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19 May 2022
Former Stone County Sheriff's Deputy Faces Fraud, Extortion, and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A former Chief Deputy with the Stone County Sheriff’s Office appeared in federal court today for arraignment on charges of bank fraud, selling a stolen firearm, and extortion. Zachary Hunter Alexander, 36, of Fifty Six, Arkansas, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3 and made his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Edie R. Erwin.
The indictment alleges that Alexander solicited money in 2018 from the Stone County Sheriff’s Foundation to purchase AR-15 style firearms for the Sheriff’s Office. According to the indictment, the Foundation provided over $4,000, which Alexander deposited into his personal account. Allegedly, Alexander provided and signed an invoice listing six firearms and their serial numbers, which turned out to be fraudulent, and this invoice was used to authorize a $3,090 expenditure on the Sheriff’s Office credit card.
In addition to those firearms, the indictment claims Alexander sold a sniper rifle to another individual, which is the basis of the charge of selling a stolen firearm, as the firearm belonged to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and was purchased with Foundation money. Alexander also faces five charges of extortion under color of official right, and the indictment alleges he misused his authority as Chief Deputy Sheriff to obtain money that he used for himself. The indictment alleges that Alexander made various deposits totaling more than $105,000.
If convicted, Alexander faces potential penalties for bank fraud of not more than 30 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1 million, and not more than five years of supervised release. Selling a stolen firearm carries a penalty of not more than ten years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release. Extortion under color of official right is punishable by not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release.
An indictment only contains allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Former School Official and Local Restauranteur Indicted in Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Sharon Gardner, the former Director of Food Services for the Hempstead Union Free School District (HUFSD), and Maria Caliendo, the owner of food service providers Smart Starts NY, Inc. (Smart Starts) and Prince Umberto’s restaurant in Franklin Square, with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud in connection with a kickback scheme involving HUFSD procurement contracts. The indictment also charges Caliendo with making false statements to a federal agent investigating the fraudulent scheme. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.
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); Beth Dinkins, Special Agent-in-Charge United States Department of Agriculture, Inspector General's Office; Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Regional Office; Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York; Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney; and Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, announced the arrests and charges.
“As alleged, with little regard for the taxpaying public, the defendants secretly steered lucrative food service contracts to themselves and then illegally shared the profits,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who attempt to corrupt our public institutions through illegal bribes and kickbacks, as well as the officials who enrich themselves at the expense of the public they serve.”
"As alleged, Ms. Gardner and Ms. Caliendo engaged in a scheme in which Ms. Gardner steered more than $1 million in sole-source school breakfast contracts to Ms. Caliendo's company, in spite of the fact more cost-effective options existed. In exchange, Ms. Caliendo illicitly paid more than $100,000 in kickbacks to Ms. Gardner, which she used to purchase a variety of personal luxuries. Today's action demonstrates the FBI's commitment to bringing to justice those who seek to illegally benefit from taxpayer-funded programs intended to serve the public," stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“Instead of following the legitimate bidding process for a food services contract, the defendants allegedly used the Hempstead School District as their own piggy bank,” Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly said. “This prosecution sends a strong message to public officials that anyone using tax dollars to unjustly enrich themselves will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“There is no place for corruption in the United States, especially as it relates to programs set up to feed hungry children and provide assistance to the most vulnerable in our society,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Beth Dinkins.
“It’s alleged this duo conspired together in this fraud scheme where Gardner procured millions of dollars in contracts for Caliendo’s business, choosing Caliendo’s company’s bid in exchange for high-value kickbacks,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Fattorusso. “While Gardner accepted the higher bid for her own personal gain, the taxpayers of the Hempstead Union Free School District were left holding the bill. IRS-CI continues to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who choose to cheat the public to support their own extravagant lifestyle face the consequences of their criminal acts.”
“Stealing money meant to feed students in need is reprehensible,” said State Comptroller DiNapoli. “Due to my partnership with United States Attorney Peace, District Attorney Donnelly, the FBI and our federal partners, this former school employee and her co-conspirator will be held accountable for their alleged actions. I will continue to work with law enforcement across the state to root out public corruption and protect taxpayers.”
As alleged in the indictment, in her capacity as the Director of Food Services for HUFSD, Gardner helped secure lucrative contracts for Caliendo’s company, Smart Starts, to provide prepackaged breakfast meals for Hempstead public school students. For example, during the 2016-17 school year, Gardner persuaded HUFSD officials to treat Caliendo as a “sole source” vendor (a designation typically reserved for providers of unique or rare supplies for which sourcing is limited) of breakfast foods, thereby avoiding competitive bidding for the district’s business. Subsequently, in the 2017-18 school year, Gardner oversaw a supposedly competitive bidding scenario for the breakfast items, only to award a second procurement contract to Smart Starts despite the existence of more cost-effective bids. In total, pursuant to these procurement contracts, Caliendo’s company received more than $1.2 million from HUFSD.
In exchange, Caliendo kicked back a portion of the contract proceeds totaling more than $100,000 to Gardner through fraudulent payroll deposits and other payments. To conceal the illegal nature of the arrangement, those payments were deposited into a bank account that was created in the name of one of Gardner’s family members. Yet, the kicked back funds were spent by Gardner on international vacations, a leased vehicle and home furnishings, among other things. Approximately $13,000 in kicked back funds were also withdrawn by Gardner in cash from ATMs located near her home and workplace.
In voluntary interviews with investigators, Caliendo made materially false statements concerning the justification for the payments, falsely claiming that they represented repayment for a startup loan from Gardner’s family member, despite having received no capital contribution, work or labor from that individual.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Bagnuola and Charles P. Kelly are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants: SHARON GARDNER
Age: 56
Lindenhurst, New YorkMARIA CALIENDO
Age: 57
Elmont, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-229 (JS) (JMW)
Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced on May 17, 2022 on racketeering charges.
Taliyah Barboza, a/k/a “Queen Taliyah,” 27, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately six days in prison) and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 15 months in prison. In November 2020, Barboza pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf. Barboza drove gang members to a robbery and shooting in September 2019 and participated in the drug distribution activities of the gang.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Barboza is the 51st defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted 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 remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Massachusetts Resident Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
A former Brockton, Massachusetts, resident was sentenced today to twelve years in prison for participating in a sex trafficking conspiracy.
Matthew Engram, 35, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise. According to court documents, from January 2009 until August 2015, Engram and a co-conspirator recruited and trafficked three victims from a residence in Brockton and elsewhere, and Engram took all or part of the proceeds. Engram advertised the victims on websites, exchanged text messages with his co-conspirator to share advertisements, organized prostitution dates, and reserved hotel rooms. When the victims did not comply with Engram’s demands to prostitute for his profit, he physically assaulted them or directed his co-conspirator to physically assault them. Engram also transported or caused the transport of the victims to other states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Florida and Maine, to perform commercial sex acts.
“Sex trafficking is an atrocious crime that dehumanizes victims by depriving them of their freedom and dignity,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. “This sentence demonstrates that there are severe consequences for those who seek to exploit vulnerable young women for financial profit. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute human traffickers and secure justice for survivors of trafficking.”
“Mr. Engram took advantage of numerous young women through psychological manipulation, violence and fear,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “For over six years, he profited off of their pain and exploitation. Although we can never take away the trauma and violence endured by these survivors, today’s sentencing makes clear that the federal government is committed to eliminating human trafficking and holding traffickers accountable. My office and our law enforcement partners remain relentless in this pursuit.”
“Engram used violence and threats to control his victims, seeing them not as individuals, but as means for profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Millhollin for the Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Field Office. “His callous exploitation violated their basic human dignity as he trafficked them around the country to engage in commercial sex. We hope that today’s sentence offers a modicum of justice to those victimized by him who continue to live with the impacts of his actions.”
“Victims of human trafficking suffer physical abuse and immeasurable emotional abuse from their captors,” said Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez. “We are pleased to see justice served today and proud of the hard work and collaboration that led to today's sentencing.”
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of U.S. Attorney Rollins’s Major Crimes Unit and Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Vasantha Rao of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
Former Maryland Heights police officer admits child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former Maryland Heights, Missouri police officer pleaded guilty Thursday in United States District Court to a felony child pornography charge.
Nicholas H. Haglof, 30, admitted viewing hundreds of images containing child pornography using his laptop computer and cell phone in 2019 and 2020. Haglof later deleted the images, but a tip from the Bing search engine to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children prompted an investigation.
Investigators seized Haglof’s laptop and cell phone on July 31, 2020.
At Haglof’s sentencing later this year on the charge of accessing with the intent to view child pornography, the government will ask United States District Court Henry E. Autrey for four years in prison. Haglof will also be subject to mandatory restitution of at least $3,000 for each victim who has been identified in the images and who requests the restitution.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department Special Investigations Unit 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.
Former Lincoln Police Department Dispatcher Sentenced for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former dispatcher for the Lincoln Police Department was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston on charges of child pornography.
Spencer Hughes, 33, of Randolph, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 6, 2022, Hughes pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
A search of Hughes’ residence in October 2020 resulted in the recovery of multiple electronic devices and external hard drives. An on-site preliminary forensic examination revealed multiple folders saved to the Hughes’ external hard drive under what appeared to be female names. One folder contained approximately 19 digital files depicting child pornography, including images and videos. This folder included a prepubescent minor female who appeared to be younger than the age of 12 engaged in sexual conduct, among other things. Further analysis of the Hughes’ electronic devices revealed more than 2,200 images and approximately 68 videos of child pornography. Prior to the search, Hughes was employed by the Town of Lincoln Police Department as a dispatcher.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Key Worldwide Employee Sentenced in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former employee of William “Rick” Singer’s “The Key” for-profit business was sentenced today for her involvement in a scheme to use bribery and fraud to facilitate the admission of applicants to colleges nationwide.
Mikaela Sanford, 35, of Folsom, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served and one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $67,062. In October 2020, Sanford pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Sanford, who was employed by “The Key,” took online classes for students so that the students could submit the grades Sanford earned in their names as part of their application packages to colleges and universities. In other instances, Sanford helped fabricate athletic “profiles” and other documents to bolster students’ college applications by making the students appear to be highly successful high school athletes when, in fact, they were not.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Ian J. Stearns and Leslie Wright of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Gulf Cartel Leader Extradited to East Texas for Drug Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national has been extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Mario Cardenas-Guillen, 57, of Matamoros, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 20, 2012, and charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Cardenas-Guillen was surrendered to the United States on May 17, 2022. He will make an initial appearance on May 23, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn.
According to the indictment, beginning in 2000 and continuing through 2012, Cardenas-Guillen is alleged to have conspired with others to possess more than five kilograms of cocaine, which he intended to distribute to others.
“International sources of illegal drugs continue to poison our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “We will make every effort to combat this scourge, and that includes going to the origin of the drugs in foreign countries and arresting and prosecuting those who seek to make a profit off this blight that adversely affects so many in our society.”
“For decades, the Gulf Cartel has used intimidation and extreme violence to maintain control of its territories in northeast Mexico and smuggle deadly drugs into communities across the United States,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The extradition of Mario Cardenas Guillen, the former leader of the Gulf Cartel, should send a clear message to the leaders of drug trafficking organizations around the world that no one is beyond the reach of the DEA and our law enforcement partners.”
If convicted, Cardenas-Guillen faces from 10 years to life in federal prison.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Cardenas-Guillen to the United States. Special thanks to the Government of Mexico for their help in the capture and extradition of Cardenas-Guillen.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty for Role in Bribery and Contraband Smuggling ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A former federal correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) in Sheridan, Oregon pleaded guilty today for his role in a bribery and contraband smuggling conspiracy.
Nickolas Carlos Herrera, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, providing contraband in prison, and accepting a bribe as a public official.
According to court documents, from April 2015 until he was placed on administrative leave in December 2019, Herrera was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Sheridan, a federal prison in Yamhill County, Oregon. Herrera used his position to introduce contraband into the facility for the benefit of select inmates including Donte Hunt, 40, who is in custody pending an October 2022 trial on federal drug, gun, and money laundering charges. In the spring of 2019, Herrera began bringing contraband items such as food, clothing, and cigarettes into the facility, which he gave to Hunt in exchange for money.
Later, Herrera brought Hunt marijuana; Suboxone, a Schedule III narcotic; Yeezy brand designer sneakers, and a cell phone. Herrera obtained the narcotics and other items from Elizabeth McIntosh, 34, a non-incarcerated associate of Hunt’s. On at least one occasion, Herrera allowed Hunt to use a staff phone at the prison to call McIntosh to arrange the delivery of Suboxone to Herrera. Herrera met McIntosh on multiple occasions to obtain the narcotics and other items for Hunt and accepted payment from McIntosh via transfers of cash and transfers using various digital payment services including PayPal, Apple Cash, and Square.
On September 24, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Herrera, Hunt, and McIntosh with conspiracy and bribing a public official. Herrera and Hunt were additionally charged with providing contraband in prison.
Herrera and McIntosh were arraigned on November 2 and 4, 2020, respectively. Both were released on conditions. Hunt was arraigned on November 19, 2020 and ordered to continue his pre-trial detention.
Herrera and Hunt face maximum sentences of 25 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and five years’ supervised released. McIntosh faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and five years’ supervised released.
U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Ethan Knight and Katherine Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Former Employee of the Department of Energy’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Convicted for Role in Scheme to Defraud the United StatesRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Louisiana man today for his role in a scheme to defraud the United States.
According to documents and evidence presented at trial, Johnny C. Guillory Sr., 72, of Opelousas, Louisiana, conspired with Cajan Welding & Rentals, Ltd. to defraud the United States by corrupting and impairing the government procurement process, and by obtaining non-public pricing and cost information in order to obtain subcontract awards and payments from the Department of Energy in connection with its operation of the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. From 2002 until 2016, Cajan was awarded over 50 subcontracts and received payments in excess of $15 million from the Department of Energy, during which time Guillory received financial benefits from Cajan.
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is one of our nation’s vital programs, and collusion that destroys the integrity of the procurement process for government contracts will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates that people who corrupt that process, defraud the United States, and lie about it will be held accountable. The Antitrust Division will continue to vigorously prosecute offenses that undermine competition and work with our law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer dollars.”
“This guilty verdict sends a clear message that our office, along with our federal partners will vigorously investigate and prosecute all violations of our nation’s laws,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Guillory was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to violate the Procurement Integrity Act as well as making false statements to federal agents. Guillory is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 8, and faces a maximum term of five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to a three-year term of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $200.00, as to each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Department of Energy’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Megan S. Lewis and Julia Maloney of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal II Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey N. Knight of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal II Section at (202) 598-4000, or visit https://www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.
Former Director of Public Works in Guayama Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes in Exchange for Certifying Completion of Municipal Asphalt ProjectsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The former Director of Public Works in the Municipality of Guayama, Puerto Rico, Ramón Conde-Meléndez, pleaded guilty today in Puerto Rico to engaging in a bribery conspiracy in which he received cash payments in exchange for certifying the completion of asphalt projects which was required for the approval of payments from the Municipality of Guayama to an asphalt and paving company.
According to court documents, in 2019 and 2021, Ramón Conde-Meléndez agreed to receive and did receive multiple kickback payments from Individual A, an owner of an asphalt and paving company, equaling approximately $1.00 for each square meter of asphalt removed by the company in the municipality of Guayama. The total value of the kickback payments received by the defendant from Individual A exceeded $15,000.
Conde-Meléndez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Erbe of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts. See United States v. Luis Arroyo-Chiqués, 21-485 (SCC); United States v. Eduardo Cintrón-Suárez, 22-151 (SCC); United States v. Félix Delgado-Montalvo, 21-463 (RAM); United States v. Oscar Santamaria-Torres, 21-464 (RAM); United States v. Raymond Rodríguez, 21-465 (RAM).
Additionally, the Department recently obtained indictments charging several former officials and contractors with bribery related to municipal contracts, and those cases are still pending. See United States v. Mario Villegas-Vargas, 21-468 (FAB); United States v. Ángel Pérez-Otero, 21-474 (ADC); and United States v. Radamés Benítez-Cardona, 21-475 (PAD); United States v. Javier García-Pérez, 22-185 (ADC); United States v. Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 22-186 (PAD).
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown Pleads Guilty to Corrupt Obstruction of the Administration of the Internal Revenue LawsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Corrine Brown (75, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to engaging in a corrupt endeavor to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws. After accepting her guilty plea, Chief Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Brown to the time that she had already served in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, specifically two years, eight months, and nine days. Brown was also ordered to pay $62,650.99 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to the plea agreement, between October 15, 2009, and October 15, 2015, Brown caused her certified public accountant to file individual income tax returns for tax years 2008 through 2014 that did not include income associated with cash deposits into her bank accounts. During the same period, Brown also over-reported her charitable giving by inflating total gifts to charitable organizations and non-profit entities. Brown signed each referenced tax return under penalty of perjury, knowing that each one contained false information. In addition, Brown caused two Jacksonville non-profit entities to create letters that did not accurately reflect her donations so that Brown could use those letters during an IRS audit.
Brown was previously convicted by a federal jury for various offenses; after Brown’s appeal, her earlier conviction was vacated.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Tysen Duva and Michael J. Coolican of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Michelle Parikh and former Deputy Chief Eric G. Olshan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
Former Brockton Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Brockton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on sex trafficking charges.
Matthew Engram, a/k/a “Magic,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Feb. 17, 2022, Engram pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, two counts of transportation of an individual for purposes of prostitution and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.
“Mr. Engram took advantage of numerous young women through psychological manipulation, violence and fear. For over six years, he profited off of their pain and exploitation,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Although we can never take away the trauma and violence endured by these survivors, today’s sentencing makes clear that the federal government is committed to eliminating human trafficking and holding traffickers accountable. My office and our law enforcement partners remain relentless in this pursuit.”
“Sex trafficking is an atrocious crime that dehumanizes victims by depriving them of their freedom and dignity,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. “This sentence demonstrates that there are severe consequences for those who seek to exploit vulnerable young women for financial profit. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute human traffickers and secure justice for survivors of trafficking.”
“Engram used violence and threats to control his victims, seeing them not as individuals, but as means for profit. His callous exploitation violated their basic human dignity as he trafficked them around the country to engage in commercial sex,” said Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Field Office. “We hope that today’s sentence offers a modicum of justice to those victimized by him who continue to live with the impacts of his actions.”
“Victims of human trafficking suffer physical abuse and immeasurable emotional abuse from their captors. We are pleased to see justice served today and proud of the hard work and collaboration that led to today's sentencing,” said Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez.
From January 2009 until August 2015, Engram, aided by co-conspirator Natashia Bowman, recruited and trafficked three identified victims, as well as others, from a residence in Brockton and elsewhere to engage in commercial sex acts and took all or part of the proceeds.
Engram recruited the victims and others by falsely promising good earnings. Engram then advertised the victims on websites, exchanged text messages with Bowman to share advertisements, organized prostitution dates and reserved hotel rooms. To maintain control, Engram used physical assault, intimidation and isolation to create a climate of fear that compelled the victims and others to continue engaging in commercial sex acts for his profit. When the victims did not comply with Engram’s demands or did not make enough money, he physically assaulted them or directed Bowman to physically assault them. Engram also transported, or caused to transport, the victims to other states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Florida and Maine, to perform commercial sex acts.
In September 2020, Bowman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 9, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Rollins, AAG Clarke, HSI SAC Millhollin, Chief Perez and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Philadelphia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit and Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Vasantha Rao of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
Folsom Man Pleads Guilty to Making and Subscribing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Zarko Danilov, 67, of Folsom, pleaded guilty today to two counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Danilov owned and operated a dental laboratory business called Danilov’s Dental Lab. Danilov hid the true amount of gross receipts received from his business from his tax return preparers. For the tax years 2015 and 2016, Danilov failed to provide his return preparer the bank statements for one additional business bank account and one personal bank account. For the tax year 2017, Danilov failed to provide his return preparer the bank statements for that same business bank account and a different personal bank account. During a civil audit by the IRS, Danilov lied to a tax examiner about only having one bank account for business and personal matters.
In total, Danilov’s income for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017 was underreported by at least $1,271,694. The total amount lost by the IRS as a result of defendant’s criminal conduct for those tax years was approximately $283,359.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case.
Danilov is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Aug. 25, 2022. Danilov faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 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.
Florida Power Company Pleads Guilty in Worker Death Case, Incident Resulted in the Deaths of Five WorkersRead the Press Release
A Florida corporation pleaded guilty in federal court in the Middle District of Florida to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge related to an explosion at a coal-fired power plant in 2017 that caused the deaths of five workers.
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) operates several facilities in Florida, including Big Bend, a coal-fired power plant outside of Tampa. At the time, the facility consisted of four large coal-fired furnaces. Underneath the furnaces were water-filled tanks designed to catch and cool the molten “slag” by-product that drips down from the furnace. On June 29, 2017, hardened slag had accumulated at the top and the bottom of the slag tank and could not be removed. Rather than shutting down the furnace, TECO called in a contractor to perform high-pressure water blasting to try and clear the slag with the unit on-line. The work proceeded without observance of several safety-related procedures required by law. Five people were killed when one of the slag accumulations came loose, spraying the area with molten slag.
Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.
“This incident demonstrates the importance of OSHA’s safety standards, and the harms that they are designed to prevent,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The deaths caused by the defendant’s conduct were tragic and they were preventable. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who fail to follow these critical safety rules.”
“Had TECO complied with OSHA’s workplace safety standards, conducted a pre-job briefing and followed its own procedure, these senseless deaths could have been prevented,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as well as other TECO employees and contractors impacted by this catastrophic event “Our office is proud to have partnered with DOJ’s Environmental Crimes Section to shine a light on this willful violation of OSHA safety standards in order to deter such conduct and ensure that workers are protected in the future.”
“This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s unyielding commitment to the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the U.S. Constitution,” said Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI Tampa Field Office.“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims’ families along with our promise to work with our federal partners in ensuring the safety of America’s workplaces.”
In a plea agreement with the government, TECO admitted to willfully failing to hold a pre-job briefing with the workers performing the work. Such briefing should have included the procedures for the water blasting work. Instead, the work proceeded even though the procedures could not be found. As a result, certain critical safety-related steps were not taken, including lowering the amount of coal entering the furnace, and shutting the unit down after a specified interval had lapsed.
The FBI and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Florida Power Company Pleads Guilty in Worker Death Case, Incident Resulted in the Deaths of Five WorkersRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A Florida corporation pleaded guilty in federal court in the Middle District of Florida to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge related to an explosion at a coal-fired power plant in 2017 that caused the deaths of five workers.
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) operates several facilities in Florida, including Big Bend, a coal-fired power plant outside of Tampa. At the time, the facility consisted of four large coal-fired furnaces. Underneath the furnaces were water-filled tanks designed to catch and cool the molten “slag” by-product that drips down from the furnace. On June 29, 2017, hardened slag had accumulated at the top and the bottom of the slag tank and could not be removed. Rather than shutting down the furnace, TECO called in a contractor to perform high-pressure water blasting to try and clear the slag with the unit on-line. The work proceeded without observance of several safety-related procedures required by law. Five people were killed when one of the slag accumulations came loose, spraying the area with molten slag.
Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.
“This incident demonstrates the importance of OSHA’s safety standards, and the harms that they are designed to prevent,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The deaths caused by the defendant’s conduct were tragic and they were preventable. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute those who fail to follow these critical safety rules.”
“Had TECO complied with OSHA’s workplace safety standards, conducted a pre-job briefing and followed its own procedure, these senseless deaths could have been prevented,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as well as other TECO employees and contractors impacted by this catastrophic event. Our office is proud to have partnered with DOJ’s Environmental Crimes Section to shine a light on this willful violation of OSHA safety standards in order to deter such conduct and ensure that workers are protected in the future.”
“This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s unyielding commitment to the mission of protecting the American people and upholding the United States Constitution,” said Special Agent in Charge David Walker for FBI Tampa Field Office. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims’ families along with our promise to work with our federal partners in ensuring the safety of America’s workplaces.”
In a plea agreement with the government, TECO admitted to willfully failing to hold a pre-job briefing with the workers performing the work. Such briefing should have included the procedures for the water blasting work. Instead, the work proceeded even though the procedures could not be found. As a result, certain critical safety-related steps were not taken, including lowering the amount of coal entering the furnace, and shutting the unit down after a specified interval had lapsed.
The FBI and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle DesVaux Bedke for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Florida Man Is Found Guilty in Connection with A Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury has convicted Pierre Yvelt Almonor, 49, of Miami Gardens, Florida, for his role in a conspiracy to launder illegal proceeds from a business email compromise scheme that defrauded law firms and other companies of more than $1 million, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Almonor was convicted of engaging in a money laundering conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering, international concealment money laundering, and transactional money laundering.
Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
A business email compromise scheme, or BEC, is a sophisticated scam, often targeting businesses involved in wire transfer payments. The fraud is carried out by fraudsters compromising and/or “spoofing” legitimate business email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques, to cause employees of the victim company or other individuals involved in legitimate business transactions to transfer funds to accounts controlled by the scammers.
According to trial evidence, witness testimony and documents filed with the court, from August 2014 through November 2017, as part of the money laundering conspiracy, Almonor arranged to have nearly $395,000 in real estate closing proceeds stolen through a BEC deposited in a business account over which he exercised control, utilizing it as a “money mule” bank account. Money mule bank accounts are accounts used by fraudsters as a pass-through means of moving fraudulently obtained funds. Almonor then facilitated wires to Spain and South Africa totaling more than $200,000 and withdrew more than $50,000 in proceeds as compensation for his role in the conspiracy.
Almonor remains on bail pending sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the proceeds.
Ugo Ernest Uzomba previously pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria K. Vento and Matthew T. Warren of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Firefighter arrested for Transporting and Harboring Non-Citizens for financial gainRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 18, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Pedro Rafael Rodríguez-Garnier, 54, of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, with transporting and harboring illegal aliens.
According to the investigation, on August 1, 2019, during the early morning hours, Pedro Rafael Rodríguez-Garnier encountered multiple immigrants that had arrived in Puerto Rico illegally. He transported them from Joyuda to Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, and once there, defendant harbored them and requested money in exchange for providing them food and shelter.
“Today’s arrest demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting and seeking justice for vulnerable individuals,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“HSI San Juan is focused on identifying and assisting victims of crimes, and providing them with services regardless of citizenship or status,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo. “We are committed to bringing to justice those who try to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of non-citizens.”
Special Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Pineda-Perez is in charge of the prosecution of this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Federal Transfer Center Inmate Indicted for Possession of Suboxone with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – OSHAY JONES, 30, of Virginia, was indicted earlier this week by a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City with possession of buprenorphine (Suboxone) with intent to distribute, while an inmate in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester of the Western District of Oklahoma.
On May 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in the Western District of Oklahoma returned a two-count indictment against Jones. The indictment alleges that on April 14, 2022, Jones, an inmate at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, knowingly possessed buprenorphine (Suboxone) with the intent to distribute. Count 1 charges Jones with possession of a prohibited object (Suboxone), and Count 2 charges Jones with possessing buprenorphine (Suboxone) with intent to distribute.
If convicted on Count 1, Jones faces up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. If convicted on Count 2, Jones faces up to ten years in prison and three years of supervised release.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oklahoma City Field Office and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Altshuler is prosecuting the case.
The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public records for more information.
Federal Jury Convicts Illegal Alien of Sexual Abuse and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Edgar Rene Garcia-Limon, age 34, was found guilty by a federal jury of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country, Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, Felon in Possession of Firearm, and Illegal Reentry of Previously Removed Alien.
The jury trial began with testimony on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and concluded on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence the defendant sexually abused a female child. The sexual abuse began when the victim was four years old and continued until age 11. The United States also presented evidence the defendant is a felon and was in possession of two firearms. Finally, the United States presented evidence the Defendant, who is an alien from Mexico, illegally returned to the United States after having been previously removed from the United States.
The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Tulsa Police Department, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police, Homeland Security Investigations & Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the victim in this case is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Robert C. Brack, United States District Judge out of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, temporarily assigned to the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following the completion of the report. Garcia-Limon was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin D. Traster and Julie Mazur represented the United States.
Federal Judge Sentences Convicted Felon to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Ammunition and A Firearm During A Domestic Violence IncidentRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Dana Dean Fetherson, 44, of Waxhaw, N.C., was sentenced to 120 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of ammunition and a firearm by a convicted felon.
Brian Mein, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed documents and information presented in court, on April 3, 2020, an individual identified in court documents as J.B. called 911 to report that her ex-boyfriend, Fetherson, had “busted out” all the windows of her vehicle with an assault rifle, and had pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her. Fetherson was arrested on state charges in connection with this incident.
Court records show that on October 7, 2020, Fetherson went to J.B.’s house and shot at J.B. and her mother. J.B. sustained an injury to her wrist and her mother was injured by shrapnel. Fetherson was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2021. When law enforcement served Fetherson with the federal arrest warrant, they found a firearm and drugs in the defendant’s pocket. According to court records, Fetherson has prior criminal convictions and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
On December 16, 2021, Fetherson pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition and a firearm by a convicted felon. He is currently in federal custody. He 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 ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimlani Ford, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Slidell Man for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RAYMOND BAYONA, age 32, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was charged today in a one-count indictment for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
If convicted, BAYONA faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
The case was investigated by the Slidell Police Department, St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne is in charge of the prosecution.
Former Aldi Executive and Local Contractor Indicted for Bid FraudRead the Press Release
East St. Louis, Ill. – On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in East St. Louis returned a nine- count indictment charging a former Aldi executive and a local general contractor with federal fraud offenses relating to the construction of Aldi grocery stores throughout Southern Illinois and
Missouri. Former Aldi Regional Director of Real Estate, Louis Ross, 62, of Florissant, Missouri, and the owner of C. Juengel Company, Donald Schniers, 71, of Breese, Illinois, were both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud, and four counts of wire fraud.
Aldi Inc. operates a corporate chain of grocery stores with locations nationwide, including dozens of stores within the Southern District of Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Ross served as the Director of Real Estate for Aldi’s O’Fallon, Missouri, Division, which encompasses the area. According to court documents, Schniers, through C. Juengel, provided general contracting services to Aldi in connection with the construction and renovation of Aldi stores in the O’Fallon, Missouri, Division.Ross and Schniers are accused of conspiring to create the appearance of a competitive bidding environment when one did not exist. The indictment alleges that Ross and Schniers submitted fictitious bids in the names of other regional construction companies that were higher than C.
Juengel’s bids. Using these fictitious high bids from competing construction firms, Ross and
Schniers ensured that C. Juengel was the lowest bidder on the projects and was ultimately awarded the contracts. The indictment further alleges that on at least one occasion, the Defendants altered a legitimate bid submitted by one local construction company to increase the amount of the bid to be higher than C. Juengel’s bid. On other occasions, the Defendants allegedly created and submitted bids for other regional construction companies who had never bid on Aldi projects before.According to the indictment, C. Juengel was awarded twelve contracts for general contractor services between March 2016 and May 2017, as a result of the fraud - valued at over $21 million dollars. Because of the lack of competition in the bidding process, Aldi allegedly overpaid for the construction and renovation of stores in the O’Fallon, Missouri, Division.
“Individuals and companies who collude to thwart free market competition have a direct and negative impact on communities and the American consumer,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Acting Special
Agent in Charge Joe Rodriguez. “Today’s indictment demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to investigate anti-competitive behavior and hold accountable those who try to cheat the system for their own benefit and profit.”The indictment also charges that Schniers paid Ross monthly kickbacks in exchange for the receipt of the Aldi contracts. Over a four-year period, Ross allegedly received $554,000 in kickbacks in the form of checks drawn on C. Juengel’s bank account. In addition, the indictment alleges that Ross also received thousands of dollars in kickbacks from another individual for the exclusive right to serve as the civil engineer on all Aldi new construction and renovation projects in the O’Fallon, Missouri, Division.
Ross and Schniers are scheduled to appear in federal court in East St. Louis for their arraignments on June 10, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively. Each of the counts in the indictment carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
United States Attorney, Steven D. Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois made the announcement.The investigation was conducted by the Springfield and St. Louis Field Offices of Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and the St. Louis Field Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zoe J. Gross.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Enumclaw, Washington, couple convicted of multiple federal felonies for stealing tax dollars intended for flood controlRead the Press Release
Seattle – The former long-time Commissioner of an East King County drainage district and his wife were convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of multiple federal felonies connected to their scheme to steal tax dollars intended for flood control, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. In all, Allan Thomas and Joann Thomas were convicted of conspiracy; four counts each of wire fraud and mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Joann Thomas was convicted of an additional count of aggravated identity theft and four counts of money laundering. The jury deliberated for about four hours following the eight- day trial. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2022.
“Allan and Joann Thomas didn’t just defraud taxpayers, they abused a position of public trust, and repeatedly invented new lies to cover up old ones,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “I am thankful the jury saw the truth, rejecting the defense attempt to paint the couple as victims of small-town political intrigue.”
According to records in the case and testimony at trial, Allan B. Thomas served as Commissioner for Drainage District 5 and 5A in King County for more than 35 years. As a commissioner, Thomas was involved in estimating the costs of drainage maintenance for the district so that the county auditor could set and assess the appropriate taxes. The Commissioners then authorized payment to service providers who were supposed to do maintenance work on the drainage system.
As early as 2012, Joann Thomas set up a joint bank account with Allan Thomas’ son from a previous marriage. The account was a business account for a company called A C Services. Over the next six years, Allan Thomas had $413,323 of local tax dollars paid to A C Services claiming it was for drainage ditch maintenance. However, Thomas’ son testified that other than two small jobs performed in 2012, he did not perform any drainage ditch work. At trial, a current drainage district commissioner testified that he saw no work done on the ditches during that time period, and that when he took on the commissioner job, it was clear the ditch network had had little maintenance for many years.
Financial records admitted at trial show that over those six years (2012-2017), shortly after the tax dollars were deposited into A C Services’ account, the money was quickly transferred to other accounts belonging to the Thomases or was used to pay their expenses for such things as hay, mortgage payments, or property taxes. More than $68,000 was withdrawn as cash.
Allan and Joann Thomas worked together on the scheme. Both were involved in submitting false documents by mail and wire (the mail fraud and wire fraud counts) and the funds that were fraudulently obtained were then moved through various bank accounts (money laundering). The couple forged the signatures of Allan Thomas’ son and a second drainage commissioner on various records and checks. The forgeries constitute Aggravated Identity Theft. Those counts carry a mandatory two-year sentence that must run consecutive to any sentence imposed on the other counts of conviction.
In 2018, after the couple became aware of an investigation into their conduct, they began funneling the tax dollars through another company: City Biz. The couple submitted warrants for City Biz to be paid for drainage maintenance work and within days of the funds arriving in City Biz bank accounts, nearly all the money was transferred directly to Allan Thomas or the Thomases’ dairy farm. The Thomases’ friend who agreed to help with the City Biz fraud, now also has a federal felony conviction for repeatedly lying to the FBI.
In all, the couple defrauded taxpayers of $468,165.
“Public funds are gathered from our communities for the benefit of all residents. Instead of stewarding these funds for the public’s interest, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas abused Mr. Thomas’ position as an elected official and betrayed the trust of their neighbors and friends by diverting these funds to line their own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “IRS:CI will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement and be vigilant in protecting the public from corrupt officials like Mr. Thomas, who think only of their own greed.”
“For years, Commissioner Thomas and his wife chose to betray the public’s trust both by failing to maintain the property under their care and by stealing from the hardworking taxpayers of King County for personal gain. Today’s verdict reinforces that public servants will be held accountable for their actions and to a high ethical standard,” said Donald M. Voiret, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office.
The IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) and the FBI led the investigation with assistance from the Enumclaw Police Department. The Enumclaw City Attorney initiated the review of the district finances. The Washington State Auditor’s Office also conducted an audit of the district in 2019. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in consultation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, determined the case was appropriate for federal prosecution.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Arnold and Andrew Friedman.
Drug dealer who mailed methamphetamine to St. Louis area sentenced to more than seven years in prisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White on Thursday sentenced a drug dealer who mailed crystal methamphetamine to St. Louis from Arizona to seven and one-half years in prison.
Hosea Simpson, 36, pleaded guilty in February to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Beginning in 2019, Simpson and his co-defendant, LeVaughn Neal, obtained methamphetamine in Arizona and mailed it to the St. Louis area, addressed to both vacant and occupied homes. The residents had no knowledge of the shipments. Simpson and Neal would wait in a vehicle for the package to be delivered, grab it and then drive away.
Both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service became aware of the shipments.
On August 21,2019 postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed from Tempe, Arizona to Des Peres, Missouri that contained 13 pounds of methamphetamine. While the package was being held by investigators, Neal called the postal service twice, inquiring about the package and how to retrieve it, but never picked it up.
On September 4,2019, postal inspectors found another suspicious package headed to Jennings. They watched as Simpson got out of a rental car driven by Neal and retrieved the package. The pair drove off and escaped.
On September 12,2019, DEA agents utilized a confidential source to buy $1,200 worth of crystal methamphetamine from Neal and Simpson.
On October 17 ,2019, postal inspectors again spotted a suspicious package heading to Jennings, and DEA agents arrested Neal after he retrieved it from the front porch of a vacant home. The package contained nearly five pounds of crystal methamphetamine that was 98% pure.
Neal, 36, of Dellwood, was sentenced by Judge White in January to 13 years in prison on the same charge.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa prosecuted the case.
Department of Justice Announces New Policy for Charging Cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse ActRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced the
revision of its policy regarding charging violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).The policy for the first time directs that good-faith security research should not be charged. Good faith security research means accessing a computer solely for purposes of good-faith testing, investigation, and/or correction of a security flaw or vulnerability, where such activity is carried out in a manner designed to avoid any harm to individuals or the public, and where the information derived from the activity is used primarily to promote the security or safety of the class of devices, machines, or online services to which the accessed computer belongs, or those who use such devices, machines, or online services.
“Computer security research is a key driver of improved cybersecurity,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The department has never been interested in prosecuting good-faith computer security research as a crime, and today’s announcement promotes cybersecurity by providing clarity for good-faith security researchers who root out vulnerabilities for the common good.”
The new policy states explicitly the longstanding practice that “the department’s goals for CFAA enforcement are to promote privacy and cybersecurity by upholding the legal right of individuals, network owners, operators, and other persons to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information stored in their information systems.” Accordingly, the policy clarifies that hypothetical CFAA violations that have concerned some courts and commentators are not to be charged. Embellishing an online dating profile contrary to the terms of service of the dating website; creating fictional accounts on hiring, housing, or rental websites; using a pseudonym on a social networking site that prohibits them; checking sports scores at work; paying bills at work; or violating an access restriction contained in a term of service are not themselves sufficient to warrant federal criminal charges. The policy focuses the department’s resources on cases where a defendant is either not authorized at all to access a computer or was authorized to access one part of a computer — such as one email account — and, despite knowing about that restriction, accessed a part of the computer to which his authorized access did not extend, such as other users’ emails.
However, the new policy acknowledges that claiming to be conducting security research is not a free pass for those acting in bad faith. For example, discovering vulnerabilities in devices in order to extort their owners, even if claimed as “research,” is not in good faith. The policy advises prosecutors to consult with the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) about specific applications of this factor.
All federal prosecutors who wish to charge cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act are required to follow the new policy, and to consult with CCIPS before bringing any charges. Prosecutors must inform the Deputy Attorney General (DAG), and in some cases receive approval from the DAG, before charging a CFAA case if CCIPS recommends against it.
The new policy replaces an earlier policy that was issued in 2014, and takes effect immediately.
Dayton Jones Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – Dayton Jones, 27, was sentenced this week to 96 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for production of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system. Jones was also ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victim and he will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody.
According to court documents, on October 11, 2014, a group of high school and college students got together at a friend’s apartment. The students, almost all of whom were under the age of 21, consumed significant amounts of alcohol. A fifteen-year-old boy (John Doe), passed out from alcohol intoxication. When John Doe passed out, several other males took turns sexually assaulting him with a sex toy. Jones made an audio and video recording of the assault which he then distributed to others via the social media application “Snapchat.”
“I commend the Louisville FBI, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted this case for their outstanding effort,” said Michael A. Bennett, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “We will continue to prioritize the prosecution of child sexual exploitation and abuse in order to make our communities throughout the 53 counties of the Western District safer for all citizens.”
“This case highlights how those that choose to exploit our most vulnerable will be found and held accountable to the fullest degree under the rule of law. Removing child predators from our streets will remain one of the highest priorities for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI's Louisville Field Office. “If you are engaging in these heinous acts, know that the possibility of decades in federal prison with no parole is in your future.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Jo E. Lawless and Seth Hancock prosecuted the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Louisville Field Office and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office investigated the 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Davidson County Man Sentenced to 170 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – A North Carolina man was sentenced on May 19, 2022, to 170 months in prison, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of minors after a multi-state effort by federal and local agencies identified a user in North Carolina involved in the receipt and distribution of child pornography and solicitation of sexually explicit images from two minors.
According to court documents, Robert Hoyt Reece, 39, was identified by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, after receiving information from local law enforcement in another state about an individual in Lexington, North Carolina possessing child pornography and communicating with minors across the country. The FBI later identified the individual as Reece and the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DSCO) executed a search warrant at Reece’s residence in April 2021 where they confiscated multiple devices containing images and videos of child pornography. Reece admitted to officers that he had used multiple devices and applications to access child pornography. As a result of the investigation, it was also determined he was communicating with two out-of-state minors inappropriately and soliciting sexually images from them.
He was charged in the Middle District of North Carolina in October 2021 with one count of coercion or enticement of a minor, two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of possession of child pornography, and two counts of sexual exploitation of minors. In January, 2022, Reece pled guilty to one count of receiving child pornography. In addition to his imprisonment and supervised release, Reece was ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution to the child pornography victims.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation. FBI offices throughout the country assisted in locating the victims and identifying Reece as the perpetrator.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Freeman and Kennedy Gates. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and focuses on coordinating federal, state, and local resources to better identify and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
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Crow Agency felon sentenced to five years in prison for illegal firearm possession after high-speed pursuit on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Crow Agency felon who illegally possessed a loaded semi-automatic rifle and led law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced on May 18 to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Brian Pretty Weasel, 34, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in October 2018, Pretty Weasel was convicted of a federal felony of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. In May 2021, a U.S. Marshals Service deputy and other law enforcement officers attempted to stop Pretty Weasel on a warrant in Billings. Pretty Weasel fled officers in a SUV that had been reported stolen and sped from Billings onto the Crow Reservation. Bureau of Indian Affairs officers joined the pursuit, which reached speeds exceeding 100 mph. An officer saw a passenger hand a rifle to Pretty Weasel, the driver. Pretty Weasel ultimately crashed into another vehicle in Pryor, fled on foot from the SUV and was caught by officers. Officers located a loaded, semi-automatic rifle that Pretty Weasel had dropped near the SUV. The firearm had been reported stolen in 2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Torske prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the BIA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Convicted Sex Offender Living Under an Assumed Name Arrested in St. PetersburgRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that John Paul Angel, Jr., a/k/a “John Saravia,” (43, St. Petersburg) has been arrested and charged by a criminal complaint with failing to register as a sex offender. If convicted, Angel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release.
According to the criminal complaint, in May 2001, Angel was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a minor child after a guilty plea in Bergen County, New Jersey. After his release from a three-year prison sentence, Angel was required to register as a sex offender. Since 2003, however, Angel repeatedly failed to report his whereabouts and his status as a convicted sex offender as required by law. In May 2005, Angel failed to report annually to officials in New Jersey, as required by law, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. In April 2022, law enforcement officers discovered Angel living in St. Petersburg using the alias “John Saravia.” He has been in the Middle District of Florida since 2012. There is no record of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that shows Angel, or “John Saravia” ever registering as a sex offender in Florida, as required by state and federal law.
A criminal complaint 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 U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Clifton Police Department, and the New Jersey Parole Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
Chicago Man Sentenced to 294 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Offense Resulting in Girlfriend’s DeathRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Antonio Larvell Thomas, Jr., age 25, of Chicago, Ill., was sentenced on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, to 294 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. Thomas was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay a $100 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
According to court documents, in 2019, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Thomas for his involvement in a heroin and methamphetamine conspiracy operating in the Quad Cities area. Multiple controlled buys were conducted where Thomas arranged to distribute fentanyl purported to be heroin to a cooperating individual. Thomas was implicated in multiple drug and gun seizures conducted by law enforcement. On January 5, 2020, Thomas’s girlfriend was found unresponsive in a Davenport hotel room she shared with Thomas. She was pronounced dead and an autopsy revealed she died of a fentanyl overdose. The fentanyl she ingested belonged to Thomas. Thomas was arrested in possession of additional fentanyl.
On December 18, 2020, Thomas pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and admitted that death resulted from the fentanyl he was distributing.
U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This matter was investigated by the Bettendorf Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Charlotte Business Owners Are Indicted for Selling Stolen iPhones to Domestic and International BuyersRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Charlotte business owners, Hamzeh Jamal Alasfar, 30, and Tayseer Issam Alkhayyat, 34, both of Charlotte, are facing federal charges for allegedly selling fraudulently obtained Apple iPhones (iPhones) and other electronic devices to domestic and international buyers, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Reginald DeMatteis, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service (USSS), Charlotte Field Office, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, Alasfar and Alkhayyat owned multiple businesses located in Charlotte, including Cellport International Inc. (Cellport) and D Town Wireless (D Town). Cellport had an additional location in Florida. The indictment alleges that, as early as 2013 and continuing through January 2020, Alasfar and Alkhayyat purchased thousands of stolen and fraudulently obtained iPhones and other electronic devices, which they then sold and shipped to buyers in other states and in foreign countries.
As alleged in the indictment, Alasfar and Alkhayyat obtained the fraudulently obtained devices from multiple “boosters” and “vendors.” A booster is a person who obtains goods and products through theft or other fraudulent means and sells them for profit. A vendor is a person who collects stolen and fraudulently obtained products from boosters and sells them in bulk. The indictment alleges that Alasfar and Alkhayyat’s businesses were known to boosters and vendors in the area as places they could sell stolen and fraudulently obtained devices, including new in-the-box iPhones.
As alleged in the indictment, between January 2019 and January 2020, the defendants sold and shipped through Cellport more than 20,000 new iPhones. The defendants allegedly knew that many of these iPhones had been stolen or obtained by fraud. During the same time frame, Cellport’s bank account, which was controlled by Alasfar and Alkhayyat, allegedly received more than $15 million in wire transfers, many of which came from new iPhone buyers and freight-forwarding services located abroad, including a company in the United Arab Emirates.
Alasfar and Alkhayyat are charged with conspiracy to transport stolen and fraudulently obtained goods in interstate commerce, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and two counts of interstate and foreign transportation of stolen property, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine per count.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Alasfar and Alkhayyat will be ordered to appear on a summons for their initial appearances, which will be scheduled in federal court in Charlotte.
This case was the result of the investigative efforts of CMPD and the Secret Service, which have established a fully integrated partnership to combat the most significant organized criminal groups operating in Charlotte. Through this partnership, this unit has successfully leveraged local and federal resources, personnel, expertise and authorities to identify and combat the criminals and criminal organizations that have the largest negative impact on the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
Charleston Felon Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Denzil Weatherspoon, 29, ran from officers with the Charleston Police Department on February 4, 2020. Upon detaining Weatherspoon, officers recovered a loaded Rohm Model RG23 .22-caliber revolver in his jacket pocket.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Weatherspoon knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of two prior felony convictions: for unlawful wounding on August 18, 2014, in Kanawha County Circuit Court; and for aggravated assault on November 10, 2016, for in the Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the excellent work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Former Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller prosecuted 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.
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. 2:20-cr-138.
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Cambridge Man Charged with Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cambridge man has been charged with drug distribution offenses involving cocaine base (crack cocaine) and fentanyl.
Ahsan Arty, a/k/a/ “Hass,” 23, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Arty is currently in state custody and was ordered detained following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell. A detention hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging documents, in February 2021, Arty conspired to sell crack cocaine to an undercover officer and was captured on recording brokering the drug deal. Intercepted communications allegedly revealed that Arty also conspired with others to distribute counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl. At the time of the alleged offense, Arty was on pretrial release for multiple pending state firearm offenses.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Man Sentenced to 25 Years on Multiple Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – A California man was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, attempted distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, maintaining a place for drug purposes and illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents, Antoine Lapoleon Davis, aka “Shorty,” 49, trafficked large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to Alaska through the U.S. mail and distributed it in the Anchorage area during 2017 and 2018. He was convicted by a federal jury in May 2021.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant on Davis’s Anchorage apartment on October 4, 2018, where they seized methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, four firearms and other drug dealing paraphernalia. Davis later told the FBI that he distributed nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine and half a kilogram of cocaine per month as well as heroin and crack cocaine. He also stated that he obtained the firearms found in his apartment to defend his drug supply. The firearms included three handguns and a semi-automatic rifle that Davis referred to as a “chopper.”
Davis also mailed two parcels containing drugs and guns that were intercepted by the U.S. Postal Inspectors in 2017. One parcel sent from Anchorage to Arizona contained methamphetamine, meth pills and multiple firearms. The second package sent from California to Anchorage contained nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine. Investigators linked Davis to the two parcels through forensic fingerprinting and handwriting analysis as well as post office surveillance footage.
In issuing the sentence Judge Burgess noted that Davis returned to criminal conduct less than a year after serving a 16-year sentence in California on very similar charges. According to court documents, Davis has been incarcerated or on parole for almost the entirety of his adult life – from 1993 to the present.
“We will not idly stand by while dealers peddle their devastating drugs to Alaskans,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “We take drug trafficking crimes very seriously in Alaska and we will continue to vigorously prosecute traffickers, wherever they may live, for their illegal actions. This significant sentence should serve as a warning to anyone considering trafficking drugs in our state that, together with our law enforcements partners, we will investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The defendant was a prolific drug trafficker who harmed Alaskan communities by distributing substantial amounts of illegal narcotics in the Anchorage area,” said Antony Jung, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to prevent offenders from plaguing Alaskan communities with illegal drugs and weapons, and we will continue to purposefully identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking enterprises, in an effort to make our communities safer.”
“We will not sit back while individuals like Davis leave a path of destruction in their wake” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti, “The sentencing of Davis leaves a clear and lasting impact on the communities of Alaska. It shows the citizens we will work tirelessly to bring large scale dealers like Davis to justice. This should also serve as a reminder to those who think they can exploit members of our community; we will join our efforts together as law enforcement agencies and find you. Cases like these don’t come together without teamwork and we thank all agencies involved”.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kayla Doyle, Jennifer Ivers and Ryan Tansey prosecuted 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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Burlington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Laroy Dashun Redmond, age 29, of Burlington, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 120 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Five Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Less Than 50 Kilograms of Marijuana, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Redmond was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay a $300 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
According to court documents, the investigation into Redmond began when the Burlington Police Department responded to a shooting incident at Redmond’s residence in January 2021. During the search, law enforcement seized ammunition, over 400 grams of marijuana, and methamphetamine. In May and June of 2021, Redmond was stopped twice by police for driving while impaired. Law enforcement seized a nine-millimeter handgun from Redmond during the May encounter and a .40 caliber handgun and a distribution amount of cocaine from Redmond’s vehicle in June. In post-Miranda statements, Redmond admitted ownership of the nine-millimeter gun and stated his fingerprints would be found on the .40 caliber handgun. Redmond also admitted that he carried the gun in furtherance of his drug trafficking. On January 3, 2022, Redmond pleaded guilty to the charges.
U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This matter was investigated by the Burlington Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Fraud, Identity Theft, Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to fraud, identity theft, firearm and drug offenses.
Jammy Alphonse, 28, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 15, 2022. Alphonse was charged by an Information on May 11, 2022.
Beginning in or around May 2020, Alphonse conspired to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, which were made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Specifically, Alphonse conspired to submit false PUA claims in other persons’ names and using other persons’ personally identifiable information. Alphonse and his co-conspirators created email accounts for the purpose of submitting fraudulent PUA claims from Alphonse’s Everett residence and other locations. The fraudulently obtained funds were then directed into accounts held in Alphonse’s name or in the name of a co-conspirator.
Additionally, in February 2021, Alphonse submitted an application to rent a property in East Boston using the name, Social Security number and date of birth of another person. As a result, Alphonse resided in that apartment from approximately February 2021 through Aug. 6, 2021, when he was arrested on a federal firearms offense. A search of the apartment recovered a loaded Glock model 43X, 9-millimeter firearm, 47 rounds of ammunition, and approximately 75 grams or more of fentanyl, among other things.
Alphonse was previously arrested and charged in August 2021 with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon following a shooting in Cambridge, Mass., in July 2021. Alphonse has remained in custody since that date.
The charge of wire fraud conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, up to four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Mark Comorosky, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Michael Bryant, 62, admitted to selling fentanyl to a confidential informant on three separate occasions in March 2021 at his Hunt Street residence. During one of the controlled buys, Bryant also sold the confidential informant a loaded Francolin Arms, model Citadel Boss 25, 12-gauge shotgun. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Bryant’s residence on October 21, 2021 and seized additional quantities of fentanyl, a loaded Sports Arms Derringer .22-caliber pistol, and rounds of 9mm and .22-caliber ammunition.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Bryant admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his two prior felony convictions: for being a felon in possession of a firearm on February 25, 2010, in Raleigh County Circuit Court; and for unlawful assault on October 30, 2000, Fayette County Circuit Court.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Negar Kordestani prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-cr-199.
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Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Beckley man was sentenced today to seven years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine base, also known as “crack” cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gregory Anthony Waters, 53, sold approximately 1 ounce of cocaine base to a confidential informant on September 20, 2020. Waters admitted to meeting the informant near a restaurant he owned in Beckley to sell the drugs. Waters also admitted to selling cocaine or cocaine base on several other occasions. Each transaction occurred within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Waters agreed to forfeit cash in the amount of $2,481 and to have a money judgment entered in the amount of $5,000, the total of which represents the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking. Waters also agreed to forfeit a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado truck which was used to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the cooperative investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess 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. 5:20-cr-191.
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Albany Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Debra Hackstadt, age 67, of Albany, pled guilty today to fraudulently obtaining 32 government-backed loans meant for businesses struggling with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In pleading guilty, Hackstadt admitted that between April 30, 2020 and June 11, 2021, she fraudulently obtained $1,615,546 from two pandemic relief loan programs – the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), whose loans are issued by private financial institutions and backed by the federal government, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”), which are issued directly by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans were issued to Hackstadt herself, certain of her family members and acquaintances, and several companies controlled by Hackstadt or her family members.
Hackstadt committed the fraud by lying to the SBA and various PPP lenders on loan applications, including by making up and grossly overstating the employees and payrolls of the companies and sole proprietorships for which she obtained loans. Many of the PPP applications also included false tax documents that Hackstadt created as part of the scheme. In total, Hackstadt’s scheme resulted in the issuance of 27 PPP loans and five EIDLs.
Hackstadt also admitted that in addition to these loans, she fraudulently obtained two other business loans from private lenders. She fraudulently obtained a $42,290 loan in October-November 2019, and promptly defaulted on it, and fraudulently obtained a $48,500 loan in June 2021, and promptly defaulted on it.
Hackstadt faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced on October 6, 2022 by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Hackstadt has also agreed to pay restitution, and to entry of a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $254,812, representing the amount of money she personally obtained from the fraud.
This case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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18 May 2022
美國公民和四名中國情報官員被控監視著名異見者、人權領袖和民主活動人士Read the Press Release
昨天，布魯克林聯邦法院公佈了一份起訴書，對一名美國公民和四名中國國家安全部官員提起共謀及與其他指控，涉及間諜活動和跨國鎮壓計畫。
根據法庭檔，王書軍，73 歲，紐約皇后區人；何峰，又名何老闆，廣東人；季潔，青島人；李明，又名唐老、小李，廣東人；青島的陸克慶（又名陸老闆）據稱參與了美國和國外的間諜活動和跨國鎮壓計畫。王先生于3月16日根據刑事起訴被捕，並將於晚些時候提審。何、季、李、陸仍逍遙法外(以上姓名均為音譯)。
“我們不會容忍中華人民共和國或任何獨裁政府向我國輸出鎮壓措施，”司法部國家安全司助理司法部長馬修·奧爾森 (Matthew G. Olsen) 說。 “這些指控表明，對凡是違反我們法律、試圖壓制美國境內不同聲音，並阻止我們居民行使其合法權利的人，司法部堅定不
移，致力於追究其責任。”
紐約東區美國檢察官布倫·皮斯 (Breon Peace) 表示：“據指控，王在自己的社區中充當秘密情報人員，監視並向他的同案被告（中國政府國家安全部成員）報告有關著名親民主活動人士和組織的敏感資訊。” “今天的起訴書揭露並擾亂了中華人民共和國的一項行動，該行動威脅居住在美國的中國公民因為他們的民主信仰和言論的安全和自由。我們的辦公室和執法合作夥伴將保持警惕，阻止針對我們公民和居民的外國間諜活動。”
“如果有人懷疑中國政府對箝制批評者有多認真，瞭解本案後即可消除任何懷疑，”聯邦調查局國家安全部門代理執行助理主任小艾倫·科勒 (Alan E. Kohler Jr.) 表示。 “中國政府的咄咄逼人的策略曾經僅限於其境內。現在，中華人民共和國正在針對美國和世界各地的人民。聯邦調查局及其合作夥伴繼續致力於打擊跨國鎮壓。”
根據法庭檔，王是一位著名的學者和作家，他幫助在皇后區創立了一個反對中國現行共產主義政權的親民主組織。然而，據指控，至少自 2011 年以來，王一直利用其在華人僑界和異見者群體中的地位和身份，代表國家安全部和中國，秘密收集有關著名活動人士和人權領袖的資訊。正如起訴書所稱，何、季、李和陸是王的操縱者，指示王針對中國認為具有顛覆性的特定個人和團體，例如香港親民主活動人士、台獨宣導者、維吾爾族和藏族活動人士，並獲取有關國家安全部認為重要的特定主題和事項的資訊。
正如起訴書中所指控，王通過使用加密的消息傳遞應用程式和電子郵件，並在中國舉行的面對面會議上，向國家安全局--包括何、季、李和陸--傳達和提供資訊。王經常將他收集的資訊記錄在電子郵件“日記”中，供國家安全部查閱。此類“日記”包括王與著名異見者的私人談話，及民主活動人士和人權組織活動的細節。王被捕後，在對其住所進行的搜查中，發現了王寫給何、季、李、陸以及其他國安部官員的大約 163 篇“日記”。
例如，在 2016 年 11 月 22 日左右的一系列通訊中，季指示王在即將舉行的一場親民主活動中，與特定與會者互動，並“完成“老闆”（指的是陸）分配的任務。季指出，相關與會者與“藏族人、維吾爾族人和蒙古族人”有過接觸，並祝王好運，取得“好成績。”在 2016 年 11 月 16 日左右的另一次交流中，王告訴李，他“剛剛結束與一位著名人權活動人士的交談，”並指出他提出了“必要的問題”並得到了“坦誠”的答復。李回應“太好了，”並用豎起大拇指的表情符號，指示王將其寫在“日記”中。王向國安部舉報的至少一名香港民主活動家和異見者（在起訴書中被稱為“香港異見者一號”）隨後被中國逮捕。
除了這一行為之外，起訴書還指控王向國家安全部轉移並擁有屬於中國異見者的電話號碼和聯繫資訊，並向聯邦執法部門做出重大虛假陳述，虛假地否認他與中國官員或國家安全部有聯繫。
紐約東區美國助理檢察官阿蒂·麥康奈爾 (Artie McConnell) 正在國家安全部反情報和出口管制司的審判律師斯科特·A·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee) 的寶貴協助下起訴此案。
起訴書只是一項指控，所有被告均被假定無罪，直到在法庭上排除合理懷疑而被證明有罪。
美国公民和四名中国情报官员被控监视著名持不同政见者、人权领袖和民主活动人士Read the Press Release
昨天，布鲁克林联邦法院公布了一份起诉书，对一名美国公民和四名中国国家安全部官员提起共谋及与其他指控，涉及间谍活动和跨国镇压计划。
根据法庭文件，王书军，73 岁，纽约皇后区人；何峰，又名何老板，广东人；季洁，青岛人；李明，又名唐老、小李，广东人；青岛的陆克庆（又名陆老板）据称参与了美国和国外的间谍活动和跨国镇压计划。王先生于3月16日根据刑事起诉被捕，并将于晚些时候提审。何、季、李、陆仍逍遥法外(以上姓名均为音译)。
“我们不会容忍中华人民共和国或任何独裁政府向我国输出镇压措施，”司法部国家安全司助理司法部长马修·奥尔森 (Matthew G. Olsen) 说。 “这些指控表明，对凡是违反我们法律、试图压制美国境内不同声音，并阻止我们居民行使其合法权利的人，司法部坚定不
移，致力于追究其责任。”
纽约东区美国检察官布伦·皮斯 (Breon Peace) 表示：“据指控，王在自己的社区中充当秘密情报人员，监视并向他的同案被告（中国政府国家安全部成员）报告有关著名亲民主活动人士和组织的敏感信息。” “今天的起诉书揭露并扰乱了中华人民共和国的一项行动，该行动威胁居住在美国的中国公民因为他们的民主信仰和言论的安全和自由。我们的办公室和执法合作伙伴将保持警惕，阻止针对我们公民和居民的外国间谍活动。”
“如果有人怀疑中国政府对箝制批评者有多认真，了解本案后即可消除任何怀疑，”联邦调查局国家安全部门代理执行助理主任小艾伦·科勒 (Alan E. Kohler Jr.) 表示。 “中国政府的咄咄逼人的策略曾经仅限于其境内。现在，中华人民共和国正在针对美国和世界各地的人民。联邦调查局及其合作伙伴继续致力于打击跨国镇压。”
根据法庭文件，王是一位著名的学者和作家，他帮助在皇后区创立了一个反对中国现行共产主义政权的亲民主组织。然而，据指控，至少自 2011 年以来，王一直利用其在华人侨界和持不同政见者群体中的地位和身份，代表国家安全部和中国，秘密收集有关著名活动人士和人权领袖的信息。正如起诉书所称，何、季、李和陆是王的操纵者，指示王针对中国认为具有颠覆性的特定个人和团体，例如香港亲民主活动人士、台独倡导者、维吾尔族和藏族活动人士，并获取有关国家安全部认为重要的特定主题和事项的信息。
正如起诉书中所指控，王通过使用加密的消息传递应用程序和电子邮件，并在中国举行的面对面会议上，向国家安全局--包括何、季、李和陆--传达和提供信息。王经常将他收集的信息记录在电子邮件“日记”中，供国家安全部查阅。此类“日记”包括王与著名持不同政见者的私人谈话，及民主活动人士和人权组织活动的细节。王被捕后，在对其住所进行的搜查中，发现了王写给何、季、李、陆以及其他国安部官员的大约 163 篇“日记”。
例如，在 2016 年 11 月 22 日左右的一系列通讯中，季指示王在即将举行的一场亲民主活动中，与特定与会者互动，并“完成“老板”（指的是陆）分配的任务。季指出，相关与会者与“藏族人、维吾尔族人和蒙古族人”有过接触，并祝王好运，取得“好成绩。”在 2016 年 11 月 16 日左右的另一次交流中，王告诉李，他“刚刚结束与一位著名人权活动人士的交谈，”并指出他提出了“必要的问题”并得到了“坦诚”的答复。李回应“太好了，”并用竖起大拇指的表情符号，指示王将其写在“日记”中。王向国安部举报的至少一名香港民主活动家和持不同政见者（在起诉书中被称为“香港持不同政见者一号”）随后被中国逮捕。
除了这一行为之外，起诉书还指控王向国家安全部转移并拥有属于中国持不同政见者的电话号码和联系信息，并向联邦执法部门做出重大虚假陈述，虚假地否认他与中国官员或国家安全部有联系。
纽约东区美国助理检察官阿蒂·麦康奈尔 (Artie McConnell) 正在国家安全部反情报和出口管制司的审判律师斯科特·A·克拉菲 (Scott A. Claffee) 的宝贵协助下起诉此案。
起诉书只是一项指控，所有被告均被假定无罪，直到在法庭上排除合理怀疑而被证明有罪。
一名美国公民和四名中国情报官员 被控对著名的民运人士、持不同政见者和人权领袖进行间谍活动Read the Press Release
在昨天呈交到布鲁克林联邦法院的一份起诉书中，美国公民、皇后区居民王书君和中国国家安全部（国安部）的四名官员被指控犯有与间谍和跨国镇压有关的阴谋和其他罪行. 国安部的四名官员分别是贺锋，又称“贺老板”, 纪杰，李明，又称“唐长老”和“小李子”，以及吕可清，又称“吕老板”. 王书君此前于2022年3月16日因刑事指控被捕，稍后将被传讯。贺、纪、李、吕仍然在逃.
美国纽约东区检察官布雷昂皮尔斯, 司法部国家安全司助理部长马修 G.奥尔森, 以及联邦调查局纽约分局助理局长迈克尔.德里斯科尔宣布了这些指控.
“正如指控所述，王书君在自己社区充当地下情报人员，监视著名民运人士和组织，并将敏感信息报告给他的同案被告：中国国家安全部的成员”，美国检察官皮尔斯表示. “在美的中国公民支持民主信仰和言论，导致中国政府威胁他们的人身安全和自由. 今天的起诉书揭露并扰乱了这种行为. 我们办公室和我们的执法伙伴将保持警惕，挫败针对我国公民和居民的外国间谍活动”.
“我们不会容忍中国或任何权威政府向我国公民施压，”助理司法部长奥尔森说. 这些指控表明，司法部将坚定不移地把所有试图压制美国境内的不同政见，阻止我们的居民行使其合法权利的违法者绳之以法”.
助理局长德里斯科尔指出，我们指控，王为中国工作.他参加了一个民运组织，意图监视那些成员.他把居住在美国的持不同政见者作为目标，危及他们的生命与安全. 中国政府一次又一次地证明，它愿意无视我们的法律来追捕那些公开反对该政权的人. 我们正在与我们的执法伙伴积极合作，以阻止这些行为. 我们希望那些担心自己安全的人能够与我们联系”.
王是一位知名学者和作家. 他在皇后区帮助建立了一个反对中国现行共产党政权的民运组织. 然而，正如指控所述，至少自2011年以来，王利用自己在中国侨民和持不同政见社团的身份和地位，为国安部和中国政府秘密收集有关著名活动人士和人权领袖的信息. 作为王的联络人，贺、纪、李、吕指使王把中国认为有颠覆性的个人和团体作为目标，如香港民运人士、台独倡导者， 支持维吾尔和西藏的人士等，并获取对国安部至关重要的特定主题和事件的信息.
如起诉书所述，王通过加密通讯应用程序和电子邮件，以及在中国会面等方式，与包括贺、纪、李、吕在内的国安部沟通并提供信息. 王经常将所收集的信息记录到电子邮件“日记”，供国安部查阅. 这些“日记”包括王与知名异议人士的私人谈话以及民运人士和人权组织的活动细节. 王被捕后，从他家中搜查发现， 王曾给贺、纪、李、吕以及其他国安部官员写了大约163篇“日记”.
比如，在2016年11月22日前后的一系列沟通中，纪指示王在即将到来的民运活动中与某位特定与会者见面，以“完成老板（指吕）所指派的任务”. 纪说，他们感兴趣的与会者和“藏族人、维吾尔族人、蒙古族人”有联系，希望王能有“好的成绩”. 在2016年11月16日左右的另一次沟通中，王告诉李，他刚刚结束与一位知名人权活动人士“交谈”，他问了“必要的问题”并得到了“坦诚”的回答. 李回复“很好”，加以竖起拇指的表情符号，指示王记录到“日记”里. 在王向国安部报告的人员里，至少有一名香港民运人士和持不同政见者(在起诉书中称为“香港持不同政见者1”)随后被中国政府逮捕.
除上述行为外，起诉书还指控王持有并向国安部转交中国持不同政见者人士的电话号码和联系方式，并向联邦执法部门严重撒慌，抵赖与中国官员或国安部有联系.
起诉书中的罪名仅仅是指控，除非被告证明有罪，否则假定无罪.
政府的案件由纽约东区检察官办公室的国家安全和网络犯罪科办理。美国助理检察官阿迪麦康奈负责起诉，国家安全处反情报和出口管制科的出庭律师斯科特A.克拉菲协助。
被告：
王书君
年龄：73
纽约皇后区贺锋（又称“贺老板”）
年龄：49
广东，中国纪杰
年龄：50
青岛，中国李明（又称“唐长老”和“小李子”）
年龄：40
广东，中国吕可清，又称（“吕老板”）
年龄：61
青岛，中国E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-00230(SJ)(JRC)
一名美国公民和四名中国情报官员 被控对著名的民运人士、持不同政见者和人权领袖进行间谍活动Read the Press Release
在昨天呈交到布鲁克林联邦法院的一份起诉书中，美国公民、皇后区居民王书君和中国国家安全部（国安部）的四名官员被指控犯有与间谍和跨国镇压有关的阴谋和其他罪行. 国安部的四名官员分别是贺锋，又称“贺老板”, 纪杰，李明，又称“唐长老”和“小李子”，以及吕可清，又称“吕老板”. 王书君此前于2022年3月16日因刑事指控被捕，稍后将被传讯。贺、纪、李、吕仍然在逃.
美国纽约东区检察官布雷昂皮尔斯, 司法部国家安全司助理部长马修 G.奥尔森, 以及联邦调查局纽约分局助理局长迈克尔.德里斯科尔宣布了这些指控.
“正如指控所述，王书君在自己社区充当地下情报人员，监视著名民运人士和组织，并将敏感信息报告给他的同案被告：中国国家安全部的成员”，美国检察官皮尔斯表示. “在美的中国公民支持民主信仰和言论，导致中国政府威胁他们的人身安全和自由. 今天的起诉书揭露并扰乱了这种行为. 我们办公室和我们的执法伙伴将保持警惕，挫败针对我国公民和居民的外国间谍活动”.
“我们不会容忍中国或任何权威政府向我国公民施压，”助理司法部长奥尔森说. 这些指控表明，司法部将坚定不移地把所有试图压制美国境内的不同政见，阻止我们的居民行使其合法权利的违法者绳之以法”.
助理局长德里斯科尔指出，我们指控，王为中国工作.他参加了一个民运组织，意图监视那些成员.他把居住在美国的持不同政见者作为目标，危及他们的生命与安全. 中国政府一次又一次地证明，它愿意无视我们的法律来追捕那些公开反对该政权的人. 我们正在与我们的执法伙伴积极合作，以阻止这些行为. 我们希望那些担心自己安全的人能够与我们联系”.
王是一位知名学者和作家. 他在皇后区帮助建立了一个反对中国现行共产党政权的民运组织. 然而，正如指控所述，至少自2011年以来，王利用自己在中国侨民和持不同政见社团的身份和地位，为国安部和中国政府秘密收集有关著名活动人士和人权领袖的信息. 作为王的联络人，贺、纪、李、吕指使王把中国认为有颠覆性的个人和团体作为目标，如香港民运人士、台独倡导者， 支持维吾尔和西藏的人士等，并获取对国安部至关重要的特定主题和事件的信息.
如起诉书所述，王通过加密通讯应用程序和电子邮件，以及在中国会面等方式，与包括贺、纪、李、吕在内的国安部沟通并提供信息. 王经常将所收集的信息记录到电子邮件“日记”，供国安部查阅. 这些“日记”包括王与知名异议人士的私人谈话以及民运人士和人权组织的活动细节. 王被捕后，从他家中搜查发现， 王曾给贺、纪、李、吕以及其他国安部官员写了大约163篇“日记”.
比如，在2016年11月22日前后的一系列沟通中，纪指示王在即将到来的民运活动中与某位特定与会者见面，以“完成老板（指吕）所指派的任务”. 纪说，他们感兴趣的与会者和“藏族人、维吾尔族人、蒙古族人”有联系，希望王能有“好的成绩”. 在2016年11月16日左右的另一次沟通中，王告诉李，他刚刚结束与一位知名人权活动人士“交谈”，他问了“必要的问题”并得到了“坦诚”的回答. 李回复“很好”，加以竖起拇指的表情符号，指示王记录到“日记”里. 在王向国安部报告的人员里，至少有一名香港民运人士和持不同政见者(在起诉书中称为“香港持不同政见者1”)随后被中国政府逮捕.
除上述行为外，起诉书还指控王持有并向国安部转交中国持不同政见者人士的电话号码和联系方式，并向联邦执法部门严重撒慌，抵赖与中国官员或国安部有联系.
起诉书中的罪名仅仅是指控，除非被告证明有罪，否则假定无罪.
政府的案件由纽约东区检察官办公室的国家安全和网络犯罪科办理。美国助理检察官阿迪麦康奈负责起诉，国家安全处反情报和出口管制科的出庭律师斯科特A.克拉菲协助。
被告：
王书君
年龄：73
纽约皇后区贺锋（又称“贺老板”）
年龄：49
广东，中国纪杰
年龄：50
青岛，中国李明（又称“唐长老”和“小李子”）
年龄：40
广东，中国吕可清，又称（“吕老板”）
年龄：61
青岛，中国E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-00230(SJ)(JRC)
“Protecting Houses of Worship” Safety Training Series Underway in the Middle District of GeorgiaRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Georgia Sheriff’s Association are teaming up with local law enforcement agencies to hold “Protecting Houses of Worship” safety training conferences at communities across the District this summer.
Since 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has organized this training that brings faith-based leaders and all those involved with security at churches, synagogues, mosques and places of worship together to provide education and a forum for discussion around topics including safety, security, emergency action plan preparedness, hate crimes and the growth and management of threats.
“Learning how to prevent and respond to threats is, sadly, a necessity in today’s world. Preserving the inherently welcoming and peaceful environment that people expect at their places of worship is essential to the overall safety and well-being of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “I am thankful to the many law enforcement agencies that partner with us to provide this essential training for those involved with security at our places of worship.”
A “Protecting Houses of Worship” summit was held in Athens, Georgia, on Tuesday, May 17, at Athens Church with attendees representing a synagogue, a mosque and area churches. The next training will occur on Tuesday, June 7, at Unionville Missionary Baptist Church, 3820 Houston Ave., Macon. There will be trainings in Columbus and Valdosta, Georgia, this summer. The dates and locations are being finalized.
For more information about registering or about hosting a “Protecting Houses of Worship” summit in your community, please contact Pam Lightsey, Law Enforcement Coordinator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at [email protected].
आप्रवासन-संबंधी भेदभाव के दावों का समाधान करने के लिए IT रिक्रूटर के साथ न्याय विभाग का समझौताRead the Press Release
Download Hindi Release Translation.pdf
न्याय विभाग ने आज यह घोषणा की कि उन्होंने Amtex Systems Inc., न्यूयॉर्क में स्थित एक IT स्टाफिंग और रिक्रूटिंग कंपनी, के साथ समाधान समझौता किया है। यह समझौता इन दावों का समाधान करता है कि Amtex ने भर्ती प्रक्रिया के कई चरणों के दौरान अमेरिकी कर्मचारियों की नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थिति के आधार पर उनके साथ भेदभाव किया था क्योंकि उनके क्लाइंट्स अस्थायी रोज़गार वीज़ा वाले कर्मचारियों को प्राथमिकता देते हैं।
“IT स्टाफिंग एजेंसियाँ अवैध रूप से आवेदकों को बाहर नहीं कर सकतीं या किसी की नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थिति के कारण उस पर अतिरिक्त बोझ नहीं डाल सकतीं,” न्याय विभाग के नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के सहायक अटॉर्नी जनरल क्रिस्टन क्लार्क ने कहा। “नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कानून लागू करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है कि, अमेरिकी कर्मचारियों सहित, नौकरी के आवेदक गैर-कानूनी भेदभाव से सुरक्षित हैं।”
एक अमेरिकी नागरिक द्वारा नागरिक अधिकार प्रभाग के अप्रवासी और कर्मचारी अधिकार अनुभाग (Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section, IER) में Amtex के विरुद्ध भेदभाव की शिकायत दर्ज कराने के बाद विभाग की जाँच शुरू हुई थी। अपनी जाँच के आधार पर, विभाग इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचा कि Amtex ने विशेष नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थितियों वाले कर्मचारियों के लिए क्लाइंट्स की प्राथमिकता के आधार पर नौकरी के आवेदकों की पहचान करके उनकी जाँच करने के लिए भारत में काम करने वाली कंपनी की सेवाएं ली थीं। जाँच ने निर्धारित किया कि भर्ती करने वालों ने अपने क्लाइंट्स की नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थितियों की अवैध प्राथमिकता के साथ नौकरी के विज्ञापन भेजे, और आवेदकों पर विचार करते समय उन प्राथमिकताओं को लागू भी किया। भर्ती करने वालों की कार्य प्रणालियों ने अमेरिकी कर्मचारियों को आवेदन करने से रोककर, और आवेदन करने वालों पर विचार न करके उन्हें नुकसान पहुँचाया। उदाहरण के लिए, जाँच से पता चला कि कम से कम तीन अमेरिकी कर्मचारियों द्वारा एक जॉब पोस्टिंग के लिए आवेदन करने पर Amtex ने उनपर विचार नहीं किया जिसमें कहा गया था कि जिसमें अस्थायी रोज़गार वीज़ा वाले कर्मचारियों को प्राथमिकता देने की बात कही गई थी। विभाग आगे इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचा कि Amtex के लिए भर्ती करने वालों ने गैर-अमेरिकी नागरिक आवेदकों के लिए भर्ती प्रक्रिया में आगे बढ़ने के लिए नियमित रूप से एक आप्रवास दस्तावेज़ प्रदान करना ज़रूरी करके उनके साथ भेदभाव किया।
आप्रवासन और राष्ट्रीयता अधिनियम (The Immigration and Nationality Act, INA) अमेरिकी नागरिकों, गैर-अमेरिकी नागरिकों, रेफ्युजियों, शरणार्थियों, और हाल के वैध स्थायी निवासियों को नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थिति के आधार पर कार्यस्थल पर भेदभाव से बचाता है। यदि भर्ती करने वाले क्लाइंट की गैर-कानूनी भेदभावपूर्ण प्राथमिकताओं को लागू करते हैं तो वे INA के उल्लंघन के लिए ज़िम्मेदार हैं। INA के तहत, कर्मचारी या भर्ती करने वाले केवल कानून, विनियम, कार्यकारी आदेश या सरकारी अनुबंध द्वारा आवश्यक होने पर ही नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थिति के आधार पर नौकरियों को सीमित कर सकते हैं। इसके अलावा, क्योंकि संघीय कानून केवल नियोक्ताओं को किसी व्यक्ति को नियुक्त करने के बाद उसकी काम करने की अनुमति की जाँच करने की इजाज़त देता है, इसलिए नियोक्ताओं और भर्ती करने वालों को नौकरी के आवेदकों की काम करने की अनुमति को सत्यापित नहीं करना चाहिए।
समाधान समझौते की शर्तों के तहत, Amtex यूनाइटेड स्टेट्स को नागरिक दंड में $15,000 से अधिक का भुगतान करेगी, अपनी नीतियों और प्रक्रियाओं को संशोधित करेगी, संबंधित कर्मचारियों और एजेंटों को INA के भेदभाव-विरोधी प्रावधान पर प्रशिक्षित करेगी, और अनुपालन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए तीन साल की अवधि के लिए निगरानी के अधीन रहेगी।
INA के भेदभाव-विरोधी प्रावधान को लागू करने के लिए IER ज़िम्मेदार है। अन्य चीज़ों के अलावा, यह कानून नौकरी देने, नौकरी से निकालने, या शुल्क लेकर भर्ती करने या रेफरल में नागरिकता या आप्रवासन स्थिति, और राष्ट्रीय मूल; अनुचित दस्तावेज़ी कार्यप्रणालियों; प्रतिशोध; और डराने-धमकाने के आधार पर भेदभाव को प्रतिबंधित करता है। INA के तहत नागरिकता स्थिति संबंधी भेदभाव के बारे में अधिक जानकारी इस फ्लायर में उपलब्ध है।
इस संक्षिप्त वीडियो के माध्यम से IER के कार्य और सहायता प्राप्त करने के तरीके के बारे में और जानें। वे आवेदक या कर्मचारी जो यह मानते हैं कि नौकरी देने, नौकरी से निकालने, भर्ती करने, या रोज़गार योग्यता सत्यापन प्रक्रिया (फ़ॉर्म I-9 और ई-वेरिफ़ाई) के दौरान उनकी नागरिकता, आप्रवासन स्थिति, या राष्ट्रीय मूल के आधार पर भेदभाव किया गया था; या बदला लिया गया था, वे आरोप दायर कर सकते हैं। आम लोग भी 1-800-255-7688 पर IER की कर्मचारी हॉटलाइन से संपर्क कर सकते हैं; 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, सुनने में परेशानी वालों के लिए TTY) पर IER की नियोक्ता हॉटलाइन पर फ़ोन कर सकते हैं; [email protected] पर ईमेल कर सकते हैं; एक मुफ़्त वेबिनार के लिए साइन-अप कर सकते हैं; या IER की अंग्रेज़ी और स्पेनिश वेबसाइट्स देख सकते हैं। IER से अपडेट प्राप्त करने के लिए GovDelivery को सब्सक्राइब कर सकते हैं।
Wormleysburg Man Pleads Guilty to Theft from Federal Courthouse Construction SiteRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gontaryk stole over $1,000 worth of construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2021. The following day, he sold copper and brass construction materials that he had stolen at a metal scrapyard located in Pottsville, PA.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for theft of government money, property, or records is 10 years’ imprisonment. This charge may also carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. 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.
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Wetzel County man admits to fentanyl chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kevin Ray Morgan, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to selling heroin and fentanyl, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Morgan, also known as “Model,” 46, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl.” Morgan is admitted to distributing of heroin and fentanyl in April 2021 in Wetzel County.
Morgan faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Wausau Man Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Role in International Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mario Amezcua Cardenas, 28, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 2 ½ years in federal prison for his role in laundering the proceeds of an international wire-fraud scheme. Amezcua Cardenas pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on February 17, 2022.
In November and December 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, together with local law enforcement, investigated a series of thefts by fraud involving individuals who used false pretenses to convince employees of businesses to collect and deliver the businesses’ cash-on-hand to individuals who were supposedly legitimate money couriers. Individuals operating in Mexico called the employees, posing as company attorneys or upper management from the corporate office, and told the employees a false story about why they needed to gather the cash-on-hand and deliver it. The fraud perpetrators kept the store employees on the phone so they could not call store management. At some businesses, fraud perpetrators knew store lingo, the locations of safes, and other employee-specific information, which helped convince the employees the calls were legitimate.
Fraud perpetrators were able to successfully obtain cash from businesses throughout Wisconsin, including Merrill, Everest, West Allis, Stevens Point, Wausau, and Rib Mountain. Businesses large and small were targeted in the scheme and the loss to date is approximately $300,000.
Amezcua Cardenas was one of the individuals that picked up money from employee victims under the false pretenses that he was a legitimate money courier acting on behalf of the victim businesses. He also conducted and directed others to conduct, wire transactions to redirect fraud proceeds back to perpetrators in Mexico. He and his co-defendant, Moises Amezcua Cardenas, also transported $242,980 in fraud proceeds to another co-defendant, Sinval De Oliveira, in Milwaukee on December 2, 2020.
In selecting a 2 ½ year sentence, Judge Conley said he considered the seriousness of the defendant’s criminal conduct together with his lower-level role in the conspiracy, lack of prior criminal history, and drug addiction.
Co-defendant Moises Amezcua Cardenas is scheduled for sentencing on May 24, 2022. Co-defendant Sinval De Oliveira is scheduled for sentencing on June 8, 2022. Moises Amezcua Cardenas and Mario Amezcua Cardenas are brothers.
The charges against the defendants were the result of investigations conducted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Merrill Police Department, Wausau Police Department, Everest Police Department, West Allis Police Department, Stevens Point Police Department, and Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, with special assistance from the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin prosecuted this case.
Waterloo Man Who Crashed Vehicle After Police Chase and Possessed Gun Sentenced to over Eleven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A Waterloo man, who possessed a gun as a felon and while under the influence of methamphetamine, was sentenced May 17, 2022, to 137 months in prison.
Willie Traymone Phillips, age 40, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison sentence following a September 10, 2021 guilty plea to possession of a firearm as a prohibited person and possession of a controlled substance after two or more prior drug convictions.
Information disclosed at sentencing and plea hearings revealed that, in August 2020, Phillips was pulled over by an Iowa State Trooper in Black Hawk County. The trooper approached the vehicle and observed Phillips digging through a bag of what appeared to be drugs. The trooper asked for Phillips’ identification, at which point Phillips sped off. Phillips led troopers on a chase. At one point, he crossed across four lanes of traffic, during the daytime, and crashed his vehicle. Phillips fled from the vehicle but was stopped by officers. There was one female passenger in Phillips’ vehicle. She suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery. Officers searched Phillips’ vehicle and located a sawed-off shotgun and baggies containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and K2. Phillips admitted he was under the influence of methamphetamine, which was confirmed through additional testing. Phillips has 10 prior criminal convictions.
Phillips was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Phillips was sentenced to 137 months’ imprisonment. Phillips was ordered to make payment of $200 to the special assessment fund. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) through a cooperative effort of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2057.
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