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Friday 13 May 2022
Court Orders Washington, D.C. Man and His Two Companies to Cease and Desist from Engaging in Fraudulent N95 Mask SchemeRead the Press Release
A Washington, D.C. man and his two companies have been ordered to stop engaging in fraud and transferring fraud proceeds in an N95 mask scheme. He must also return over $2.4 million to his victims. In a civil judgment filed in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on May 12, 2022, Alex St. James Railey Cisco, also known as “Alex St. James” and “William Sir Knight Alex-St. James,” from Washington, D.C., had the judgment entered against him on an Amended Civil Complaint filed by the United States on February 16, 2021. The Amended Civil Complaint alleged that Railey Cisco and his two corporations, US FED Group, LLC (“USFG”) and Trade-Backed Equity, LLC (“TBE”), engaged in wire fraud and money laundering as part of a fraudulent 3M N95 mask scheme in 2020.
Evidence at multiple temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction hearings in 2021, as well as additional materials filed in conjunction with a motion filed in February 2022, showed that Railey Cisco controlled USFG and TBE and their bank accounts in Washington, D.C. In October 2020, a Cedar Rapids first-aid manufacturer contracted with an intermediary in Florida for the purchase of one million 3M masks, which were in high demand at that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, by means of a purported contract the intermediary had with USFG. The intermediary represented that USFG was an authorized distributor of 3M masks, but in truth at no time was USFG an authorized 3M distributor.
Believing USFG was an authorized 3M distributor, the Cedar Rapids company wired over $2.4 million to a Florida lawyer for the purchase of the masks. The Florida lawyer in turn wired those funds to an account that Railey Cisco controlled on behalf of USFG. The Cedar Rapids company never received the masks or its money back, despite the Cedar Rapids company’s repeated demands.
Instead of returning the Cedar Rapids company’s money or providing the one million 3M masks, Railey Cisco transferred the Cedar Rapids company’s funds to an account he controlled at TBE.
The Cedar Rapids company was not Railey Cisco’s only victim. In September 2020, a California company had also agreed to wire over $250,000 to USFG’s account in Washington, D.C. in anticipation of receiving 3M masks, but the California company never received the 3M masks or its money back from Railey Cisco or USFG. The court found Railey Cisco received the money even though he knew that he, USFG, and TBE were unable and would be unable to fulfill any order for 3M masks. Railey Cisco was the sole owner of the USFG and TBE bank accounts at all relevant times.
United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams ordered the return of over $2.4 million dollars to St. James’s victims and entered a permanent injunction forbidding Railey Cisco, USFG, or TBE from engaging in fraud or transferring fraud proceeds. However, the court will retain jurisdiction over related matters including, but not limited to, enforcement of the permanent injunction order and the discovery, restraint, disgorgement, collection, and return of fraudulent and laundered funds for any victims of the scheme.
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.
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy L. Vavricek and Matthew Gillespie and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CV-8.
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Council Bluffs Men Sentenced for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Dalton Theodore Holland, age 30, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Tuesday, May 10, 2022, to 51 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Holland pleaded guilty to the firearm charge on November 18, 2021. Holland’s co-defendant, Joshua Michael Holmes, age 26, also pleaded guilty to Prohibited Person on Possession of a Firearm on April 15, 2021, and was sentenced on August 31, 2021, to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
In November of 2020, officers observed Holland and Holmes arrive at a home in Council Bluffs driving stolen vehicles. As officers attempted to approach Holland and Holmes, they attempted to flee in one of the stolen trucks but the truck got stuck. Officers boxed the truck in and apprehended Holmes. Holland ran from the bed of the truck and was stopped a short distance away by a police dog. Holland and Holms were found in possession of stolen items and firearms. Officers located a firearm on Holmes in a hip holster and another in his coveralls pocket. Two firearms were also located in the stolen Silverado that Holland drove to the home.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Cole Jacob Bergantzel, age 20, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Thursday, May 12, 2022, to 48 months in federal prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Bergantzel pleaded guilty to the charge on January 5, 2022.
In March of 2021, Bergantzel attempted to sell firearms on Snapchat and in September of 2021, Bergantzel was arrested after he discharged a firearm in a residential area. Bergantzel was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as he is a drug user and addicted to a controlled substance.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Andrew Russell White, age 34, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Thursday, May 12, 2022, to 42 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. White’s term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release and he will be required to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, White pleaded guilty to the charge on January 5, 2022.
In March of 2019, a cybertip was sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child pornography being uploaded to a Google account. The email address was traced to White and law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant for White’s Gmail account and his residence in Council Bluffs. White admitted to law enforcement he downloaded images of child pornography onto his phone from the Internet. White was arrested and was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.
Construction Company Agrees to Pay $2.8 Million to Resolve Allegations of Small Business Subcontracting FraudRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Hensel Phelps Construction Company (Hensel Phelps), a large construction company headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, has agreed to pay $2,804,110, to resolve allegations that it improperly manipulated a federal subcontract designated for a business owned and operated by a service-disabled veteran announced Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, and Carla B. Freedman, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York.
“Taking advantage of contracts intended for companies owned and operated by service-disabled veterans demonstrates a shocking disregard for fair competition and integrity in government contracting,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “We insisted not only that Hensel Phelps refund the government and pay a hefty penalty for its misconduct, but that it admit to its misconduct.”
Federal government contracts and subcontracts may be reserved, or “set aside,” for various categories of small businesses, such that only eligible small businesses in a particular socioeconomic category are eligible to bid on, receive, and perform the contracts. One such category is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), which is reserved for small businesses owned, controlled, and operated by veterans of the United States military who incurred a disability in the course of their military service to the United States. Large businesses that perform on large federal prime contracts must develop and implement small business subcontracting plans designed to subcontract portions of the work to SDVOSBs and other types of small businesses.
Hensel Phelps is a general contractor and construction company that performs large scale private construction and public works projects nationwide, including in Washington and New York States. In 2011, the U.S. General Services Administration, which oversees construction of many federal buildings, awarded Hensel Phelps a contract to construct the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s New Commons/Health Care Building in Washington, D.C. The Armed Forces Retirement Home provides retirement communities and residential facilities for veterans. As a condition of the contract, Hensel Phelps was required to have and implement a small business subcontracting plan to provide contracting opportunities for SDVOSBs and other types of small businesses.
This case began in April 2022, when a whistleblower, a company known as Fox Unlimited Enterprises, LLP, filed a qui tam complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. When a whistleblower, or “relator,” files a qui tam complaint, the False Claims Act requires the United States to investigate the allegations and elect whether to intervene and take over the action or to decline to intervene and allow the relator to go forward with the litigation on behalf of the United States. The relator is generally able to then share in any recovery. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the relator in this case will receive $630,925 of the settlement.
The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Syracuse Post of Duty; the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, New York Field Investigations Office; the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, New York Field Office; the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Procurement Fraud Detachment 6, Rome, New York; the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, Syracuse Fraud Branch Office; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Spokane and Buffalo Resident Agencies; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Economic Crimes Resident Agency Northeast; and the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region.
Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene of the Eastern District of Washington and Adam J. Katz of the Northern District of New York handled this matter on behalf of the United States.
4873-7571-2542_v1_hp_settlement_agreement_5-4-2022.pdfColumbus Man Sentenced for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Dezmin Meridith, 27, of Columbus, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Transportation of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Meridith to 90 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Meridith will serve 10 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Meridith to pay $12,000 in restitution.
In May 2019, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a CyberTipline Report that a Dropbox user had uploaded child pornography. Investigators identified Meridith as a suspect and determined that he had relocated from Omaha back to Columbus. Investigators contacted Meridith who admitted to purchasing packages of child pornography files on a chat application and then uploading them to Dropbox.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force
Colorado Man Convicted of FraudRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Earl D. Miller, age 43, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was found guilty of 5 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of securities fraud following a 5-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio presided over the trial.
Miller’s sentencing will be scheduled August 25, 2022. Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court Judge after consideration of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Office of the United States Trustee (Region 10), the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division, and the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Jerome W. McKeever.
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CEO of Private Equity Fund Sentenced to 97 Months for $133 Million Bank and Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that defendant ELLIOT SMERLING was sentenced to 97 months in prison for a multi-year bank and securities fraud scheme that caused the issuance of approximately $133 million in collateralized loans on the basis of forged documents, including subscription agreements from purported limited partners, audit letters attesting to his private equity firm’s finances, and falsified bank account statements. SMERLING previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote, who imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Elliot Smerling previously admitted to securing funding for his private equity fund by submitting a constellation of fraudulent documents and assurances to lenders. Smerling’s misrepresentations ultimately resulted in massive losses to banks, as he received over $133 million in ill-gotten loans. Smerling has now fittingly been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his bank and securities fraud scheme.”
According to the allegations contained in public court filings and statements made in court:
From at least in or about January 2019 through at least in or about March 2021, ELLIOT SMERLING was the mastermind of a scheme to secure financing for a series of private equity funds (the “Funds”) through fraud and deceit. SMERLING solicited and obtained loans totaling approximately $133 million on behalf of the Funds, which were secured by purported capital commitments made by limited partners in the Funds. SMERLING obtained the loans on the basis of falsified documents and material misrepresentations, including: (1) a forged audit letter, purportedly prepared by an international network of accounting, audit, tax, and professional services firms, attesting to audited financial statements; (2) forged subscription agreements that falsely represented, among other things, that the investment fund of a private university based in New York, New York had committed $45 million to the Funds, and that the investment management division of a banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York, New York had committed $40 million to the Funds; and (3) falsified bank records showing wire transfers from purported limited partners to the Funds.
In connection with his bank fraud scheme, from at least in or about January 2013 through at least in or about March 2021, SMERLING also solicited investments in his Funds through materially false and misleading statements concerning the Funds’ audited financial statements, limited partners, capital commitments, and holdings.
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In addition to his prison term, SMERLING, 52, of Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised released. The Court deferred its decision on the amount of restitution.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jilan J. Kamal and Timothy V. Capozzi are in charge of the prosecution.
Bronx, New York, Man Convicted of Multi-State Kidnapping, Assault, and Arson RampageRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A federal jury has convicted a Bronx, New York, man of engaging in a violent, multi-state crime spree during which he kidnapped and sexually assaulted his former girlfriend, assaulted a federal employee, set fire to a used car dealership, and rammed multiple police vehicles before being apprehended, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Luis Figueroa, 41, was convicted of kidnapping (Count One); criminal sexual abuse (Count Two); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (Count Three); and assaulting an employee of the United States (Count Four), following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court. Figueroa had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and arson.
“The conduct for which this defendant was convicted describes an almost unimaginable level of violence and depravity,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “All of the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that worked on finding, capturing and prosecuting him did outstanding work in this case. This conviction, and the severe punishment the defendant now faces, should ensure that he is no longer a threat to public safety.”
“This guilty verdict brings accountability to a violent criminal who will answer for his multi-state crime spree and acts of violence,” Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews said. “I commend the hard work and collaborative efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and our local and state partners involved in this investigation and prosecution. Our commitment to protecting the public, combatting violent crime in our communities, and maintaining vital partnerships with local and state agencies, along with the results of this investigation demonstrate the common goals and resolve of all parties involved.”
According to court documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On the morning of June 6, 2014, Figueroa, armed with a shotgun, waited outside the Hazleton, Pennsylvania, apartment of his former girlfriend. When she emerged from the apartment, Figueroa struck the victim in the face with the shotgun and said: “I told you I was going to kill you.” Figueroa then proceeded to physically assault both the former girlfriend and her sister, who, at the time, was eight-months pregnant. As Figueroa attacked the women, another family member took Figueroa’s and the ex-girlfriend’s young child into a bedroom to shield the child from the violence.
After struggling with the pregnant woman and causing her to fall down a flight of stairs, Figueroa collected the shotgun from the apartment and led his former girlfriend to a red SUV, where he forced her into the backseat. Figueroa then drove the victim across state lines to New Jersey. Figueroa eventually stopped at the Kittatinny Point Visitor’s Center, which is located on federal property, and sexually assaulted his former girlfriend.
After the assault, the victim convinced Figueroa to dispose of the shotgun. When Figueroa went to do so, the former girlfriend climbed into the driver’s seat of the red SUV and drove away to safety.
After returning and discovering both his former girlfriend and the red SUV were no longer there, Figueroa approached a National Park Service employee, and led the employee to a nearby storage room, where he slammed the victim’s head against a door and threatened to harm the victim if he did not hand over the keys to his car. The employee complied and Figueroa fled the scene in the victim’s car.
Figueroa drove to Paterson, New Jersey, where he entered a used car dealership operated by a person with whom Figueroa had a business relationship. Figueroa asked an employee for a portable gas canister, which he filled shortly thereafter at a nearby gas station, and then returned to the dealership and doused the office with gasoline. After a brief struggle with an employee, Figueroa ignited a match and set the building on fire, engulfing the structure in flames and setting himself on fire in the process. Figueroa then fled the scene in another vehicle.
Law enforcement officers spotted Figueroa’s vehicle driving erratically towards the George Washington Bridge heading into New York. Figueroa ignored officers’ commands to stop, leading to a high-speed chase in which Figueroa rammed his vehicle into multiple police vehicles, injuring a police officer. Figueroa then got out of his vehicle and fled on foot. Officers placed Figueroa under arrest shortly thereafter.
The kidnapping charge and the aggravated sexual abuse charge each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The assaulting an employee of the United States charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The arson charges carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthews in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s verdict. He also thanked the Hazelton City, Pennsylvania, Police Department; the Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, District Attorney’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; the New Jersey State Police; the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vera Varshavsky and Naazneen Khan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Berwick Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft in Connection with A Mail “Fishing” SchemeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Justin William Davis, age 39, of Berwick, PA, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to Aggravated Identity Theft, as part of a so-called mail “fishing” scheme. Individuals involved in the scheme used improvised devices to pull mail from United States Post Office collection boxes in the hope of stealing checks and other valuable instruments which are then either cashed or deposited into the bank accounts of co-conspirators for later withdrawal.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal Information to which Davis pleaded guilty alleges that Davis unlawfully used the personal identification information, including the name and bank account number of another person, in the course of committing a bank fraud, by attempting to deposit into the account of the other person a high value check that he had “fished” from a collection box.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
Davis faces a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000, as a result of his guilty plea to the offense.
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Barbour County man admits to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jon Travis Yost, of Philippi, West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Yost, 28, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Transportation of Child Pornography – Previous conviction.” Yost, who was previously convicted of 3rd Degree Sexual Assault in Barbour County, admitted to sending child pornography in March 2020 in Barbour County.
Yost faces at least 25 and up to 50 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 David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
25 Indicted in Erie-Based Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. – Twenty-five people - twenty residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, a resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania, a resident of New Jersey, a resident of Orlando, Florida, and two residentsof Puerto Rico - have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The seven-count Indictment returned on May 10, 2022, and unsealed yesterday named:
Miguel Antonio Pabon Rivera, 27, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Eric Suarez Robles, 42, of Orlando, Florida;
Victor Felix Ogando De Leon, 27, of San Juan, Puerto Rico;
Limarys Quiles Negron, 23, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Pedro Rosado Ortiz, 29, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Enrique Cotto, 58, of Vineland, New Jersey;
Maria Del Pilar Rivera, 55, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Gloria Marie Robles Gonzalez, 23, of Manati, Puerto Rico;
Felix Jimenez Lopez, 25, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Kechawn Jabre Douglas, 24, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Vincent Andrew Feliciano, 31, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Luis Anthony Lopez, 25, of Meadville, Pennsylvania;
Jamir Marcel Feliciano, 23, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Alexander Feliciano, 37, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Tymeen Deltuan Williams, 30, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Peter Daniel Gambill, Jr., 24, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Dikwan Onnyx Plott, 24, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Ashliannie Zayas Agosto, 25, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
William David Condon, Jr., 33, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Maurice Ali Fortune, Jr., 20, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Isaiah Jechaun Camp, 22, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Dante Lashawn Husband, 30, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Quincy Aaron McCloud, 23, of Erie, Pennsylvania;
Tina Marie Defoy, 46, of Erie, Pennsylvania; and
Shana Latrice Mathis, 29, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, Miguel Rivera, Eric Suarez, Victor De Leon, and others engaged in an inter-territorial, multi-kilogram, cocaine distribution conspiracy that extended between the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Florida, the District of Puerto Rico, and elsewhere from in and around January 2020 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2022. From in and around February 2020, and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2022, Miguel Rivera and Eric Suarez engaged in interstate money laundering transactions intended to promote the conspiracy and conceal the proceeds of the conspiracy.
The Indictment further alleges that Kechawn Douglas, Vincent Feliciano, Luis Lopez, Jamir Feliciano, Tymeen Williams, and others engaged in a conspiracy to distribute multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, hundreds of grams of fentanyl, and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine within the Western District of Pennsylvania from in and around February 2022 and continuing thereafter to in or around May 2022. During this time, Vincent Feliciano and Luis Lopez traveled from Pennsylvania to Arizona to facilitate a business enterprise involving the distribution of illegal narcotics in Pennsylvania including four hundred grams or more of fentanyl. In addition, multiple defendants, to include Isaiah Camp, Dante Husband, Quincy McCloud, and Luis Lopez, were involved in the distribution of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine.
“These charges are the result of tremendous effort and collaboration among the FBI, and our law enforcement partners, including the City of Erie Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service, Erie County District Attorney’s Drug Taskforce, Erie County Detectives, and the Titusville, Millcreek, Oil City and Franklin Police Departments.” said United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung. “The law-abiding, hard-working people of Erie deserve safe streets and peaceful neighborhoods. Through the collaboration of the agencies represented here today, we have dismantled a dangerous drug trafficking organization operating in Erie County.”
“These arrests disrupted a criminal conspiracy that posed a tremendous threat to the city,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Our message is clear- illegal drugs and the violence they often bring with them have no place in this community. I am extremely proud of the collaborative efforts put forth by the dedicated personnel of my office and the partners on the FBI’s EAGLE Task Force. We are committed to working side by side with our state, local and federal partners to rid our communities of violent drug offenders and the destruction their activities create.”
“The Pennsylvania State Police is always honored to cooperate in joint investigations with our municipal and federal partners,” said Captain Kirk Reese of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop E. “We appreciate the support of the public as we interrupt their daily routines to seek justice and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. We hope the arrests made in this investigation help to improve the quality of life for all.”
“The Erie Police department is proud to work together with all our partnering agencies on this important investigation,” said Erie Police Chief Daniel Spizarny Sr. “Taking down large drug organizations such as this one requires multiple resources that no one agency can do alone. Working together makes our community safe and secure.”
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both for De Leon, Negron, Ortiz, Cotto, Maria Rivera, Gonzalez, Felix Lopez, Plott and Fortune; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,500,000, or both for Miguel Rivera and Robles; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $15,000,000, or both for Douglas; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,010,000, or both for Jamir Feliciano and Gambill; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000, or both for Alexander Feliciano, Defoy and Mathis; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $5,010,000, or both for Williams and Condon; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000 for Camp, Husband and McCloud; a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $15,260,000 for Vincent Feliciano; and a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $20,260,000 for both for Luis Lopez. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE), Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the FBI, the Erie Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Oil City Police Department, the Titusville Police Department, the Franklin Police Department, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case in coordination with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Erie County Detectives, and the Millcreek Police Department.
The investigation was also conducted in association with the Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative which was formed following Erie County’s designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in 2021. The HIDTA program was created by Congress in 1988 to coordinate and assist Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies in addressing regional drug threats with the purpose of reducing drug trafficking and drug production in the United States. The Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative coordinates personnel and resources between multiple agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police, FBI, Erie Police Department, Erie County District Attorney’s office, Erie County Detectives, United States Postal Inspection Service, the EAGLE Task Force, and other participating agencies.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
21-Year-Old Phoenix Man Sentenced to 75 Months for Alien Smuggling Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Isaiah Lorenzo Brinkley, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash to 75 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Brinkley previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit, Placing Life in Jeopardy, and Resulting in Death.
On January 26, 2020, Brinkley coordinated for G.J.H. to transport two undocumented noncitizens in exchange for payment. Late that evening, G.J.H. drove to an immigration checkpoint on State Route 85 near Why, Arizona. Border patrol Agents referred G.J.H. to secondary inspection. Instead of handing over the keys to the vehicle, G.J.H. fled from the immigration checkpoint and crashed the vehicle. G.J.H. and the two passengers, both Colombian citizens, were ejected from the vehicle. G.J.H. and one of the passengers died at the scene.
For several weeks after the fatal crash, Brinkley continued to coordinate and engage in alien smuggling for profit, often placing passengers in trunks of vehicles or instructing others to do so.
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca S. Garvey, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-00470-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-071_Brinkley# # #
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.
Thursday 12 May 2022
Worcester Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Ammunition OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Barry Jumpp, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman who scheduled sentencing for Oct. 3, 2022. Jumpp was indicted in February 2021.
On Jan. 7, 2021, Jumpp was pulled over while driving a rental car in Worcester. In the pocket of Jumpp’s jacket, law enforcement found a 9 mm firearm loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition. The firearm had been stolen from a Worcester resident in 2016. Jumpp is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun and Kristen Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
This case is 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.
Woodland Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Drug Offenses Uncovered by Operation Silent Night, an Effort to Fight Coordinated Criminal Activity in Northern CaliforniaRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Victor Magana, 28, of Woodland, was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Magana was one of 27 federal defendants arrested in February 2018 on narcotics and weapons-related charges as part of Operation Silent Night, a multi‑agency law enforcement investigation into coordinated criminal activity in Woodland. Beginning in the spring of 2016, the investigation uncovered organized criminal activity in Woodland with ties to criminal organizations in California’s jail and prison system. Although centered in Yolo County, the investigation revealed that at least nine other California counties were negatively impacted by these criminal organizations: Sacramento, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Del Norte, Solano, Fresno, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou.
On Aug. 5, 2021, Magana pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and admitted that on five different occasions in 2017, he had sold methamphetamine to a confidential source in various places in Woodland.
Operation Silent Night is the product of an investigation by the FBI, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, Woodland Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. The following agencies provided substantial assistance: Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, West Sacramento Police Department, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Davis Police Department, Yuba City Police Department, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Vacaville Police Department, the Correctional Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the cases.
The other defendants that have been convicted are listed below:
• Aldo Arellano, 28, of Marysville, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and sentenced eight years in prison.
• Raul Barajas, 24, of Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced to five years in prison.
• Patrick Botello, 36, of Pelican Bay State Prison, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2022.
• Israel Covarrubias, 30, of Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Mike Do, 40, of Sacramento, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2022.
• Milton Escobedo, 33, of Woodland, was convicted of distribution of cocaine and sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
• Rachel Felix, 43, of Woodland, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
• Ashley Habash, 32, of Marysville, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2022.
• Jose Heredia, 39, of Los Banos, was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and sentenced to five years in prison.
• Edgar Jimenez, 23, of Sacramento, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to three years in prison.
• Stefanie Lavan, 69, of Woodland, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and sentenced to two years in prison.
• John Lemus, 35, of Woodland, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.
• Jose Madrigal-Vega, 37, Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and sentenced to eight years in prison.
• James Masterson, 28, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to four years in prison.
• Brenda Miranda, 25, of Napa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and sentenced to five years of supervised release.
• Reginald Pajimola, 28, of Marysville, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to two years of probation.
• Mercedez Silva-Sims, 26, of Colusa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and sentenced to five years of supervised release.
• Joshua Sims, 27, of Colusa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and attempted distribution of methamphetamine and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• Erica Umbay, 47, of Woodland, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to six years in prison.
• Trevor White, 27, of Sacramento, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Whitley County Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Violent KidnappingsRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. — George Oscar Messer, 62, of Rockholds, Kentucky, was sentenced to Life Imprisonment on Wednesday, by United States District Judge Robert E. Wier. Messer was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of kidnapping, in January of this year.
According to evidence presented at trial, the kidnappings were motivated by an unsuccessful drug transaction, during which Messer’s son and his co-conspirators lost $10,000. Messer arrived at the scene of the kidnappings with numerous firearms, including an assault rifle and .44 magnum revolver. Messer held the revolver to one victim’s head while demanding the lost money. Thereafter, Messer learned that one of his co-conspirators had raped the second victim. In response to this, Messer then bound the second victim and sexually assaulted her, again, at gunpoint.
Messer and his co-conspirators held the two victims for approximately 24 hours, during which time the victims were interrogated, threatened, and assaulted. The victims only escaped after a family member spotted them in a ditch on the side of the road with Messer. Law enforcement recovered 15 firearms and numerous controlled substances from the Messer residence. At sentencing, Messer received numerous enhancements based on the use of a dangerous weapon, acting as a manager or supervisor, demanding a ransom, and sexually exploiting a victim. Messer also had a prior conviction for Sexual Abuse, Third Degree, from Whitley County in 2014.
Messer was indicted in November of 2020. His co-conspirators, Jake Messer, Joshua Mills, and Stephen Jewell, are awaiting sentencing.
“This is an unsettling example of the disturbing effects of illegal drug trafficking on our communities,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “In this case, it also wrought armed kidnappings, tortuous threats, and repeated sexual assaults. That unconstrained violence and unspeakable infliction of suffering certainly warrants the sentence imposed. I want to commend our law enforcement partners for their dedicated efforts in this case, without which this prosecution would not have been possible.”
“This defendant was part of an armed drug-trafficking organization that committed heinous acts of violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “I commend the efforts of the ATF agents and Kentucky State Police who worked diligently on this investigation to help bring justice to the victims who were kidnapped, tortured, and forced to endure the unimaginable. We hope that this life sentence brings some form of healing to the victims and sends a very clear message that ATF and our law enforcement partners will not stand by and allow these acts of violence."
United States Attorney Shier, Special Agent in Charge Morrow, and Colonel Phillip Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and KSP. United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenna E. Reed.
This case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. The PSN program involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Wheeling woman sentenced for drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Melissa Joann Hibbitts, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 8 months of incarceration for her involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Hibbitts, age 35, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, Cocaine Hydrochloride, Methamphetamine, and Heroin.” Hibbitts admitted to working with others to sell cocaine base, also known as “crack,” cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” and methamphetamine from June 2019 to August 2021 in Ohio County and elsewhere, including the Southern District of Ohio.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clairsville Police Department assisted.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Weatherby Lake Man Sentenced for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Weatherby Lake, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for falsely claiming ownership in a firm that fraudulently received hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts set aside for service-disabled veterans and certified minorities.
“So-called ‘Rent-A-Vet’ schemes often rely on the complicity of dishonest veterans to make the fraud seem credible,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “This defendant used his status as a minority and a service-disabled veteran to unfairly enrich himself and others at the expense of honest firms who actually qualified for hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.”
Stephon Ziegler, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 12 months in federal prison without parole.
“Today’s outcome demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who manipulate the DoD procurement process in furtherance of personal interests,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory P. Shilling of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. “We take these matters seriously and will continue to aggressively investigate fraud allegations involving DoD equities.”
“The Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General will continue to vigorously pursue contractors that defraud programs intended to benefit our nation’s veterans with disabilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this joint investigation.”
On May 21, 2019, Ziegler pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ziegler, an African-American service-disabled veteran, admitted that he falsely claimed to be the owner of Zieson Construction Company, a Missouri corporation whose primary business was obtaining federal construction contracts set aside for award to qualified small businesses. Zieson used Ziegler’s status to compete for federal contracts designated for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans and minorities.
In reality, Ziegler admitted, he did not control the day-to-day operations or the long-term decision making of Zieson. Ziegler signed Zieson checks when requested to do so, signed bids for government jobs when requested to do so, and served as a courier of checks and invoices when requested to do so. Patrick Michael Dingle, 51, of Parkville, Mo., and his co-conspirators set up, controlled, and operated Zieson, and received most of the profits from Zieson. None of the co-conspirators qualified as a minority nor a veteran.
When a site inspector for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs visited Zieson operations on Feb. 20, 2015, Ziegler appeared at the Zieson office in Riverside, Mo., even though he did not regularly use an office there, to create the illusion that he actually controlled Zieson. Ziegler denied Zieson’s affiliation with the co-conspirators who actually controlled Zieson when questioned by the site inspector. Ziegler told the Veterans Administration site inspector that he, Ziegler, operated seven different offices in three states, even though he knew that he did not in fact operate or control Zieson.
Between 2009 and 2018, Zieson was awarded approximately 199 federal contracts set aside for award to small businesses, minority-owned small businesses, and veteran-owned small businesses for which the government paid Zieson approximately $335 million.
Ziegler received approximately $434,383 as a result of his participation in the fraud scheme. From 2010 through 2018, Ziegler received approximately $114,670 in distributions, $242,713 in home renovations, and $77,000 as a down payment on his house. Additionally, Ziegler received $781,639 as his salary from 2010 through 2018.
Matthew C. McPherson, 46, of Olathe, Kansas, who was charged in a separate but related case, was sentenced on Jan. 5, 2022, to two years and four months in federal prison without parole. McPherson also has forfeited to the government $5,516,786, which represents his share of the fraud proceeds. On June 3, 2019, McPherson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and major program fraud.
McPherson’s co-conspirator, Patrick Michael Dingle,51, of Parkville, Mo., pleaded guilty on Sept. 13, 2020, and awaits sentencing. Dingle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and major program fraud. Dingle also pleaded guilty, in a separate case, to one count of filing a false tax return.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Perkins Rock. It was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General; the Army Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit; the Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Secret Service; the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Procurement Fraud; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Contract Audit Agency - Operations Investigative Support (OIS); the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
Washington State Man Sentenced to Eight Years on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
JUNEAU – A Washington state man was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess to eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
According to court documents, Roderick Ayers, 33, personally packaged 10 ounces of methamphetamine in a box which he then shipped within a pallet of tires to Juneau on January 31, 2018. A week later the Juneau Police Department (JPD) learned that a known local drug user was acting strangely and attempting to pick up the pallet of tires sent by Ayers. JPD obtained a search warrant for the pallet and found the box of methamphetamine and Ayers’ fingerprint on the drug package. On February 18, a confidential informant in Juneau contacted Ayers to purchase an ounce of heroin for $1,800. The informant electronically transferred the money to Ayers who then shipped the heroin via the U.S. Postal Service.
“Individuals like Ayers and the illicit drugs that are shipped to Alaska leave a trail of destruction in our communities and we will not idly standby and watch,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Today’s sentence sends a message that we take drug trafficking crimes very seriously in Alaska and we will continue to vigorously prosecute traffickers, wherever they may live, for their illegal actions.”
“The defendant exploited critical industries in Alaska to import and sell significant quantities of illicit narcotics in the Juneau region, which has been ravaged by the damaging effects of drug trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The harm caused by the distribution and use of drugs such as methamphetamine and heroin in Alaskan communities is devastating and the FBI continues to collaborate with local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners to stem the tide of this systemic and widespread abuse.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Juneau Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt prosecuted the case.
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Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Washington man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to coercion and enticement of a minor.
Jabarie Phillips, a/k/a Jabarie Lindsey, 44, of Seattle, Wash., pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor before U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. who scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8, 2022. Phillips was charged in May 2019.
In April 2019, Phillips and a 14-year-old middle-school girl from Massachusetts began communicating via Facebook. Phillips, knowing the girl’s age, repeatedly asked her to take sexually explicit videos and photos of herself for him to view. During their communications, the minor told Phillips that she had issues with her family, to which Phillips responded, “If you run away let me know we can take this show on the road I need a partner in crime.” After communicating online with the girl, Phillips flew from Washington to Boston. On April 29, 2019, the girl met Phillips at Logan Airport, and then they traveled together to South Station to catch a bus to Seattle, Wash.
On May 3, 2019, authorities intercepted the bus in Minneapolis, Minn. where they arrested Phillips and recovered the girl. Phillips was arrested on two warrants – one out of Washington for violating probation following his release from prison for a 2008 conviction for manslaughter and one out of Massachusetts for kidnapping.
The charge of coercion and enticement of a minor provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn; and police departments in Southeastern Massachusetts made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Warning from U.S. Attorney's Office: Your Next High Could be Your LastRead the Press Release
Media Advisory
Denver – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado produced and released a public service announcement (PSA) on the dangers of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is killing our neighbors and our children at an alarming rate,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “Our office will prosecute the drug dealers and manufacturers who are bringing this poison into our community. If fentanyl causes a death, the dealers and manufacturers face at least 20 years and up to life in prison. But this is about more than prosecution. It’s about education. We need to warn people about this public health and public safety crisis.”
Please help us spread the message that fentanyl kills. Video links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/USAO_CO/status/1524850610612453392?s=20&t=5Su8-mTNY41BjLY9bdVREQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USAOColorado/videos/322493246667059
Additional Resources:
- https://www.dea.gov/onepill
- https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html
- https://www.justice.gov/opioidawareness
Virginia Man Who Sold Drugs and Possessed Fully Automatic Machine Gun Sentenced to 15 YearsRead the Press Release
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Concord, Virginia man, who possessed a fully automatic machine gun while distributing large quantities of marijuana in the Lynchburg area, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison.
Malik Lee Simpson, 23, pled guilty in February 2022 to two counts of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“A Glock switch – even when not attached to a firearm – is classified as a machine gun under federal law. When attached, these devices convert a firearm to being a fully automatic machine gun, and those who possess them, especially in the context of drug trafficking, will be met with severe penalties.” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “Possession of a fully automatic machine gun in the context of drug trafficking crime triggers a 30-year mandatory minimum term of incarceration. This defendant received a lesser sentence after fully accepting responsibility and preserving judicial and prosecutorial resources. This case demonstrates my Office and the Department of Justice’s commitment to fighting gun violence and preventing fully automatic firearms from being in our communities in the Western District of Virginia.”
“Today’s announcement sends a clear and direct message that we take the illegal possession of handgun conversion devices very seriously. We commit to keeping the illegal possession and usage of these devices as an investigative priority. We are extremely thankful for the results of this investigation,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson said. "The ATF Washington Field Division will continue to collaborate with our partners to ensure those who violate federal firearms laws and commit acts of violence are held accountable for their actions.”
“Violent crime has no place in the Lynchburg community,” said Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan M. Zuidema. “I am grateful for the dedication of the officers who investigated this case and for the collaboration between the Lynchburg Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to bring this violent offender to justice.”
According to court documents, on July 11, 2019, Simpson was observed engaging in a hand-to-hand drug transaction. After determining he had an active warrant for his arrest, law enforcement pursued Simpson into a residence and arrested him after finding a bag he had been carrying with over 60 grams of marijuana and a Glock 22 handgun inside.
Nearly two weeks later after having been released, Simpson was the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for having a brake light out. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, and upon search of the trunk discovered a backpack belonging to Simpson whose contents included more than 40 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and a Glock 19 handgun that was fitted with a machine gun conversion, also known as a “Glock Switch,” which makes the weapon fully automatic. Facebook records obtained through the investigation showed that Simpson had purchased the “Glock Switch” from co-defendant Nathan Samuel Arthurs in May 2019.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Lynchburg Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Welsh prosecuted the case.
United States Signs Protocol to Strengthen International Law Enforcement Cooperation to Combat CybercrimeRead the Press Release
At the Council of Europe (COE) headquarters in Strasbourg, France, on May 12, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) Richard Downing of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division signed the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence on behalf of the U.S. government. This strengthening and expansion of the multilateral international treaty commonly called the Budapest Convention is part of the United States’ steadfast commitment to helping nations, including the United States, fight cybercrime by obtaining access to needed electronic evidence.
The Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention will accelerate cooperation among parties to protect our citizens from cybercrime and hold criminals accountable. As cybercrime proliferates, electronic evidence is increasingly stored in different jurisdictions. The Second Additional Protocol is specifically designed to help law enforcement authorities obtain access to such electronic evidence, with new tools including direct cooperation with service providers and registrars, expedited means to obtain subscriber information and traffic data associated with criminal activity, and expedited cooperation in obtaining stored computer data in emergencies. All these tools are subject to a system of human rights and rule of law safeguards.
At the signing, DAAG Downing said, “The Budapest Convention is a truly remarkable international instrument. Its technology-neutral approach to cybercrime has created an enduring framework for cooperation that ensures law enforcement has the tools they need to respond to new criminal methods.” He noted that 66 countries are currently party to the Convention and more accede every year.
Today’s signing, which took place within the framework of an international conference on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence held in cooperation with the Italian Presidency of the COE Committee of Ministers, was the culmination of nearly four years of negotiation by the U.S. delegation, composed of U.S. Department of Justice and Department of State representatives.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is a leading donor to the Council of Europe Cybercrime Program, which provides crucial advice and technical assistance to help countries join and implement the Budapest Convention.
The United States remains committed to the Budapest Convention as the premier international legal instrument for fighting cybercrime. As DAAG Downing said today, “It is our collective vision that every country that is serious about fighting cybercrime and that provides for the protection of human rights should become party to the Budapest Convention. The Convention strikes the right balance between imposing obligations on nations to have robust laws and capabilities and providing the flexibility necessary for nations with different legal systems to join.”
Additional information about the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention may be found here.
United States Attorney Jason R. Coody Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
May 11 - May 17 is National Police Week
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Jason R. Coody will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“Every day our brave law enforcement officers face dangerous and difficult situations without reservation or expectation of thanks,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “These courageous individuals serve, not for fame or fortune, but act selflessly to protect their fellow citizens and keep our communities safe. It is fitting and proper to express our unwavering support and appreciation to our law enforcement officers and their families, while remembering those among their ranks who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. Twelve officers have died in the line of duty in the Northern District of Florida.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
USP Canaan Inmate Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Smuggle Suboxone into Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Devro Hebron, age 38, of the District of Columbia, yesterday to 24 months’ imprisonment for the offense of Attempted Provision of Contraband to an Inmate. The 24-month sentence must run consecutively to the federal prison sentence that Hebron was already serving at the time of the offense.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 19, 2019, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, located in Waymart, PA, and with the assistance of a prison visitor, Hebron attempted to smuggle Suboxone, an opiate and narcotic drug, into the prison, as part of a plan to sell the Suboxone strips for profit to other inmates. Hebron was discovered in the act after being observed by prison staff to place an unknown object into his mouth while meeting with his visitor in the prison visiting area. Hebron’s visitor, Sierra Lynn Holland, was separately prosecuted and convicted for her role in providing Hebron with the contraband.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Corey F. Ellis will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“This is a somber week for everyone in the South Carolina law enforcement community, as we honor all those who have worn the uniform and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis. “These officers held the line to protect every man, woman, and child in South Carolina and we are forever in their debt. This week, and every week, we honor and lift up our law enforcement community. This office will also do everything it can to make the streets safer for these officers and the communities they patrol.”
U.S. Attorney Ellis noted the surge in violent crime, which has acutely impacted the South Carolina law enforcement community, is an issue that affects both officers and their communities. Accordingly, U.S. Attorney Ellis announced today that over the next several weeks the U.S. Attorney’s Office will host four meetings with state and local partners - one in each region of the state - in an effort to better address violent crime in South Carolina.
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. Nine officers have died in the line of duty in the District of South Carolina since 2021.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
In honor of National Police Week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state and local law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11, through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“Everyday law enforcement in Northern Ohio and across the country put their lives on the line to make our communities safe and secure for us and future generations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “This week, we offer our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to all those in law enforcement, as well as to families and loved ones.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifice. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. This year, three officers have died in the line of duty in the Northern District of Ohio.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year.
In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths, significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. The vigil will be streamed live, online via the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
U.S. Attorney's Office Resolves Civil Forfeiture Litigation Involving Charlotte Strip MallRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today the resolution of a civil forfeiture case involving a strip mall located at 1533 West Blvd, near the corner of West Boulevard and Remount Road in Charlotte.
In making todays’ announcement U.S. Attorney Dena J. King said, “For years, rampant drug dealing and drug-fueled crimes took place on the premises of this strip mall, which impacted surrounding neighborhoods. Partnering with local law enforcement to increase the safety of our communities is one my Office’s highest priorities. I want to thank the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for their work in this case and for their ongoing efforts to keep our streets safe.”
In April 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against the commercial property, alleging that, for years, the property had been the site of significant volume of drug trafficking and other crimes, including 14 shootings since March 2017. Since the filing of the civil action, reported criminal activity has greatly decreased, going from recurrent shootings, assaults, and robberies to no reported violent crime on the property. In addition, 28 total calls for service were reported by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department after the complaint was filed, compared to thousands of service calls received in years prior.
During the pendency of the litigation, the City of Charlotte (the City), pursuant to its Corridors of Opportunity Program, offered to purchase the property from its owners and to implement improvements consistent with the West Boulevard Corridor Vision. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has entered into an agreement with the City to dismiss the forfeiture action, and, as part of the agreement, the City has agreed to take short and long-term crime prevention measures at the property to ensure it no longer poses a threat to the residents of the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Johnson and Benjamin Bain-Creed, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, handled the forfeiture proceedings, with the investigative support of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Westover Division and Special Investigations Unit of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS — In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year, National Police Week is observed from Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“During National Police Week, we recognize our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners for their courage and dedication,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We also honor and pay tribute to the brave women and men who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty: they will never be forgotten. Our office is grateful for Nevada’s law enforcement community and the families of every officer and agent.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. Last year, seven officers have died in the line of duty in the District of Nevada.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Honors Law Enforcement During Police WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. — In honor of National Police Week, the United States Attorney’s Office recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“Law enforcement officers protect and serve their local communities,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “We honor their courage, their commitment to justice, and their lives of public service.”In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. Thirteen of the 472 officers on NLEOMF’s list are from the District of Arizona, and will be added to the law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C. Last week, the names of 26 state, local, and federal officers, who died in the line of duty in 2021, were added to the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial. Their names can be found at https://www.azag.gov/outreach/law-enforcement/pomb.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts and 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. The 619 names being added to the wall include those of officers whose End of Watch was before 2021 but were not previously inscribed. Anyone who wishes to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-070_Police Week
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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.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney Wildasin Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Mark H. Wildasin recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“We pause this week to remember and honor the sacrifice of our brave law enforcement officers who gave their all in service to their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “We will not forget their sacrifice and will continue their legacies in preserving peace and pursuing justice for the people of middle Tennessee.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19, including two from the Middle District of Tennessee: Detective Derek Sidwell of the Overton County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Sheriff Teresa Fuller of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths, significantly outpacing all other line-of-duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney Waldref Recognizes Police Week in Eastern WashingtonRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – In honor of National Police Week, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said United States Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
The U.S. Attorney joined the Attorney General in thanking law enforcement. “Throughout National Police Week, we thank our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officers for their unrelenting commitment to protect us all and keep the communities of Eastern Washington safe and strong,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Every day, these courageous men and women put their lives on the line for ours and we are extremely grateful for their sacrifice. We all owe them our deepest gratitude and respect.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19. In the State of Washington, seven officers have died in the line of duty, including Jon David Anderson of the Spokane Police Department.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks1 were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
1An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Brown recognizes sacrifices of law enforcement and their loved ones during Police WeekRead the Press Release
Seattle – In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Nick Brown is recognizing the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“On Friday the names of seven Washington State law enforcement officers who died in 2019, 2020, and 2021, will be added to the Memorial wall in Washington DC – among them is Seattle Police Officer Alexandra Brenneman Harris – a young officer devoted to improving police and community relations. She was struck and killed on I-5 while checking that others were uninjured,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “To honor these officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, we must join with our communities and work tirelessly for a safe and just future.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
The seven officers who died in the line of duty between 2019 and 2021 in Washington State and will have their names added this week to the memorial wall in Washington DC are:
- Jeremy Robert Brown, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
- Reginald Bernard Harris, King County Sheriff’s Office
- Alexandra Brenneman Harris, Seattle Police Department
- Jon David Anderson, Spokane Police Department
- Gabriel Kyle Forrest, Washington State Corrections
- David Alan Christensen, Washington State Corrections
- Eric Thomas Gunderson, Washington State Patrol
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF.
U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
CONCORD - In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Jane E. Young recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“During National Police Week, we all must reflect, with gratitude, on those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We also must remember the families and loved ones left behind,” said United States Attorney Young. “Each day the dedicated men and women who protect our communities encounter significant risks, yet they bravely face those risks to fearlessly protect our communities, state and nation. And for that, we extend our heartfelt thanks.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
On October 28, 2021, New Hampshire State Police Staff Sgt. Jesse E. Sherrill died in the line of duty in the District of New Hampshire.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local, law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11, through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“I join Attorney General Garland in paying tribute to the brave and dedicated men and women in law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Harris. “These committed public servants devote countless hours toward making our communities safe, work that all too often places them in significant peril. Tragically, here in the Central District of Illinois, we have had officers make the ultimate sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
The Central District of Illinois grieves the following officers who served in the district and were killed in the line of duty in 2021 and this year:
- Knox County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas D. Weist, End of Watch Date: April 29, 2022
- Bradley, Illinois, Police Department Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic, End of Watch Date: December 30, 2021
- Peoria County Illinois, Corrections Officer Camron Passie, End of Watch Date: December 5, 2021
- Champaign, Illinois, Police Officer Chris Oberheim, End of Watch Date: May 19, 2021
- Illinois State Police Senior Master Trooper Todd A. Hanneken, End of Watch Date: March 25, 2021
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks [1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.S. Attorney Gonzalez Recognizes Law Enforcement Partners During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
BOISE— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“I am grateful for the professionalism, dedication and quiet courage our law enforcement partners continually demonstrate under demanding and often dangerous circumstances,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “My office sees firsthand how brave men and women of law enforcement fulfill their sworn duty to uphold justice every day without question and without expectation of thanks. We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation. This week, and every day, we have their backs and they have our thanks.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Easley Expands Civil Rights Initiative to Focus on Enforcement, Education and Community OutreachRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael Easley today formally announced the expansion of the office’s continued efforts to enforce federal civil rights laws across Eastern North Carolina. These efforts will include an emphasis on community engagement and law enforcement training.
“Our office is committed to ensuring that all people are treated equally and fairly under the law,” said Easley. “Our Civil Rights Team will make the investigation of potential civil and criminal civil rights violations a top priority and bring appropriate action when warranted. We want the communities we serve to be free from discrimination.”
As part of the Civil Rights Initiative, the U.S. Attorney has designated a Civil Rights Team including Civil Rights Coordinators in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions as well as a designated Human Trafficking Coordinator. The Civil Division Coordinator coordinates enforcement actions related to the protection of voter rights; disability rights or access; and discrimination in housing, healthcare, lending, employment, and education. The Criminal Division Coordinator coordinates criminal enforcement actions such as the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes and color of law violations. The Human Trafficking Coordinator oversees the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes such as forced labor, sex trafficking of minors, and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. The coordinators work closely with the Office’s Chief Counsel for Litigation, who takes on special litigative projects in the area of civil rights. In addition to these dedicated prosecutors, the office will continue working with state and local law enforcement agencies and community groups to raise awareness of key civil rights issues. The Team will coordinate closely with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other federal agencies as needed.
As a part of its ongoing community outreach, the office has launched a new website with information about civil rights laws and details on how to submit civil rights complaints. In addition, the office is co-hosting a program on May 19 with the Apex Police Department, the Garden of Hope, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Apex to discuss the impact of human trafficking on the Asian Pacific Islander community. Beginning in June, the office is also co-hosting a series of monthly training sessions with the North Carolina Justice Academy to enhance law enforcement’s tools to avoid and manage community conflict, including training on de-escalation, use of force, community engagement, and civil rights laws. Other trainings and educational forums will be scheduled throughout the year.
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U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson Recognizes the Service and Sacrifice of Law Enforcement during National Police WeekRead the Press Release
In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Clint Johnson recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“During National Police Week, we pay tribute to the brave men and women of law enforcement serving in communities across our Nation. I want to thank our law enforcement partners on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to the betterment of our communities and to the safety of their fellow citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “We also honor the courageous and dedicated officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the American people. Their selfless devotion will not be forgotten.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting.
Approximately eleven Oklahoma officers died in the line of duty in 2021 according to the Officer Down Memorial Page and Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial Page. Officers include Sergeant Frank Rodriguez of the Midwest City Police Department; Patrol Officer Howard Kritzer Smith III and Patrol Officer Edgar "Buddy" Pales, Jr. of the Owasso Police Department; Sergeant John Lee Trout Sr. and Police Officer Matthew Ryan North of the Bernice Police Department; Sergeant John Arthur Harris II of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office; Police Officer Lewis Franklin Cantey of the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department; and Corporal Kyle Jeffrey Davis of the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial page also includes Deputy Sheriff Ray Lee Jacomo Jr. of the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office; Detention Officer Steven Rozell of the Washita County Sheriff’s Office; and Investigator Lewis Roller of the District 6 District Attorney ‘s Office.
As part of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson and Law Enforcement Coordinator Chris Witt will attend several memorial ceremonies honoring fallen officers in northeastern Oklahoma.
U.S. Attorney Johnson will speak at the Bartlesville Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office memorial on May 18 at noon. He previously attended the Tulsa Police Department memorial on May 7.
Witt will represent the U.S. Attorney’s Office at multiple memorial ceremonies:
- National Law Enforcement Memorial Week, Washington DC - 11-17 May
- Bartlesville Police Department/Washington County Sheriff’s Office - May 18
- Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office - May 19
- Oklahoma Law Enforcement - May 20
- Oklahoma City Police Department - May 20
- Witt previously attended the Tulsa Police Department memorial.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
U.s. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart Recognizes Police WeekRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama— In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”
“The men and women that serve in law enforcement play a critical role in the safety and prosperity of our nation,” stated U.S. Attorney Stewart. “Day after day they watch over our communities and confront crime and violence where it happens, placing their own lives at risk in the process. We take time this week to honor and recognize those we have lost and thank those that continue to serve. I encourage all citizens to do just that, not only this week, but each week to come.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021. Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.
Additionally, according to 2021 statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 73 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2021 were killed as a result of felonious acts, whereas 56 died in accidents. Deaths resulting from felonious acts increased in 2021, rising more than 58 percent from the previous year. In 2021, unprovoked attacks[1] were the cause of 24 deaths significantly outpacing all other line of duty deaths resulting from felony acts and reaching the highest annual total in over 30 years of reporting. Additional LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website for the LEOKA program.
The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Friday, May 13, 2022, during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8:00 PM EDT. Those who wish to view the vigil live online, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on NLEOMF’s website.
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Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.
[1] An unprovoked attack is defined as an attack on an officer not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident between the officer and the offender. Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program.
Two Western Kentucky Men Plead Guilty in Federal Court to Grain Elevator SchemeRead the Press Release
PADUCAH, KY – In the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Division, Gerald Kent Kingston, 61, of Elkton, KY and Bobby Joe Merrick, 72, of Princeton, KY pled guilty yesterday to stealing over $350,000 from a Lyon County, KY grain elevator company.
According to court documents, Kingston was formerly employed as manager at Gavilon Grain which operates a grain elevator in Eddyville, KY. Merrick is a local farmer who contracted with Gavilon Grain to sell his corn, wheat, and soybeans at the grain elevator. Between September 19, 2016, and May 5, 2021, Kingston and Merrick devised a scheme to defraud Gavilon Grain by creating multiple scale tickets for each truck load of crop that Merrick delivered. Kingston electronically submitted the scale tickets to Gavilon Grain’s headquarters in Nebraska for payment. The scheme caused Merrick to be paid twice for each truck load of crop he delivered.
During court proceedings, Kingston and Merrick admitted that Merrick was paid $354,870.11 for phantom loads of product. After receiving payment from Gavilon Grain, Merrick would make a cash payment to Kingston.
Kingston and Merrick both pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and five counts of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. As part of the plea agreement, they will be required to pay $354,870.11 in restitution to Gavilon Grain. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell, who will determine any sentence each receives after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee.
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Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Pump-and-Dump Stock Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Aaron P. Arnzen (619) 546-8384
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 12, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Gannon Giguiere and Oliver Lindsay were sentenced to prison today for participating in a pump-and-dump securities fraud scheme. Lindsay, who lived in the Cayman Islands at the time of his arrest, received a 17-month prison sentence, and Giguiere, from Laguna Beach, California, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
When Giguiere pleaded guilty in 2019, he admitted to manipulating the market for the stock of Kelvin Medical, Inc., a small medical device company. Giguiere conspired to pump up the price and volume of these stocks through manipulative trading and/or a stock promotion website designed to get unwitting investors interested in buying the stock. After the stock prices rose and he dumped the shares, Giguiere pocketed more than $1.4 million in fraudulent proceeds from these schemes. Lindsay also pleaded guilty in 2019, admitting that he engaged in manipulative trading with the same goal – to artificially increase the price and trading volume of Kelvin Medical stock.
In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes also ordered defendants to make restitution payments to victims of their scheme in the amount of $187,893.43.
“These are fitting sentences for defendants who caused significant harm to investors,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “I trust that this will deter others who would participate in schemes that harm the integrity of the United States financial markets.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the FBI for their excellent work on this case.
“The FBI is committed to investigating those who prey on unsuspecting investors for their own financial gain,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “These defendants will now face the consequences for their coordinated investment fraud scheme.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 18cr3071-WQH
Gannon Giguiere Age: 49 Laguna Beach, CA
Oliver Lindsay Age: 44 Vancouver, Canada
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Two Californians Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Tech-Support Scam Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - Two residents of Santa Ana, California, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy relating to their participation in a scheme to defraud elderly victims in the United States.
The two-count Indictment, returned on April 26, 2022, and unsealed today, named Thien Phuc Tran, 32, and Ton Huynh Bui, 29, both of Santa Ana, CA, as defendants. The brothers-in-law were arrested today in Santa Ana and will make their initial appearances this afternoon in federal court in the Central District of California.
According to the Indictment, from December 2020 to December 2021, Tran and Bui participated in a multi-million-dollar conspiracy to defraud elderly persons residing in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. As alleged, members of the conspiracy contacted potential victims on their computers through pop-up messages falsely purporting to be from reputable technology companies, convinced victims that their financial accounts had been compromised and that their funds needed to be moved, and subsequently gained control over the victims’ computers and personal funds. Members of the conspiracy also allegedly used stolen personally identifiable information (PII) from additional unwitting victims to open financial accounts and create email addresses to receive and move the proceeds of the fraud. Conspirators also converted stolen victim funds to cryptocurrency, and moved money through multiple accounts, including accounts affiliated with the defendants, in an attempt to conceal their fraudulent activities. The Indictment alleges that one victim in the Western District of Pennsylvania was caused to liquidate retirement accounts totaling $1,288,073.
“The Department of Justice prioritizes protecting the elderly from all types of financial crime,” said U.S. Attorney Chung. “Members of the alleged conspiracy in this case preyed on this vulnerable population by convincing victims that their personal funds were not secure and needed to be moved to other accounts controlled by the defendants. My office will continue to seek justice for these victims and hold accountable those who would perpetrate fraudulent schemes against the elderly. Indeed, one of the best ways to prevent financial fraud is to educate yourself about the many types of scams.”
“Cyber criminals are targeting our aging population at an ever-increasing rate,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “This conspiracy targeted members of the senior population in western Pennsylvania and across the United States. In some cases, these criminals have stolen the life savings of unsuspecting and trusting seniors through social engineering, computer intrusions and other means. The FBI will continue to work to put an end to these types of cyber schemes and help prevent our senior citizen population from becoming victims.”
“Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to facilitate illicit activities,” said U.S. Secret Service Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Timothy Burke. “We are proud to work with our partners to investigate schemes like those charged in the indictment. At the Secret Service we are committed to keeping pace with innovations in the financial system as we continue to safeguard Americans from fraud and other illicit activities.”
Millions of older Americans lose money to financial fraud and scams each year. Scammers will try to contact victims in person, on the phone, through the computer, radio, TV ads, email and text message. They often pressure targets to act quickly. But everyone has the power to stop scammers and the right to say “No.”
Six of the most common scams affecting older Americans are:
• Tech Support: Scammers pose as tech support and offer to fix computer problems that are not real. They ask targets to give them access to their computer and steal their personal information.
• Posing as Utility Companies: The scammer threatens to shut off utility service if a payment is not made immediately.
• Online Shopping: Scammers pretend to be a real business but have a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retailer’s site.
• Business Imposters: Scammers send emails or text messages pretending to be a major retailer to get your money or personal information.
• Government Impersonation: Scammers pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute targets unless they agree to pay an amount claimed to be owed to the government.
• Romance Scams: Scammers pose as interested romantic partners and convince targets to give them money for various fictitious reasons.The best way to avoid being exploited is to NEVER give out personal or financial information over the telephone or by email or text in response to a solicitation. Victims of financial fraud are encouraged to call the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
To learn about types of financial scams visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts or www.elderjustice.gov/senior-scam-alert.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Stephen R. Kaufman are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Toledo Area Physician Charged with Fraudulently Billing More Than $8.4 Million to MedicareRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Ankita Singh, 39, formerly of Maumee, Ohio, with fraudulently billing Medicare $8.4 million.
According to the indictment, the defendant was a state-licensed physician practicing in Maumee and Toledo. From June 2018 through May 2021, it is alleged that the defendant participated in a scheme to bill Medicare approximately $8.4 million in durable medical equipment, prosthetics/orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) that were medically unnecessary.
As part of the scheme, it is alleged that telemarketers and call centers would contact or cold-call Medicare beneficiaries in an attempt to convince the beneficiaries to agree to receive DMEPOS, specifically braces, in the mail. The call center operators and telemarketers often told beneficiaries that the braces would be provided at no cost and that a doctor would be contacting them.
The indictment states that the call centers and telemarketers would then use general information about the beneficiary, including their name, Medicare number and purported diagnosis, to prepare DMEPOS order forms that certified that the equipment and supplies were medically necessary.
According to the indictment, the defendant received these order forms and signed them, even though the defendant had never spoken to, examined, assessed or otherwise established a doctor-patient relationship with the beneficiary. As a result, DMEPOS suppliers shipped the items listed on the order forms to the beneficiaries and submitted a corresponding claim to Medicare.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is 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, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) and Cleveland FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody L. King.
Ten Alleged Members or Associates of Chicago Street Gang Charged in Drug Trafficking ProbeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A joint federal and local drug trafficking investigation has resulted in federal charges against ten alleged members or associates of a Chicago street gang for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine.
During the multi-year probe, law enforcement shut down three open-air drug markets in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Chicago Police Department, utilized extensive undercover and covert surveillance operations and resulted in the seizures of multiple kilograms of suspected heroin, some of which was laced with fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as four rifles, four handguns, a MAC-10 submachine gun, a shotgun, and more than 450 rounds of ammunition. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleges that the ten federal defendants are members or associates of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang.
The ten federal defendants are in law enforcement custody and have made initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago. In addition to the federal defendants, more than 20 other individuals were charged with state drug offenses in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
The federal charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Angie Salazar, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of HSI; and David Brown, Superintendent of CPD. Valuable assistance was provided by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn McCarthy, David Green, and Kristin Pinkston represent the government.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
“Fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine are extremely potent drugs that have wreaked havoc in too many of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “We will continue to focus our efforts on individuals and groups who traffic dangerous drugs and prosecute those offenders in federal court.”
“Our goal is for law abiding residents to enjoy safety and peace in their communities, and holding these criminals accountable for their actions is a major step toward achieving that goal,” said HSI SAC Salazar. “We will continue to put pressure on these dangerous gangs by investigating and prosecuting their members, just as we are doing in this case.”
Charged with federal drug conspiracy are NATHANIEL EVANS, 38, of Aurora, Ill., JARELLE JONES, 24, of Forest Park, Ill., MARQUIS JONES, 29, of Chicago, DEVONTAY LOGAN, 27, of Chicago, JOSEPH WILLIAMS, 31, of Chicago, DORNELL WILLIAMS, 34, of Chicago, TEREMIUS WEBB, 25, of Chicago, ANTONIO FLETCHER, 40, of Chicago, KYLE LINTON, 25, of Chicago, and MAURICE BELL, 40, of Chicago.
From February 2021 to April 2022, law enforcement officers made numerous undercover purchases of narcotics from various members of the organization. The drugs at the open-air markets were typically packaged in small baggies and sold for $10 each – with discounts for higher quantity sales, the complaint states.
According to the federal charges, Evans directed the drug trafficking operation and supervised the three open-air markets, which were located in the 3900 block of West Jackson Boulevard, 3900 block of West Van Buren Street, and 4000 block of West Maypole Avenue. Jarelle Jones, Marquis Jones, Joseph Williams, and Dornell Williams allegedly worked as “shift managers,” overseeing drug sales at the illegal markets at various times of the day. The charges allege that Logan picked up narcotics from suppliers, delivered them to the Jackson Boulevard location, and collected illicit proceeds after the sales. Webb, Fletcher, and Linton allegedly worked as street-level dealers, while the charges accuse Bell of obtaining narcotics for sales at the Maypole Avenue location.
The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The drug conspiracy charge is punishable by up to life in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Stoneham Woman Sentenced for Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud Related to COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Stoneham woman was sentenced today in connection with her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance using stolen identities.
Lilly Nguyen, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to two years in prison and 18 months of supervised release. Nguyen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $526,423. On Aug. 3, 2021, Nguyen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors, or gig economy workers).
Nguyen participated in a scheme with co-conspirator Daniel Maleus to submit fraudulent PUA claims using the stolen personally identifiable information of others. The claims submitted by Nguyen and Maleus resulted in $526,423 in payments between April 2020 and April 2021.
In November 2021, Maleus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced on April 12, 2022, by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel, to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. Maleus was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $526,423.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
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.
St. Paul Man Sentenced in St. Paul Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
Minneapolis, Minn. – A St. Paul man was sentenced to 110 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a robbery spree of St. Paul businesses, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on June 14, 2021, Warren Dean, 27, entered a Speedway gas station, flashed a realistic looking replica gun at the employees, and ordered them to give him money from the cash register. Dean ordered the employees to lay on the ground and fled the scene with approximately $292 in cash.
In addition to the Speedway robbery, Dean admitted to robbing or attempting to rob another six St. Paul businesses between June 14 and 16, 2021. After his last robbery on June 16, St. Paul police attempted to apprehend Dean, but he fled from officers and led them on a 30-mile car chase that ended in north Minneapolis after Dean crashed into multiple parked cars. After his vehicle stopped, Dean refused to surrender and a four-hour standoff ensued before officers were able to take Dean into custody without incident.
Dean was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis. On October 13, 2021, Dean pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
This case is the result of investigations conducted by the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Travel for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with Fifteen-Year-Old MinorRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – GRAHAM LOVELACE, age 33, of Greenville, South Carolina, pleaded guilty as charged today before United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe to a one-count bill of information charging him with interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the court documents, in October 2021, LOVELACE met the minor, a fifteen-year-old who resided in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, on an Xbox game. Throughout 2020 and 2021, LOVELACE and the minor engaged in sexually explicit correspondence, and they made plans to engage in sexual acts in the future, on numerous occasions. During the correspondence, LOVELACE requested and received sexually explicit images and videos of the minor via a video messaging application. In early January 2021, LOVELACE purchased the minor victim a bus ticket to travel from New Orleans to Greenville, South Carolina. However, the minor victim’s mother discovered the correspondence with LOVELACE, informed LOVELACE of the minor victim’s age, and prevented the minor from leaving Louisiana. In fall of 2021, LOVELACE and the minor made plans for LOVELACE to travel to Louisiana to pick up the minor and return to South Carolina together for the purpose of engaging in sex and spending the rest of their lives together. On about October 6, 2021, LOVELACE traveled by automobile from South Carolina to the minor’s Belle Chasse, Louisiana school bus stop. LOVELACE and the minor then travelled to New Orleans, where they stayed in a hotel room together and engaged in sexual intercourse. On about October 7, 2021, LOVELACE and the minor were found by law enforcement, walking hand-in-hand down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
LOVELACE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) years, followed by a minimum of five (5) years and maximum of a lifetime of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. LOVELACE will also be required to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee at sentencing. LOVELACE may also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Milazzo has been scheduled for Thursday, August 18, 2022.
The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Melissa Bücher.
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Six Individuals from Phenix City Indicted on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama announced that six individuals from Phenix City, Alabama have been arrested following indictments on federal drug charges.
Andre Tremayne Franklin, 29, Khourtney Jakeith Brown, 33, Xavier Toombs, 33, Ryan Brown, 32, and Kahlia Nichelle Washington, 26, were indicted by a federal grand jury last month for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In the same indictment, Khourtney Brown and Katshalliam Gosha, 43, were also charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance commonly known as “crack cocaine.”
An indictment is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All individuals named above made an initial appearance in federal court this week. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, each of the accused, except Washington, are facing 10 years to life in prison. Washington’s potential sentence is 5 to 40 years. The possession with intent to distribute count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years for Khourtney Brown and Katshalliam Gosha. There is no parole in the federal system.
These cases are part of a partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce drug trafficking and violent crime, making our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart would like to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Abbeville Police Department, the Auburn Police Division, the Eufaula Police Department, the Phenix City Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office for investigating these cases, with assistance from the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Alabama National Guard Counterdrug Program, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Millbrook Police Department, the Montgomery Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Muscogee County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Davidson is prosecuting the cases.
Sex Offender Convicted of Obscenity OffenseRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – This afternoon, a federal jury in Gainesville convicted Matthew Lee Ostrander, 36, of Missouri, on possession of obscene visual depictions of minors. The conviction, which followed a 2-day trial that began on Wednesday, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Evidence introduced at trial revealed that in September 2020, Ostrander was arrested in Gainesville, Florida for an outstanding warrant from Missouri. At the time of his arrest, he had also failed to register as a sex offender in the State of Florida. He knowingly possessed electronic devices that contained over four hundred computer-generated images depicting children engaged in sexual activity. The activity included sadistic and masochistic abuse and sexual intercourse with children.
According to court documents, Ostrander is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of possession of child pornography on October 18, 2017.
Ostrander’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 2, 2022, at 11:00 am, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before the Honorable United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. Ostrander faces 20 years imprisonment.
This conviction was the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted this case.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Savannah clinic owner sentenced to federal prison for laundering money for ‘pill mill’Read the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A former Garden City, Ga., clinic owner and CEO has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting she laundered money in connection with a notorious “pill mill” doctor who illegally dispensed massive amounts of drugs.
Jamesetta Whipple-Duncan, 59, of Savannah, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of Money Laundering, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Whipple-Duncan to pay $86,074 in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release after completion of her prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This sentence holds accountable yet another instrumental figure who helped pour gasoline on the raging fire of the opioid addiction crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to bring to justice those who exacerbate drug addictions in our community, whether they stand or street corners or dress in lab coats.”
As described in the plea agreement and other court documents, Whipple, as owner of the now-closed Georgia Laboratory Diagnostics LLC, in Garden City, Ga., was an employer of Dr. Frank Bynes Jr., 69, of Savannah. Bynes was sentenced in February 2020 to 240 months in prison and ordered to pay $615,145 in restitution to Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare after being found guilty by a federal jury on 13 counts of Unlawful Dispensation of Controlled Substances and three counts of Health Care Fraud.
For Whipple-Duncan’s role, she owned and operated the clinic, hired Dr. Bynes, and then profited as her clinic provided Bynes with a base of operation from which he illegally distributed controlled substances, including highly addictive opioids and drug cocktails favored by addicts. Whipple-Duncan controlled the finances of the clinic, which largely consisted of cash from the clinic’s patients. Whipple-Duncan used that cash to continue operations of the clinic, and to finance expenditures for herself, including a Mercedes-Benz sedan, a Hummer H2, a Can-Am Spyder, and a Polaris Slingshot.
“Denying deceitful medical providers the opportunity to improperly prescribe highly-addictive pills is a key priority for the DEA,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “This investigation was a success thanks to collaboration with local law enforcement.”
“In the midst of this country’s prescription opioid epidemic, it is the FBI’s goal to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute anyone who recklessly overprescribes pharmaceutical pills, especially for non-medical reasons,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Whipple-Duncan’s actions directly contributed to the opioid crisis in our community and for that she is being held accountable.”
“Aiding in the illegal prescription of large amounts of drugs both undermines critical measures to address the opioid crisis and also puts patients at serious risk of overdose and other forms of physical harm,” said Tamala Miles, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable bad actors who exploit opioid addiction for personal financial gain.”
“The opioid addiction crisis in this country deeply affects the military members as well as their families,” stated Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “The selfishness of Whipple-Duncan represents another reprehensible side of this crisis where greed outweighs the humanity towards those struggling with addiction. DCIS will continue to work closely with our investigative partners to hold those responsible who advance the opioid crisis for their own personal gain.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and an investigator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Whipple-Duncan is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan A. Porter and Patrick J. Schwedler.