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24 May 2022
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty After Posting Snapchat Photos, Videos of Illegal Firearms, DrugsRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man who posted Snapchat photos and videos in which he illegally possessed various firearms and controlled substances pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms.
Chauncey Erin Howard, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah W. Hays to one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
According to today’s plea agreement, a task force officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives watched Howard’s Snapchat account in which he regularly posted photos and videos of himself in possession of firearms and controlled substances. Howard also posted announcements that he had controlled substances for sale.
In July 2020, Howard was pictured in two posts brandishing a silver Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with a green laser and flashlight attachment. In one of those posts, Howard was in possession of approximately 24 Oxycodone pills. Howard also posted a video of himself in possession of the same handgun as well as two Taurus handguns. Another video on Howard’s Snapchat account displayed two five-gallon buckets full of prepackaged marijuana products from a marijuana dispensary, which Howard stated he was selling.
Howard posted additional videos on Snapchat in the days that followed that depicted him displaying firearms and ammunition, and a video of him firing a Taurus firearm into an improvised backstop. That video then showed Howard in possession of an AR-style rifle. Howard also posted videos in which he offered to sell marijuana, crack cocaine, and other controlled substances.
On July 22, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Howard’s residence. Officers found the Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with the green laser and flashlight attachment, a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun, an S.C. Nova Grup S.R.L. 9mm semi-automatic handgun, marijuana, and $16,201 in cash. Officers also found THC gummies and $950 in a vehicle that Howard had been driving.
Under federal statutes, Howard is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Columbia County man sentenced to multiple terms of life in federal prison after conviction on child sex trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: A Columbia County man convicted on nine felony counts related to child sex trafficking has been sentenced to life in federal prison with no parole.
Michael Peyton Gunn, 37, of Evans, Ga., was sentenced to three terms of life in prison after his conviction on nine felony charges including Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Minor, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Gunn to pay $800,000 in restitution, to register as a sex offender, and to be subject to a life term of supervised release if he is freed from confinement.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Michael Peyton Gunn inflicted unspeakable physical and emotional torture upon his victim, and his depraved actions demonstrate unequivocally that he is a danger to society,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “It is entirely appropriate that he spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
Chief Judge Hall also sentenced Gunn’s former wife, Amanda Gunn, a/k/a “Amanda Howard,” 35, of Augusta, to 235 months in prison after she previously pled guilty to Sex Trafficking Conspiracy. She testified in Peyton Gunn’s November 2021 trial.
A U.S. District Court jury on Nov. 18, 2021, found Peyton Gunn guilty of all nine charges brought in a superseding federal indictment, including Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Minor; Sex Trafficking of a Child; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity; four counts of Production of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; and Obstruction of a Sex-Trafficking Investigation. On Tuesday, May 24, Chief Judge Hall sentenced Gunn to concurrent terms of life in prison on the first three counts; 30-year terms on each count of Production of Child Pornography; a 20-year term for Possession of Child Pornography; and a 25-year term for Obstruction of a Sex-Trafficking Investigation.
The minor victim testified during Peyton Gunn’s trial that he employed rewards, fear, threats of harm, physical abuse, and intimidation to psychologically manipulate and sexually abuse the victim as young as age 7. His actions steadily progressed from coercing the victim to participate in production of child pornography and eventually to forcing the minor victim to submit to commercial sex trafficking facilitated by online advertising.
“Gunn preyed on an innocent child solely for his own pleasure, without regard to the grievous and long-lasting harm his depraved conduct would cause,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “However, thanks to the dedicated work from our agents who aggressively pursue these heinous criminals, Gunn will spend the rest of his life behind bars where he will never be able to harm another child.”
The investigation began in February 2020 when FBI agents assisted with a child pornography case in Hopkins County, Texas. Among the contraband images agents discovered were more than 700 photos – many of them depicting sexually explicit child exploitation – featuring an individual minor victim. Digital location information identified those images as having originated from the vicinity of Gunn’s residence in Evans. Agents from the Augusta FBI office later questioned Gunn and searched his home, where they found evidence of the production of child pornography and exploitation of the minor victim, along with electronic devices storing multiple graphic images of child sexual exploitation, torture, and abuse.
The continuing investigation led to a superseding indictment that added Amanda Gunn as a defendant for her participation in the sex-trafficking conspiracy and obstruction of the investigation. She admitted her guilt and testified in court during Peyton Gunn’s trial.
Also testifying in court was Jonathan Eugene Grantham, 45, of Graniteville, S.C., who is serving 140 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in August 2021 to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity. Grantham, a former Aiken County high school teacher, admitted that he responded to an online advertisement trafficking the minor victim, and then traveled from South Carolina to Evans to transport the minor victim to a motel for sex in return for payment.
The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons prosecuted the case for the United States.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Center Ossipee Man Sentenced to 19 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Kyle Amaral, 29, of Center Ossipee, was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February of 2021, through an online undercover operation, federal investigators identified Amaral as an active trader of child exploitation images and a member of an online community devoted to the sexual exploitation of children. Investigators obtained search warrants for his residence and a social media company, which confirmed that Amaral sexually abused a child entrusted to his care and produced videos and images of that abuse, which he actively traded with other individuals over the internet.
Amaral previously pleaded guilty on February 15, 2022. After serving his sentence, he will be on supervised release for ten years.
“Protecting children from harm is a paramount obligation of the law enforcement community,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute child exploitation crimes. When a child predator is convicted, my office will seek substantial prison sentences as children are among the most vulnerable members of our communities. I am grateful for the hard work of our law enforcement partners who assisted us in holding this defendant accountable for his utterly reprehensible criminal conduct.”
“Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes Amaral committed. The abuse and exploitation of children leaves deep scars on the victims and on our community and with this sentence, we remove one more perpetrator from the streets,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Field Office. “HSI is proud to work with the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task to detect crimes against children and hold the perpetrators to account.”
“The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is happy with the outcome of this investigation,” said Lieutenant Eric Kinsman, Commander of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. “We are proud to work with our local and Federal law enforcement partners and will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and protect the children of New Hampshire."
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Carlsbad man sentenced to nine years in prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jermaine Ryan Alvarez, 38, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, was sentenced in federal court today to nine years in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Alvarez pleaded guilty on June 28, 2021.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Oct. 19, 2020, law enforcement began investigating Alvarez based on information that he was selling drugs out of a shed on a property where he was residing in Carlsbad. The following day, agents obtained and executed a court search warrant for the shed. During the search, agents found and seized 92.14 net grams of pure methamphetamine and 200.78 net grams of heroin. In his plea agreement, Alvarez admitted that the drugs were his and that he intended to distribute them.
Upon his release from prison, Alvarez will be subject to four years of supervised release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Las Cruces District Office and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Carlsbad Police Department and the Eddy County Sheriff Office. Assistant United States Attorney Renee Camacho is prosecuted the case.
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Camden County Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Trafficking in Oxycodone PillsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for distributing and conspiring to distribute oxycodone pills, making him the ninth person sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking ring operating in and around Camden and Gloucester City, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Maurice Williams, 41, of Pennsauken, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to two counts of a five-count indictment that charged him with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute quantities of oxycodone. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Williams previously admitted that on multiple occasions from January 2020 to March 10, 2020, he obtained oxycodone from Erick Bell in and around Camden and resold that oxycodone. Williams was charged along with 17 others in March 2020 in connection with an investigation by the FBI into the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, including high dosage oxycodone pills, to customers in Gloucester City and Camden. Bell pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Bumb on June 28, 2022.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Williams to three years of supervised release. Williams also agreed to forfeiture of $16,800.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of FBI Philadelphia Division, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; the Camden County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert L. Wilson; the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, under the direction of Director Laurie R. Doran; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the FBI Newark Division, New Jersey State Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
California Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Role in Multi-State Recovery Home Patient Brokering SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A California man was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to broker patients as part of a multi-state patient scheme in which recruiters were directed to bribe drug-addicted individuals to enroll in drug rehabilitation, U.S. Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Dr. Akikur Mohammad, 58, of West Hills, California, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to violate the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA). Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today by videoconference.
EKRA, enacted by Congress in October 2018 as part of a broader package of legislation aimed at combatting the opioid crisis, bars the payment of kickbacks in exchange for the referral of patients to drug treatment facilities. Mohammad’s EKRA conviction is among the first such convictions in the country using the new charge.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
A number of conspirators owned and operated a marketing company in California. They used the marketing company to help orchestrate a scheme in New Jersey, Maryland, California, and other states that involved bribing individuals addicted to heroin and other drugs to enter into drug rehabilitation centers, generating fees from those facilities. One facility in California that paid such referral fees was owned and operated by Mohammad. His facility and other facilities typically paid the marketing company a fee of $5,000 to $10,000 per patient referral.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Mohammad to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $493,104.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Messenger in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the FBI, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge Kristi Koons Johnson in Los Angeles, California, and the District Attorney’s Office in Orange County, California, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould, Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
California Executive Compensation Consultant Charged in Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging FRANK GLASSNER, a principal of an executive compensation consulting firm based in Novato, California (the “Consulting Firm”), with securities fraud in connection with a scheme to commit insider trading based on material, nonpublic information regarding the upcoming public announcement that Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (“Kadmon”) – which GLASSNER and the consulting firm were advising – would be acquired by Sanofi, S.A. (“Sanofi”). GLASSNER was arrested this morning in Novato, California and will be presented today in the United States District Court for the District of Northern California.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As an advisor to Kadmon Holdings, Frank Glassner is alleged to have illegally taken advantage of his access to nonpublic information regarding the company’s acquisition to front run trades for himself. Glassner’s alleged attempts to illegally game the markets may have given him a profitable edge, but they also exposed him to a much riskier downside — criminal liability for insider trading.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “We allege Glassner used confidential information he was privy to as a consultant to trade in advance of a company’s acquisition and then to cash in after the deal was publicly announced. This type of illicit action makes markets unfair and creates an atmosphere of distrust. Our work investigating insider trading hopefully restores faith for investors who need to believe in the process.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
Prior to its acquisition by Sanofi, Kadmon was a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company that engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecules and biologics with a focus on inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Kadmon’s stock was traded under the ticker symbol “KDMN” on the NASDAQ.
Between July 2021 and September 2021, Kadmon engaged GLASSNER and the Consulting Firm to provide executive compensation consulting services related to the potential acquisition of Kadmon. In connection with this engagement, GLASSNER had access to material, non-public information, which he misappropriated and, in violation of the duties that he owed to Kadmon, used to trade Kadmon stock and call options.
GLASSNER engaged in this trading between on or about August 3, 2021 and on or about August 23, 2021 – at the same time he was advising Kadmon about its potential acquisition. On September 8, 2021, Kadmon publicly announced that it had agreed to be acquired by Sanofi for a per-share price significantly above the share price at which Kadmon was trading. That day, Kadmon’s share price increased by approximately 71% and GLASSNER earned approximately $405,000 of realized and unrealized profits on the Kadmon stock and call options he had previously purchased.
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GLASSNER, 68, of Novato, California is charged with two counts of securities fraud, one of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and one of which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which today filed a parallel civil action.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Magdo is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Brooklyn Man Charged with Murder and Sex Trafficking Eight WomenRead the Press Release
A 10-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Somorie Moses, also known as “Somorie Barfield,” “Sugar Bear,” “Bear” and “Daddy,” with the 2017 murder of one woman, Leondra Foster, and with sex trafficking eight women. This indictment is believed to be the first use of the federal statute criminalizing murder in the course of sex trafficking. Moses will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.
“Sex trafficking is a modern form of slavery that uses violence and fear to force vulnerable individuals to work for someone else’s profit, in this case resulting in the alleged brutal murder of one of the victims,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will continue to prioritize investigation and prosecution of these heinous crimes. I thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward to report the defendant’s crimes and hope that this prosecution will help bring them and Ms. Foster’s family closure.”
Mr. Peace also expressed his grateful appreciation to the FBI, the NYPD, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for their work and assistance in this investigation and prosecution.
“Words do not adequately convey the depravity of the long list of actions Moses allegedly took to torment and terrorize women so he could traffic them for money,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll. “He's accused of storing a woman's head in his freezer after he killed her. Imagine how hard it is for his victims to come forward - but they have and should be commended for their bravery. They will help us bring Moses to justice for his alleged crimes, and will keep him from harming another human being.”
“The NYPD is committed to protecting the survivors of sex trafficking and holding fully accountable anyone who would seek to profit through the abuse and exploitation of another human being,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “The level of depravity allegedly shown in this case is truly beyond the pale. I thank and commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District, and our partners at the FBI and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, for their support in building this critical case.”
According to the indictment in this case and other court filings, since at least 2003, Moses allegedly forced women and girls, including minors, into prostitution for his benefit using violence, threats of violence, and psychological manipulation. After meeting his victims, Moses used false promises of love and marriage to initiate sexual relationships with them before demanding that they work as prostitutes and turn over the money they earned to him. Moses used brutal beatings, rape, torture, and threats to coerce his victims to work in prostitution in Brooklyn and Queens and to comply with his orders. Moses pressured many of his victims into getting his first name, “Somorie,” tattooed on their bodies.
As alleged, Moses used extreme violence to force his victims to work in prostitution for his benefit. For example, when one victim refused to engage in prostitution, Moses used a taser against her until she complied. On another occasion, Moses slashed a victim’s arms and back with a razor and beat her with a belt before pouring lemon juice on her wounds, leaving her permanently scarred. When another victim did not do as Moses ordered, he beat her with an extension cord and threatened to rub salt in her wounds. When another victim told Moses she did not want to work as a prostitute, he put a shotgun in her mouth and threatened to kill her and her child.
In the early morning hours of January 13, 2017, Moses allegedly murdered Leondra Foster, one of his many sex trafficking victims, by beating her until she died. The following morning, using a knife and a saw, Moses dismembered Foster’s body inside their shared apartment in Brooklyn, New York. Four days later, on the morning of January 17, 2017, Moses brought Foster’s torso and limbs to the Bronx for disposal at a sanitation site. Foster’s head, hands and feet — including a foot with the name “Somorie” tattooed on it — were subsequently recovered by law enforcement inside the deep freezer of Moses’s apartment.
The government’s investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about crimes perpetrated by Somorie Moses is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, and reference this case.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the murder charge, Moses faces life imprisonment, and is eligible for the death penalty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel and Tanya Hajjar are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
SOMORIE MOSES (also known as “Somorie Barfield,” “Sugar Bear,” “Bear” and “Daddy”)
Age: 45
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-232 (CBA)Bristol Man Admits Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that ALEXANDER PATTERSON, 34, of Bristol, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 9, 2021, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Tyrone Brown’s residence on Stevens Street in New Haven and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Brown, who was a convicted felon and was prohibited by federal law from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition, was arrested at that time. The investigation revealed that the firearm was registered to a family member of Leah Boucher, of Bristol, and that Boucher had purchased 10 other firearms at four different gun stores in Connecticut between March and July 2021. When investigators interviewed Boucher on August 26, 2021, Boucher admitted that she had purchased firearms for other individuals, and that she was no longer in possession of any of the 10 firearms that were registered to her. A search of Boucher’s iPhone revealed photos, taken in July 2021, of Patterson and Brown. In some of the photos, Patterson is seen handling the handgun that was recovered from Brown’s residence on August 9, 2021, and another handgun that investigators determined was registered to Boucher’s family member.
Patterson’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and Georgia for firearm, burglary, home invasion and assault offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Patterson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Patterson has been detained since his arrest on January 12, 2022.
Brown and Boucher pleaded guilty to related charges and also detained while awaiting sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.
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.
Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 11 years in Federal Prison for Possessing Methamphetamine for DistributionRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced yesterday, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, to 11 years in prison for possessing, with the intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on December 8, 2020, Robert Thomason, 41, possessed, with the intent to distribute, 54.13 grams of methamphetamine. Thomason also possessed a handgun after having been previously convicted of the felony offenses of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and bail jumping.
“Outstanding work by ATF, the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force, and KSP,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky. “Drug distribution and the illegal possession of firearms remain top law enforcement priorities in the Western District as we continue the fight against violent crime.”
“Illegal drug trafficking is a threat to our community, frequently bringing with it the criminal use of firearms, violence, overdoses, and other criminal activity,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “ATF’s Louisville Division will continue to work with our partners, like the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force and Kentucky State Police, to target armed drug dealers and remove them from our communities. This investigation is an example of our commitment to protecting the public and making Kentucky safer.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II prosecuted the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force, and the Kentucky State Police investigated 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.
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Belleville man caught in sex sting sentenced to 25 years in prisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark on Monday sentenced Kenneth Rogers, 24, of Belleville, Illinois, to 25 years in prison on child sex-related charges.
Rogers was caught in a sex sting in 2020 after traveling from Illinois to Brentwood, Missouri, thinking he would be having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Rogers had contacted the purported boy’s older, adult brother on the dating app Grindr on March 31, 2020, not realizing the older brother was actually a sergeant with the St. Louis County Police Department investigating online child sexual exploitation.
Rogers continued the conversation into June using a variety of apps and sent child pornography to the officer before the meeting. After his arrest, investigators found conversations on Kik Messenger in which Rogers sent and received child pornography. They also found 199 images and 88 videos containing child pornography on Rogers’ phone.
Rogers pleaded guilty in United States District Court in St. Louis in November to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Rogers is also facing charges of production and distribution of child pornography in United States District Court in the Southern District of Illinois.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Anderson 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. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Bangor Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Blaine Footman, 35, to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Footman pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021.
According to court records, in May 2021, members of the Bangor Police Department responded to a gas station to find Footman passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle. He possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and an amount of fentanyl. Footman was also in possession of a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the Bangor Police Department.
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Bangor Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Blaine Footman, 35, to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Footman pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021.
According to court records, in May 2021, members of the Bangor Police Department responded to a gas station to find Footman passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle. He possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and an amount of fentanyl. Footman was also in possession of a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the Bangor Police Department.
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BOP Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of Woman in Federal Custody in Los AngelesRead the Press Release
Jose Viera, 49, a corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Central District of California to one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law for sexually assaulting a woman in custody in December 2020.
According to court documents, at the time of the assault, Viera was a BOP corrections officer assigned to work at Metropolitan Detention Center-Los Angeles (MDC-LA), a federal prison which holds male and female pre-trial detainees and persons serving custodial sentences. In his role as corrections officer, Viera was required to uphold the U.S. Constitution and ensure the safety and security of persons housed at MDC-LA. In March 2022, Viera was placed on administrative leave.
As part of his guilty plea, Viera admitted that in December 2020, he was assigned to supervise incarcerated women who were quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure and infection. During the morning of Dec. 20, Viera entered the cell of the victim, who was in COVID-19 isolation, as he had done on previous occasions to bring her breakfast. Viera admitted that on that morning, he laid down next to the victim in her bed, sandwiching her between his body and the wall. Then, he sexually assaulted the victim, causing her pain and putting her in fear of physical harm. Viera committed this assault despite knowing that the victim did not consent and that his actions violated her constitutional rights. When the FBI and the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) conducted a voluntary interview with Viera about the sexual assault allegations, Viera lied to federal agents about his misconduct.
“The defendant betrayed his oath to uphold the Constitution and targeted a vulnerable woman in custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that those who work in federal prisons and abuse their positions of authority by sexually assaulting people in their care are held accountable. We will continue to take action against perpetrators of these sexual assaults while seeking justice for the survivors of these heinous crimes.”
“Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the civil rights of all Americans, and a failure to uphold this principal will be met with decisive action,” said U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison for the Central District of California. “Mr. Viera has admitted inflicting sexual abuse on a woman while acting under the color of his law enforcement authority. His conduct undermined the integrity of our justice system and had a detrimental effect on the high-quality work typically performed by his fellow correctional officers.”
“Instead of delivering food to an inmate in COVID-19 isolation, Viera abused his power and sexually assaulted the inmate in her cell,” said Special Agent in Charge Zachary Shroyer for the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General, Los Angeles Field Office. “No inmate should experience abuse at the hands of correctional officers, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who engage in any form of abuse.”
“Mr. Viera used his position of authority to sexually assault a victim who was under his care and who should have felt secure in his presence,” said Assistant Director in Charge Kristi K. Johnson of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s guilty plea is welcome in that Mr. Viera has taken responsibility for his actions, a move that will serve as a deterrent for such behavior by anyone in a position of power within prison walls.”
Viera faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
A sentencing date has been set for March 13, 2023.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Los Angeles Field Division and the DOJ-OIG Los Angeles Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Rybarczyk of the Central District of California and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Nikhil Ramnaney of the Criminal Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Auburn Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Evasion and Agrees to Pay Nearly $1 Million in RestitutionRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – On Monday, May 23, 2022, Clifford R. Lange, Jr., 62, from Auburn, Alabama, pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion, announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, from 2011 to 2019, Lange filed false tax returns on behalf of himself and his spouse that significantly underreported each years’ taxable income. By failing to report the additional income, Lange illegally lowered his federal tax liability by approximately $654,021.00 over the nine-year period. As part of his plea agreement, Lange has agreed to pay nearly $1 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, which includes the actual tax loss to the United States as well as penalties and interest that have accrued.
A sentencing hearing will take place in the coming months. At sentencing, Lange is facing up to five years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000.00, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen K. Moulton and Megan A. Kirkpatrick are prosecuting the case.
Aroostook County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Aroostook County man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Greg Libby, 44, to ten years in prison and five years of supervised release. Libby pleaded guilty on July 1, 2021.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Libby and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies including the Presque Isle Police Department.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: 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.
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Alexander M.M. Uballez Sworn in as United States Attorney for the District of New MexicoRead the Press Release
Photo credit: Adria Malcom U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. UballezALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. Chief United States District Court Judge William P. Johnson administered the oath of office during a private ceremony. A formal investiture will be planned for a later date.
United States Attorney Uballez was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on January 26, and confirmed by the United States Senate on May 17. Uballez is the chief federal law enforcement officer for the district, and leads a team of over 180 federal prosecutors and staff across two offices.
“The people of New Mexico deserve dignity, safety, and the evenhanded application of swift and certain justice,” said Uballez. “Attorney General Garland has made violent crime reduction a central priority in the Department’s mission. We will confront this challenge together, using all tools and every resource in pursuit of community safety. I am grateful to President Biden for the opportunity to lead this dynamic and talented team of public servants, and to Senators Heinrich and Luján for their recommendation and endorsement. And I am humbled by your trust.”
Prior to his confirmation as United States Attorney, Uballez was as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of New Mexico where he led organized crime investigations and prosecuted child sexual abuse, human trafficking, transnational and organized crime, and violent crime. Uballez also served as the District’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator, International Coordinator, and Internship Coordinator. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Uballez served as an Assistant District Attorney in the First and Second Judicial District Attorney’s Offices of New Mexico where he prosecuted crimes against children, community and drug crimes, domestic violence and driving while intoxicated offenses.
Uballez received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 2011 and his B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Pomona College in 2008.
As he took on his new responsibilities today, Uballez thanked former United States Attorney Fred Federici for his decades of service to New Mexico and the United States Attorney’s Office, including commending him for his exceptional leadership over the past seventeen months and during a global pandemic.
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Akron Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Intent to Traffic More Than 8 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Gus Tell Jr., 56, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced on May 19, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi to 15 years in prison after Tell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 8 kilograms – or more than 17 pounds – of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on August 28, 2021, officers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle belonging to Defendant Tell on Interstate Route 77 in Akron. After a canine unit was alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, officers conducted a search of the vehicle and found a duffel bag containing 20 packages of suspected methamphetamine. A lab analysis determined that the packages contained more than 8 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Tell admitted to knowingly and intentionally possessing and intending to distribute the methamphetamine. Tell has several prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and felonious assault in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
The investigation was conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell.
20 Individuals Indicted in Colombian-Based Drug Money Laundering OrganizationRead the Press Release
UPDATE: This press release was revised on May 25, 2022, to reflect that a 20th individual (REDACTED) was included in the indictment and that the third defendant was taken into custody in Jamaica.
BOSTON – Over a dozen individuals located in Colombia, Jamaica and Florida have been indicted in Boston, Mass. in connection with their alleged involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering organization that laundered more than $6 million in drug trafficking proceeds from Colombian cartels through the United States, Caribbean and European banking systems.
$1 million was seized from corporate bank accounts and other investigative activity. Nearly 3,000 kilograms of cocaine – with a street value of over $90 million – has allegedly been traced back to the money laundering organization. This includes approximately 1,193 kilograms of cocaine seized at sea, 60 miles south of Jamaica, in July 2019, as well as 1,555 kilograms of cocaine seized in nine scrap metal shipping containers at the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia, in March 2019.
This morning, three defendants were arrested in Florida and will make an initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida at a later date. Three defendants were also arrested today in Jamaica at the request of the United States. On April 26, 2022, 12 defendants were arrested in Colombia by local authorities at the request of the United States and one defendant was arrested in Orlando, Fla. The United States will seek the extradition of the Colombian and Jamaican defendants to the District of Massachusetts.
According to the charging documents, in or about October 2016, law enforcement began an investigation into a sophisticated money laundering organization located primarily in Barranquilla, Colombia. During an extensive five-year investigation, the organization allegedly laundered over $6 million in drug proceeds through intermediary banks in the United States, including banks in Massachusetts, as well as additional proceeds through banks in the Caribbean and Europe by use of the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE). It is alleged that, by using the BMPE, the defendants conspired to conceal drug trafficking activity and proceeds from law enforcement as well as evade currency exchange requirements in the United States and Colombia through the illegal currency exchange process. As part of the conspiracy, the defendants allegedly held roles and responsibilities within the money laundering organization relative to the needs and opportunities of the scheme, such as drug suppliers, peso brokers, money couriers and business owners/dollar purchasers.
According to the charging documents, through the BMPE, Colombian drug trafficking organizations with drug proceeds generated in the United States use third parties – generally referred to as “peso brokers” that are also based in Colombia – who agree to exchange Colombian pesos they control for the drug supplier’s dollar proceeds. Peso brokers then use money couriers in the United States and elsewhere to physically secure the drug proceeds, often in suitcases or bags on the street, and transfer the proceeds into the United States banking system. To avoid detection, peso brokers deposit the drug proceeds into bank accounts in company or individual names intended to appear as legitimate business activity, or through multiple small deposits into different bank accounts which are then consolidated into larger accounts. As a result, Colombian peso brokers control a pool of drug-derived proceeds in United States bank accounts. These dollar proceeds are then purchased by individuals or companies in Colombia seeking to exchange pesos for United States dollars at a favorable exchange rate and in a manner that avoids currency exchange and income reporting requirements. The dollar drug proceeds are transferred at the direction of the purchaser, and often end up in bank accounts of individuals or companies who appear to have no direct involvement in drug trafficking crimes.
The charges of money laundering conspiracy and laundering of monetary instruments each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; Luz Angela Bahamon Flórez, Delegate for Criminal Finance for the Colombian Attorney General’s Office; Ricardo Augusto Alarcon Campos, Major General of the Colombian National Police, Anti-Narcotics Directorate; Jervis Moore, Chief of the Narcotics Division for the Jamaica Constabulary Force; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) Judicial Attachés in Bogotá, Colombia provided significant assistance in securing the arrests in Colombia and Jamaica. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Addendum
The following defendants have been indicted:
Defendant
Alleged Role
1
Argiro De Jesus Velasquez-Velasquez, a/k/a “El Viejo”
Drug supplier (Colombia)
2
Jose Fernando Sanchez-Villanueva, a/k/a “Picapiedra”
Drug supplier (Colombia)
3
Oscar Ivan Rodriguez-Camargo, a/k/a “El Mono”
Peso broker (Colombia)
4
Willian Faustino Acosta-Calderin
Business owner (Colombia)
5
Manuel Calderin-Calderin
Business owner (Colombia)
6
German Millan-Padilla
Peso broker (Colombia)
7
Abdul Mauricio Harb-Gomez
Peso broker (Colombia)
8
Andres Rached Farah, a/k/a/ “Don Andres,” a/k/a “El Turco”
Peso broker (Colombia)
9
Fernando Carlos Pertuz-Herrera
Money courier (Colombia)
10
Yimmy Rafael Sanchez-Jimenez, a/k/a “El Chiqui”
Peso broker (Colombia)
11
Jaime Humberto Mejia-Bencardino
Peso broker (Colombia)
12
Jose Aliro Abril-Sequera
Business owner (Colombia)
13
Harold Antonio Ayala-Pinedo
Business owner (Colombia)
14
St. Devon Anthony Cover
Money courier (Jamaica)
15
Dennis Raymond Rowe
Money courier (Jamaica)
16
Seivright Donald Afflick
Money courier (Jamaica)
17
Robert Hueton Colespring
Money courier (Florida)
18
Kimali St. George Myers
Money courier (Florida)
19
Dawnett Rochelle Mcgee
Money courier (Florida)
20 REDACTED REDACTED
23 May 2022
“Operation River Fork” Defendant Sentenced for Trafficking Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Woonsocket man was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for participating in the distribution of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Bradley Dewalt, 30, was one of eighteen “Operation River Fork” defendants arrested during an FBI Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation in 2020, in Woonsocket, Providence, and Cranston. The arrests resulted in the recovery of six loaded firearms and more than a kilo of crack cocaine.
On June 2, 2021, Dewalt pled guilty to distribution of crack cocaine. At the time of his guilty plea, Dewalt admitted to the court that, at the direction of another person, he contacted an individual seeking to arrange for the purchase of crack cocaine and sold him 24.64 grams of crack cocaine for $1,150.
Today, U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Dewalt to 24 months of incarceration to be followed by two years of federal supervised release. Prior to his arrest in this matter, Dewalt was previously convicted and sentenced on assault, drug trafficking, and firearm charges.
This case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey P. Veroni, was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI; Rhode Island State Police; the Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, West Warwick, and Central Falls Police Departments; and the U.S. Marshals Service.
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York Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Prescription Drugs from A Hospice PatientRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dana Aldinger, age 55, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year probation and a $525 fine by United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson for theft in connection with health care. Aldinger also permanently surrendered her nursing license.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Aldinger, a former Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Administrator for a personal care home for senior citizens in York, stole and diverted controlled medications for personal use from nursing patients under her care. Aldinger diverted Oxycodone pills prescribed to a Medicare hospice patient on or about August 10, 2019. Aldinger also falsified medical records to conceal her diversion of the medications.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations (BNI) of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke prosecuted the case.
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Wyatt Detention Center to Provide Opioid Use Disorder Treatment to Detainees in Treatment Prior to DetentionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that his office has entered into an agreement with the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility (Wyatt) to ensure that detainees being treated for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) prior to entering the facility will continue to receive that treatment while in Wyatt’s custody, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Individuals who are receiving treatment for OUD are generally considered disabled under the ADA. Accordingly, among other things, the law requires that jails and prisons maintain medications that individuals have already been prescribed to treat OUD. Based on an investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s determined that the Wyatt Facility was not in full compliance with its obligations under the ADA. The investigation determined that Wyatt failed to provide medications used to treat OUD, such as methadone and buprenorphine; and did not provide any individualized medical determination to assess whether each person should be maintained on or withdrawn from such treatment. As a result, individuals who had previously received treatment for OUD under the supervision of a licensed health care professional had to undergo forced withdrawal while incarcerated at Wyatt.
Under the terms of the agreement, Wyatt will adopt non-discriminatory medication management policies at the facility and provide methadone or buprenorphine for individuals with OUD who have been prescribed such medication under the supervision of a licensed health care professional.
“Efforts to combat substance abuse and opioid deaths require every tool at our disposal,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “That means not just vigorous and targeted law enforcement, but also sensible and humane treatment that provides a bridge to recovery. Where medical professionals have determined that OUD treatment is appropriate, the ADA requires jails like the Wyatt to continue to provide it, and I am pleased that, with today’s agreement, the facility has committed to meet this critical obligation to its detainees.”
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Romero. Those interested in finding out more about the ADA can call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint. The department has issued guidance on the ADA and the Opioid Crisis, available at https://www.ada.gov/opioid_guidance.pdf.
Anyone in the District of Rhode Island may also report civil rights violations directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/civil-rights-enforcement or 401-709-5000.
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Windsor Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Northeast "Grab and Go" Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on May 20, 2022, JAHLIIL PARROTT, also known as “Stretch,” 24, of Windsor, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in an extensive commercial larceny spree.
This case stems from “Operation American Steal,” a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states. A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.
Parrott was part of a network of individuals who in 2019 and 2020 committed more than 50 grab and go thefts from Polo Ralph Lauren, T.J. Maxx, Balenciaga, Burberry, Macy’s, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tommy Hilfiger, Sephora and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street. Victim retailers suffered more than $100,000 in losses during the scheme.
Parrott participated in at least 34 thefts resulting in losses of more than $98,000. During one of the thefts, he bit a loss prevention officer who apprehended Parrott as he attempted to steal merchandise.
On September 15, 2020, a grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Parrott and seven other individuals. Parrott was apprehended on November 16, 2020. On December 22, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property. He has been detained since August 2021.
Parrott’s seven co-defendants also pleaded guilty and were previously sentenced.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford, New Canaan, Wrentham (Mass.), Auburn (Mass.) and Nassau County (N.Y.) Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Brendan Keefe.
Wayne County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Wayne County man was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jonathan Walker, 45, of Ceredo, admitted to selling what he believed to be heroin from the driveway of his D Street residence to a confidential informant for $2,750 on March 8, 2021. A forensic chemist later determined that the substance sold by Walker was fentanyl.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for conducting the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-115.
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Waldorf Man Indicted Federally for Impersonating a Deputy U.S. Marshal and for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Antione William Tuckson, age 37, of Waldorf, Maryland, for federal charges of false impersonation of an officer and employee of the United States and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was returned on May 12, 2022, and unsealed upon his arrest on May 20, 2022. A federal criminal complaint was filed on May 19, 2022 charging co-conspirator Nijea Nicole Rich, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland with impersonating a federal officer and conspiracy to impersonate a federal officer. Rich was also arrested on May 20, 2022.
Tuckson and Rich had their initial appearances late on May 20, 2022 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan ordered that Tuckson be detained pending trial, and ordered that Rich be released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
The indictment and criminal complaint were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes; Postal Inspector in Charge Greg L. Torbenson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to the two-count indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint and other court documents, Tuckson and Rich purported to be and identified themselves as a Deputy United States Marshal. The indictment alleges that Tuckson illegally possessed a 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court at the initial appearance and detention hearing, Tuckson allegedly has a history of impersonating law enforcement officers and since December 2020, Tuckson has allegedly used the registered trademark “USMS Special Services,” along with police-style vehicles equipped with red and blue flashing lights, weapons, a fake identification card and badge, and other law enforcement gear to pose as a Deputy United States Marshal.
As detailed in court documents, on March 6, 2022, while working as an armed security guard with a canine companion at a restaurant in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Tuckson allegedly attempted to detain two patrons who had disputed their bill. Court documents allege that Tuckson then falsely held himself out as a Deputy United States Marshal to Prince George’s County Police Department (“PGPD”) officers in an attempt to justify his unlawful possession of a firearm. When confronted by PGPD officers as to Tuckson’s status as a federal officer, Tuckson allegedly had Rich pose as his supervisor within the United States Marshals Service in communications with PGPD. Police arrested Tuckson and recovered a loaded 9mm firearm from Tuckson’s hip during the search incident to his arrest.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, shortly after Tuckson was arrested, Rich, wearing police-style clothing, arrived on the scene and claimed to Prince George’s County Police officers that the canine was her emotional support animal and was also a patrol dog owned by Tuckson. Rich was wearing tan tactical pants, was armed with a handgun, and carried two sets of handcuffs, a radio, and what appeared to be an expandable baton. At one point, Rich allegedly stated to the officers, “You locked up a U.S. Marshal?” Officers contacted the Prince George’s County Animal Services Division (“ASD”), who took custody of the canine.
Early the next morning, Rich allegedly identified herself as a U.S. Marshal and displayed an identification card that said U.S. Marshal to an ASD employee, who was unloading the canine from a van. Rich allegedly told the ASD employee that the man arrested was a U.S. Marshal and that the dog was a working dog and belonged to the Marshals Service. According to the affidavit, Rich arrived in a black sedan that looked like a police vehicle and was wearing a black Kevlar vest. The ASD employee released the dog to Rich.
As detailed in the affidavit and other court documents, U.S. Marshals Service personnel searched its databases and found no record that Tuckson or Rich are or ever were U.S. Marshals or employees of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Law enforcement executed a search of Tuckson’s home on May 20, 2022, and recovered firearms, including an AR-style rifle and a pistol-grip pump-action shotgun.
If convicted, Tuckson and Rich each face a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for impersonating a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Rich faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy. Tuckson also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment or a criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment or criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Hagan, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter L. Cooch, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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U.S. Attorney Names Alfred U. Pavlis as First Assistant U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery today announced that Alfred U. Pavlis will serve the District of Connecticut as First Assistant United States Attorney, the office’s second-ranking position. U.S. Attorney Avery swore in Mr. Pavlis, 64, of Fairfield, this morning in New Haven.
“More than just being an excellent and well-respected attorney with decades of professional experience, Al Pavlis is a person of strong integrity and great judgment with a commitment to equal justice, fairness and the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “We are fortunate that Al has returned to public service, and I am confident that he will engender the trust and respect of every member of the office, our law enforcement partners, community leaders, and all the people of Connecticut.”
For more than 30 years, Mr. Pavlis has been in private practice, most recently at Finn Dixon & Herling LLP in Stamford, representing corporate and individual clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters, SEC enforcement actions, and federal criminal investigations involving securities fraud, commodities fraud, accounting fraud, FCPA violations and insider trading.
From 1985 to 1990, Mr. Pavlis was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where he investigated and prosecuted narcotics trafficking, organized crime, corruption and securities fraud offenses.
Mr. Pavlis served as a law clerk for the Honorable T.F. Gilroy Daly, Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut, from 1983 to 1985. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia School of Law.
Leonard C Boyle, who served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney from June 2018 to March 2021 when he became the Acting U.S. Attorney upon the departure of U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, retired from federal service on May 20, 2022.
“Len Boyle represented the United States of America with dignity and distinction, and he dedicated not only his federal career, but his prior work in state and local law enforcement, to making our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “While all of us in the U.S. Attorney’s Office will miss his everyday presence, wisdom and decency, we thank Len for his dedicated service and wish him a very happy and healthy retirement.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation. As U.S. Attorney, Ms. Avery supervises a staff of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, please visit www.justice.gov/ct.
Two Huntington Men Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Multi-State Drug RingRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Huntington men were sentenced today to prison for their roles in a multi-state drug ring. Donald Duane Cole, 51, was sentenced to five years and 10 months. William Edward Nellons, Jr., 38, was sentenced to three years and 10 months. Three years of supervised release will follow each prison sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cole and Nellons participated in a conspiracy with others to distribute drugs in Huntington from at least April 2021 to July 2021. Cole admitted to distributing fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack.” Nellons admitted that he regularly received cocaine and fentanyl which he distributed to others in the Huntington area. At times, Nellons and Cole each received the drugs on consignment and returned proceeds after conducting distributions.
Nellons admitted that he stored approximately 30 grams of fentanyl at Cole’s residence in May 2021 that he distributed during the conspiracy. Cole admitted to possessing approximately 10 grams of crack seized by law enforcement officers while executing a search warrant at his Ninth Avenue residence on July 29, 2021. Cole further admitted that he intended to sell the crack cocaine.
Cole pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Nellons pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Seventeen other individuals pleaded guilty to roles in the multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in Huntington and distributed fentanyl, cocaine and crack as well as methamphetamine, oxycodone, and heroin.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Southern West Virginia TOC-West Task Force. The Southern West Virginia TOC-West Task Force consists of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Hurricane Police Department and the Marshall University Police Department with support from the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West. The Ohio Highway Patrol, the Kentucky State Police, and the FBI and DEA in Columbus, Ohio, also assisted in the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Courtney L. Cremeans prosecuted the cases.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:22-cr-7 and 3:21-cr-109.
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Toledo Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms and Methamphetamine PillsRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Travis Darnell Brown 40, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick to 12 years in prison after Brown pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 400 pills of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on January 3, 2020, officers with the Toledo Police Department initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle near the intersection of Airport Highway and Apple Street in Toledo. Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as Defendant Travis Darnell Brown. While the stop was ongoing, Brown fled the scene and led officers on a vehicle pursuit that eventually ended with his arrest. Officers then searched the vehicle and discovered a firearm on the driver-side floorboard. In addition to the firearm, officers found approximately 400 pills containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine from Brown.
Later, on May 6, 2020, Toledo Police officers stopped a vehicle and identified Brown as the driver. During the search of this vehicle, officers again located a firearm in the back seat.
Brown is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions of possession of crack cocaine, aggravated assault, domestic violence and having weapons under disability, all in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
This investigation was conducted by the Toledo FBI and the Toledo Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Melching.
Texas man admits to smuggling 31 in refrigerated trailerRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 37-year-old San Benito man has pleaded guilty to illegally transporting undocumented aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Eric Mendiola admitted to smuggling the individuals while driving an 18-wheeler.
On March 20, Mendiola drove a tractor trailer into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita. A K-9 soon alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans. Law enforcement opened the doors of the trailer and discovered individuals hiding behind a load of produce.
In the trailer were 19 Mexican nationals, five Columbian nationals, four Guatemalan nationals, two El Salvadorian nationals and one Honduran national. All were determined to be in the United States illegally. In addition, the temperature inside the refrigerated trailer was 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton will impose sentencing Aug. 17. At that time, Mendiola faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
Mendiola has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.
Tennessee Corrections Officer Charged with Obstructing Investigation into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with an InmateRead the Press Release
A Columbia, Tennessee, man was charged today with obstructing an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused an inmate in his custody.
James Stewart Thomas, 31, a corrections officer with the Maury County Jail, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of falsification of records.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Thomas wrote an official report in which he falsely claimed that he had reported to two Maury County Jail supervisors that an inmate had made sexual advances toward him while the inmate was in his custody at a hospital; falsely claimed that those two Maury County Jail supervisors both advised him not to write a report about those alleged sexual advances by the inmate; and omitted that he had a sexual relationship with the inmate after the inmate’s release from the custody of the Maury County Jail.
If convicted, Thomas faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Klopf of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Taunton Man Sentenced for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Taunton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl.
Carlos Rivera, 47, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On Jan. 24, 2022, Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Between September 2020 and January 2021, Rivera and a co-conspirator engaged in four separate sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Taunton. Rivera used his residence and his barbershop, Knockout Barbershop, to sell drugs and store drug proceeds. On the morning of Jan. 29, 2021, agents arrested Rivera outside his apartment. An on-site search found that Rivera was carrying approximately 40 grams of fentanyl at the time of his arrest. In total, Rivera and his co-conspirator sold or possessed with intent to sell approximately 152 grams of fentanyl.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Taunton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
St. Louis County woman admits $267,000 COVID-19 rental assistance fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County woman who pretended to be a landlord to get $267,239 in pandemic-related financial assistance pleaded guilty to a felony charge of wire fraud in United States District Court Monday.
Semaj Portis, 42, admitted in her plea agreement and in court that she took advantage of Emergency Rental Assistance and COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grants, designed to help both landlords and their financially struggling tenants.
On Jan. 15, 2021, Portis registered a company called Forever Riding with the Missouri Secretary of State. From that date until October 18, 2021, she filed a total of 52 applications for rent assistance to the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which administered the assistance programs. Portis listed herself or Forever Riding as the landlord and submitted fraudulent rental leases, her plea agreement says. Portis was not the landlord for any of the tenants listed in her fraudulent applications. In court Monday, she said she worked as a nurse for 12 years and then as a medical dispatcher.
Portis used the money for vacations, for purchasing real estate and for other personal expenses.
Wire fraud carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. At her sentencing, scheduled for August 26 in front of United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig, Portis will also be ordered to repay the money.
United States Attorney Sayler Fleming said, “Financial fraud is particularly egregious when it takes advantage of programs intended to help victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our office and law enforcement have been aggressively investigating and prosecuting these cases.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about rental assistance fraud should contact the FBI at [email protected] or (314) 589-2500.
St. Louis County man sentenced to nearly five years in prison for fentanyl possessionRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Monday sentenced a St. Louis County man who possessed fentanyl and a stolen gun and struggled with police to four years and nine months in prison.
Judge Pitlyk said in court that the prison sentence Jarvis L. Fields, 28, faced was longer because he assaulted a police officer during a 2020 arrest.
On April 10, 2020, Fields was the passenger in a vehicle that was being investigated by St. Louis County Police Department officers after a report of shots fired in the 2400 block of Princess Drive in north St. Louis County. The car was displaying license plates that were stolen.
Fields got out of the car while repeatedly ignoring the police officer’s commands. As officers attempted to restrain him, Fields told them he had a gun in a satchel strapped across his shoulder. After a struggle, officers brought Fields to the ground. They were able to secure him only after cutting a strap on the bag and forcibly removing it. Officers found a stolen Glock handgun, 430 clear capsules containing fentanyl and two bags of white powder containing fentanyl in the satchel.
Fields was indicted by a grand jury in December 2020. He was arrested on a warrant by St. Louis County police on May 20, 2021. Police found another pistol and pills containing methamphetamine, alprazolam and hydrocodone, Fields’ plea agreement says.
Fields pleaded guilty in February to a felony charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Bluestone.
Scranton Man Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Javier Correa, age 40, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Correa admitted to possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and a firearm in April 2021, during a search of his Scranton residence by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case was investigated by DEA, the Scranton Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Parole officers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.
The defendant faces a maximum of term of life imprisonment and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and 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.
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Redding Man Pleads Guilty to Being Serial Arsonist in the Shasta-Trinity National ForestRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Michael Smith, 41, of Redding, pleaded guilty today to being a serial arsonist in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Smith set at least 11 fires on land in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest between June 2019 and July 2020. Smith used hard to detect ignition sources, such as cigarette lighters and handheld torches, to ignite these fires in remote locations of the national forest. Many of the fires Smith admitted to setting ignited in the early morning hours, making detection and firefighting by authorities potentially more challenging. One of the fires set by Smith in July 2020 burned so close to Interstate 5 near Turntable Bay Road that first responders closed a portion of the highway to prevent the blaze from burning numerous vehicles and residences on the other side of the interstate.
Smith was arrested in late July 2020.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on Aug. 22, 2022. Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Recidivist Sex Offender Is Sentenced to 15 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Today, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn sentenced Blake Forest Watson, 65, of Nebo, N.C., to 180 months in prison on child pornography charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Judge Cogburn ordered Watson to serve a lifetime under court supervision upon completion of the prison term and to register as a sex offender.
Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Gregory Forest, Chief U.S. Probation Officer of the U.S. Probation Office in the Western District of North Carolina, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, Watson was previously convicted of child pornography in the Western District of Tennessee and was sentenced to 96 months in prison and five years of supervised release. A condition of Watson’s supervised release involved warrantless searches. On July 22, 2021, federal probation officers conducted a warrantless search at Watson’s residence. Court records show that law enforcement located in the residence an unapproved wireless tablet, the background of which was an image of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor female. Law enforcement also retrieved a laptop from the residence. A forensic analysis of the electronic devices revealed that Watson had been using them to receive images and videos of child pornography, some of which depicted minors engaging in sadistic and masochistic conduct. In total, Watson possessed in excess of 3,000 images depicting child pornography.
On January 31, 2022, Watson pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked HSI and the U.S. Probation Office for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis I. Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Witness RetaliationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Raleigh County man pleaded guilty today to retaliation against a government witness.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from July 2021 through August 11, 2021, David Stanley, 46, of Bolt, admitted to sending multiple intimidating and threatening messages through Facebook Messenger to a witness in a federal criminal case against Stanley’s brother.
Stanley is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Stanley’s brother, Charles Stanley, 51, of Shady Springs, pleaded guilty on February 3, 2022, to aiding and abetting the destruction of an energy facility and awaits sentencing. According to court documents and statements made in court, Charles Stanley admitted to working with others to steal multiple pieces of specialized mining equipment in May and June, 2019, from the energy facility, located in Boone and Lincoln counties, resulting in more than $5,000 in damage.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the West Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for conducting the investigation.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Robeson, John File and Negar Kordestani are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-144.
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Pueblo Pintado man appears in court, charged with murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Rodgerick Tsosie, of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, made an initial appearance in federal court today facing a charge of second-degree murder in Indian Country. Tsosie will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for May 25.
According to a criminal complaint, on May 16, Tsosie was called to intervene in a dispute involving his brother at their mother’s home in Torreon, New Mexico. However, the brother, his girlfriend and three children left the home before Tsosie arrived.
Tsosie allegedly encountered the vehicle in which his brother was traveling eastbound on New Mexico State Road 197 near the Torreon Store in Cuba, New Mexico. Tsosie drove alongside it, travelling east in the westbound lane. Tsosie allegedly fired two shots into the vehicle, one of which struck a 14-year-old victim in the head.
The victim was transported by ambulance and then by a medivac helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the victim was pronounced dead.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Tsosie faces up to life in prison.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office and the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander F. Flores is prosecuting the case.
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Postal Employee and Son Charged with Conspiracy Involving Stolen Postal Money Orders Worth over $5 MillionRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Eric R. Olah (619) 546-7540
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 23, 2022
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Postal Service employee Dewayne Morris Sr. and his son and namesake are charged in federal court with multiple felony counts of bank fraud and conspiracy in connection with the theft of $5 million in Postal money order forms.
Morris Sr. is charged along with his son, Dewayne Morris Jr., and four others, with conspiring to convert the stolen money order forms into cash.
According to the indictment, Morris Sr., then a supervisor for post offices in Venice, Playa del Rey, and Marina del Rey, ordered and received 10,000 blank Postal money order forms. A subsequent audit revealed that approximately 5,100 of those 10,000 money order forms were missing. With a maximum value of $1,000 per money order, the potential value of the missing money order forms is $5.1 million. Contrary to Morris Sr.’s claim to investigators that he properly returned some of the 10,000 money order forms, the indictment alleges that his son, Morris Jr., distributed the missing money orders to co-conspirators.
The indictment further alleges that the money orders Morris Jr. distributed to co-conspirators were materially altered to appear as if they had been paid for and lawfully issued by a post office, when in fact they had not. Morris Jr. also provided co-conspirators with counterfeit driver’s licenses bearing fictious identities. The co-conspirators used those counterfeit documents to open checking and savings accounts at financial institutions throughout the country, deposited the stolen money orders into the accounts, and withdrew the cash proceeds before the financial institutions detected the fraud.
In addition to the conspiracy charge, Morris Sr. and Morris Jr. are charged with three counts of bank fraud, each of which carries a statutory maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. Additionally, Morris Jr. is charged with a fourth bank fraud count and an aggravated identity theft count based on a separate scheme involving the personal identifiable information of others.
“The indictment alleges that this father-and-son duo took advantage of the elder’s insider position to steal millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We and our law enforcement partners are committed to seeking justice in this case and others like it.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General for their hard work on this case.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains steadfast in our commitment and dedication to investigate financial fraud and prevent the theft of Postal Service products from criminal attack,” said Carroll Harris, Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, in bringing these defendants to justice.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22-CR-1037-WQH
Dewayne Morris, Senior Age: 62 Inglewood, CA
Dewayne Morris, Junior Age: 39 Inglewood, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison; $250,000 fine or twice the pecuniary gain/loss
Bank Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine or twice the pecuniary gain/loss
Aggravated Identity Theft – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1028A
Penalty: Mandatory two years in prison
Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2), 982(b) and Title 28 U.S.C. Section 2461(c)
AGENCIES
United States Postal Inspection Service
United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty
Pleasanton Man Sentenced for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Pleasanton man was sentenced today to 75 months in prison for receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant in July 2019 at the residence of Daniel Lee Ogorzolka, 70. Two devices were seized that contained over 25 videos and over 2,000 images of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Ogorzolka has remained in federal custody since his arrest on November 27, 2019. He pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography in March 2022. In addition to his prison term, Ogorzolka was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution.
“Today’s sentence serves as a strong message to anyone who seeks to sexually exploit and endanger children,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “You will be investigated; you will be identified; and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“HSI San Antonio remains committed in partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other industry partners to identify individuals distributing child pornography on the internet,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Investigating those who prey on our children remains a top concern for HSI and our partners. Together, we continue to dedicate our resources under Operation Predator to identify and investigate those who victimize our most vulnerable population”.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Perryopolis Man Indicted on Charges Involving the Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Perryopolis, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned on May 18, 2022, and unsealed today, named Sean Ryan McKenzie, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on June 8, 2021, McKenzie attempted to and did use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct. Further, the Indictment alleges that on March 1, 2022, McKenzie knowingly possessed visual depictions, namely, videos and images in computer graphic and digital files, the production of which involved the use of minors, including prepubescent minors who have not attained 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
For the charge of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, the law provides for a sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. For the charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, the maximum penalty is a term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations—Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Owasso Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Applying for Paycheck Protection Program Loans under False PretensesRead the Press Release
An Owasso man who fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was sentenced Monday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Olusola Ojo, 43, to 48 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Eagan also ordered Ojo to pay $150,000 in restitution to Stride Bank.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to pursue justice in cases where fraudsters bilk American taxpayers of funds meant to support vulnerable small business owners and their employees,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Olusola Ojo’s four-year prison sentence should send a message that white collar criminals will be held accountable for their illicit behavior.”
On Nov. 18, 2021, a federal jury found Olusola Ojo, also known as Sam Ojo, 42, guilty of bank fraud conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Ojo, along with two coconspirators, created 12 fictitious business entities that would fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans under false pretenses such as the number of employees, payroll expenditures, taxes paid during previous months, details of business ownership, and a false representation of their relationship with one another. During this time, Ibanga Etuk, Teosha Etuk, and Ojo submitted multiple applications for the same businesses to more than ten different banks, without disclosing to those banks that they were submitting duplicative applications. They conspired to obtain loans in the total approximate amount of $5,430,585 and actually obtained funding from banks in the total approximate amount of $995,385.
As part of the conspiracy, Ojo knowingly applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan from Frontier State Bank under false pretenses from April 20, 2020, to April 29, 2020,. The defendant lied about the number of people employed during the previous months of purported operations, the payroll expenditures during the previous months, taxes paid during previous months of operation, ownership of the business, and relationships between the parties in a $300,000 loan application submitted for Quicksold Market, Inc.
From May 8, 2020, to May, 11, 2020, Ojo also applied for a $150,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan from Stride Bank submitted under false pretenses for the Inspired Group LLC.
As part of his crimes, Ojo used another individual’s identity on payroll records summitted to the banks when applying for the loans.
Ojo’s two codefendants previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.
Ibanga Etuk, 42, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a total of four years in federal prison— two years for bank fraud and two years for aggravated identity theft. He was also ordered to pay $168,000 in restitution to Chickasaw Community Bank.
Teosha Etuk, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. She was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150,000 to First Liberty Bank.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Office of Inspector General; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General; and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin Harrington, Victor A.S. Régal, and David D. Whipple prosecuted the case.
To learn more about the Justice Department’s COVID response, visit: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. For further information on the Criminal Division’s enforcement efforts on PPP fraud, including court documents from significant cases, visit the following website: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
To report a COVID-19-related fraud scheme or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-for
Oregon Marijuana Exporter Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—On May 23, 2022, a former resident of Milwaukie, Oregon was sentenced to federal prison for illegally exporting marijuana grown in Oregon to Georgia for resale and laundering the proceeds.
Dante Baldocchi, 30, currently a resident of Altadena, California, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, between January 2017 and June 2020, Baldocchi purchased marijuana in Oregon and arranged to have it shipped via freight to Georgia where he and others sold it to distributors in the Atlanta area and in North Carolina. Baldocchi and his associates shipped portions of the proceeds from Georgia back to Oregon in vacuum-sealed bags and other portions concealed in buckets of drywall spackle.
On June 9, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed on Baldocchi’s then-residence in Milwaukie. Investigators located more than 330 pounds of marijuana grown in Oregon.
On August 19, 2021, Baldocchi and an associate—Hunter Lacaden, 27, of Portland—were charged by criminal information with conspiring to distribute marijuana and commit money laundering. On October 13, 2021, Baldocchi pleaded guilty to both charges.
On September 21, 2021, Lacaden pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana. On March 28, 2022, he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and IRS-Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Jarrett prosecuted the case.
Operators of Monroe County Veterinary Clinic Sentenced to Prison for Failure to Remit Payroll TaxesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Karin Breitlauch, age 58, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Linda Breitlauch, age 64, of Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, were each sentenced on May 20, 2022, to 12 months’ plus one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for failure to remit payroll taxes from their veterinary business.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Karin Breitlauch is a veterinarian who owns and operates Creature Comforts Veterinary Service in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Linda Breitlauch, her sister, is the comptroller for the business. Between 2013 and 2016, the Breitlauchs withheld federal income taxes from their employees’ paychecks but failed to remit the withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service for tax quarters 2013 through 2016 and failed to pay the employer portion of the payroll taxes. This money included Social Security payments that would benefit their employees. When some employees went to collect their Social Security benefits their earnings while employed at the veterinary clinic were not recorded with the Social Security Administration.
The Breitlauchs were ordered to pay $2,486,495.99 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following their incarceration. Judge Mannion ordered the Breitlauchs to surrender themselves to the Bureau of Prisons on July 29, 2022, to commence their sentence.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
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North Port Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Dealing in Firearms Without A LicenseRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Larry Alan Goldman (64, North Port) to one year and a day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for dealing in firearms without a license. As part of his sentence, Goldman will also pay a fine of $25,000.
According to court documents, between February 2020 and August 2021, undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and a confidential informant purchased approximately 14 firearms from Goldman’s vendor booth at a flea market in North Fort Myers. During this period, Goldman did not have a Federal Firearms License (FFL) authorizing him to lawfully engage in the business of dealing in firearms. In September 2021, ATF agents visited Goldman at his home and served him with a Notice of Unlicensed Firearms Dealing Violation, and Goldman agreed to stop selling firearms.
Following ATF’s meeting with Goldman, undercover ATF agents purchased two additional firearms from Goldman at the flea market in September and October 2021. On October 19, 2021, ATF agents executed a federal search warrant of Goldman’s residence, as well as a truck and trailer Goldman used to facilitate the sale of firearms. Agents seized approximately 29 firearms and approximately $36,828 in cash. A search of multiple sale firearm purchases made by Goldman between January 2020 and September 2021 revealed that Goldman had purchased approximately 313 firearms.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Trent Reichling.
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.
Norfolk Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Nicole Peterson, 37, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Peterson to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On March 30, 2019, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for a building in Kearney, Nebraska. The building had been converted into makeshift living quarters by co-defendant, Rodney Randolph. Peterson and Josiah Negley were also present in the building. The search by law enforcement resulted in the seizure of 117 grams of methamphetamine. The three defendants admitted to getting pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to distribute in Kearney.
Co-defendant Rodney Randolph has pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on July 29, 2022. Josiah Negley is awaiting trial, which is currently scheduled to begin on May 31, 2022.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 262 Months for Conspiring to Distribute HeroinRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on May 19, 2022 Judge Susie Morgan sentenced ARTHUR JOHNSON, age 45, of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 262 months of imprisonment, five (5) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.
According to court records, on December 27, 2017, FBI Special Agents from the New Orleans Gang Task Force received information regarding the pending delivery of approximately three kilograms of heroin that JOHNSON was purchasing from his Chicago-based supplier. Later that day, surveillance agents observed meetings between JOHNSON and the man delivering the heroin at a Holiday Inn Hotel in New Orleans. During these meetings, JOHNSON paid approximately $187,000 for the heroin.
The next day, FBI agents searched the home in New Orleans East that JOHNSON shared with co-defendant Annice Falkins. During this search, the agents seized 1.3 kilograms of heroin, over $11,000 in cash, numerous items of jewelry, six cell phones, a money counter, and a kilogram press used to package heroin.
JOHNSON and Annice Falkins pled guilty on August 24, 2021. Pursuant to his plea agreement, JOHNSON agreed to forfeit a Mercedes Benz car, $11,543.00 in United States currency, a Rolex watch with about 17.45 carats of diamonds, and five pieces of diamond encrusted jewelry. Falkins is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.
Mortgage Loan Officer Charged with Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Evelisse Hernandez (40, Kissimmee) with four counts of bank fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each bank fraud count and a mandatory consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft counts. The indictment also notifies Hernandez that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $130,000, representing the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
According to the indictment, Hernandez, in her capacity as a licensed mortgage loan officer, created and executed a mortgage fraud scheme targeting the financial institution where she worked. To ensure that otherwise unqualified borrowers were approved for mortgage loans, Hernandez falsified the borrower’s income through completely fabricated or inflated monthly child support payments on mortgage loan applications that she signed and certified to the financial institution’s underwriting department. In furtherance of her scheme, Hernandez created fictitious Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage showing the borrowers were entitled to receive non-existent monthly child support payments. Hernandez then used the names of Judges from the Circuit Court of the Ninth District of Florida and forged their signatures on the fabricated Final Judgments of Dissolution of Marriage. Hernandez then created bogus Florida Department of Revenue Statements showing the party purportedly paying monthly child support payments to the borrowers and manufactured phony prepaid debit card statements showing the borrowers purportedly withdrawing the non-existent monthly child support payments. In most cases, the borrowers did not have the children listed or had never been married. Hernandez submitted bogus paperwork to the financial institution to support the false monthly income on the loan applications. Based on Hernandez’s misrepresentations, the financial institution approved and funded the mortgage loans.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.
Morris County Man Charged with Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for distributing images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Igor Michael Terrero, 49, of Succasunna, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with one count of distributing child pornography. Terrero made his initial appearance by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home detention and electronic monitoring.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From Aug. 30, 2021, through April 20, 2022, Terrero shared more than 85 media files, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
The charge of distribution of child pornography depicting prepubescent children carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division; the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll; and the Roxbury Township Police, under the direction of Chief Dean Adone, with the investigation leading to the charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. DeSaro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
McKeesport Felon Charged with Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of city/stateMcKeesport, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on May 19, named Ramon Howard, age 36, as the sole defendant.
According to Indictment, on or about February 11, 2022, Howard possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The defendant is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.