulated that the CHS would likely have to carry out the murder before he/she could be paid. He further explained to the CHS that if he/she was paid and the murder was not completed, Poursafi’s “group” would be angry. A later search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts revealed pictures of Poursafi wearing a uniform with an IRGC patch. During their communications, the CHS made several references to Poursafi being associated with IRGC-QF. Poursafi never denied his involvement with IRGC-QF.
On Nov. 14, 2021, the CHS asked Poursafi for help locating the former National Security Advisor. Poursafi subsequently provided the CHS with the target’s work address in Washington, D.C. According to results from the search of one of Poursafi’s online accounts, on Nov. 25, 2021, Poursafi took screenshots of a map application showing a street view of the former National Security Advisor’s office. One screenshot noted that the address was “10,162 km away,” which is the approximate distance between Washington, D.C. and Tehran, Iran.
On Nov. 19, 2021, Poursafi told the CHS that it did not matter how the murder was carried out, but his “group” would require video confirmation of the target’s death. The CHS asked Poursafi what would happen if the killing was attributed to Iran. Poursafi told the CHS not to worry and that Poursafi’s “group” would take care of it.
Poursafi also advised the CHS to communicate about the plot in construction and building terms. For example, when the CHS asked Poursafi to specify how the murder was to be carried out, Poursafi told the CHS that he only asked the CHS to build a structure, but the method of construction was up to the CHS.
On Dec. 22, 2021, Poursafi sent the CHS a photograph of two plastic bags, each of which appeared to contain bound stacks of U.S. currency and a handwritten note beneath them that said, “[CHS’s name] 22.12.2021”.
On Dec. 29, 2021, Poursafi asked the CHS when the murder would be carried out and informed the CHS that his “group” wanted it done quickly.
On Jan. 3, 2022, Poursafi noted he was under pressure from “his people” to complete the murder and that Poursafi had to report any delays. The CHS asked Poursafi how many people were involved. Poursafi told the CHS that he only had to report to one person, but that there was a chain of command to whom his superior reported. That same day, Poursafi expressed regret that the murder would not be conducted by the anniversary of Qasem Soleimani’s death. He stated he was concerned that if it was not carried out soon, the job would be taken from Poursafi and the CHS. Poursafi counseled the CHS that if he/she used a “small weapon,” he/she would have to get close to the target, but if he/she used a “larger weapon,” he/she could stay farther away.
On Jan. 18, 2022, the CHS sent Poursafi publicly available information that suggested the former National Security Advisor might be travelling out of the Washington, D.C., area during the time Poursafi indicated he would like the CHS to carry out the murder. Poursafi told the CHS that he needed to “check something.” Within an hour, he told the CHS that the target was, in fact, not travelling. He then provided the CHS with specifics regarding the former National Security Advisor’s schedule that do not appear to have been publicly available.
On Jan. 21, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that after successful completion of the first “job,” he had a second “job” for the CHS and informed the CHS that surveillance of the second target was complete. Poursafi said the information was gathered “from the United States,” not “via Google,” indicating someone working on behalf of the IRGC-QF had already conducted pre-operational surveillance on the second target in the United States.
On Feb. 1, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS that if he/she did not eliminate the target within two weeks, the job would be taken from the CHS. He also informed the CHS that someone checked the area around the former National Security Advisor’s home, and he believed there was not a security presence, so the CHS should be able to “finish the job.”
On March 10, 2022, Poursafi told the CHS he had another assassination job for the CHS in the United States, but to “keep [the former National Security Advisor] in the back of your mind.” Approximately one month later, Poursafi encouraged the CHS to accept this offer, explaining that if it was done successfully, Poursafi would be able to ingratiate himself with his “group” and regain the tasking to murder the former National Security Advisor.
On April 28, 2022, the CHS told Poursafi that he/she would not continue to work without being paid. Poursafi agreed to send the CHS $100 in cryptocurrency to a virtual wallet the CHS created earlier that day, to prove payment could be made. Later that day, the cryptocurrency wallet received two payments totaling $100.
If convicted, Poursafi faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, and up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 for providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot. Poursafi remains at large abroad.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough provided assistance in the case.
McKees Rocks Drug Dealer Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of McKees Rocks, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months’ imprisonment on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Omarr Harris, 39, who is currently incarcerated. Judge Ranjan further ordered that the 70-month federal sentence commence only once Omarr Harris has served 198 months (16.5 years) of his state sentence for a third degree murder conviction, imposed at CP-02-CR-0014101-2019, or is released from state custody, whichever comes first.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about January 9, 2018, Omarr Harris possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectible amount of heroin and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectible amount of crack cocaine.
Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking and Threatening Representative Kevin HernRead the Press Release
A man known for showing up uninvited to political events and attempting to get close to politicians pleaded guilty Wednesday for cyberstalking and making multiple threatening statements regarding U.S. Representative Kevin Hern and his family. Hern represents Oklahoma’s first congressional district.
Keith Charles Eisenberger, 39, of Bartlesville, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking; threatening to kidnap and assault a member of Congress; and threatening to kidnap and assault the spouse of a member of Congress.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate online threats of violence meant to intimidate elected officials or members of our community. Keith Eisenberger now understands there are legal repercussions to committing these criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“While the First Amendment gives us the right to express our own opinions, it does not protect those who cross the line of making violent criminal threats,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge, Edward J. Gray. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure elected officials can perform the duties of their office safely.”
Eisenberger admitted that between Nov. 27, 2018, and May 11, 2022, he threatened and harassed Representative Hern via electronic communication in an effort to cause emotional distress to Hern and his immediate family. He further admitted that during the same timeframe, he threatened to assault and kidnap Hern with the intent to interfere with the congressman’s official duties and to retaliate against him. Finally, he admitted that on May 11, 2022, he threatened to kidnap and assault the congressman’s wife.
According to court documents, Eisenberger began making concerning statements about Hern when he took office in November 2018. Eisenberger’s statements became increasingly more violent over time and were made during visits and phone calls to the congressman’s offices in Washington, DC and Tulsa and on social media.
In January 2019, Eisenberger appeared in the Washington, DC offices, yelling and demanding to see Hern. He later told U.S. Capitol Police special agents that he was angry with Hern because he believed the congressman had been appointed to the seat without Eisenberger being considered for it. He then stated that he had flown to Washington, DC on a one-way ticket and would not be returning until Hern resigned.
In a social media post dated Nov. 9, 2020, Eisenberger again voiced his anger about the election and further suggested that the congressman and the state of Oklahoma deserved to be “federally executed” and that if that was not feasible then the resignation, death or expulsion of Hern was acceptable.
In a lengthy October 2021 social media video post, he touted that he was going to assault the congressman, whether it be at a debate, a conference, or elsewhere.
In a May 11, 2022, social media post, Eisenberger stated that he hoped to kidnap Hern and his wife. He further wished harm would come to the congressman’s family.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case
Maine Recidivist Sex Offender Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Maine man has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender after he moved from Haverhill to Fryeburg, Maine.
Frank Boyd, 53, was charged with one count of failure to register as a sex offender. Boyd is currently in state custody awaiting trial on state charges and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging documents, Boyd was a Level 3 Sex Offender after being convicted of sex offenses against children in 2001 and 2009. Accordingly, he was required to register as a sex offender and update his registration any time he moved or changed employment.
In 2020, Boyd registered as a sex offender and listed a Haverhill address as his residence. It is alleged that on or around March 23, 2021, police determined that Boyd was no longer living at the Haverhill residence he had listed on his registration form and was later found to have moved to Fryeburg, Maine. He did not register as a sex offender in Maine nor update his sex offender registration in Massachusetts at any point prior to his arrest on state charges on July 27, 2022. Boyd has two prior state court convictions in 2008 and 2015 of failure to register as a sex offender.
The charge of failure to register as a sex offender provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Douglas Bartlett, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. The Haverhill and Fryeburg (Maine) Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
MS-13 Gang Member Fugitive Extradited from El Salvador to Face Racketeering and Murder Charges on Long IslandRead the Press Release
José Jonathan Guevara-Castro, also known as “Suspechoso” (Guevara-Castro), an alleged member of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the “MS-13,” and a fugitive from justice, was extradited yesterday from El Salvador to the United States. Guevara-Castro, who was arrested in Acajutla, Sonsonate, El Salvador on August 13, 2020, has been detained pending his extradition to the United States, which was formally authorized by the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador on July 12, 2022. Guevara-Castro was originally charged with the murder of 20-year-old Kerin Pineda in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Central Islip on July 9, 2020. Guevara-Castro is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John J. Durham, Director, Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and extradition.
“The extradition of Guevara-Castro demonstrates the resolve of this Office and law enforcement to bring to justice all gang members who commit violent crimes in our district no matter where in the world they may run and try to hide,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “I hope the return of the defendant to a federal courtroom on Long Island where he will be held accountable for a vicious murder will bring some measure of closure to the family of the young victim.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the investigators and analysts of El Salvador’s Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) Centro Antipandillas Transnacional (CAT) unit, who are assigned to the Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) Unit, for their outstanding collaboration in locating and apprehending this fugitive. Additionally, Mr. Peace thanked the members of the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), for their partnership in this case.
Guevara-Castro is presently charged in a 24-count indictment, along with seven other MS-13 members and associates, with racketeering offenses, murder and narcotics trafficking. Guevara-Castro specifically has been charged with participating in the murder of Pineda, who was believed to be a member of the 18th Street gang, one of MS-13’s principal rivals. Pineda’s murder was committed as a joint venture between two different subgroups, or “cliques,” of the MS-13 operating on Long Island: the Hollywood Locos Salvatruchas (Hollywood) clique, of which Guevara-Castro was an alleged member; and the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique. On May 21, 2016, MS-13 members, armed with machetes, lured Pineda to a secluded wooded area near the Merrick-Freeport border, where he was surrounded and violently attacked. Pineda’s machete-mutilated corpse was then buried in a hole that had been dug the day before. Pineda’s corpse was recovered more than one year later.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant and his co-defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Guevara-Castro faces up to life in prison.
This extradition is the latest accomplishment in a series of federal prosecutions by the USAO-EDNY targeting members and associates of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization. The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States. With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders, and assaults. Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members and associates with carrying out more than 60 murders in the district, and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders, members, and associates in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Hempstead Police Department, Rockville Centre Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
This investigation was carried out in partnership with Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV). The principal purpose of JTFV is to coordinate and lead the efforts of the Justice Department and U.S. law enforcement agencies against MS-13 in order to dismantle the group.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
The Defendant:
JOSE JONATHAN GUEVARA-CASTRO (also known as “Suspechoso”)
Age: 27
Acajutla, Sonsonate, El Salvador; formerly of Roosevelt, New York, and Annapolis, MarylandE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-251 (JMA)
Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Mail TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to stealing money from the mail.
Juan Murillo, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Nov. 9, 2022. Murillo was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3, 2022.
While serving as a City Carrier for the United States Postal Service, Murillo stole two iPads which had been previously delivered to a Harvard University dorm while on his route delivering other mail. Additionally, on or about Sept. 23, 2021, Murillo stole cash from mail that he was supposed to deliver to postal customers.
The charge of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Harvard University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Licensed Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud, Agrees to DisbarmentRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn.– A Willmar attorney has pleaded guilty to fraudulent concealment of bankruptcy assets, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on November 3, 2015, Gregory Ronald Anderson, 63, a licensed attorney, prepared and filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition on behalf of his client, James Alan Rothers. Upon the filing of the petition, Anderson knew that Rothers’ assets, wherever located, became property of a “bankruptcy estate” to be used to pay Rothers’ creditors. Anderson also filed a set of Rothers’ bankruptcy schedules in which Rothers was required to disclose, under penalty of perjury, the full extent and value of all Rothers’ assets as of November 3, 2015.
According to court documents, prior to the filing of the petition, Anderson created fake liabilities to create the appearance that Rothers was insolvent when, in fact, Rothers could easily have paid all of his creditors. Specifically, Anderson arranged to have a fictitious lawsuit filed against Rothers, and then instructed Rothers to default in that lawsuit. This created a judgment of approximately $608,000 against Rothers to further the appearance that he was insolvent. Anderson also created documents that made it appear that an Iowa company had loaned $240,000 to Rothers and that Rothers had an obligation to repay this loan. The loan was entirely bogus and created to bolster the appearance of Rothers’ insolvency.
As Rothers’ bankruptcy attorney, Anderson had to certify that the petition filed with the bankruptcy court was true and accurate. Nevertheless, when Anderson filed Rothers’ bankruptcy petition on November 3, 2015, he certified that he had no knowledge that the information in Rothers’ schedules was incorrect. But, despite this certification, Anderson knew about the above-outlined efforts to make Rothers appear insolvent and that Rothers had purposefully failed to disclose on his bankruptcy schedules $100,000 in gold coins; $686,000 on deposit in bank accounts for two companies; and $455,484 in uncashed checks. In fact, Anderson helped Rothers open one of the concealed bank accounts and received portions of his legal fees from the other.
Anderson pleaded guilty on August 8, 2022, to one count of fraudulent concealment of bankruptcy assets in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. Anderson’s plea agreement includes a requirement that he be voluntarily disbarred. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
On November 7, 2019, James Alan Rothers pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent concealment of bankruptcy assets in U.S. District Court before Judge Susan Richard Nelson. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. MacLaughlin and Jordan L. Sing are prosecuting the case.
Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute and Possess FentanylRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Johnstown, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Anthony Andrews, 41, pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense at Count One of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, from on or about April 2019, to on or about July 2021, Andrews did conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2023. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Nelson. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Jacksonville Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison After Twice Tossing Guns and Eating Drugs While Fleeing PoliceRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Vershaun Lamar Puzie (34, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court also ordered Puzie to forfeit a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, which he used during one of the offenses. Puzie had pleaded guilty on April 28, 2022.
According to court documents, on January 1, 2019, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) encountered Puzie in the area of 31st Street and Silver Street, after Puzie jumped out of a car during a traffic stop. Puzie then fled on foot. As he fled, Puzie ingested an item. A JSO officer who was chasing Puzie tased him and took him into custody on the ground, at which point Puzie was still chewing the item he had ingested. Officers commanded Puzie to spit out the item, which contained rocks of crack cocaine mixed with other material. Upon tracing Puzie’s flight path, officers located a torn baggie with drug residue and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, in plain view, that Puzie had tossed over a fence.
On July 16, 2020, JSO officers were dispatched to the Hometown Inn & Suites located on Mustang Road. An officer arriving on the scene observed Puzie in the parking lot; Puzie began to walk quickly into the Hometown Inn & Suites. The officer pursued Puzie on foot into the hotel lobby and then up an interior stairwell of the hotel while commanding Puzie to stop. While going up the stairs, the officer heard a thud as Puzie discarded a Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol and cell phone on the stairs. Puzie ran across the hotel and down another stairwell and outside, where he was taken into custody by the officer. A second officer recovered the pistol from the stairwell. While fleeing, Puzie again ingested a quantity of cocaine base that he had intended to sell. Puzie entered a state of excited delirium as a result of ingesting the drugs and was transported to a hospital.
Puzie admitted that he had possessed both pistols to protect himself while he possessed crack cocaine with the intention of selling the drugs.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
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.
Inglewood Marine Wildlife Companies Plead Guilty to Federal Criminal Charges for Unlawfully Importing Live Corals from VietnamRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Inglewood companies pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for illegally importing protected live corals from Vietnam and, to conceal their unlawful activity, submitting false records with United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Renaissance Aquatics Inc. and Lim Aqua-Nautic Specialist Inc. each pleaded guilty to two felony counts of unlawfully importing live coral.
According to their plea agreements, from 2007 until March 2013, Renaissance Aquatics operated as a retailer of live marine specimens and acted as an agent for Lim Aqua-Nautic Specialist, a wholesaler of marine wildlife. The companies imported marine life from foreign suppliers, then sold and shipped marine life within and outside the United States. Both companies were located within the same commercial building in Inglewood.
Renaissance employees placed orders with foreign suppliers to purchase various live saltwater species, including live corals. Aqua-Nautic provided Renaissance with the funds to pay for the orders, provided trucks and drivers to pick-up the orders upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, and provided warehouse space and employees to unpack, condition and store the marine life upon its delivery from the airport. Aqua-Nautic received most of the proceeds from the subsequent sales of the wildlife to Renaissance customers.
Renaissance imported orders from a supplier in Vietnam that contained live stony corals, also known as “hard corals,” that the defendants knew were protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). To lawfully import the live stony corals, Renaissance was required to identify the corals on United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife and to have the required CITES documentation.
Renaissance neither declared the live stony corals in the shipments from Vietnam nor provided the required CITES documentation for them. Renaissance caused its customs broker to submit to the USFWS a misleading “Invoice & Packing List” that intentionally omitted the live stony corals and listed inaccurate prices. The shipments from Vietnam also were packed in a manner to conceal the live stony corals beneath other properly declared wildlife.
From May 2012 to March 2013, Renaissance, acting as Aqua-Nautic’s agent, imported at least eight shipments from Vietnam containing stony corals that were not declared to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and were not accompanied by the required CITES documentation.
United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald scheduled a November 9 sentencing hearing, at which time each company will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years’ probation and a $1 million fine.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Heather C. Gorman and Dennis Mitchell of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Houston woman charged for helping others falsely apply for government assistanceRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 22-year-old Houston resident is set to appear in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Desiree Coleman is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo at 2 p.m.
Coleman is charged with one count of conspiracy. She allegedly filed false online applications for government assistance in exchange for a fee from March to December 2020. Some included Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for rentals, personal property and critical needs, according to the charges.
The criminal information alleges the funds were designed for disaster assistance.
As part of the conspiracy, Coleman also allegedly helped others apply for unemployment claims and economic injury disaster loans meant for certain businesses and non-profit organizations that the pandemic had affected.
If convicted, she faces up to five years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Department of Labor-OIG, Secret Service, (FEMA and the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez is prosecuting the case.
A criminal information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Hartford Man Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NOEL PEREZ, 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 29, 2018, Hartford Police stopped a vehicle Perez was driving on Wadsworth Street. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun, which had a laser sight attached to its barrel. On December 4, 2018, Perez, whose criminal history includes felony convictions for assault, burglary and larceny offenses, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a felon. On November 20, 2019, while he was released on bond and awaiting sentencing, Perez was arrested by Hartford Police after he was found in possession of heroin and nearly $900 in cash. In addition, a gun was discovered in the driveway where he and two associates stood before they ran from police. Perez’s bond was revoked and, on July 20, 2020, Judge Meyer sentenced him to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
Perez was released from federal prison on December 31, 2020, and began his term of supervised release. On April 28, 2021, Hartford Police officers observed Perez driving a car and, with two associates, engaging in drug transactions from the car. After officers attempted to stop Perez’s vehicle, Perez put the car in reverse and then ran from the car and was apprehended after he attempted to jump over a fence. A search the vehicle revealed narcotics and two loaded “ghost” guns.
Perez has been detained since his arrest. On April 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty in state court to firearm possession and narcotics distribution offenses and was sentenced to 34 months of imprisonment. Judge Meyer ordered the 18-month federal sentence to run consecutively to the state sentence.
Following his release from federal prison, Perez will be on supervised release for an additional 18 months, the first three months of which he must serve in a halfway house.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
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. In May 2021, the Justice 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.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced for Making False Statements When Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eseyuiel Caraballo, age 37, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to five years of probation for making false statements when purchasing firearms.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Caraballo previously admitted to making false statements when he purchased or attempted to purchase eighteen firearms at various stores in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Schuylkill Counties between March 2017 and August 2018. With respect to each purchase or attempted purchase, Caraballo falsely represented that he was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact he purchased or attempted to purchase the firearms for other individuals.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Grant County man admits to methamphetamine chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven Leroy Dillow, Jr., of Petersburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Dillow, 35, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Dillow admitted to selling methamphetamine in June 2021 in Grant County.
Dillow faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Gang Member Charged with 2019 Manhattan Murder of an Innocent BystanderRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, Police Commissioner for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today that JEAN CARMONA was charged with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses. As alleged, CARMONA is a member of a street gang known as “the 200s,” operating in and around upper Manhattan. On January 31, 2019, CARMONA and other 200s members traveled to another neighborhood, murdered Roberto Vasquez and attempted to murder a second individual. Vasquez and the second victim were innocent bystanders mistaken for rival gang members. CARMONA was in custody in Bergen County, New Jersey and was transferred into federal custody today. He will be presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Carmona allegedly participated in a callous, gang-related murder of an innocent bystander whose only offense was wanting to go home. Carmona’s callous actions not only took Roberto Vasquez’ life, but also led to a second innocent bystander being shot as well. We hope that today’s charges bring some measure of comfort to the families of the victims and make clear that this Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who takes another person’s life.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “As alleged, Mr. Carmona is a member of the 200’s street gang who participated in the 2019 murder of Roberto Vasquez, an innocent victim mistaken for a rival gang member, in Upper Manhattan. Our communities deserve far better than to live in fear of criminal gangs. As the scourge of gang violence continues to plague the streets of our city, the FBI and our partners with the NYPD will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of the criminals responsible for these violent acts.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Today’s charges demonstrate that as long as people are involved in the violence and other illegal activities so often associated with gang life, the NYPD and our law-enforcement partners will be relentless in holding them fully accountable. I want to commend and thank our colleagues in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their hard work in furthering this cause.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
From at least in or about 2017 up to and including June 2022, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, JEAN CARMONA was a member of the 200s street gang. In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the 200 engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder. 200 members sold marijuana in the gang’s territory and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership. In particular, on January 31, 2019, CARMONA participated in the shooting and murder of Roberto Vasquez and the non-fatal shooting of a second individual, who were innocent bystanders mistaken for rival gang members, in the vicinity of 158th Street and Broadway Avenue, in Manhattan, New York.
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CARMONA, 31, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum term of life in prison or death; one count of causing death through use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison or death; one count of committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison; and one count of carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, which caries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Mathew Andrews, Rushmi Bhaskaran, and Elizabeth Espinosa are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Four Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Charged with Fentanyl Analogue Distribution and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the District of New Jersey returned an indictment today charging four New Jersey men with narcotics distribution and money laundering offenses.
According to court documents, William Panzera, 49, of North Heldon; Thomas Padovano, 48, of Newark; Bartholomew Padovano, 71, of Newark; and Sean Tighe, 46, of Kearny; are alleged members of a drug trafficking organization that sent money and digital currency to China to purchase fentanyl analogues, a schedule I controlled substance, and synthetic cathinones, a schedule I controlled substance, also known as “bath salts,” to distribute in the United States. In addition, Panzara set up a shell company to send funds to China to purchase fentanyl analogues.
The defendants are alleged to have initially received approximately two to three kilograms of narcotics at a time, concealed in parcels sent through the mail, before they began importing larger quantities of narcotics. According to court documents, law enforcement intercepted and seized one of these shipments, which contained approximately 50 kilograms of 4-Fluoroisobutyrylfentanyl fentanyl or 4-FIBF, a controlled substance analogue of fentanyl. Law enforcement also seized an additional approximately 18 kilograms of 4-FIBF from a location in Newark, where the defendants had concealed the drugs received from a prior shipment from China.
As alleged in the indictment, the defendants pressed the fentanyl-related substances into pills that resembled commercial pharmaceutical products and sold them. The indictment also alleges that they made cash deposits into their bank accounts to conceal the earnings from their illegal drug trafficking activities.
Defendant Panzara, Thomas Padovano, Bartholomew Padovano, and Tighe, were charged with drug trafficking conspiracy and international promotional money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, defendants Thomas Padovano and Bart Padovano were also charged with domestic concealment money laundering conspiracy. If convicted on the narcotics offenses in Count One, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If convicted on the money laundering offenses in Counts Two and Three, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Stephen Sola and Michael Khoo of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the District of New Jersey 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.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 200 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Alfred Gomez a.k.a. “Vulture”, 33 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady on his plea of guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Gomez was sentenced to a total of 200 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, from August of 2018 through January of 2019, Gomez sold methamphetamine along with a number of firearms to another individual, often while armed with a handgun. Among the firearms sold by Gomez were an AR-15 and a handgun. Gomez’s criminal history revealed that he was previously convicted of the felony offense of possession of cocaine in Allen County Superior Court, and as such was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
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
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Former Twitter Employee Found Guilty of Acting as an Agent of a Foreign Government and Unlawfully Sharing Twitter User InformationRead the Press Release
Federal Jury Finds Former Twitter Middle East Media Partnerships Employee Guilty of Fraud, Conspiracy, Obstruction, and Foreign Agent Charges for Bribe Scheme to Access, Monitor, and Convey User Information on Behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Royal Family
A federal jury yesterday convicted a former Media Partnerships Manager for the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region at Twitter of acting as a foreign agent without notice to the Attorney General, conspiracy, wire fraud, international money laundering, and falsification of records in a federal investigation. The verdict follows a two-week trial before the Honorable Senior U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen for the Northern District of California.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ahmad Abouammo, 44, formerly of Walnut Creek, California, and currently residing in Seattle, was employed at Twitter as Media Partnerships Manager for the MENA region. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Abouammo took bribes in exchange for accessing, monitoring, and conveying the private information of Twitter users to officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Royal family. In this position, Abouammo was responsible for protecting Twitter user information and owed Twitter his honest services. Twitter policies also required Abouammo to disclose violations of Twitter’s security policies and report gifts from those with business dealings with the company. When questioned about the accesses of Twitter user information and his receipt of bribes, Abouammo then lied to FBI investigators and falsified a document.
“Abouammo acted in secret as an agent of a foreign government targeting dissenting voices,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This verdict shows that the Justice Department will not tolerate any act of transnational repression and will hold accountable those who aid hostile regimes in extending their reach to our shores.”
“The Northern District of California is home to many of the most innovative technology companies in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds for the Northern District of California. “One consequence of this good fortune is that companies in this district often collect and store vast amounts of data from customers and vendors. In this case, the government demonstrated, and the jury found, that Abouammo violated a sacred trust to keep private personal information from Twitter’s customers and sold private customer information to a foreign government. Abouammo’s decision to accept bribes in exchange for providing to a foreign government the protected information of customers could have untold damaging consequences. As this case demonstrates, we will not tolerate the misuse of personal information or attempts by foreign governments to recruit secret, malign agents at American technology companies. Where such misuse violates the federal law, offenders will be prosecuted.”
“Any attempts by foreign governments to hijack free speech – in social media or any form – will not be tolerated here in the United States. This case is proof of the FBI’s commitment to defend our constitutional right,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Authoritarian governments rely on transnational repression to shape the world in their favor and stifle dissent. We remain dedicated to protecting the United States from all threats foreign and domestic, which includes efforts by foreign governments to stalk, harass, or intimidate the people within our borders.”
“The FBI San Francisco division works tirelessly to prevent efforts by foreign governments to suppress fundamental human rights, including the free speech of dissenting voices on U.S. social media platforms,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office. “This verdict reaffirms the FBI's dedication to stopping transnational repression from any foreign government and sends a clear message that justice will be brought to those who threaten the freedoms of an open society.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Abouammo began receiving bribes from an official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as early as December 2014. The foreign official met with Abouammo in London and provided Abouammo with a luxury Hublot watch. Abouammo later acknowledged the value of the watch was $42,000 when he offered it for sale on Craigslist. After the meeting in London, Abouammo began repeatedly accessing private information about several Twitter accounts, at least one of which was an influential account who was critical of members of the Saudi Royal Family and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abouammo also continued to communicate with the official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including regarding the influential critical account.
Evidence at trial further showed that after Abouammo traveled to Lebanon in February 2015. A bank account was opened in the name of his father in Lebanon and Abouammo obtained access to that bank account. The account then received $100,000 from the official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Abouammo laundered the money by sending it into the United States in small wire transfers with false descriptions. Abouammo left his job at Twitter in May 2021 and, shortly thereafter, received another $100,000 into the bank account in Lebanon accompanied by a note from the official apologizing for the delayed payment. Abouammo responded, in part, by asking whether the official wanted any additional information from Twitter.
In October 2018, FBI agents interviewed Abouammo at his residence about his involvement in the scheme with officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Evidence at trial demonstrated that Abouammo provided false information to the FBI investigators and falsified an invoice for one of the payments he received from the foreign official.
Abouammo was arrested on Nov. 5, 2019. On July 28, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging him with acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notice to the Attorney General; conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud; six counts of honest services fraud and wire fraud; international money laundering; and falsification of records in a federal investigation. The jury acquitted Abouammo of five of the counts pertaining to wire fraud and honest services fraud. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all the remaining counts.
Abouammo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government and 20 years in prison for each of the other counts. In addition, each count for which Abouammo was found guilty carries up to a $250,000 fine and additional periods of supervised release to follow the prison term. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Sampson and Eric Cheng for the Northern District of California and Trial Attorney Christine Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Beth Margen and Alycee Lane. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Former Twitter Employee Found Guilty of Acting as an Agent of A Foreign Government and Unlawfully Sharing Twitter User InformationRead the Press Release
Federal Jury Finds Former Twitter Middle East Media Partnerships Employee Guilty of Fraud, Conspiracy, Obstruction, and Foreign Agent Charges for Bribe Scheme to Access, Monitor, and Convey User Information on Behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Royal Family
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury today convicted a former Media Partnerships Manager for the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region at Twitter, of acting as a foreign agent without notice to the Attorney General, conspiracy, wire fraud, international money laundering, and falsification of records in a federal investigation. The verdict follows a two-week trial before the Honorable Senior U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen for the Northern District of California.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ahmad Abouammo, 44, formerly of Walnut Creek, California, and currently residing in Seattle, was employed at Twitter as Media Partnerships Manager for the MENA region. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Abouammo took bribes in exchange for accessing, monitoring, and conveying the private information of Twitter users to officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Royal family. In this position, Abouammo was responsible for protecting Twitter user information and owed Twitter his honest services. Twitter policies also required Abouammo to disclose violations of Twitter’s security policies and report gifts from those with business dealings with the company. When questioned about the accesses of Twitter user information and his receipt of bribes, Abouammo then lied to FBI investigators and falsified a document.
“The Northern District of California is home to many of the most innovative technology companies in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds for the Northern District of California. “One consequence of this good fortune is that companies in this district often collect and store vast amounts of data from customers and vendors. In this case, the government demonstrated, and the jury found, that Abouammo violated a sacred trust to keep private personal information from Twitter’s customers and sold private customer information to a foreign government. Abouammo’s decision to accept bribes in exchange for providing to a foreign government the protected information of customers could have untold damaging consequences. As this case demonstrates, we will not tolerate the misuse of personal information or attempts by foreign governments to recruit secret, malign agents at American technology companies. Where such misuse violates the federal law, offenders will be prosecuted.”
“Abouammo acted in secret as an agent of a foreign government targeting dissenting voices,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This verdict shows that the Justice Department will not tolerate any act of transnational repression and will hold accountable those who aid hostile regimes in extending their reach to our shores.”
“Any attempts by foreign governments to hijack free speech – in social media or any form – will not be tolerated here in the United States. This case is proof of the FBI’s commitment to defend our constitutional right,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Authoritarian governments rely on transnational repression to shape the world in their favor and stifle dissent. We remain dedicated to protecting the United States from all threats foreign and domestic, which includes efforts by foreign governments to stalk, harass, or intimidate the people within our borders.”
“The FBI San Francisco division works tirelessly to prevent efforts by foreign governments to suppress fundamental human rights, including the free speech of dissenting voices on U.S. social media platforms,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office. “This verdict reaffirms the FBI's dedication to stopping transnational repression from any foreign government and sends a clear message that justice will be brought to those who threaten the freedoms of an open society.”
“The FBI San Francisco division works tirelessly to prevent efforts by foreign governments to suppress fundamental human rights, including the free speech of dissenting voices on U.S. social media platforms,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan. “This verdict reaffirms the FBI's dedication to stopping transnational repression from any foreign government and sends a clear message that justice will be brought to those who threaten the freedoms of an open society.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, Abouammo began receiving bribes from an official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as early as December 2014. The foreign official met with Abouammo in London and provided Abouammo with a luxury Hublot watch. Abouammo later acknowledged the value of the watch was $42,000 when he offered it for sale on Craigslist. After the meeting in London, Abouammo began repeatedly accessing private information about several Twitter accounts, at least one of which was an influential account who was critical of members of the Saudi Royal Family and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abouammo also continued to communicate with the official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including regarding the influential critical account.
Evidence at trial further showed that after Abouammo traveled to Lebanon in February 2015. A bank account was opened in the name of his father in Lebanon and Abouammo obtained access to that bank account. The account then received $100,000 from the official of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Abouammo laundered the money by sending it into the United States in small wire transfers with false descriptions. Abouammo left his job at Twitter in May 2021 and, shortly thereafter, received another $100,000 into the bank account in Lebanon accompanied by a note from the official apologizing for the delayed payment. Abouammo responded, in part, by asking whether the official wanted any additional information from Twitter.
In October 2018, FBI agents interviewed Abouammo at his residence about his involvement in the scheme with officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Evidence at trial demonstrated that Abouammo provided false information to the FBI investigators and falsified an invoice for one of the payments he received from the foreign official.
Abouammo was arrested on Nov. 5, 2019. On July 28, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging him with acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notice to the Attorney General; conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud; six counts of honest services fraud and wire fraud; international money laundering; and falsification of records in a federal investigation. The jury acquitted Abouammo of five of the counts pertaining to wire fraud and honest services fraud. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all the remaining counts.
Abouammo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government and 20 years in prison for each of the other counts. In addition, each count for which Abouammo was found guilty carries up to a $250,000 fine and additional periods of supervised release to follow the prison term. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Sampson and Eric Cheng for the Northern District of California and Trial Attorney Christine Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Beth Margen and Alycee Lane. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
Former Spokane Neonatologist Pleads Guilty in Plot to Hire Multiple Hitmen to Kidnap His Estranged Wife and Assault a Former ColleagueRead the Press Release
Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Ronald Craig Ilg, age 55, of Spokane, Washington has pled guilty to Transmitting Threats in Interstate Commerce for his role in a scheme to hire multiple hitmen on the so-called “dark web.” Ilg faces a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison and up to three years supervised release. As part of the plea agreement, the United States and Ilg agreed to a sentencing range of 60 to 96 months. Sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. before United States Senior District Judge William Fremming Nielsen.
According to court documents, Ilg, a former neonatologist in the Spokane area, transmitted dozens of messages in early 2021 through the dark web as part of a plot to harm a former professional colleague and to have his estranged wife kidnapped. Using the moniker “Scar215” and password “Mufassa$$” to conceal his identity, Ilg sent more than $60,000 in Bitcoin in furtherance of his nefarious schemes.
With respect to the first victim, Ilg directed the purported hitmen to assault a Spokane-area doctor, specifying that the victim “should be given a significant beating that is obvious. It should injure both hands significantly or break the hands.” As part of this scheme, Ilg paid more than $2,000 in Bitcoin, sent the purported hitmen the victim’s address, and provided the hitmen with a link to the victim’s picture. In follow up messages, Ilg directed “I would like to see evidence that it happened. If this goes well, I have another, more complicated job” for “[a]n entirely different target with entirely different objectives.”
With respect to his second victim, Ilg solicited purported hitmen to kidnap this victim, have her injected with heroin – all so she would drop divorce proceedings that were pending at the time and return to the failed relationship with Ilg. Notwithstanding that Ilg was subject to a no-contact order at this time, Ilg devised a bonus structure if the victim was in fact kidnapped and certain goals were achieved. Here again, Ilg promised the hitmen that he had “other jobs worth quite a bit to accomplish in the near future. So, if all goes well, then we can work together on a few other things also.” In all, Ilg transferred approximately $60,000 in Bitcoin in furtherance of the scheme to have his estranged wife kidnapped.
After the FBI obtained copies of Ilg’s dark web messages, he took certain actions to obstruct justice in this case. First, during a voluntary interview with the FBI, Ilg falsely claimed he paid the hitmen to kill himself. Second, Ilg sent a letter to a key witness against him – begging the witness marry him so he could control whether she testified. He also offered to pay tuition for the witness’s children to attend Gonzaga Preparatory School and St. Aloysius Catholic School in Spokane, Washington. Ilg even directed the witness to destroy evidence by burning Ilg’s letter.
“This case demonstrates how violent offenders exploit cyberspace and cryptocurrency to further their criminal agendas,” U.S. Attorney Waldref stated. “Mr. Ilg solicited and paid for multiple dark web hitmen to target the two victims in this case. Mr. Ilg also wanted to target additional victims if the hitmen followed through with the plan to harm these first two victims.” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “The amount of money Mr. Ilg paid to advance his schemes and his efforts to obstruct justice in this case indicate Mr. Ilg would stop at nothing to maintain control over his victims. Thankfully, the FBI learned of Mr. Ilg’s scheme and prevented him from following through on his plans to harm another doctor and kidnap his estranged wife.”
“This investigation is an example for would be criminals who mistakenly believe they are anonymous online,” said Michael Heiler, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “As with this case, the FBI will continue to identify those individuals who are conducting criminal activity online, and, working with our partners, hold them accountable.”
This case is being investigated by the Spokane Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Richard R. Barker and Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington, are prosecuting this case.
Former Public Utility Employee Pleads Guilty to Installing Keylogger Devices on Work ComputersRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – John Pelton, 55, of Avon Lake, Ohio, a former Operator with a Northern Ohio public utility, pleaded guilty today to recording the computer keyboard strokes of coworkers while employed at the utility and to making false statements to FBI agents.
Pelton officially pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information charging him with attempting to access a secure computer and obtain information and providing a false statement to a government official.
According to court documents, while working as an Operator with the utility, Pelton purchased two physical keyloggers from eBay with the intent of using them at his place of employment. A physical keylogger is an electronic device that stores and can transmit every keystroke made on a keyboard.
Court documents state that a keylogger is capable of intercepting employee login credentials, messages and any other information typed into a computer. Additionally, these devices have built-in memory capable of storing approximately 16 million keystrokes and could be accessed wirelessly with any Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smartphone, allowing the user to download the captured keystrokes remotely.
On Jan. 12, 2021, Pelton installed the keylogger devices at his place of employment on two computers in a control room accessible only via an access badge. According to court records, Pelton installed one keylogger on a control room computer connected to the internet and the utility’s internal network and the other on a second computer used in the delivery of services. Court documents state that the keyloggers would allow Pelton to capture an administrator’s password and access features that he otherwise was unable to access.
According to court documents, one of the computers Pelton installed a keylogger on collected data regarding the use of the utility’s electrical system. The Operators at the utility have the capability to turn the power on and off throughout the network, and, if done incorrectly or inappropriately, an Operator could damage the transmission system, injure employees and possibly negatively impact the energy grid.
On May 24, 2021, Pelton was interviewed by FBI agents at his home regarding his use of the devices. According to court records, Pelton told agents that he did not know what keyloggers were nor their function. Pelton also denied researching keyloggers and stated that he did not remember purchasing or receiving the devices. Court documents state that these claims were false, and Pelton made them knowing that they were false.
Pelton is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2022, before U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Segev Phillips and Daniel J. Riedl.
Former Luzerne County Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Todd Houghtlin, age 52, of Duryea, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on August 2, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Houghtlin admitted to possessing fentanyl for further distribution in Luzerne County in 2020 and to being a user of illegal drugs in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charges stem from an incident, in July 2020, in which law enforcement investigators conducted a stop of Houghtlin’s vehicle and found him in possession of 50 packets containing fentanyl, as well as a .380 caliber pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition. Further investigation revealed that Houghtlin purchased fentanyl on multiple occasions which he sold to others.
Houghtlin previously worked as a police office in Pittston Township but had his police certification suspended by the Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission. (MPOETC).
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Kingston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
Judge Mariani ordered that a presentence report be completed for Houghtlin. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 1, 2022.
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 for the drug trafficking offense is twenty years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for the firearms offense is ten years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
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Former J.P. Morgan Traders Convicted of Fraud, Attempted Price Manipulation, and Spoofing in a Multi-Year Market Manipulation SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the Northern District of Illinois convicted two former precious metals traders at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan) today of fraud, attempted price manipulation, and spoofing in a multi-year market manipulation scheme of precious metals futures contracts that spanned over eight years and involved thousands of unlawful trading sequences.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gregg Smith, 57, of Scarsdale, New York, was an executive director and trader on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk in New York. Michael Nowak, 47, of Montclair, New Jersey, was a managing director and ran JPMorgan’s global precious metals desk.
The evidence at trial showed that between approximately May 2008 and August 2016, the defendants, along with other traders on the JPMorgan precious metals desk, engaged in a widespread spoofing, market manipulation, and fraud scheme. The defendants placed orders that they intended to cancel before execution in order to drive prices on orders they intended to execute on the opposite side of the market. The defendants engaged in thousands of deceptive trading sequences for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts traded through the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (NYMEX) and Commodity Exchange Inc. (COMEX), which are commodities exchanges operated by CME Group Inc. These deceptive orders were intended to inject false and misleading information about the genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts into the markets.
“Today’s jury verdict demonstrates that those who seek to manipulate our public financial markets will be held accountable and brought to justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “With this verdict, the Department has secured convictions of ten former traders at Wall Street financial institutions, including JPMorgan, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, and Morgan Stanley. These convictions underscore the Department’s commitment to prosecuting those who undermine the investing public’s trust in the integrity of our commodities markets.”
“For years the defendants allegedly placed thousands of false orders for precious metals, creating a ruse that lured others into making disadvantageous trades” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s conviction demonstrates that no matter how complex or long-running a scheme is, the FBI is committed to bringing those involved in crimes like this to justice.”
Following a three-week trial, Smith was convicted of one count of attempted price manipulation, one count of spoofing, one count of commodities fraud, and eight counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Nowak was convicted of one count of attempted price manipulation, one count of spoofing, one count of commodities fraud, and 10 counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Sentencing dates have not yet been set.
Two other former JPMorgan precious metals traders, John Edmonds and Christian Trunz, were previously convicted in related cases. In October 2018, Edmonds pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, price manipulation, and spoofing. In August 2019, Trunz pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to one count of conspiracy to engage in spoofing and one count of spoofing. Edmonds and Trunz are awaiting sentencing.
In September 2020, JPMorgan admitted to committing wire fraud in connection with: (1) unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts; and (2) unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. JPMorgan entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement through which it paid more than $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with parallel resolutions by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities Exchange Commission announced on the same day.
The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated the case. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement provided assistance in this matter.
Market Integrity & Major Frauds Unit Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorneys Matthew Sullivan, Lucy Jennings, and Christopher Fenton of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/victim-witness-program for more information.
Former Director of West Hollywood Private School Sentenced in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former director of a private elementary and high school in West Hollywood, Calif. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his participation in the college admissions case.
Igor Dvorskiy, 56, of Sherman Oaks, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one year of supervised release, which includes three months of home detention, and forfeiture of $149,540. In November 2019, Dvorskiy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Dvorskiy administered the SAT and ACT exams at the private school in Los Angeles where he was a director. In exchange for bribe payments directed to his school by co-conspirator William “Rick” Singer – typically $10,000 per student – and in violation of his duty of honest services to the ACT and the College Board, Dvorskiy allowed another co-conspirator, principally Mark Riddell, to purport to proctor the ACT and SAT exams for the children of Singer’s clients and to correct their answers after the exams. Dvorskiy then returned the falsified exams to the ACT and College Board for scoring. Dvorskiy cooperated with the government’s investigation.
On April 8, 2022, Riddell was sentenced to four months in prison and two years of supervised release. Riddell was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and to forfeit $239,449. Singer previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian J. Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Cambridge Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Illegally Exporting Defense Articles to TurkeyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Cambridge man pleaded guilty today in Boston in connection with his scheme to illegally export defense technical data to foreign nationals in Turkey for the fraudulent manufacturing of various United States military parts, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) later determined that some of the parts were substandard and unsuitable for use by the military.
Arif Ugur, 53, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act and one count of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Dec. 14, 2022. Ugur was indicted on July 21, 2021.
In 2015, Ugur, a Turkish national, founded and was the sole managing partner of the Anatolia Group Limited Partnership (Anatolia), a domestic limited partnership registered in Massachusetts. Beginning in approximately July 2015, Ugur bid on and acquired numerous contracts to supply the DOD with a variety of machine parts and hardware items intended for use by the United States military. Many of these contracts required that the parts be manufactured in the United States. In his initial bids and in subsequent email communications with DOD representatives, Ugur falsely claimed that Anatolia was manufacturing the parts in the United States. In fact, Anatolia and Ugur had no manufacturing facilities in the United States or elsewhere. Instead, Ugur contracted with a Turkish manufacturer to make the parts and then passed them off to DOD as if they had been manufactured by Anatolia in the United States.
Ugur shared technical specifications and drawings of various DOD parts and components with employees of the Turkish manufacturer so that they could produce the parts for Anatolia. Ugur also provided employees of the Turkish manufacturer and other Turkish nationals with access to DOD’s online library of technical specifications and drawings. Many of the parts that Ugur contracted to provide, and did provide to DOD, were designated as defense articles under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the United States Munitions List (USML). Thus, an export license was required to export the parts and related technical data (drawings, specifications, etc.) from the United States to Turkey. Ugur knew of these restrictions, but nonetheless exported technical data controlled under the ITAR and USML to employees of the Turkish manufacturer without an export license.
The charge of violating the Arms Export Control Act provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The charge of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and James Brigham, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Timothy H. Kistner of Rollins’ National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.