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4 August 2022
Former Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago Sentenced to More than Five Years in Federal Prison for Procurement FraudRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former vice chancellor for City Colleges of Chicago has been sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison for devising and engaging in a procurement fraud scheme.
SHAROD GORDON was employed by City Colleges of Chicago in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as the Vice Chancellor of Legislative and Community Affairs. From 2013 to 2017, Gordon obtained kickbacks from vendor-companies in exchange for steering them City Colleges contracts for community canvassing and flyer distribution services. Some of the companies were formed by Gordon’s City Colleges colleagues and other friends for the sole purpose of applying for the contracts. In some instances, the work was never performed – even though the companies submitted invoices that caused City Colleges to pay out nearly $350,000. Upon receipt of the payments, Gordon directed representatives of the companies to give him a portion of the money.
Gordon, 47, of Oak Park, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to a federal wire fraud charge. U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr., on Wednesday imposed a 66-month prison sentence.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Office of Inspector General for the City Colleges of Chicago provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
“Sharod Gordon abused the public trust for personal profit,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan DeMarco argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant used his government position to deprive underserved college students of honest services in order to line his own pocket.”
Seven other defendants were charged with participating in the fraud scheme.
Former Southern University Professor Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal Prison for Mail Fraud and Money Laundering After Living as a Fugitive in Iran and Turkey for More than a DecadeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Parviz Sharifrazi, age 70, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 24 months in federal prison following his convictions for mail fraud and money laundering. The Court further sentenced Sharifrazi to serve one year of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
Today’s sentencing resulted from a federal criminal investigation that began years ago. In 2008 and 2009, Sharifrazi was working as an associate professor at Southern University (“Southern”) and trying to raise money for an unrelated business venture in Iran. Beginning in 2008, he and a co-defendant, who was working as the Information Technologies (IT) Director at Southern’s College of Engineering, conceived a scheme to defraud Southern by submitting fraudulent equipment quotes in the names of fictitious vendors and causing Southern to approve the quotes, while concealing their involvement in the scheme.
In furtherance of the scheme, Sharifrazi’s co-defendant would create fraudulent computer equipment purchase requests, generate fraudulent quotes for the equipment in the name of shell companies that he and Sharifrazi had created, and then submit the fraudulent quotes to Southern’s purchasing department and cause them to be approved. Meanwhile, Sharifrazi caused other individuals to register for mail forwarding services at private mail facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada, Beaverton, Oregon, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Sharifrazi used these mailboxes to deceive Southern. Through their use of shell companies, out-of-state mailing addresses, and other means, Sharifrazi and his co-defendant were able to conceal the fraudulent nature of the purchase requests and the quotes and hide the fact that they were profiting from the scheme.
Between April and November 2008, Sharifrazi and his co-defendant caused Southern to issue 14 checks totaling more than $150,000 to their shell companies and to mail the checks to the out-of-state mailboxes that they had opened. Then, as the defendants gained control of the funds, Sharifrazi would conduct additional monetary transactions and launder the proceeds of the scheme by, for instance, transferring proceeds from the scheme into another bank account that he and a family member in the name of a Denham Springs restaurant.
Sharifrazi was indicted in 2011. By this time, he had left Southern and was living in Iran. After being contacted by federal law enforcement agents, and knowing that the court had issued a warrant for his arrest, the defendant was a fugitive for more than a decade, living in Iran for many years and then moving to Turkey. In mid-2021, the defendant met with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Turkey and agreed to return to the United States to accept responsibility for his crimes. Earlier this year, Sharifrazi pled guilty to mail fraud and money laundering and admitted his involvement in the fraudulent scheme described above.
Sharifrazi’s co-defendant pled guilty in 2010 and has fully served his sentence, which included both a term of imprisonment and an order to pay restitution to Southern University.
U.S. Attorney Gathe stated, “This prosecution demonstrates that neither time nor distance shall deter the federal government and our partners from obtaining justice. I want to thank our prosecutors and the federal and state law enforcement agencies who made this result possible.”
“This sentencing demonstrates the steadfast work of the FBI and our partners in bringing to justice individuals like former Southern University Professor Parviz Sharifraz, who engaged in fraudulent schemes that grossly impacted Southern University,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. “We thank our partners from the U.S. Attorney's Office Middle District of Louisiana, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Louisiana Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General for their collaborative efforts to identify, investigate, and bring to justice criminals who seek to harm American universities through fraud and deceit.”
“Today's sentencing exemplifies the patience and long arm of the law in its pursuit of financial fraud and money laundering violations,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI’s Atlanta Field Office. “Mr. Parviz Shafrazi perpetuated an elaborate scheme driven by his insatiable greed and a blatant disregard for the tremendous damage inflicted on Southern University and its students. Be assured that IRS Criminal Investigation, together with our federal partners, will hold those who engage in similar behavior fully accountable.”
Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street commented, “Justice for Mr. Sharifrazi has been delayed for well over a decade because of his deliberate choice to remain out of the country rather than face the music for his crimes. Today’s sentencing at last brings closure and consequences for a carefully devised criminal scheme to defraud the institution of higher learning at which Mr. Sharifrazi was employed. It also hopefully sends the message that the wheels of justice may sometimes turn slowly, but they do indeed turn. No matter how long it may take, the Louisiana OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue public corruption in all of its forms.” Street added, “I want to commend United States Attorney Ron Gathe and his staff, as well as our partners at the FBI, IRS, and Department of Education OIG for another successful outcome.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Louisiana Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General, with critical assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan A. Stevens, who also serves as Senior Litigation Counsel for the United States Attorney’s Office.
Former Private Prisoner Transport Officer Indicted for Sexual Assault and Lying to the FBIRead the Press Release
A federal indictment was unsealed yesterday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, charging a former private prisoner officer with sexually assaulting a male pretrial detainee during a prisoner transport and later lying to the FBI.
According to the indictment, at the time of the alleged crime, Dewayne Dudley, 55, of Claremore, Oklahoma, worked as a private prisoner transport officer for Blue Raven Services, a company that was hired by local jails and prisons throughout the country to transport people who had been arrested pursuant to out-of-state warrants and needed to be transported back to the states that had issued the warrants.
Count One of the indictment charges Dudley, while acting under color of law, with willfully depriving a male pretrial detainee whom he was transporting from Indiana to New Mexico, of his constitutional right to bodily integrity. The indictment alleges that Dudley’s conduct resulted in bodily injury to the victim and kidnapping. Count Two charges Dudley with knowingly and willfully making false statements to a Special Agent with the FBI regarding his transport of the victim.
If convicted, Dudley faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Compton for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Private Prisoner Transport Officer Indicted for Sexual Assault and Lying to the FBIRead the Press Release
A federal indictment was unsealed yesterday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, charging a former private prisoner officer with sexually assaulting a male pretrial detainee during a prisoner transport and later lying to the FBI.
According to the indictment, at the time of the alleged crime, Dewayne Dudley, 55, of Claremore, Oklahoma, worked as a private prisoner transport officer for Blue Raven Services, a company that was hired by local jails and prisons throughout the country to transport people who had been arrested pursuant to out-of-state warrants and needed to be transported back to the states that had issued the warrants.
Count One of the indictment charges Dudley, while acting under color of law, with willfully depriving a male pretrial detainee whom he was transporting from Indiana to New Mexico, of his constitutional right to bodily integrity. The indictment alleges that Dudley’s conduct resulted in bodily injury to the victim and kidnapping. Count Two charges Dudley with knowingly and willfully making false statements to a Special Agent with the FBI regarding his transport of the victim.
If convicted, Dudley faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Compton for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former North Texas Mayor and Land Developer Husband Sentenced for Public Corruption ConvictionsRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – The former mayor of Richardson, Texas, and a land developer whom she married after the federal investigation began, have been sentenced for their public corruption convictions in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Laura Jordan, also known as Laura Maczka, 57, and Mark Jordan, 55, both of Plano, Texas were convicted by a jury on July 24, 2021, of bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, tax fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax fraud. Laura Jordan was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant. Mark Jordan was also sentenced today by Judge Mazzant and received 72 months in federal prison.
“Citizens should be able to trust that their elected representatives honestly conduct themselves in a manner that solely benefits the community,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “When the greed of personal gain and benefit results from official actions taken on the pretense of altruistic motives, then the integrity of the whole process is corrupted. Jordan and Maczka have now been convicted by a jury of their peers and their punishment should reflect some measure of repair of that trust by the citizens of Richardson, Texas.”
“For the residents of Richardson, today is a step toward rebuilding public trust,” said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “Laura Jordan violated her obligation to serve her constituents, and along with Mark Jordan, carried out a conspiracy to commit bribery and tax fraud all while concealing their illicit conduct from the City of Richardson and its taxpayers. Our elected officials are held to the highest standards, and the FBI will continue to ensure that those who disregard their duty to serve the public are held fully accountable.”
According to information presented in court, from May 2013 through April 2015, Laura Maczka was the mayor of Richardson, Texas, and Jordan was a land developer. Maczka and Jordan conspired to devise and execute a scheme to commit bribery. Maczka, contrary to her campaign promises, supported and repeatedly voted for controversial zoning changes sought by Jordan, ultimately allowing for the construction of over 1,000 new apartments in Richardson near other Richardson neighborhoods. In exchange, Jordan paid Maczka over $18,000 in cash, an additional $40,000 by check, and paid for over $24,000 in renovations to Maczka’s home. Jordan also paid for luxury hotel stays and airfare upgrades for Maczka and provided Maczka lucrative employment at one of Jordan’s companies. According to court testimony, Maczka and Jordan failed to disclose to the public that they had coordinated to affect the zoning changes Jordan wanted and that Jordan had provided a stream of benefits to Maczka.
Maczka and Jordan were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 10, 2018.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the City of Richardson. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Rattan, Sean Taylor, Brent Andrus, Anand Varadarajan, Bradley Visosky, and other attorneys from the Plano branch office.
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Former Mahoning County Physician Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances and Causing the Deaths of Two PatientsRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND - Martin Escobar, 58, a former Mahoning County physician, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after he previously pleaded guilty to 54 counts of illegally prescribing controlled substances—including two counts of distributing controlled substances that caused the deaths of two patients and one count of distributing a controlled substance to a person under the age of 21—and 31 counts of health care fraud.
“Mr. Escobar repeatedly distributed dangerous and highly addictive controlled substances to his patients and ignored signs of addiction and other red flags that his actions were causing harm to those who entrusted him with their care, and falsifying justifications for issuing prescriptions he knew should never have been written,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Due to his behavior, two patients died from overdosing on the drugs he illegally prescribed to them. Our community is safer with Mr. Escobar now behind bars.”
“Violating a position of trust compounded by willfully neglecting the Hippocratic oath is cruel and cowardly,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge, Gregory Nelsen. “The sentence underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to investigating criminal activities and corrupt individuals that prey on innocent persons and endanger countless people. Whether one individual or a network of criminals, the valuable partnerships the FBI holds with federal, state and local law enforcement continues to protect the public and make our communities safer.”
“Escobar’s disregard for the well-being of those under his care caused the death of two vulnerable patients and endangered the health of many others,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue medical professionals who fuel the opioid epidemic and neglect the care of their patients.”
According to court documents, between March 2015 and October 2019, Escobar prescribed controlled substances out of his Lake Milton medical office, including opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, often in combination with benzodiazepines and stimulants, and did so outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Escobar used false diagnoses, falsified patient pain intensity scales in medical charts, increased dosages of controlled substances and prescribed painkillers for prolonged periods without evidence of efficacy to support his unlawful prescription practices. Furthermore, Escobar failed to pursue treatment options other than controlled substances and falsely claimed to have performed extensive physical examinations on his patients.
Escobar also ignored warning signs of patients’ drug addiction and abuse. This included ignoring the results of his patients’ urine drug screen tests, many of which Escobar ordered and had performed in his own medical office so that he could bill the government for the tests. These tests suggested that patients were abusing the drugs that Escobar had prescribed, using other controlled substances and selling their prescription drugs on the illegal secondary market. As a result, Escobar was charged and pleaded guilty to health care fraud in connection with the illegal prescribing and urine drug screen tests.
In addition, in July 2015 and 2016, Escobar unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to two patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Both patients later fatally overdosed from those drugs. In another instance, in April of 2018, Escobar unlawfully prescribed opioids to an individual under the age of 21 without a medical need.
“This guy thought he could outsmart the system by concealing his drug dealing behind a doctor’s coat – thankfully, our many partners in the investigation followed the paper trail of his prescription pad and stopped his scheme,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “This doctor will do no further harm behind bars, and Ohio’s taxpayers will benefit with less fraud in the healthcare system.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot Morrison, Michael L. Collyer, Brendan O’Shea and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan L. Metzler of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Former Long-Term Employee of Miami-Dade Police Department Convicted of Covid-19 Relief Fraud Sentenced to Prison TimeRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham sentenced 51-year-old Elisa Rivera to 60 days in federal prison, to be followed by 18 months of supervised release, after she pled guilty earlier this year to participating in a Covid-19 relief fraud conspiracy. Prior to the sentencing hearing, Rivera repaid to the federal government all the money she had fraudulently obtained for herself and others through the conspiracy: over $117,000.
When the pandemic hit our country in 2020, Rivera worked full-time with the Miami-Dade Police Department (“MDPD”) as an Administrative Officer. As an MDPD employee (which she had been for many years), Rivera suffered no loss of salary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, on July 3, 2020, Rivera authorized a co-conspirator to electronically submit an EIDL application on her behalf stating that Rivera was the 100% owner of a for-profit business operating under the name “Elisa Rivera.” That application falsely and fraudulently certified that the business named “Elisa Rivera” was established on or about March 1, 2017, and that during the 12 month period prior to January 31, 2020, that business had gross revenues of $325,446 and 12 employees. In reality, the defendant did not own any business, was not an independent contractor, and had no business gross revenues or employees. As a result of this fraudulent application, Rivera received $71,300 from the SBA in loans and grants.
After having the co-conspirator submit the fraudulent EIDL application on her behalf, Rivera offered to, and did, submit fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA on behalf of a limited group of other individuals (the “Applicants”) who also did not own small businesses and did not qualify for EIDL relief. These applications contained false representations as to the existence of their small businesses, their gross revenues, and the number of employees each business had. It was the intent of Rivera and the Applicants to obtain for the Applicants the $10,000 EIDL advances from the SBA, but not to obtain any additional loan amount. As a result of these fraudulent applications, four of the Applicants each received the $10,000 advances from SBA. In exchange for submitting these fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA, Rivera collected fees from the Applicants.
In February, Rivera pled guilty to a felony Information charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to file fraudulent applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for COVID-19 relief advance grants and low-interest COVID-19 relief loans. The full sentenced imposed yesterday by Senior Judge Graham was 60 days’ imprisonment, 18 months of supervised release (with the first 60 days in home confinement), restitution in the amount of $115,063.61, forfeiture in the amount of $2,000, and a $100 special assessment. As the judge recognized during yesterday’s hearing, Rivera satisfied her restitution and forfeiture obligations prior to their being ordered as part of her sentence. Rivera must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by November 4.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the Small Business Administration, Investigations Division (SBA-OIG), made the announcement.
FBI Miami (in particular, its Corruption Task Force, which includes task force officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Professional Compliance Bureau - Criminal Conspiracy Unit) and SBA-OIG investigated this matter. Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-20028.
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Former Governor of Puerto Rico Arrested in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A former governor of Puerto Rico was arrested today on bribery charges related to the financing of her 2020 campaign.
Relatedly, a political consultant for the former governor and the president of the international bank have also pleaded guilty to participating in the bribery scheme.
“The alleged bribery scheme rose to the highest levels of the Puerto Rican government, threatening public trust in our electoral processes and institutions of governance,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those who wrongly believe there is one rule of law for the powerful and another for the powerless. No one is above the rule of law.”
According to the indictment, from December 2019 through June 2020, then-Governor of Puerto Rico Wanda Vazquez Garced, 62, of San Juan, allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme with various individuals, including Julio Martin Herrera Velutini, Frances Diaz, Mark Rossini, and John Blakeman to finance Vazquez Garced’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign.
“The criminal actions of the defendants in this case strike a blow to the heart of our democracy and further erode the confidence of our citizens in their institutions of governance,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Our resolve to bring to justice those entrusted by the public to serve with integrity and who violate that trust remains steadfast. Equally steadfast is our resolve to prosecute those who seek to use their wealth and power to enrich themselves at the expense of honest government. I commend the dedication and hard work of the law enforcement personnel and prosecutors in this case, as well as those individuals willing to come forward and cooperate.”
Herrera Velutini, 50, a dual Venezuelan-Italian citizen residing in London, United Kingdom, owned an international bank operating in San Juan. Diaz, 50, of Puerto Rico was the CEO and President of the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini. Rossini, 60, of Madrid, Spain was a former FBI Special Agent who provided consulting services to Herrera Velutini. Blakeman, 53, of Puerto Rico, is a political consultant who worked on Vazquez Garced’s 2020 campaign.
“Public corruption manifests in many different ways,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “Those who engage in this illegal conduct often believe they are above the law or fool themselves into believing this is a victimless crime and thus are not doing anything wrong. Our message is and has been clear. Public corruption erodes the people’s trust in our institutions and fuels civil unrest. As a top priority for the FBI, wherever allegations of public corruption arise, we will investigate. No one is above the law and the victim of this crime, the People, deserve better.”
According to the indictment, beginning in 2019, Herrera Velutini’s bank was the subject of an examination by Puerto Rico’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF), a regulatory agency that oversees financial institutions operating in Puerto Rico. Through intermediaries, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly promised to provide funding to support Vazquez Garced’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign in exchange for Vazquez Garced terminating the Commissioner of OCIF and appointing a new Commissioner of Herrera Velutini’s choosing. The indictment alleges that Vazquez Garced accepted the offer of a bribe and, in February 2020, took official action to demand the resignation of OCIF Commissioner A and, in May 2020, to appoint OCIF Commissioner B – a former consultant for the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini – who had been personally selected by Herrera Velutini. In return, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly paid more than $300,000 to political consultants in support of Vazquez Garced’s campaign.
The indictment further alleges that following Vazquez Garced’s primary election loss in August 2020, Herrera Velutini sought to bribe her successor, Public Official A, by offering funding in support of Public Official A’s campaign in exchange for Public Official A ending OCIF’s audit of Herrera Velutini’s bank on terms favorable to Herrera Velutini. According to the indictment, between April 2021 and August 2021, Herrera Velutini allegedly used intermediaries to convey his offer of a bribe to a witness who held himself out as a representative of Public Official A, but who was in fact acting at the direction of the FBI. As noted in the indictment, the witness was acting at the direction of the FBI during this timeframe and not actually serving as an intermediary of, or acting on behalf of, Public Official A. In August 2021, Herrera Velutini allegedly directed a $25,000 payment to a political action committee associated with Public Official A, with the understanding and expectation that Public Official A would resolve OCIF’s audit of Herrera Velutini’s bank in the manner requested by Herrera Velutini.
Vazquez Garced, Herrera Velutini, and Rossini are each charged with conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and honest services wire fraud. Vazquez Garced is scheduled to make her initial court appearance today in federal court in the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted on all counts, they each face a maximum total penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Relatedly, the department also announced the guilty pleas of two individuals in connection with the schemes to bribe Vazquez Garced and Public Official A.
According to court documents, in March, Frances Diaz pleaded guilty to conspiring with Herrera Velutini and others to bribe Public Official A. Diaz was, until February 2022, the CEO and President of the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini. In March, John Blakeman pleaded guilty to conspiring with Herrera Velutini and Rossini to bribe Vazquez Garced, and with Herrera Velutini to bribe Public Official A.
Both Diaz and Blakeman face up to five years in prison. Their sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled. 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, U.S. Attorney Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Ryan R. Crosswell, Erica O. Waymack, and Nicholas W. Cannon of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case. Members of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section also provided assistance with the investigation, including Trial Attorneys Margaret Leigh Kessler and D. Zachary Adams, and Bank Integrity Unit Acting Chief Molly Moeser.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Governor of Puerto Rico Arrested in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former governor of Puerto Rico was arrested today on bribery charges related to the financing of her 2020 campaign.
Relatedly, a political consultant for the former governor and the president of the international bank have also pleaded guilty to participating in the bribery scheme.
“The alleged bribery scheme rose to the highest levels of the Puerto Rican government, threatening public trust in our electoral processes and institutions of governance,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those who wrongly believe there is one rule of law for the powerful and another for the powerless. No one is above the rule of law.”
According to the indictment, from December 2019 through June 2020, then-Governor of Puerto Rico Wanda Vázquez Garced, 62, of San Juan, allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme with various individuals, including Julio Martín Herrera Velutini, Frances Díaz, Mark Rossini, and John Blakeman to finance Vázquez Garced’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign.
“The criminal actions of the defendants in this case strike a blow to the heart of our democracy and further erode the confidence of our citizens in their institutions of governance,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Our resolve to bring to justice those entrusted by the public to serve with integrity and who violate that trust remains steadfast. Equally steadfast is our resolve to prosecute those who seek to use their wealth and power to enrich themselves at the expense of honest government. I commend the dedication and hard work of the law enforcement personnel and prosecutors in this case, as well as those individuals willing to come forward and cooperate.”
Herrera Velutini, 50, a dual Venezuelan-Italian citizen residing in London, United Kingdom, owned an international bank operating in San Juan. Díaz, 50, of Puerto Rico was the CEO and President of the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini. Rossini, 60, of Madrid, Spain was a former FBI Special Agent who provided consulting services to Herrera Velutini. Blakeman, 53, of Puerto Rico, is a political consultant who worked on Vázquez Garced’s 2020 campaign.
“Public corruption manifests in many different ways,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “Those who engage in this illegal conduct often believe they are above the law or fool themselves into believing this is a victimless crime and thus are not doing anything wrong. Our message is and has been clear. Public corruption erodes the people’s trust in our institutions and fuels civil unrest. As a top priority for the FBI, wherever allegations of public corruption arise, we will investigate. No one is above the law and the victim of this crime, the People, deserve better.”
According to the indictment, beginning in 2019, Herrera Velutini’s bank was the subject of an examination by Puerto Rico’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF), a regulatory agency that oversees financial institutions operating in Puerto Rico. Through intermediaries, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly promised to provide funding to support Vázquez Garced’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign in exchange for Vázquez Garced terminating the Commissioner of OCIF and appointing a new Commissioner of Herrera Velutini’s choosing. The indictment alleges that Vázquez Garced accepted the offer of a bribe and, in February 2020, took official action to demand the resignation of OCIF Commissioner A and, in May 2020, to appoint OCIF Commissioner B – a former consultant for the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini – who had been personally selected by Herrera Velutini. In return, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly paid more than $300,000 to political consultants in support of Vázquez Garced’s campaign.
The indictment further alleges that following Vázquez Garced’s primary election loss in August 2020, Herrera Velutini sought to bribe her successor, Public Official A, by offering funding in support of Public Official A’s campaign in exchange for Public Official A ending OCIF’s audit of Herrera Velutini’s bank on terms favorable to Herrera Velutini. According to the indictment, between April 2021 and August 2021, Herrera Velutini allegedly used intermediaries to convey his offer of a bribe to a witness who held himself out as a representative of Public Official A, but who was in fact acting at the direction of the FBI. As noted in the indictment, the witness was acting at the direction of the FBI during this timeframe and not actually serving as an intermediary of, or acting on behalf of, Public Official A. In August 2021, Herrera Velutini allegedly directed a $25,000 payment to a political action committee associated with Public Official A, with the understanding and expectation that Public Official A would resolve OCIF’s audit of Herrera Velutini’s bank in the manner requested by Herrera Velutini.
Vázquez Garced, Herrera Velutini, and Rossini are each charged with conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and honest services wire fraud. Vázquez Garced is scheduled to make her initial court appearance today in federal court in the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted on all counts, they each face a maximum total penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Relatedly, the department also announced the guilty pleas of two individuals in connection with the schemes to bribe Vázquez Garced and Public Official A.
According to court documents, in March, Frances Díaz pleaded guilty to conspiring with Herrera Velutini and others to bribe Public Official A. Díaz was, until February 2022, the CEO and President of the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini. In March, John Blakeman pleaded guilty to conspiring with Herrera Velutini and Rossini to bribe Vázquez Garced, and with Herrera Velutini to bribe Public Official A.
Both Díaz and Blakeman face up to five years in prison. Their sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled. 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, U.S. Attorney Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s San Juan Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Ryan R. Crosswell, Erica O. Waymack, and Nicholas W. Cannon of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case. Members of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section also provided assistance with the investigation, including Trial Attorneys Margaret Leigh Kessler and D. Zachary Adams, and Bank Integrity Unit Acting Chief Molly Moeser.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Erie County Sheriff Sergeant Charged with Deprivation of RightsRead the Press Release
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a former Sergeant with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office was charged in a one-count indictment with deprivation of rights.
According to the indictment, Adam Bess, 34, of Sandusky, is accused of choking a victim while acting under the color of law on or about November 1, 2021. The indictment states that Bess, acting as a law enforcement officer, willfully used unreasonable force on the victim. It is alleged that, as a result of this offense, the victim suffered bodily injury.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum; in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Toledo FBI and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Freeman and Tracey B. Tangeman.
Former Director of Finance for the La Jolla Music Society Sentenced to 30 months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Mark Conover (619) 546-6763
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 4, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Chris Benavides, former finance director at La Jolla Music Society, was sentenced in federal court today to 30 months in prison for embezzling more than $650,000 from the non-profit over a 10-year period. Benavides was also ordered to pay a minimum of $650,000 in restitution.
Benavides oversaw the budgeting process and human resources. Over the years he regularly claimed that many staff salary increases were not possible due to budgetary constraints. However, during that same period, Benavides was stealing for himself an average of about $65,000 per year.
Forensic review revealed that over the years Benavides’ theft became more and more sophisticated. He regularly planned his theft in advance of each fiscal year, budgeting for the amount that he would take over the next 12 months and imbedding those expenses in various budget lines. This ensured that none of the expense lines would show conspicuous variances when reviewed by other staff, board members or auditors. It was also discovered he regularly signed or forged checks for his personal benefit and made false entries in the books to hide what he was doing.
“Mr. Benavides exploited his position of trust with the La Jolla Music Society by stealing month after month for over a decade,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “His greed and deception have had a lasting impact on this non-profit. Today, he has been held to account for his crimes.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and FBI agents for their excellent work on this case.
“La Jolla Music Society trusted their Director of Finance to safeguard the non-profit’s funds, but Benavides had a different plan,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “Instead, the defendant strategically calculated year over year to systematically steal from his employer, selfishly lining his own pockets. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to Benavides that he will be held accountable for his crimes, but more than that, it provides justice for the victims, so they can hopefully begin to move forward into a new chapter.”
DEFENDANT Case Number 22cr3042-CAB
Chris Benavides Age: 52 San Diego
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gain/loss, whichever is greater
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Foreign national gets nearly 20 years for smuggling over $1M in methRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 33-year-old Mexican citizen has been ordered to prison for conspiracy to import and importation of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury convicted Juan Victor Larraga-Solano Aug. 25, 2021, following a two-day trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered that he serve a total of 235 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness of drug smuggling and the significant quantity of meth Larraga-Solano attempted to bring into the United States. Judge Marmolejo also pointed out that Larraga-Solano’s testimony at trial did not make any sense and that he had not acknowledged any responsibility for his actions.
Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.
On March 8, 2020, Larraga-Solano attempted to enter the United States through the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo. He claimed he was importing glass beer bottles, juice boxes and meat contained in coolers from Mexico.
Law enforcement inspected the items and noticed that, when shaken, the juice boxes sounded as if they contained rocks. Further, the alleged beer did not have any bubbles. A follow up X-ray examination also revealed anomalies in the walls of the coolers. Authorities conducted a thorough inspection and found 56 packages of meth and 12 beer bottles containing liquid meth.
Overall, authorities seized a total of 44.56 kilograms of meth from Larraga-Solano.
During trral, the jury heard the total estimated street value was in excess of $1.1 million.
Testimony at trial revealed that Mexican cartels have increased the price of meth to raise demand for less expensive drugs like cocaine and marijuana.
Larraga-Solano has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Brandon S. Bowling and former AUSA Adam E. Harper prosecuted the case.
Foreign National Admits to Participating in an International Scheme to Defraud Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Indian national today admitted his role in an international conspiracy that preyed on elderly victims in New Jersey and throughout the United States, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Ashish Bajaj, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
From April 2020 to August 2021, Bajaj and his conspirators preyed on elderly victims across the United States by impersonating fraud prevention specialists from various banks, online retailers, and online payment companies. They contacted victims and falsely claimed that they were fraud prevention specialists employed by reputable companies and that the victims’ accounts with banks, online retailers, or online payments companies were being targeted for fraud. Bajaj and his conspirators then falsely told the victims that their fraud prevention efforts required the victims’ assistance in a sting operation to catch the perpetrators.
Bajaj and the conspirators asked the elderly victims to send money from their bank accounts to accounts controlled by Bajaj and the conspirators and falsely promised to return their money within a few days of the purported sting operation. The victims were also falsely promised that once they sent the money, the sting operation would result in the arrest of the purported perpetrators. The victims sent international wire transfers to various banks located in India, China, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The victims also sent money through an online application to bank accounts held by Bajaj in the United States. The victims further sent cash and cashier checks to Bajaj at an address in California. The scheme resulted in losses of over $250,000.
The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
Foley Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Firearm Offense While Impersonating an FBI AgentRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced that United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced defendant Kelcey Turner, 36, to thirty-seven months in prison for possessing a firearm while he was a drug-addicted person. Turner entered a guilty plea to those offenses on April 1, 2022.
According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, on March 11, 2021, Kelcey Turner approached a uniformed Foley police officer while the officer was directing traffic in a school zone. Turner was wearing a shoulder style holster with a semi-automatic Glock 9mm. The officer asked Turner if there was a problem. Turner responded “I don’t know, is there?” and then left the area in an indigo colored Dodge Challenger. The officer reported the incident and asked for other officers to be aware.
Turner then pulled up to Servpro in Baldwin County. Once there, Turner encountered an employee of Servpro. Turner walked up to the employee and pulled the Glock 9mm from his holster, loaded a magazine in the weapon, pulled the slide back to charge the weapon, and pointed the weapon at the employee. Turner identified himself as a special agent with the FBI and grabbed the employee’s wallet and removed his identification. Turner acted as if he had a radio and earpiece in his ear and called out the employee’s identifying information. At this time, other employees from Servpro exited the building and witnessed the interaction between Turner and the employee. Turner told the other employees that he was an FBI agent. The employees asked to see his badge, and Turner replied that FBI agents don’t carry badges. Turner then grabbed the employee’s left arm, twisted it behind his back, and moved the employee from his car to another vehicle approximately three cars away. Turner then left the scene. The Servpro employees called Foley PD, and they issued an alert for TURNER and his vehicle.
Shortly after the alert was announced, a patrol officer spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The Glock 9mm was on Turner’s person in the shoulder holster. Turner stated he had a SKS rifle as well. Officers recovered in TURNER’s automobile or in his residence: a Glock 9mm pistol, serial number SLS726; and a semi-automatic Norinco rifle, SKS 7.62x39, serial number 8151167P, and two 15 round 9mm magazines, and one 31 round 9mm magazine, and one 50 round Glock 9mm drum magazine, and 23 Perfecta 9mm Luger rounds of ammunition, and one KCI 7.62x39 75 round drum magazine.
Turner was interviewed and admitted to being under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.
Judge Moorer imposed a thirty-seven month sentence of incarceration. The judge also ordered Turner to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his discharge from prison. Judge Moorer ordered substance abuse testing, substance abuse treatment, and mental health treatment as conditions of Turner’s sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Foley Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case.
Fenton man admits stealing $1.1 million from investorsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Fenton on Thursday admitted bilking investors out of at least $1.1 million with false claims of lucrative contracts with a Texas airport.
From Sept. 2, 2020 through at least Nov. 16, 2021, Harish Sunkara falsely told potential investors that he had won contracts with the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Sunkara’s company, Pace Solutions, had won a $49,500 contract to provide the airport with IT training software. But Sunkara on Thursday admitted using forged, altered and fraudulent versions of the past, legitimate contract documents to convince investors that he’d won far larger contracts, worth between $750,000 and $950,000. The documents also included the forged signature of the airport’s contract administrator.
One investor wired $150,000.00 to Sunkara’s Pace Solutions bank account. Another sent him $200,000. A third sent $100,000. A fourth sent $645,000, Sunkara’s plea says.
Sunkara did not use the money on the fictitious business venture, however. On multiple occasions when investors wired him money, he sent all or part of it to Las Vegas casinos. Between 2020 and 2021, Sunkara spent at least $5.5 million at casinos in eastern Missouri and Nevada.
Sunkara, 51, pleaded guilty Thursday in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp to two counts of aggravated identity theft. Each charge carries a penalty of two years in prison and the possibility of a fine up to $250,000. At Sunkara’s sentencing, scheduled for Nov. 1, he will also be ordered to repay the money.
“Harish Sunkara lured investors with false promises of a low-risk, high-return investment, when all he did was steal their money,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “Verify investment information independently, especially when an offer seems too good to be true.”
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.
Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing FirearmsRead 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 Robert Shelton, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that Shelton was previously convicted of felony charges in 2008, 2009, and 2012, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On March 7, 2020, Shelton sold two firearms to an individual working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, including a pistol, a rifle, and ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Trafficking Narcotics into Southeastern ConnecticutRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found KAREEM SWINTON, also known as “K,” 40, last residing in Owings Mills, Maryland, guilty of narcotics trafficking offenses.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, in 2018, the FBI, the Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a narcotics trafficking organization that was operating in southeastern Connecticut. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of crack, revealed that Swinton, who formerly resided in Norwich, trafficked narcotics into the Norwich area, where co-conspirators further distributed the drugs.
Swinton has been detained in federal custody since February 21, 2019.
Yesterday, the jury found Swinton guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance. Ten other individuals were previously convicted of narcotics trafficking offenses stemming from this investigation.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer has scheduled sentencing for October 26, 2022, at which time Swinton faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count.
The maximum penalties that Swinton faces are enhanced based on Swinton’s criminal history, which includes a prior federal conviction for trafficking cocaine and crack. In June 2008, Swinton was arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol after he was found in possession of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and more than two pounds of marijuana that he was transporting from Arizona to Connecticut. In August 2009, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 100 months of imprisonment for that offense.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwich, Town of Groton, and Waterford Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Delaware State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Marc H. Silverman 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.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order to Prevent Tampa-Area Pharmacist from Filling PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area pharmacist from filling prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, the Department of Justice announced today.
In a complaint filed on August 1 and unsealed today, the United States alleges that Nathaniel Esalomi unlawfully distributed powerful opioids by filling prescriptions he knew were not valid at Apexx Pharmacy in Hudson, Florida, where he is the owner and sole pharmacist. The complaint alleges that Esalomi charged dramatically inflated prices to fill opioid prescriptions and accepted thousands of dollars in cash for the drugs. The complaint further alleges that Esalomi instructed individuals to forge signatures on certain forms and to falsify addresses. The complaint also alleges that Esalomi filled numerous controlled substance prescriptions for persons who were deceased.
“Pharmacists who knowingly fill invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances violate the law and endanger our communities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to prosecute medical professionals who put profit over public safety.”
“The illegal distribution of opioids by medical professionals has caused great harm to people in our communities, and has led to a nationwide epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We are committed to using every enforcement tool available to stop those individuals whose unlawful actions and abandonment of their professional responsibilities have fueled the opioid crisis.”
“In the midst of a deadly overdose epidemic in our country, addressing the diversion of opioids and other controlled substances is a top priority for DEA,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “DEA remains steadfast in our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that our communities are safe and healthy.”
The temporary restraining order was issued by U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks to permanently enjoin Esalomi from filling prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, and from owning or supervising a pharmacy.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn B. Tapie and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order to Prevent Tampa-Area Pharmacist from Filling PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area pharmacist from filling prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, the Department of Justice announced today.
In a complaint filed on August 1 and unsealed today, the United States alleges that Nathaniel Esalomi unlawfully distributed powerful opioids by filling prescriptions he knew were not valid at Apexx Pharmacy in Hudson, Florida, where he is the owner and sole pharmacist. The complaint alleges that Esalomi charged dramatically inflated prices to fill opioid prescriptions and accepted thousands of dollars in cash for the drugs. The complaint further alleges that Esalomi instructed individuals to forge signatures on certain forms and to falsify addresses. The complaint also alleges that Esalomi filled numerous controlled substance prescriptions for persons who were deceased.
“Pharmacists who knowingly fill invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances violate the law and endanger our communities,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to prosecute medical professionals who put profit over public safety.”
“The illegal distribution of opioids by medical professionals has caused great harm to people in our communities, and has led to a nationwide epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We are committed to using every enforcement tool available to stop those individuals whose unlawful actions and abandonment of their professional responsibilities have fuelled the opioid crisis.”
“In the midst of a deadly overdose epidemic in our country, addressing the diversion of opioids and other controlled substances is a top priority for DEA,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “DEA remains steadfast in our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that our communities are safe and healthy.”
The temporary restraining order was issued by U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks to permanently enjoin Esalomi from filling prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, and from owning or supervising a pharmacy.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn B. Tapie and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial.
Employee of Cottonport Housing Authority Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Program FundsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Lisa G. Cooper, 55, of Cottonport, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to federal program theft. The hearing was held today before United States District Judge Dee D. Drell.
According to evidence presented to the court, Cooper was employed by, and an agent of, the Cottonport Housing Authority (“CHA”), which is a local government agency that provides subsidized housing to low income individuals. The CHA received more than $10,000 per year in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) in the form of capital funds and operating subsidies.
In 2019, a routine financial audit was conducted, and it revealed some accounting discrepancies at the CHA, specifically, that from 2017 through 2019, tenant payments were being diverted from the CHA. Further investigation revealed that Cooper had been embezzling funds from the CHA. While acting as an agent of the CHA, Cooper had been collecting rental payments on behalf of the agency from the CHA’s tenants in the form of money orders, with the payee and payor sections of the money orders left blank. Cooper would then enter her name as the payee and deposit the money orders into her personal bank accounts. The investigation revealed that approximately $30,079.05 in money orders was deposited into her personal bank accounts from 2017 through 2019.
Cooper admitted at today’s hearing that she acted as an agent of the CHA and embezzled and stole property from the CHA which she was not entitled to receive. She faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
“This local government agency was there to assist low income individuals and this defendant’s choice to steal these funds for her own personal benefit is appalling,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These types of crimes are ones that we will continue to pursue and prosecute.”
“This investigation represents our continuing resolve to address instances of fraud involving HUD programs,” said Bertrand Nelson, Special Agent in Charge, HUD, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect the integrity of our programs and take swift action against those who embezzle funds intended for those most vulnerable in our communities.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Daniel Siefker.
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Durable Medical Equipment Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Ariel Madero Paez, 56, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Ft. Pierce to fraudulently billing Medicare over $2 million for durable medical that was never provided to beneficiaries.
According to court records, from November 2021 through May 2022, Madero owned Always Medical Supply (“Always”), located in Stuart, Florida. Always, a Florida corporation, purported to provide durable medical equipment (“DME”) to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. In a five-month period in 2022, Always submitted approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for DME that Always never provided, and that Medicare beneficiaries never requested. As a result, Medicare paid over $1.4 million. After Madero’s arrest on May 6, 2022 at the Miami International Airport, bank accounts for Always and Madero had a sum of over $500,000 derived from or traceable to the health care fraud.
United States District Court Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks will sentence Madero on October 5, at 11:00 a.m. in West Palm Beach. At sentencing, Madero faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years on the health care charges.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Omar Pérez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region announced the guilty plea that defendant entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek M. Maynard.
HHS-OIG Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana M. Acosta prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Laserna is handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-14023.
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Douglas Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Liquid Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On Monday, Rey Moreno-Vasquez, 52, of Douglas, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 70 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Moreno-Vasquez previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
In March 2017, law enforcement officers seized a load of liquid methamphetamine that was hidden in 52 sealed beverage bottles that were being transported in a vehicle in the southeastern United States. Investigators later learned that Moreno-Vasquez was involved in a conspiracy to traffic liquid methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States. The investigation led to a second seizure in Arizona in August 2017, in which the liquid methamphetamine was being smuggled in a recreational vehicle destined for Atlanta, Georgia. The liquid methamphetamine was hidden in bottles labeled as iced tea, juice, and ginger ale. The total amount seized by law enforcement was approximately 234 kilograms.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stefani K. Hepford and Ashley Culver, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-00549-TUC-CKJ (LAB)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-130_Moreno-Vasquez# # #
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.
District of Columbia Man Sentenced to Prison Term for July 4, 2020 Slaying of 11-Year-Old BoyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Daryle Bond, 20, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to eight years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Davon McNeal on July 4, 2020, in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Bond pleaded guilty in February 2022, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to voluntary manslaughter while armed. The plea agreement, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon term of 7 ½-to-9 ½- years in prison. The Honorable Rainey R. Brandt accepted the plea and sentenced Bond accordingly. Following his prison term, he will be placed on five years of supervised release. The sentence was consistent with the Court’s voluntary sentencing guidelines.
Three other men, also from Washington, D.C., were sentenced on June 3, 2022, for their roles in the crimes. All pleaded guilty in February 2022 to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Carlo General, 22, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Marcel Gordon, 27, was sentenced to 10 years, and Christen Wingfield, 24, was sentenced to a 9 ½-year prison term.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 4, 2020, at approximately 9:15 p.m., General, Gordon, Wingfield, and Bond were congregating at a barbeque near the cul-de-sac in front of an apartment building located in the 1400 block of Cedar Street SE. Cedar Street is a long road that ends in a cul-de-sac. The entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street intersects diagonally with a street that is known as the “alley.”
Near the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street, Davon McNeal – 11 years old – was exiting a vehicle and walking towards a basement apartment in the Frederick Douglass Garden Apartment Complex. At a certain point, General, armed with a firearm with a laser sight, started running towards the entrance of the 1400 block of Cedar Street and fired his weapon towards the alley. Surveillance footage shows Davon running towards the basement apartment and falling after General fired his weapon.
Approximately six seconds later, Gordon, while running behind General, fired his weapon in the same direction. Bond, also armed with a firearm, ran towards the entrance of the 1400 block on a sidewalk on the side of the apartment building, along with Wingfield, who was armed with a firearm as well and running on the road.
All four defendants gathered in front of the apartment building and looked down the alley. The group subsequently ran in the direction of a playground with guns drawn. Bond, General and Gordon all fired their firearms as they were running away.
An autopsy concluded that Davon’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head.
General was arrested on July 30, 2020. Bond was arrested on July 10, 2020. Wingfield was arrested on July 11, 2020. Gordon was arrested on Sept. 1, 2020. All have been in custody since their arrests.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Criminal Investigations Division Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lashone Samuels, former Victim/ Witness Specialist Marcia Rinker, Victim/ Witness Specialist Latrice Washington-Williams, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin.
Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shehzad Akhtar, Stephen Rickard, and Jack Korba, who investigated and prosecuted the case, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Adeyola, who provided valuable assistance.
Detroit man sentenced for his role in a drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kaemon Bernard-Donyell King, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 12 months of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
King, also known as “Twin,” 20, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl in Proximity to a Protected Location.” King admitted to selling fentanyl near Fairmont Senior High School and Fairmont State University in July 2020 in Marion County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug Task Force and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/west-virginia-and-detroit-residents-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation
Detroit man sentenced for his role in a drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Derek David Henderson of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 60 months of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Henderson, 42, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to one count of “Distribution of Five Grams or More of Methamphetamine.” Henderson admitted to working with another to sell more than five grams of methamphetamine in May 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Three Rivers Drug Task Force and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/west-virginia-and-detroit-residents-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation
Delaware County Man Sentenced to over 1 ½ Years in Prison for CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Karanjot Singh, 25, of Upper Darby, PA, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison, and three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky for cyberstalking a woman online for the better part of a year.
Beginning in March 2020 and continuing for more than 9 months, the defendant stalked a woman online by sending in excess of 100 sexually violent and threatening text messages to her. The defendant terrorized her repeatedly, messaging her at all hours of the day and night with escalating threats to rape and murder her and her family members. In order to disguise his true identity and as part of the course of his harassment of the victim, the defendant used multiple cell phone applications that allowed him to create numerous anonymous phone numbers. Following an intensive investigation, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation ultimately traced each of the “anonymous” phone numbers and linked them to the defendant, after which he was arrested.
“This defendant used his words as weapons, sending threatening messages and personal information to reinforce the targeted bullying of his victim,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “His behavior very well could have escalated, which is why sending threatening communications is a crime, and why our Office and our partners take threats so seriously.”
“Singh was strategic in his cyber torment of his victim,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “His actions were intended to inflict emotional harm and the fear of physical violence and that’s exactly what they did. Cyberstalking is a serious crime, and you can be sure the FBI will work to unmask and hold accountable anyone who uses today’s technology in such a vile way.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony J. Carissimi.
Current and Former Louisville, Kentucky Police Officers Charged with Federal Crimes Related to Death of Breonna TaylorRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned two indictments that were unsealed today, and the Department of Justice filed a third charging document today, in connection with an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old woman who was shot and killed in her Louisville home on March 13, 2020, by police officers executing a search warrant.
“The Justice Department has charged four current and former Louisville Metro Police Department officers with federal crimes related to Breonna Taylor’s death,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Among other things, the federal charges announced today allege that members of LMPD’s Place-Based Investigations Unit falsified the affidavit used to obtain the search warrant of Ms. Taylor’s home, that this act violated federal civil rights laws, and that those violations resulted in Ms. Taylor’s death. Breonna Taylor should be alive today. The Justice Department is committed to defending and protecting the civil rights of every person in this country. That was this Department’s founding purpose, and it remains our urgent mission.”
“On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor should have awakened in her home as usual, but tragically she did not,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. “Since the founding of our nation, the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution has guaranteed that all people have a right to be secure in their homes, free from false warrants, unreasonable searches and the use of unjustifiable and excessive force by the police. These indictments reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system and to protecting the constitutional rights of every American.”
The first indictment charges former Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Detective Joshua Jaynes, 40, and current LMPD Sergeant Kyle Meany, 35, with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses for their roles in preparing and approving a false search warrant affidavit that resulted in Taylor’s death. The second indictment charges former LMPD Detective Brett Hankison, 46, with civil rights offenses for firing his service weapon into Taylor’s apartment through a covered window and covered glass door. The third charging document — an information filed by the Department of Justice — charges LMPD Detective Kelly Goodlett with conspiring with Jaynes to falsify the search warrant for Taylor’s home and to cover up their actions afterward.
The first indictment — charging Jaynes and Meany in connection with the allegedly false warrant — contains four counts. Count One charges that Jaynes and Meany, while acting in their official capacities as officers, willfully deprived Taylor of her constitutional rights by drafting and approving a false affidavit to obtain a search warrant for Taylor’s home. The indictment alleges that Jaynes and Meany knew that the affidavit contained false and misleading statements, omitted material facts, relied on stale information, and was not supported by probable cause. The indictment also alleges that Jaynes and Meany knew that the execution of the search warrant would be carried out by armed LMPD officers, and could create a dangerous situation both for those officers and for anyone who happened to be in Taylor’s home. According to the charges, the officers tasked with executing the warrant were not involved in drafting the warrant affidavit and were not aware that it was false. This count alleges that the offense resulted in Taylor’s death.
Count Two charges Jaynes with conspiracy, for agreeing with another detective to cover up the false warrant affidavit after Taylor’s death by drafting a false investigative letter and making false statements to criminal investigators. Count Three charges Jaynes with falsifying a report with the intent to impede a criminal investigation into Taylor’s death. Count Four charges Meany with making a false statement to federal investigators.
The second indictment —against Hankison — includes two civil rights charges alleging that Hankison willfully used unconstitutionally excessive force, while acting in his official capacity as an officer, when he fired his service weapon into Taylor’s apartment through a covered window and covered glass door. Count One charges him with depriving Taylor and a person staying with Taylor in her apartment of their constitutional rights by firing shots through a bedroom window that was covered with blinds and a blackout curtain. Count Two charges Hankison with depriving three of Taylor’s neighbors of their constitutional rights by firing shots through a sliding glass door that was covered with blinds and a curtain; the indictment alleges that several of Hankison’s bullets traveled through the wall of Taylor’s home and into the apartment unit occupied by her neighbors. Both counts allege that Hankison used a dangerous weapon, and that his conduct involved an attempt to kill.
The information charging Goodlett with conspiracy contains one count. It charges Goodlett with conspiring with Jaynes to falsify the warrant affidavit for Taylor’s home, and file a false report to cover up the false affidavit.
All of the civil rights charges involve alleged violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, which makes it a crime for an official acting under color of law — meaning an official who is using or abusing authority given to that person by the government — to willfully violate a person’s constitutional rights. A violation of this statute carries a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment where the violation results in death or involves an attempt to kill. The obstruction counts charged in the indictments carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years; and the conspiracy counts carry a statutory maximum sentence of five years, as does the false-statements charge. Actual sentences, in case of conviction, are determined by a judge.
The charges announced today are separate from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s pattern or practice investigation into Louisville Metro Government and the Louisville Metro Police Department, which Attorney General Garland announced on April 26, 2021. The charges announced today are criminal against individual officers, while the ongoing pattern or practice investigation is a civil investigation that is examining allegations of systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by LMPD and Louisville Metro. The civil pattern or practice investigation is being handled independently from the criminal case by a different team of career staff.
The charges announced today are also separate from the charges previously filed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Hankison related to the shooting at Taylor’s home. The federal charges allege violations of the U.S. Constitution, rather than of state law. The federal charges also allege excessive use of force with respect to Taylor and a person staying in her apartment; violations not included in the Commonwealth’s case.
These federal cases were investigated by the FBI Louisville Field Office. Trial Attorneys Michael J. Songer and Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the cases with Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo of the Eastern District of Kentucky.
An indictment or an information is merely a formal allegation of criminal conduct. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cuatro Guatemaltecos Imputados por la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha y Arrestados Como Parte de la Eliminación de la Mortal Red de Tráfico de Personas basada en GuatemalaRead the Press Release
El martes, los extensos esfuerzos de coordinación y cooperación entre las autoridades del orden público de los Estados Unidos y Guatemala culminaron con la realización por parte de la Policía Nacional Civil de Guatemala (PNC) de una importante operación para desarticular y desmantelar una organización transnacional de tráfico de personas. Esta operación incluyó la detención de cuatro presuntos traficantes de personas que han sido imputados en los Estados Unidos.
El 2 de agosto, las fuerzas del orden público guatemaltecas ejecutaron 26 órdenes de allanamiento en Huehuetenango, El Quiché, Totonicapán, y Alta y Baja Verapaz, y arrestaron a 19 individuos, incluyendo a los cuatro fugitivos estadounidenses. Como resultado de las órdenes de allanamiento, las fuerzas del orden público recuperaron 10 vehículos de alto valor, armas de fuego y dinero en efectivo.
Felipe Diego Alonzo, alias “Siete,” 38; Nesly Norberto Martínez Gómez, alias “Canche,” 37; López Mateo Mateo, alias “Bud Light,” 42; y Juan Gutiérrez Castro, alias “Andrés,” 45; fueron arrestados en Guatemala a solicitud de los Estados Unidos en virtud de cargos previamente presentados en el Distrito Oeste de Texas (WDTX) y dados a conocer ayer. Los acusados supuestamente conspiraron con otros traficantes para facilitar el viaje de un gran número de migrantes desde Guatemala a través de México y, ultimadamente a los Estados Unidos, cobrando a los migrantes y a sus familias aproximadamente US$10,000 a US$12,000 por el viaje peligroso. Además del prolífico tráfico de migrantes a los Estados Unidos, se alega que los traficantes de personas que fueron objeto de esta operación son responsables de la muerte de una joven indígena guatemalteca que murió en Texas en abril de 2021. Las autoridades guatemaltecas arrestaron a Diego Alonzo, Martínez Gómez, Mateo Mateo y Gutiérrez Castro en virtud de las solicitudes de extradición de Estados Unidos.
La familia de la víctima pagó a los sindicados aproximadamente $10,000 dólares por el viaje a los Estados Unidos. Según la imputación, los sindicados y sus cómplices la guiaron durante varios días a través del desierto hasta Odessa, Texas, donde finalmente pereció. Al enterarse de su muerte, los sindicados y sus cómplices trabajaron rápidamente para deshacerse del cuerpo y lo tiraron a la orilla de un camino rural en el Condado Crane, Texas. Los sindicados y sus cómplices organizaron entonces el pago a la familia de la víctima.
“La Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha fue creada para investigar y procesar a las redes internacionales responsables de actividades peligrosas y abundantes de tráfico de personas que explotan y victimizan a los migrantes,” dijo el asistente del fiscal general Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., de la División Criminal del Departamento de Justicia. “Estas imputaciones demuestran el compromiso del Departamento de Justicia de responsabilizar a las organizaciones criminales que se aprovechan de las personas vulnerables para obtener ganancias. El personal dedicado de la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha (JTFA), junto con nuestros socios internacionales encargados de hacer cumplir la ley, están trabajando incansablemente para desarticular y desmantelar estas redes dañinas de tráfico y trata.”
“Estos arrestos recientes son la culminación de más de un año de esfuerzos de coordinación e investigación internacional de esta extensa operación de tráfico de personas,” dijo la Fiscal Federal de EE. UU. Ashley C. Hoff. “Esta organización delictiva específica ha traficado a un gran número de migrantes de Guatemala, entre ellos una joven que murió mientras estaba siendo traficada, y cuyo cuerpo posteriormente fue arrojado cruelmente por los traficantes en el Condado Crane, Texas. Junto con nuestros socios, la Fiscalía Federal de EE. UU. para el Distrito Oeste de Texas está comprometida en hacer justicia para ella y a hacer que todos los delincuentes rindan cuentas de sus crímenes, incluyendo a los miembros de la organización criminal que permanecen en Guatemala.”
“HSI está profundamente inmerso en la lucha global contra el tráfico de personas, y eso incluye nuestras Operaciones Internacionales en Centroamérica y Sur América,” dijo Steve Francis, director ejecutivo en funciones de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI). “La lucha contra este horrible crimen transnacional es una de nuestras principales prioridades: nuestros agentes especiales están activamente involucrados con los socios de las fuerzas del orden y las fuerzas de tarea de todo el mundo que trabajan para desmantelar las redes criminales que tratan la vida humana como una mercancía. Continuaremos erradicando a los involucrados en este crimen y llevando a los presuntos autores, como estos cuatro, ante la justicia.”
“Las organizaciones criminales transnacionales siguen poniendo en peligro imprudentemente las vidas de personas que trafican para su propio beneficio financiero, sin importarles la vida humana,” dijo el subcomisionado de CBP, Troy Miller. “CBP apoya a la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha mediante el intercambio de información y el análisis de su personal de primera línea y el Centro Nacional de Objetivos de CBP. Esa coordinación es esencial para identificar organizaciones criminales transnacionales y llevar a los traficantes de humanos ante la justicia.”
Las imputaciones contra Diego Alonzo, Martínez Gómez, Mateo Mateo y Gutiérrez Castro, y la asistencia prestada por las autoridades estadounidenses a las fuerzas del orden público de Guatemala fueron coordinadas por la Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta Alpha (JTFA). La JTFA fue creada por el fiscal general en junio de 2021 en alianza con el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), para fortalecer los esfuerzos generales del Departamento para combatir estos delitos basados en el aumento del abundante y peligroso tráfico que surge de Centroamérica y afecta a nuestras comunidades fronterizas. El objetivo de la JTFA es desbaratar y desmantelar las redes de tráfico y trata de personas que operan en El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y México, centrándose en las redes que ponen en peligro, abusan o explotan a los migrantes, presentan riesgos de seguridad nacional o participan en otros tipos de crimen organizado transnacional.
Desde su creación, la JTFA ha aumentado con éxito la coordinación y colaboración entre el Departamento de Justicia, el DHS y otros participantes interinstitucionales de las fuerzas del orden público, y con asociados extranjeros de las fuerzas del orden público, entre ellos El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y México; dirigido a aquellas organizaciones que tienen mayor impacto en los Estados Unidos, y coordinaron importantes acusaciones de tráfico y esfuerzos de extradición en las fiscalías de los Estados Unidos en todo el país. A la fecha, el trabajo de la JTFA con sus socios ha resultado en acusaciones criminales y más de cien de arrestos nacionales e internacionales, incluyendo importantes líderes, organizadores y facilitadores de las actividades de tráfico de personas; varias docenas de condenas; se han impuesto importantes sentencias de cárcel; y sustanciales decomisos de activos. La JTFA está compuesta por el personal de las Fiscalías de EE. UU. de la frontera suroeste, incluyendo el Distrito Sur de Texas, el Distrito Oeste de Texas, el Distrito de Arizona y el Distrito Sur de California, y al programa también le proporcionan apoyo numerosos componentes de la División Criminal que forman parte de la JTFA – dirigidos por la Sección de Derechos Humanos y Procesos Especiales (HRSP), y apoyados por la Oficina de Desarrollo, Asistencia, y Capacitación Fiscal (OPDAT), la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas (NDDS), la Sección de Lavado de Dinero y Recuperación de Activos (MLARS), la Oficina de Operaciones de Cumplimiento (OEO), la Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia (OIA) y la Sección del Crimen Organizado y Pandillas (OCGS). La JTFA es posible gracias a una importante inversión en las fuerzas del orden por el DHS, el FBI, la Administración de Control de Drogas (DEA) y otros socios.
HSI Midland lideró los esfuerzos de investigación de Estados Unidos, trabajando en conjunto con HSI Guatemala, y la Unidad de Tráfico de Personas de HSI en Washington, D.C. HSI recibió una asistencia sustancial de las Operaciones de Aplicación y Remoción del Servicio de Migración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (ICE), el Centro Nacional de Objetivos/Operación Centinela de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos; la Patrulla Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos, el Servicio de Alguaciles Federales, los Departamentos de Policía de Odessa y Midland; el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas; y las Oficinas del Sheriff del Condado de Ector, el Condado de Midland y el Condado de Crane. La HRSP, la OIA y la OPDAT prestaron una importante asistencia en este asunto. El Departamento de Justicia agradece a las fuerzas del orden público guatemaltecas, quienes fueron fundamentales en el avance de esta investigación.
El caso está siendo manejado por el subdirector de la JTFA James Hepburn del HRSP, los Fiscales Federales Auxiliares Adrián Gallegos y José Luis Acosta del WDTX y la JTFA, y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar John Fedock del WDTX, con la asistencia de la historiadora del HRSP/especialista en América Latina Joanna Crandall.
Los cargos en una imputación son sólo alegaciones, y se presume que todos los sindicados son inocentes hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Ammunition in Connection with Non-Fatal Shooting Outside the Queensbridge HousesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Tyreik Jackson, also known as “Marlo,” a member of the Makk Balla Brims Bloods street gang, the King of Queens street gang and a narcotics-trafficking crew that controlled the vicinity of 8th Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens, was sentenced by United States District Judge Eric Komitee to 10 years’ imprisonment for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition. Jackson possessed the ammunition in connection with shooting an individual over a perceived drug-dealing dispute. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.
“The defendant, who has previously been convicted of a violent felony crime, has demonstrated that he shows no respect for the law or human life. With today’s sentence, he is deservedly removed from the community,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Fortunately, in this case, the victim survived. I commend the prosecutors in our Office and our law enforcement partners who are working tirelessly to deter gun violence bringing cases with serious federal consequences against violent individuals like the defendant.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for their outstanding work and assistance in this investigation and prosecution.
As set forth in court filings, prior to the shooting, members of Jackson’s narcotics-trafficking crew had threatened the victim multiple times, claiming that he had sold marijuana in their territory. Shortly before midnight on September 26, 2020, Jackson was standing outside a nightclub in Long Island City when he saw the victim ride past him on a scooter. Jackson was picked up by two associates and driven to the Queensbridge Houses, where both Jackson and the victim had lived as youths. Jackson walked up to the victim and fired three shots, wounding him in the elbow, hip, and buttocks. Jackson’s street name was “Marlo,” adopted from the fictional drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield in the HBO show “The Wire.” Shell casings from the bullets fired by Jackson were recovered by NYPD detectives at the scene of the shooting.
Jackson was previously convicted in 2008 of felony assault arising from separate attacks in which he struck one victim in the head with a baseball bat and restrained a second victim who was stabbed by another individual.
This case was brought in conjunction with the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone, and the NYPD’s 114th Precinct. As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Dean and Benjamin Weintraub are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
TYREIK JACKSON (also known as “Marlo”)
Age: 36
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-476 (EK)
Columbus man who robbed 2 mail carriers at gunpoint sentenced to more than 6 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 78 months in prison for two separate armed robberies of United States Postal Carriers.
Brandon J. Campbell, 21, admitted in March 2022 to using violence and a firearm to endanger the mail carriers’ lives and steal property from them.
According to Campbell’s court documents, he robbed two postal carriers at gunpoint on separate dates in September 2021.
On Sept. 8, 2021, Campbell stole an “arrow” key – which is used to access USPS mailboxes and receptacles – and vehicle keys from a postal carrier who was delivering mail at Vistas at Rocky Fork Apartment Complex in Gahanna. Campbell wore a balaclava mask and used a Glock-style handgun.
On Sept. 21, 2021, Campbell committed armed robbery against a second postal carrier who was delivering mail near 4500 Hemingway Court in Columbus. He again used a handgun and mask and stole the carrier’s arrow key.
Investigators followed Campbell’s champaign-colored Saturn Aura and subsequently executed search warrants on an apartment into which Campbell fled, as well as his vehicle. Law enforcement officers discovered four firearms in that apartment, as well as the balaclava mask. Forensic examination of Campbell’s iPhone showed the phone was in the location of both robberies during the timeframe of the robberies. Campbell’s phone also showed pictures of himself holding a Glock-style firearm.
“This case represents two robberies in a string of assaults against postal carriers in Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The sentence imposed here should serve as a reminder to anyone committing these crimes that you will be identified and prosecuted, and you will spend time in federal prison.”
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Gary R. Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.
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Columbus man sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for executing scheme in attempt to steal couple’s home & rental propertiesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 44 months in prison for carrying out a complex fraud scheme to steal a Columbus couple’s home and rental properties valued at roughly $1 million.
Shahiydullah A. Binraymond, also known as Raymond Walker III, 49, was convicted of committing mail fraud.
According to court documents, in 2019, Binraymond posed as a government employee and sent several letters to the victims demanding that they sign deeds and other documents related to the victims’ real estate. Binraymond then modified the documents and filed them with a county recorder’s office to transfer the properties to an entity he controlled.
The defendant created fake business entities, set up bank accounts, drafted letters and fake deeds and attempted the sale of a victim property. Binraymond posed as an agent of the Franklin County Treasurer and attempted to steal the home the victims were living in.
Binraymond registered limited partnerships in Ohio with names identical to those through which the victims owned their properties. He also drafted and mailed several fraudulent letters designed to convince the victims to sign property-conveyance documents. These documents included quitclaim deeds and related affidavits.
For example, one letter includes what appears to be a seal of the Franklin County Treasurer’s office and states there is a problem regarding tax payments made on a parcel. The letter asks the victims to “read, sign and return the enclosed affidavit and letter for our internal records.”
Binraymond was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2021 and pleaded guilty to mail fraud in March 2022.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Gary R. Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Gahanna Police Chief Jeff Spence announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Cocaine Trafficker ConvictedRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict today against VICENTE ESTEVES, a/k/a “El Bori,” on one count of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, as charged in a Superseding Indictment. ESTEVES is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2022, by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl, who presided over the eight-day trial.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Esteves was a ‘boss’ of a drug trafficking crew that conspired to import 150 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Today, Esteves’s drug trafficking operation has been disrupted, and he stands convicted of his crime and faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.”
According to the Superseding Indictment and the evidence at trial:
Between at least in or about September 2020 and in or about December 2020, ESTEVES belonged to a New York/New Jersey-based drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) that attempted to purchase 150 kilograms of cocaine from purported Colombian suppliers, who were in fact undercover law enforcement agents. The DTO negotiated for the delivery of the cocaine in Puerto Rico, with the delivery of the purchase money in the Bronx, New York. On the day of the exchange, December 4, 2020, ESTEVES and his coconspirators arrived in the Bronx to complete the transaction with two suitcases stuffed with more than $1.3 million cash, which was intended as a payment for part of the overall 150-kilogram transaction. ESTEVES supervised the collection and delivery of the $1.3 million and carried a ledger for the transaction in his wallet. A third suitcase, containing over $644,000 in additional cash, was later recovered in a stash house that ESTEVES and coconspirators met at in preparation for the transaction.
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ESTEVES, 49, was convicted on one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum prison term of ten years and a maximum prison term of life.
The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Homeland Security Investigations, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Edison Police Department.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jun Xiang, Ashley Nicolas, and Frank Balsamello and Paralegal Specialists Christopher Sykes and Alei Rizvi are in charge of the prosecution.
Co-Defendants Sentenced in Methamphetamine, Heroin Conspiracy Directed from Two Georgia PrisonsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – Two individuals involved in a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking network directed by inmates from two Georgia prisons were sentenced to federal prison today for their crimes.
Joseph Collins, 38, of Augusta State Prison, was sentenced to 240 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Co-defendant Christopher Ogle, 38, of Dalton, Georgia, was sentenced to 132 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner handed down the sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
Co-defendant Eric Gilbert, 46, of Calhoun State Prison, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on April 20, 2022, and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Gilbert’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2022.
Co-defendant Natalie Espinoza, 27, of Sugar Hill, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Espinoza faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Espinoza is a wanted person; those with knowledge of her whereabouts can contact the United States Marshals Service by calling 1-877-WANTED-2.
“Our office will hold inmates accountable for continued criminal activity occurring behind prison walls which threatens the safety of incarcerated individuals, prison staff and the community at large,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify repeat offenders and bring them to justice.”
“These sentencings remove dangerous criminals from our streets and send a clear message to others who may be contemplating or who are polluting our communities with poison from behind prison walls,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “The takeaway is that DEA and its law enforcement partners have a watchful eye on such criminals and will relentlessly pursue them.”
According to court documents, an undercover source informed law enforcement in June 2020 about drug trafficking being coordinated by Gilbert from the Calhoun State Prison, including information about his affiliation with the Ghost Face Gangster criminal street gang and a Mexican drug trafficking cartel. The source said Gilbert had customers across the Southeast. On June 16, 2020, the source ordered heroin from Collins, who was an inmate at Augusta State Prison. Collins directed the source to Gilbert; Gilbert was recorded stating that he had been distributing heroin and methamphetamine for ten years. Gilbert arranged the deal later that day with the source. Espinoza, who is a wanted person, delivered approximately 80 grams of heroin. Espinoza allegedly worked with Gilbert to coordinate illegal drug transactions for him outside of prison. A series of controlled and recorded purchases of heroin and methamphetamine occurred. On Jan. 5, 2021, officers in Whitfield County, Georgia, received information that Gilbert was supplying methamphetamine to Ogle. Under surveillance, the informant agreed to purchase one kilogram of methamphetamine from Gilbert, supplied by Ogle. Ogle agreed to meet the informant on Jan. 6, 2021; as agents closed in on Ogle, he threw a Ziploc bag and his phone into a nearby pond. Agents retrieved the phone and the plastic bag, which contained 772 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by DEA.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen.
Chicago Felon Indicted for Federal Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned an indictment against a Chicago man for possession of a firearm as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents and a law enforcement affidavit, on June 21, 2022, a St. Paul police officer responded to an apartment after receiving a 911 call reporting a domestic incident. The officer encountered Allen Denzel Oliver-Hall, 27, sitting on a couch with a stolen American Tactical 92 9mm pistol between his legs. Oliver-Hall did not comply when the officer ordered him to put his hands up and a struggle ensued, with Oliver-Hall pointing the handgun at the officer. Eventually, the officer was able to gain control of the gun and take Oliver-Hall into custody. Because Oliver-Hall has multiple prior felony convictions in Cook County, Illinois, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Oliver-Hall is charged with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on August 2, 2022, before Magistrate Judge John Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Charleston Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Re'Shaun Lamonte Wilborne, 36, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Wilborne admitted he possessed a Jimenez Arms, model JA NINE, 9mm caliber handgun that Charleston Police officers found when they arrested him on July 20, 2021, on an active state drug warrant.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Wilborne is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his 2004 felony conviction in Fayette County Circuit Court for sexual assault in the 2nd degree involving a disabled female victim, and his 2017 federal conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also has a previous state court conviction for failing to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-162.
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Buffalo Man Accused of Using Twitter to Threaten to Kill Blacks at Buffalo Grocery StoresRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Rolik Walker, 24, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making an interstate threat. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, on May 16, 2022, just two days after the racially motivated shooting at the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, Walker created a Twitter account with the handle @ConklinHero. The defendant accused in the Tops shooting is from Conklin, NY. Walker then used the @ConklinHero account to post that he and his “associates” were targeting several grocery stores in the Buffalo area and were “only looking to kill blacks.” Walker attempted to anonymize his creation of the Twitter account and the Twitter post by utilizing an application on his cell phone that masked his IP address.
Walker made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
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.# # # #
Brooklyn Man Arrested for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in the Eastern District of New York charging Caleb Apolinaris, also known as “Kappa,” with distributing fentanyl in Brooklyn, New York, including to a 25-year-old individual who died of a drug-related overdose hours later at his residence. Apolinaris was arrested earlier today in Brooklyn, New York, and his initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, Apolinaris sold the fatal fentanyl that directly led to another individual joining the rapidly growing list of victims of overdose deaths,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will continue to prosecute traffickers dealing lethal drugs to protect our community and bring justice for the victims and families devastated by the opioid scourge.”
“Fentanyl is a federally controlled substance, administered by professionals in medical fields, because of its potency and mortal consequences if abused. It is not a recreational drug to be passed around at parties. Thousands of people are dying because drug dealers are unapologetically pushing fentanyl laced products. We will arrest these criminals, one by one if need be, and do all we can to end the cycle of dependence and death,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“Illegal drugs, especially ones as potently deadly as fentanyl, have no place in our city,” said NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “And any person who displays the recklessness to deal these drugs, and the negligent depravity to put lives at risk for profit, must be held fully accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, the FBI’s New York Field Office, and all of our investigators for their outstanding work on this case.”
As alleged in the complaint, on April 12, 2022, Apolinaris sold at least 11 glassine envelopes of fentanyl and a fentanyl/para-fluorofentanyl mixture to a 25-year-old individual (Victim-1), who died of a drug-related overdose hours later at his residence in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Ten glassine envelopes containing fentanyl and a fentanyl/para-fluorofentanyl mixture were found near Victim-1’s body in his wallet. Law enforcement officers obtained video from surveillance cameras outside Apolinaris’s residence and surrounding neighborhood from the night of April 11, 2022 and early morning of April 12, 2022. The video showed Victim-1 meeting with Apolinaris to purchase the narcotics. A search of Victim-1’s phone revealed text messages between Apolinaris and Victim-1. In the hours preceding the transaction, Victim-1 texted Apolinaris, “Aight be up for me bro please I’m getting a taxi straight to urs should be like a hour at most.” Apolinaris responded, “I got you 100%.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Justice, in 2019, nearly 71,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. The increase in overdose deaths has been driven in large part by fentanyl – a drug that has been described as 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In 2019, over 14,000 people died in the United States from a drug overdose involving heroin. From 2013 to 2019, the synthetic opioid death rate increased by more than 1,000 percent. Of those deaths, over 70% involved a prescription or illicit opioid. Among New York State residents, the number of overdose deaths involving any opioid increased each year between 2010 and 2017, with an overall increase of 200.2 percent from 1,074 in 2010 to 3,224 in 2017, according to the New York State Health Department.
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or go to Findtreatment.gov.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Apolinaris faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney John O. Enright is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
CALEB APOLINARIS (also known as “Kappa” and “CalebKappaNewDogfood”)
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-MJ-811
Birmingham Man Sentenced on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man was sentenced yesterday on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
Horace Dantai Burgess, Jr., 26, was sentenced yesterday on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin. Burgess was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala to 70 months of imprisonment followed by 60 months of supervised release.
Burgess sold methamphetamine to law enforcement on multiple occasions. In addition, in August 2021, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Burgess. Burgess refused to stop, and a high-speed chase ensued. During the chase, Burgess threw a bag containing a significant amount of heroin out of the window. Burgess is linked to the Hard 2 Kill gang. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the Hard 2 Kill gang, better known as H2K. This gang operates in the Birmingham, Alabama area and is known to be involved in acts of violence, illegal drug distribution, and illegal firearm possession.
“Violent street gangs often fund their illegal activities by trafficking illegal drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “By focusing drug enforcement efforts on gang-related dealers, our law enforcement partners can reduce both the violence and the drugs that plague our communities. We are grateful for the efforts of the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI in taking another dealer off the street.”
“As a result of this case, the streets of Birmingham are a little safer and yesterday’s sentence should send a message that violent actors will be held accountable for their criminal acts. The FBI is committed to the fight against violent crime, and we will continue to work side by side with our state, local, and federal partners to bring criminals like Burgess to justice,” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
The case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
FBI investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Darius Greene and Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.
Armed Robber of Country Store in Denison, Iowa Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who robbed the Country Store in Denison, Iowa, was sentenced August 4, 2022, to 17 years in federal prison.
Nhial Biliew, age 24, from Denison, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to one count of interference with commerce by robbery.
Evidence in the case revealed on June 23, 2020, Biliew used a gun to rob the Country Store in Denison, Iowa. Biliew had previously been convicted for (1) Interference with Official Acts; (2) Theft, in the 4th Degree; (3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; (4) Providing False Identification Information; and (5) Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree.
Biliew was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 204 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Biliew is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by Denison, Iowa Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Crawford County Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-04034.
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Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 YearsRead the Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Adrian Lamont Dixon of Aurora was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment for Possession and Carrying a Firearm in relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. On February 16, 2022 Dixon pled guilty to the charge.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Dixon was investigated in July 2020 by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office after receiving information Dixon was distributing cocaine and heroin. Information from two confidential sources of information led investigators to believe Dixon was trafficking in narcotics and carrying a firearm during his drug dealing.
During August and September 2020 investigators conducted surveillance at a residence in Aurora believed to be a stash house for Dixon’s narcotics. Investigators saw Dixon traveling to the residence on multiple occasions. The residence did not seem to be otherwise in use.
On October 22, 2020, investigators saw Dixon and a female arrive at the residence in Aurora. Dixon retrieved an item from another vehicle and then drove away. Investigators conducted a traffic stop because Dixon did not have a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Dixon consented to a search of his person and investigators found a large amount of cash. In addition, investigators found several thousands of dollars folded in $1,000 increments in the driver’s side door.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence in Aurora. Dixon told law enforcement they would find heroin in the home. When investigators searched the home, they found a stolen firearm, approximately 20 grams of cocaine and 28 grams of heroin.
Dixon had been previously convicted of possessing and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and had been released from federal prison in November 2019.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:21-cr-00008-BO.
Alaska Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Threatening Attack on Lafayette College in Northampton CountyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Gavin Lee Casdorph, 23, of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $7,700 in restitution and a $1,000 fine by United States District Court Judge Edward G. Smith for making false threats against Lafayette College in Easton, PA.
In April 2020, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of willfully making false threats in connection with claims he made online stating he planned to detonate several bombs across the Lafayette College campus. In 2018, while using the handle “BdanJafarSaleem.,” Casdorph posted on Twitter that he planned to bomb multiple locations on campus and pledged allegiance to ISIS. He included with his Twitter post an image of the ISIS flag and a photograph of several firearms. The defendant also sent a mass email to members of the College’s admissions staff containing similar disturbing threats and imagery.
Investigators quickly determined that the bomb threats were a hoax, and arrested Casdorph in Anchorage, Alaska in December 2018.
“This defendant thought he could make threats from the other side of the continent with impunity, but the dedicated agents of the FBI on this case proved him wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Threats of mass violence and destruction, especially on school campuses or any public place, are taken extremely seriously by our Office and our federal partners. As was the case here, we will not stop until the culprits are identified, arrested and brought to justice.”
“The FBI takes all threats of violence seriously, as Gavin Casdorph learned the hard way,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “I hope today’s sentencing sends a message that hoax threats aren’t a joke, they’re a crime. Please don’t let keyboard courage short-circuit your future. Anyone who tries something like this shouldn’t be surprised when the FBI rolls up at your front door.”
This case was investigated by the Lafayette College Department of Public Safety, Easton Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia and Anchorage Divisions. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph LaBar. Additional assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska.
3 August 2022
Zadeh Kicks Owner and Chief Financial Officer Charged in $85 Million Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—The former owner and chief financial officer of Zadeh Kicks LLC, a now-defunct Oregon corporation that sold limited edition and collectible sneakers online, made their first appearances in federal court today after being charged with perpetrating a fraud scheme that allegedly cost customers more than $70 million in unfulfilled orders and defrauded financial institutions out of over $15 million.
Michael Malekzadeh, 39, a Eugene resident, has been charged by criminal information with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and money laundering. Bethany Mockerman, 39, also of Eugene, has been charged with conspiring with Malekzadeh to commit bank fraud.
According to court documents, Malekzadeh started his business in 2013 by purchasing limited edition and collectible sneakers to resell online. Beginning as early as January 2020, Zadeh Kicks began offering preorders of sneakers before their public release dates, allowing Malekzadeh to collect money upfront before fulfilling orders. Malekzadeh advertised, sold, and collected payments from customers for preorders knowing he could not satisfy all orders placed.
For example, in 2021, Malekzadeh began selling preorders of Nike Air Jordan 11 Cool Grey sneakers. Zadeh Kicks received and accepted preorder sales of over 600,000 pairs of sneakers, resulting in payments to Malekzadeh of more than $70 million. Malekzadeh had no way of acquiring the quantity of sneakers needed to fill the preorders received. In fact, he was only able to acquire just over 6,000 pairs. Customers were either left with unfulfilled orders or they received a combination refund of cash and Zadeh Kicks gift cards.
By April 2022, Malekzadeh owed customers more than $70 million in undelivered sneakers and unknown additional millions held by customers in worthless company gift cards.
In her role as Zadeh Kicks chief financial officer, Mockerman conspired with Malekzadeh to provide false and altered financial information to numerous financial institutions—including providing altered bank statements—on more than 15 bank loan applications. Together, Mockerman and Malekzadeh received more than $15 million in loans from these applications.
As part of the government’s ongoing criminal investigation, federal agents have seized millions of dollars in cash and luxury goods that Malekzadeh acquired with the proceeds of his fraud. The seized items include nearly 100 watches, some valued at over $400,000, jewelry, and hundreds of luxury handbags. The government also seized nearly $6.4 million in cash which was the result Malekzadeh’s sale of watches and luxury cars manufactured by Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and others.
Malekzadeh and Mockerman are cooperating with the government’s investigation, including the seizure of assets described above. Both made their first appearances in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai and were released conditions pending further court proceedings.
If you or someone you know were a Zadeh Kicks customer with unfulfilled orders or otherwise believe you were defrauded by Malekzadeh or Mockerman, the FBI wants to hear from you. Please visit FBI.gov/ZadehKicks to complete a brief online questionnaire. Your voluntary responses will assist with the FBI’s ongoing criminal investigation and help to identify you as a potential crime victim. Based on your responses, you may be contacted by the FBI for more information.
This case is being investigated by IRS–Criminal Investigations, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Oregon Intellectual Property Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin W. Bruce and Quinn P. Harrington are prosecuting the case. The related asset seizures and forfeitures are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie de Villiers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division.
A criminal information is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
York County Man Charged with Theft of Federal Program FundsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Leonard Hart, age 50, of Mount Wolf, PA, was charged in a criminal information with theft of Federal Program Funds.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the criminal information alleges that in May 2018, Hart obtained by fraud and misapplied approximately $6,400 from Lincoln Charter School, York, Pennsylvania, while employed as the CEO and Principal of the school. During that time, the school received grants funded by the U.S Department of Education.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wilmington Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Jeremy Johnson, 34, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents Johnson was arrested by the Wilmington Police Department after he was observed on live-stream surveillance video conducting suspected narcotics transactions in and around a parked Mercedes. A subsequent search of that Mercedes uncovered two firearms, over 68 grams of cocaine, oxycodone pills, and three digital scales.
Commenting on the case, U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Our community continues to face daily the lethal consequences of a gun epidemic and a drug epidemic. Individuals like the defendant who make the choice to possess guns while engaging in drug dealing activity put their own lives at risk, as well as the lives of innocent bystanders. Our office is committed to ensuring that individuals who choose to engage in such dangerous and illegal behavior face the consequences that they deserve.”
“The combination of drugs and firearms is often deadly, especially when firearms are used by someone engaged in activities like selling drugs,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “The more people bring drugs and the threat of gun violence into a community, the harder it is for the law-abiding citizens in that community to have a sense of safety or normalcy. ATF will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that offenders bringing this kind of crime and instability into Delaware neighborhoods are held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse S. Wenger.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-23.
Wilder Man Sentenced to more than 10 years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin, Cocaine, and FentanylRead the Press Release
BOISE - A Wilder man was sentenced to 124 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.
According to court records, James Donavan Conour, 44, of Wilder, sold another person one pound of methamphetamine in exchange for $3,000 on January 21, 2021. Three months later, law enforcement officers learned that Conour was distributing controlled substances from a residence in Caldwell, Idaho. Law enforcement officers executed a search of the residence and found 25 pounds of methamphetamine, one and a half pounds of heroin, one pound of cocaine, 20 grams of psilocybin (commonly referred to as mushrooms), and several thousand fentanyl pills. Law enforcement officers also found tools commonly used by drug traffickers to repackage their controlled substances for sale such as a digital scale and empty zip loc baggies. In addition to the seized controlled substances, law enforcement officers also seized $10,395 in illicit drug proceeds and a Jaguar model XF used to transport controlled substances.
Conour has a criminal history spanning over 30 years with prior state convictions for aggravated assault, robbery, theft, injury to child, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and witness intimidation.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, from the District of Wyoming, sitting by designation, also ordered Conour to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Conour pled guilty to the charge on November 3, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, of the District of Idaho, made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Nampa Police Department; Meridian Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole; and the City-County Narcotics Unit, which led to the charges.
This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant United States Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. The Idaho HIDTA is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Kootenai, and Malheur Counties.
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Whiting Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who received child pornography was sentenced August 2, 2022 to 5 years in federal prison.
Dason Ku, age 42, from Whiting, IA, received the prison term after a May 11, 2022, guilty plea to receipt of child pornography. At his plea hearing, Ku admitted that on October 24, 2018, he knowingly received visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Ku was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Ku was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to victims. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-4098.
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Wheeling man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Darius Alexander Savage, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Savage, 24, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Stealing Firearm from a Dealer.” Savage admitted to stealing three pistols from a licensed firearms dealer in February 2022 in Ohio County.
Savage faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Watertown Medical Practice to Pay $850,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – North Country Neurology, P.C., a physician-owned medical practice located in Watertown, New York, has agreed to pay $850,000 for what it admitted was “improper” and “reckless” billing to the federal government for medical services, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman.
“The integrity of our federal health care system depends on accurate and honest billing by medical providers,” said United States Attorney Freedman. “While North Country Neurology will pay a steep price for submitting false claims for payment to Medicare, I commend the practice and its management for accepting responsibility for its past actions and for implementing forward-looking compliance measures in response to our investigation to assure systems are in place to facilitate and promote ethical and legal conduct in the future.”
North Country Neurology employed physicians and a physician assistant who rendered care to Medicare beneficiaries. In certain circumstances, Medicare allows practices to bill for services rendered by a non-physician practitioner (NPP), including a physician assistant, “incident to” the services that are personally rendered by a physician. These services, even though not personally rendered by a physician, may be billed in a physician’s name if several requirements are met. One such requirement is that a physician directly supervise the NPP rendering the services, meaning that a physician is present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the procedure. Although Medicare will reimburse practices for certain procedures rendered by NPPs without a physician’s direct supervision, such services are reimbursed at a lesser rate than service rendered or directly supervised by a physician.
North Country Neurology admitted that, on 120 occasions from September 2015 through June 2019, it “submitted or caused to be submitted claims for payment to Medicare that improperly listed a physician as the rendering provider for services rendered by a physician assistant when no physician was physically present in the office and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure.” The practice further admitted that it “knew or should have known the requirements of incident-to billing and that it was improper to submit claims to Medicare in a physician’s name for services rendered by an NPP when no physician was in the office” because, among other reasons, its billing company had informed the practice’s owner of separate incident-to billing violations several years earlier.
North Country Neurology also improperly billed Medicare for the drug Botox, even though the same Botox had already been paid for by other insurers. From March 2015 through February 2021, North Country Neurology purchased Botox for its Medicare patients, while its other patients purchased Botox at a specialty pharmacy and had it shipped to the practice. The practice admitted that on approximately 761 occasions during this period, its providers administered and the practice billed Medicare for Botox that was paid for by another insurer “in reckless disregard to the fact that Medicare reimbursement for the administration of Botox included reimbursement for the cost of the drug being administered.”
North Country Neurology acknowledged that, during the period covered by the settlement agreement, it “had an insufficient compliance program, and one that was not well-suited to identify fraud, waste, and abuse.” Shortly after learning of the United States’ investigation, the practice voluntarily retained a third-party compliance and practice-management consultant to help it develop and implement various practices and procedures to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulations going forward.
“This settlement is another example of our commitment to holding the health care industry accountable for proper billing practices,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG will continue to ensure that individuals and entities billing federal health care programs do so in an honest manner.”
The investigation and settlement were the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, HHS-OIG, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Katz.
Washington, D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Maryland for Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – James Albert Borum, age 19, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty on July 29, 2022, to federal charges of carjacking and to brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Robert J. Contee III of the Metropolitan Police Department; United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves; Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.
According to his guilty plea, in June 2021, Borum and his accomplices committed a series of carjackings in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. At the time, Borum was on pre-trial supervision related to charges in Washington, D.C. and was wearing an ankle monitor. According to the plea agreement, Borum and an accomplice participated in four carjackings and an attempted carjacking. Borum admitted that a firearm was brandished in three of the carjackings.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on June 4, 2021, Victim A was beaten and carjacked by Borum and an accomplice, who also stole the victim’s cell phone. Victim A’s wallet, which contained several items, including a bank card, was inside the vehicle at the time of the carjacking. Law enforcement recovered Victim A’s bank card and a social security card in the name of Victim A’s spouse from Borum’s bedroom during a search on July 1, 2021.
On June 10, 2021, Borum and his accomplice committed another carjacking in Silver Spring, Maryland. After Victim B had parked his car, he began walking into a nearby apartment courtyard. Borum and his accomplice followed Victim B and approached Victim B in the courtyard. Borum and the accomplice pointed a handgun at Victim B’s forehead and stated, “I’ll kill you. Give me the keys.” Victim B gave Borum and the accomplice his keys and the carjackers drove away in Victim B’s car. A global positioning device in Victim B’s vehicle placed it near Borum’s home most of the time when the vehicle was not in use following the carjacking.
According to the plea agreement, on June 18, 2021, Borum and an accomplice attempted to carjack Victim C in a parking garage in the 8700 block of Cameron Street in Silver Spring. Borum and his accomplice demanded Victim C’s keys, but she refused to give them up. Borum and the accomplice grabbed for Victim C’s purse and a struggle ensued. Neither Borum nor his accomplice were able to obtain Victim C’s keys, and both men fled as another vehicle pulled into the parking garage.
Surveillance footage obtained from the Rhode Island Avenue, Silver Spring, and Wheaton Metro stations both before and after the attempted carjacking shows Borum and his accomplice wearing clothing that matched the clothing worn by the carjackers. The footage also shows Borum wearing an ankle monitor and a distinctive white sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was later recovered from Borum’s residence.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on June 18, 2021, Borum and his accomplice carjacked Victim D, who was sitting in his car in the parking lot in the 3500 block of East West Highway in Hyattsville, Maryland. Victim D’s doors were unlocked and the windows were down. Borum and the accomplice opened the driver’s side door, pointed a gun at Victim D’s head, and told him to get out of the car. Borum and the accomplice pulled Victim D out of the vehicle, pushed him to the ground, then got into Victim D’s vehicle and drove away. Law enforcement tracked and recovered the vehicle later that evening in the 1200 block of Douglas Street, N.E. in Washington, D.C. The key to Victim D’s car was found in Borum’s residence.
Finally, on June 23, 2021, Victim E was carjacked by Borum and an accomplice carjacked Victim E as Victim E was entering his car in a parking garage in the 8700 block of Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. Borum and his accomplice approached Victim E from behind, held a black handgun at the left side of Victim E’s head, and repeated, “Give me the keys!” Victim E handed the carjackers his keys and wallet. Borum and the accomplice then fled in Victim E’s vehicle. Victim E’s vehicle was located by law enforcement five days later, parked on the same block as Borum’s residence. Borum’s fingerprints were identified on the car.
Borum and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Borum will be sentenced to between 90 months and 169 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for November 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. 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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Jared C. Engelking and Assistant United States Attorney Dana J. Brusca, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.# # #
Verona Woman Sentenced to Prison for Role in Hustlas Don’t Sleep Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of Verona, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release on her conviction of violation of federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Horan imposed the sentence on Shania Wilson age 40.
According to information presented to the court, Wilson conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine base in the form commonly known as crack.
Wilson was involved with the Hustlas Don’t Sleep (HDS) drug trafficking organization. A Title III investigation intercepted communications which revealed that Wilson was re-distributing portions of the controlled substances she bought, providing feedback to HDS members about the quality of the product, sending other customers to HDS to make purchases, and other actions furthering the conspiracy.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted 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.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County Police, and the Monroeville Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Wilson.