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Monday 11 April 2022
Declaración del Fiscal de los Estados Unidos Breon Peace sobre United States v. Leniz EscobarRead the Press Release
“Soy Breon Peace, el Fiscal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Este de Nueva York.
Hoy hace cinco años, el 11 de abril de 2017, la acusada, Leniz Escobar, atrajo a cinco jóvenes a un parque no muy lejos de la corte federal en Central Islip, Long Island.
Esos cinco jóvenes, en la plenitud de la vida, no tenían idea de que Escobar los estaba llevando a la muerte—a un campo de exterminio donde miembros de la pandilla MS-13 esperaban al acecho, armados con machetes, un hacha, cuchillos, ramas y un cincel.
Uno de los jóvenes se las arregló para escapar y vivió para contar su historia a un jurado federal. Sus cuatro amigos no fueron tan afortunados. Los secuaces de Escobar los machetearon y golpearon hasta matarlos. Una de las víctimas del asesinato quedó tan desfigurado que solo pudo ser identificado a través de registros dentales.
Hoy, en el quinto aniversario de ese trágico asesinato en masa, un jurado federal ha hecho justicia con Escobar.
Nuestros sentimientos están con las familias de las víctimas. Sabemos que el veredicto no borra el dolor con el que despiertan cada mañana y que siempre llevarán con ustedes. Pero esperamos que este día les provea un poco de consuelo.
Mi oficina (la fiscalía de los Estados Unidos) y todos nuestros colegas agentes del orden en la fuerza de tarea contra pandillas del FBI en Long Island, no descansaremos hasta que cada uno de los miembros y asociados de la pandilla MS-13 responsables por este horrendo crimen respondan por él.
Estoy muy agradecido por mi asombroso equipo - fiscales Paul Scotti, Justina Geraci y Megan Farrell, paralegal Shernita Moore-Glasgow, junto a los agentes especiales del FBI y a los detectives del condado de Suffolk, quienes hicieron un gran trabajo en este importante caso.
Finalmente, quiero agradecer al jurado. Vinieron de todas partes de nuestro distrito al tribunal por tres semanas durante una pandemia. Estaban comprometidos a servir, a hacer justicia, y eso es exactamente lo que hicieron.”
El video de la declaración esta aquí.
Decatur Woman Sentenced to Probation for Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Decatur, Illinois, woman, Deborah G. Lake, also known as Deborah G. Mitchell and Deborah O’Neill, 70, of the 4800 block of Evergreen Court, has been sentenced to 12 months of probation for theft of government property. Lake was formerly of Kankakee County, Illinois.
According to the plea agreement, Lake worked as a bookkeeper for the Grundy, Livingston, and Kankakee County Workforce Board, which oversees and sets policy for workforce development and training programs for those counties. Lake created checks payable to herself for fraudulent invoices and embezzled over $33,000 from the Workforce Board. Lake pleaded guilty to the four-count indictment in November 2021.
At the hearing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Mihm found that Lake abused a position of public trust in committing these crimes. Lake was also ordered to pay $33,302.44 in restitution to the Workforce Board.
The statutory penalties for theft of government property are up to ten years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised released, and up to a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson represented the government in the prosecution.
DOJ and Skagit County health clinic resolve False Claims Act investigation over the use of imported birth control medicationsRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice today reached a settlement with Skagit Family Health Clinic of Mount Vernon, Washington, over the importation of birth control medications that were unlawfully imported from a foreign source and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under the terms of the settlement, the clinic will pay a total of $120,000 to the state and federal governments for false claims the clinic filed with state or federal medical programs.
“FDA approval is a critical way for government medical programs to ensure patients get appropriate medicines and devices,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “We don’t have evidence that any patients were harmed from these unapproved medications, but government programs cannot pay for clients to take such a risk.”
The prelitigation settlement, claims the clinic imported and billed for the medications between 2015 and 2020. The clinic submitted claims for the birth control medications to the Washington State Medicaid Program. Of the $120,000 settlement paid by the clinic, nearly $72,000 will go to Washington State, while just over $48,000 will to the federal government for its share of the medical costs.
DOJ settled the matter on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lettia Harris, 30, admitted to selling a firearm and approximately 0.6 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” to a confidential informant at her Charleston residence on November 14, 2018.
Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2022, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department for their investigation.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Hamner is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-117.
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Charleston Man on Federal Supervised Release Sentenced for Drug Crime Involving FentanylRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to a total of three years and 11 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and supervised release violations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Charleston residence of Donavan Hardison, 31, on January 4, 2021. During the search, officers found approximately 2.826 grams of fentanyl on Hardison and approximately 3.672 grams of crack cocaine in his vehicle. Hardison admitted that he intended to distribute both controlled substances. Hardison was on supervised release at the time as the result of two prior federal convictions.
Hardison was sentenced to two years and nine months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. He received a consecutive sentence of one year and two months for violating the terms of his supervised release.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller 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 Nos. 2:21-cr-00130; 2:18-cr-00040; and 2:15-cr-00135.
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Cadillac Businessman Sent to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Douglas Arvin Horning, 56, of Cadillac, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for tax evasion by the Honorable Paul L. Maloney, United States District Judge. He was also ordered to pay $977,983 in restitution and to serve three years on supervised release following incarceration.
According to the plea agreement and other public records, prior to his guilty plea, Horning had not filed an individual tax return since 2008 or a corporate tax return since 2006 for his software company Perfect Professionals, Inc., doing business as Compass Technologies. He had not paid any individual or corporate taxes during that time. Horning also failed to pay all of the required “trust fund” taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks. Horning concealed income by routing it through a second company—even after that company was dissolved by the State of Michigan—failing to disclose the company’s bank account to the IRS when required to do so, and not including that income on the Forms W-2 he issued to himself through Perfect Professionals. He likewise received unreported income by paying personal expenses using Perfect Professionals’ bank account.
“As Tax Day approaches, the Court’s sentence is an important reminder of the duty we as citizens and other taxpayers owe to each other and the government to file returns and pay legally required taxes,” said U.S. Attorney Birge. “Concealing assets from the IRS or otherwise evading these obligations can and will result in criminal prosecution.”
“The license to run a business is not a license to avoid paying taxes or collecting your employees’ withholding and not paying it over to the IRS,” said Special Agent in Charge Sarah Kull, IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. “Horning’s misconduct, hiding income and blatant disregard of tax laws, cheats all Americans, who pay their fair share of taxes.”
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin M. Presant.
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Butte woman admits stealing more than $600,000 from victim under her guardianshipRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Butte woman accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from a woman who was under her guardianship and using the money to buy a house on Canyon Ferry, a vehicle and other items admitted to fraud charges today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Debra Gean Roeber, 66, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to money laundering as charged in an information during an initial appearance hearing. Roeber faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud count.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for Aug. 10 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Roeber was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Roeber was a guardian and had power of attorney for the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was unable to care for herself or her financial needs without assistance because she was blind. Roeber served as a fiduciary for Jane Doe. From about January 2017 until June 2020, Roeber allegedly embezzled approximately $681,549 from Jane Doe. Bank records showed that Roeber used Jane Doe’s money to purchase a home and shop on Canyon Ferry, construction costs, vehicles, furniture and a pontoon boat, none of which was authorized. When interviewed by agents, Roeber admitted she took advantage of Jane Doe “a lot,” including lying to the victim about her finances, and that she stole from Jane Doe. Jane Doe is now deceased.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Bristol, Tennessee Woman Sentenced to 13 Years for Role in Large-Scale Meth Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Tennessee woman, who was part of a conspiracy that trafficked methamphetamine from Mexico into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced last week to 156 months in federal prison.
Jessica Nicole Kent, 35, of Bristol, TN, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Kent conspired with Joshua Desorcy, the ringleader responsible for coordinating the importation of massive shipments of methamphetamine from sources of supply in Mexico to accomplices in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas. Desorcy directed Kent and other co-conspirators to make numerous trips to Atlanta and Houston to bring back the methamphetamine for further distribution in Southwest Virginia.
In pleading guilty, Kent admitted to not only making those trips to Atlanta to pick up the drugs, but also routinely selling various amounts of both methamphetamine and heroin throughout Southwest Virginia.
In February 2022, Desorcy was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Murphy is prosecuting the case.
Bradenton Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Manufacturing Counterfeit CurrencyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Anthony Wayne Smith (58, Bradenton) to 18 months in federal prison for manufacturing counterfeit currency. The Court also ordered Smith to forfeit a firearm and ammunition found during a search of his house. Smith had pleaded guilty on January 14, 2022.
According to the plea agreement, Smith manufactured U.S. Federal Reserve notes at his home in Bradenton. During the execution of a search warrant at Smith’s residence, law enforcement officers recovered, among other things, a large quantity of counterfeit notes hidden throughout the residence, texturized printing paper, and printers. Additionally, Smith’s laptop computer contained digital images of U.S. Federal Reserve notes that had been used in the production and manufacture of counterfeit currency.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
Billings man admits attempted coercion, enticement of minor for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of trying to coerce and entice a girl he believed to be a minor into engaging in sexual activity during an undercover investigation admitted to charges on April 7, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Jason Robert Kroepelin, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement. Kroepelin faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for Aug. 17. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Kroepelin was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in late October 2021, Kroepelin posted an advertisement on the internet seeking a young female for sexual purpose. In response, an undercover FBI employee, using a fictitious persona, contacted Kroepelin about a young girl, also fictitious, who was available.
Kroepelin and the undercover employee exchanged messages, engaged in sexually explicit conversation about the fictitious girl and agreed to meet at a property in Billings. Kroepelin also contacted a social media account purportedly belonging to the fictitious girl and sent a picture of himself. On Oct. 28, Kroepelin was arrested when he arrived at an agreed upon location in Billings. Kroepelin had condoms and lubricant in his pocket and a cellular phone showing his communication with the undercover employee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Berkeley County man sentenced for role in drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon Eugene Corbin, of Inwood, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 70 months of incarceration for his role in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Corbin, 36, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Base.” Corbin admitted to working with others to distribute controlled substances from January to September 2019 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere.
Corbin was a frequent re-distributor of drugs supplied to him by another in the conspiracy. During the investigation, he sold heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base, and PCP to his own customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. During a traffic stop that occurred in September 2019, he was found with more than 18 grams of fentanyl.
This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-charged-six-state-drug-conspiracy-involving-heroin-fentanyl-cocaine
Berkeley County man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – James T. Cogle, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 15 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Cogle, 53, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine Base and Cocaine Hydrochloride.” Cogle admitted to working with others to distribute drugs from July 2018 to June 2021 in Jefferson County and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police, the DEA Task Force Montgomery County, Maryland; and the Frederick, Maryland, HIDTA group investigated. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police; Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department; and the Martinsburg Police Department.
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.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Belgrade construction company co-owner admits failing to pay $2.8 million in employee, employer taxesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — The co-owner of H & H Earthworks, Inc., a Belgrade-based construction company that does commercial site-development work in four states, admitted to failing to pay the IRS approximately $2.8 million in employee and employer taxes, and instead, spent some of the money on personal expenses, including recreational and motorsport vehicles, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Melissa Lynne Horner, 42, of Bozeman, pleaded guilty on April 8 to one count of failure to truthfully account for and pay over withholding and F.I.C.A. taxes, a felony, and one count of failure to file employer’s quarterly return and pay tax, a misdemeanor, during an arraignment and plea change hearing. Horner faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the felony charge. Horner was charged in a 34-count information.
A plea agreement reached by the parties calls for the government to seek the dismissal of 32 remaining counts and for Horner to be responsible for total restitution of $2,878,522 if the court accepts the agreement at sentencing.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 10 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Horner was released pending further proceedings.
“As the financial executive for Earthworks, Horner withheld nearly $3 million from employee wages to cover payroll, Medicare and Social Security taxes. Rather than pay over those amounts to the IRS as required by law, Horner spent the money on personal expenses like motorcycles, a motor home, and home renovations. As the deadline for filing tax returns approaches, the public should be aware that people like Horner who willfully violate the tax laws will be investigated and charged with felony tax crimes that can result in significant penalties including prison time, fines, and restitution,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“Payroll tax evasion is not just a crime against the United States Government, but also a crime impacting the employees of Earthworks as it results in the reduction of their benefits.” said Andy Tsui, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation will vigorously pursue anyone who collects these taxes and uses these funds for their own personal gain."
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that H & H Earthworks, Inc., is a Belgrade-based family business co-founded in 2004 by Horner, who is responsible for the financial portion of the business. Earthworks is a full-service commercial site-development firm whose projects include schools, shopping centers, hospitals and residential subdivisions in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho. The company employed between 20 and 60 employees during 2014 through 2019.
For approximately five years, beginning in March 2014 through 2019, Horner had Earthworks pay hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenditures for her personal benefit while, at the same time, it failed to pay over to the IRS payroll tax required to be withheld from Earthworks’ employees’ paychecks. Horner spent more than $100,000 to purchase and maintain personal motorsport vehicles, including dirt bikes and snowmobiles, $90,000 to a real estate title company in Bozeman, at least $50,000 on personal home renovations and $20,000 for a motorhome.
The government further alleged that Horner withdrew Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes from the wages paid to Earthworks employees and failed to pay over the trust fund taxes to the IRS. Horner also failed to pay over Earthworks’ portion of the FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes). In addition, Horner failed to file quarterly Forms 941, Employer’s Quarterly federal tax returns, prior to being notified of the criminal investigation. Horner subsequently filed the delinquent forms; however, she has not paid any of the outstanding tax liability for them. Horner knew she was required to account for and pay over the employment taxes and file the quarterly Forms 941 and willfully chose to violate this obligation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Baltimore Police Detective Convicted on Federal Charges of Conspiracy to Deprive Civil RightsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Robert Hankard, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, of multiple federal crimes for providing a BB gun that he knew would be planted on a suspect, falsely testifying to a federal grand jury about his role in the BB gun planting, falsifying an application for a search warrant and an arrest report in a second incident where drugs were planted on a suspect, that he falsely testified to a federal grand jury in a federal investigation, and falsifying an application for a search warrant and subsequent police report related to the search of an apartment.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
“Today’s conviction further demonstrates this office’s continuing commitment to protect the civil rights of all Marylanders, including from egregious instances of police misconduct,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron. “I commend the outstanding work of Assistant United States Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Christopher M. Rigali, in obtaining this guilty verdict and recognize the FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers who conducted this investigation. Criminals who work in police agencies violate the faith of the community and they unfairly tarnish the reputations of the many honorable officers who work to protect us every day.”
“As evidenced by the jury's guilty verdict, the actions of Mr. Hankard were not only harmful to the individuals he swore under oath to protect, but they also undermined public trust and confidence in law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski. “The FBI will not tolerate those who abuse their positions of authority and is committed to rooting out public corruption and civil rights violations at all levels. We appreciate all our law enforcement partners who have assisted on this case.”
According to the trial evidence, Hankard has been a member of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) since 2007 and was promoted to detective on March 20, 2014. In 2014 and 2015, Hankard served on a Special Enforcement Section (SES) unit assigned to the BPD’s Western District. On the evening of March 26, 2014, Hankard, who was not on duty that day, received a call from his partner, who advised him that Sergeant W.J. had been “hemmed up” in something and asked Hankard if he had any “toys” or “replicas.” Hankard understood that his partner was asking for a BB gun or air soft gun so that it could be planted on a suspect. Hankard advised that he did have a BB gun. Hankard’s partner came to Hankard’s house and Hankard provided him with the BB gun, which was subsequently planted at the scene of the arrest of D.S., whom Sergeant W.J. had run over after chasing D.S. No guns or drugs were recovered from D.S. at the time of his arrest, but drugs were recovered from D.S. at the hospital, where he had been taken in the custody of the Baltimore Police officers. D.S. was charged with possession, use, and discharge of a gas or pellet gun, for the BB gun that was planted at the scene of D.S.’s arrest, and a number of drug offenses. D.S. was detained on those charges until at least April 2, 2014, and the charges were dismissed on January 16, 2015.
The trial evidence showed that on March 2, 2015, Hankard and other officers arrested I.R. in the 5100 block of Falls Road in Baltimore City. Hankard and other officers took I.R.’s keys and went to Apartment A at 15 Cross Keys Road, which I.R. had been seen leaving earlier that day. I.C. lived in Apartment A with her daughter. Hankard used one of the keys that had been taken from I.R. to open the door to Apartment A and Hankard and other officers entered the apartment, which was not occupied at that time. Once inside, Hankard searched a bag that he found inside a closet, which contained gel caps of heroin, two digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Hankard had not obtained a search warrant prior to entering the apartment or searching the bag. Hankard then left the apartment and returned to BPD to prepare a search warrant for Apartment A. Several BPD officers remained inside Apartment A and one of those officers called I.C. and asked her to return, which she voluntarily did. I.C. then waited inside the apartment with the officers.
On the evening of March 2, 2015, Hankard appeared before a judge in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and swore out the search warrant that he had prepared after entering Apartment A, in which Hankard allegedly falsely claimed that the “exterior” of Apartment A was secured, not disclosing that he and other detectives had entered Apartment A prior to obtaining a search warrant. Nor did Hankard disclose that he had opened a bag containing gel caps with heroin, scales, and other paraphernalia prior to preparing a search warrant. After obtaining the warrant, Hankard returned to the apartment where the other officers were waiting with I.C. During the execution of the search warrant, the bag that Hankard had previously searched was seized along with its contents and I.C. was arrested. I.R. was ultimately charged with drug offenses related to their seizure. Following the execution of the search warrant, the evidence showed that Hankard authored official BPD reports which contained similar false statements.
Witnesses testified that on September 24, 2015, Hankard arrested D.B., a target in a drug investigation, as he sat in his pick-up truck in a motel parking lot. According to trial testimony, after removing D.B. from the vehicle, Hankard and his partner searched the vehicle, but no drugs were found. Other officers on the scene then went into the room where D.B. had been staying and found a woman, B.J., a large quantity of heroin that had not yet been packaged for distribution, and a small quantity of cocaine that had already been packaged for distribution. The officers had not obtained a search warrant before entering the room. After learning that no drugs had been found in the truck, another officer, with Hankard’s permission, planted some of the cocaine found in the motel room in D.B.’s truck, in order to justify the arrest of D.B. and B.J. and the entry into the motel room.
According to the evidence, Hankard subsequently wrote a search warrant for the motel room, which contained several false statements, including that his partner had “observed in plain view, a clear tied bag, that contained small zip lock bags (with red dice logo) of suspected cocaine (after opening the clear bag, it revealed 10 ziplock bags total)” in D.B.’s truck; that D.B. was seen throwing the package of suspected cocaine to the floor of the vehicle; that after making sure the motel room card key worked, detectives had secured the room pending a search warrant; and that Hankard “believes there is addition suspected controlled dangerous substances (CDS)” in the motel room.
As detailed in trial testimony, after the search warrant was obtained and executed at the motel room, Hankard prepared a false incident report, which was approved by his partner as the “officer-in-charge” at the time of the arrests, even though the SES unit’s Sergeant was on the scene at the time.
Further, the evidence showed that on February 13, 2019, Hankard falsely testified before a federal grand jury by stating that he had not provided the BB gun to his partner on March 26, 2014.
Hankard faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States; a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to deprive civil rights; a maximum of 20 year in federal prison for each of two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation; and a maximum of five years in federal prison for false declarations before a grand jury. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not scheduled a date for sentencing. Hankard remains released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Christopher M. Rigali, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report civil rights violations, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/civil-rights.
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Army Soldier Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography and Threatening Pretrial Services OfficerRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Jahara William Byfield, 23, of Sunrise, Florida, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 60 months in prison. Byfield previously pleaded guilty to Possession of Child Pornography and Threatening to Assault or Murder a Federal Employee.
Byfield was a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona for training when he was arrested on August 28, 2020, after an investigation revealed he had used his cellphones to obtain images and videos depicting children, including pre-pubescent minors, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After his arrest, Byfield was placed on pretrial release with conditions that included computer monitoring. On December 3, 2020, Byfield pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography.
On April 15, 2021, while on release pending sentencing, Byfield threatened to kill everyone involved with the computer monitoring program. His pretrial release was subsequently revoked, and on June 23, 2021, Byfield was charged in an indictment for the threats he made towards those supervising him. On December 20, 2021, Byfield pleaded guilty to a charge of Threatening to Assault or Murder a Federal Employee.
Upon release from prison, Byfield will be placed on lifetime supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and to complete a sex offender treatment program.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Homeland Security Investigations, Sierra Vista Police Department, Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigations in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carin C. Duryee and Brian E. Kasprzyk, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-20-02748-TUC-JGZ; CR-21-01461-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022- 040_Byfield# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest new
Sunday 10 April 2022
Florida Man Arrested for Lewd Behavior on a Flight from Newark to BostonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Florida man was arrested today for allegedly performing a lewd act aboard an aircraft in flight from Newark to Boston on Friday, April 8, 2022.
Donald Edward Robinson, 76, of Bonita Springs, Fla., was charged by criminal complaint with one count of lewd, indecent and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Robinson was arrested this morning at Boston Logan International Airport. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging document, on or about April 8, 2022, Robinson allegedly engaged in masturbation and exposed his penis to a 21-year-old female passenger seated next to him while onboard a flight from Newark to Boston. Robinson then placed his hand on top of the victim’s thigh without her consent.
Shortly after departure, the victim recorded a 24-second video of Robinson allegedly fondling and manipulating his penis through his pants. A short time later, it is alleged that the victim looked over and saw that Robinson had exposed his penis. Approximately five minutes before landing, Robinson allegedly placed his hand on the victim’s thigh, prompting the victim to ask why he was touching her, to which Robinson withdrew his hand and looked out the window. It is alleged that the victim then got the attention of another passenger and displayed a message on her phone, “Hi, this man assaulted me and touched my leg and is masturbating.”
During the deplaning process, the victim approached a flight attendant about the incident but was unable to point Robinson out due to the volume of passengers deplaning. It is alleged that security footage captured Robinson, upon exiting the secure area of the terminal, repeatedly looking back in the direction from which he came while proceeding to the baggage carousel level.
The charge of lewd, indecent and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States provides for a sentence of up to 90 days in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Saturday 9 April 2022
South Bend Man Sentenced to 108 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Saul Leal, 25 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced, on April 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on his plea of guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Leal was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Leal conspired to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. Leal and his co-defendants had taken trips to California to obtain drugs for distribution. During the final trip in December 2017, Leal and two other individuals flew to California, obtained 11 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine which were loaded into a vehicle headed for the Midwest. The drugs were discovered when the vehicle was stopped by police.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Oklahoma State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 420 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Torrence Larry, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced, on April 8, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, after being convicted of federal gun and drug charges following a three-day jury trial, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Larry was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, while under investigation, Larry sold cocaine and heroin from his residence in May and June of 2017. Law enforcement recovered quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine when a search warrant was executed at his residence. Officers also found additional evidence of drug distribution as well as a firearm he possessed to facilitate and protect his drug trafficking activities. At this time, Larry had previously been convicted of a felony based on an armed bank robbery conviction in federal court and a state court drug dealing conviction.
At his December 2021 trial, Larry was convicted on all three distribution counts, as well as a single count of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. Larry was also convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
This case was 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.
Friday 8 April 2022
“Midnite Da Nitemare” Convicted of Dealing Deadly Fentanyl after Federal Firearms ConvictionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
David Anthony Somerville, a/k/a “Midnite Da Nitemare,” 33, pleaded guilty to Counts One and Two of the Indictment at Criminal No. 17-222 before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Mr. Somerville, on January 9, 2016, was found in possession of eleven bundles of heroin and fentanyl, along with multiple cellular telephones, and $1,200.00 in United States currency.
Mr. Somerville was already on court supervision after serving a previous sentence of 70 months of incarceration after his previous federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. A jury had been selected and the prosecution had presented all of its witnesses and evidence before Mr. Somerville made the decision to plead guilty.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for July 7, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence at each count of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of not more than $2,000,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Mr. Somerville’s release on electronic monitoring.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ross L. Lenhardt and Benjamin J. Risacher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Scott Township Police Department (K9 Unit), Robinson Township Police Department, Kennedy Township Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, and the Allegheny County Office of Medical Examiner conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mr. Somerville.
Wolfe County Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Armed Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Compton, Ky., man, Justin Clay Spencer, 37, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity.
Spencer was indicted after law enforcement found him in possession of 259 grams of methamphetamine. Spencer admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine. Additionally, Spencer was in possession of a firearm, which he used for protection in furtherance of his methamphetamine trafficking.
Spencer pleaded guilty to the charges in the indictment in December 2021.
Under federal law, Spencer must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Office; and Colonel Phillip Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and KSP. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield.
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Williamsville Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher D. Robbins, 61, of Williamsville, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2020, Robbins was identified as a member of a group on Kik used to exchange images and videos of child pornography. Subsequently, on July 2, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at Robbins’ residence in Williamsville, seizing several electronic items that contained child pornography.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Milwaukee Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in Charge Robert E. Hughes; the Buffalo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belongia; and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2022, before Judge Sinatra.
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William Wood Receives Life Sentence for MurdersRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William D. Wood, Jr. was sentenced today on federal charges related to the September 2018 robbery and murders he committed at the Chili’s Bar and Grill in Dewitt, New York, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen, and Chief Chase L. Bilodeau, Town of Dewitt Police Department.
As a part of his earlier guilty plea, Wood admitted that he obtained a loaded handgun to commit a robbery at the Chili’s, and that during the early morning hours of September 15, 2018, armed with that loaded handgun, he forced his way into the back door of Chili’s, where four employees remained to close the restaurant. Wood admitted that he held all four employees on the ground at gunpoint, and after obtaining the available cash from the restaurant’s safe, shot and killed Stephen Gudknecht and Kristopher Hicks. Wood further admitted that his gun malfunctioned as he attempted to shoot a third employee in the head, allowing time for her and the fourth employee to hide and flee.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby imposed consecutive sentences on each of the three federal felonies to which Wood pled guilty: 20 years for robbery, and life sentences on each of two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and murder.
“Today’s sentencing of William Wood marks the end of a horrific crime that senselessly took the lives of two innocent people. While nothing can ever make up for their loss, we hope that the life sentences imposed on Wood today represents some measure of justice and will further ensure that he never again is free to victimize anyone. Our thoughts today are with all four victims, their families, friends, and co-workers. All have suffered grievously from the robbery and murders committed by Wood,” said United States Attorney Carla Freedman.
“Today’s lengthy sentence serves to protect our communities, while sending a strong message to violent offenders like the defendant that they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. William Wood Jr. preyed upon his victims and showed no mercy. We commend the work of ATF’s Syracuse Field Office and our partners from the New York State Police, Town of DeWitt Police Department and United States Attorney’s Office for their steadfast commitment to investigating this heinous crime and for ensuring that justice was served,” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito.
New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “Mr. Woods sentencing illustrates the work of a strong law enforcement partnership that has resulted in a dangerous man being taken off the streets. As we mourn for the victims and their families, we hope this sentencing brings them a sense of peace that Mr. Wood will never commit a crime like this again. State Police and our partners will continue to work in keeping our communities safe from such criminals and the purposeless violence and deaths that they cause.”
“The crimes committed by William Wood were some of the most senseless, violent and horrific crimes that our community has ever seen. Although no measure of justice can ever fully make up for those actions, I hope today’s sentencing can bring at least some measure of peace to the victims, their families and all those who were hurt by his crimes. I would like to thank all of the first responders, investigators and prosecutors involved in this case, for working so diligently to ensure that William Wood will never again be free to victimize others,” said Chief Chase Bilodeau, Town of Dewitt Police Department.
Wood is currently serving a life sentence on state charges related to the robbery and murders. In the event that New York State ever releases Wood, he will be surrendered to federal authorities to serve each of the three sentences handed down today.
The case against Wood was investigated by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Town of Dewitt Police Department, and the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa M. Fletcher and Michael D. Gadarian.
Washington State Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime and False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
A Washington state man pleaded guilty to hate crime and false statement charges in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Jason DeSimas, 47, of Tacoma, pleaded guilty to one crime of committing a hate crime for his participation in the assault of T.S., a Black man, which occurred because of his race. DeSimas assaulted T.S. at a bar in Lynnwood, Washington, on Dec. 8, 2018. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Brown of the Western District of Washington made the announcement.
In his plea agreement, DeSimas admitted that, at the time of the assault, he was a prospective member of a white supremacist group. On Dec. 8, 2018, DeSimas entered a bar in Lynnwood, Washington, with others, including members of the white supremacist hate group and its support group. While in the bar, DeSimas assaulted T.S, a Black man who was serving as the disc jockey at the bar. DeSimas called T.S. a racial slur, and punched him in the face, knocking T.S. to the floor. Others punched, kicked, and/or stomped on T.S., while continuing to call T.S. racial slurs. Two bystanders attempted to intervene to help T.S. and stop the assault. Both bystanders were assaulted by members of the group, and both sustained injuries.
In addition to the hate crime charge, DeSimas pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents about circumstances surrounding the assault. Specifically, DeSimas falsely claimed to the agents that neither he nor anyone else called T.S. a racial slur during the assault. This statement was false, in that DeSimas knew he and others called T.S. a racial slur before, during, and after the assault. DeSimas made this false statement to the FBI because he wanted to cover up the motive for the assault, which was the bias that he and others had against T.S.’s race.
DeSimas will be sentenced on July 8. The hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. The false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.
DeSimas was charged in an indictment that was unsealed on Dec. 18, 2020. The seven-count indictment also charged three other men, each aiding and abetting one another, with punching and kicking T.S. while making derogatory comments about his race. The indictment further charged DeSimas and the three other men with assaulting two men who intervened to protect T.S. during the attack, as well as with making false statements to the FBI during the course of their investigation. One of these three men, Daniel Dorson, previously pleaded guilty in this matter.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with the support of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Cohen for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the two remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wakonda Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison After Drug ConvictionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Wakonda, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on April 4, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Larry Dean Rederick, age 47, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Rederick was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020. His case went before a jury on January 4, 2022, wherein Rederick was convicted of both crimes.
On or about January 9, 2020, in the District of South Dakota, Rederick knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance.
Beginning at an unknown date and continuing to on or about July 20, 2020, in the District of South Dakota and elsewhere, Rederick knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, with others known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Yankton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Rederick was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Wyoming Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Conference to Meet in Lander May 3-4, 2022Read the Press Release
The Wyoming Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC) Conference will be held at the Inn at Lander beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3 and will conclude at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday May 4, 2022. This conference is for law enforcement officers and provides training sessions coupled with the opportunity to meet and network with other law enforcement from local, county, state, federal and tribal agencies across Wyoming.
This year’s theme is Sharing Solutions for Stronger Law Enforcement and Safer Communities. Sessions focus on everything from seizing and forfeiting criminal assets to dealing with officer wellness and PTSD. An awards dinner will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m., May 3, 2022, at the Lander Community Center and will recognize the outstanding achievements of Wyoming’s law enforcement officers.
United States Attorney Bob Murray said, “We believe the LECC conference offers excellent training and provides an opportunity to talk about, and share, what is happening across the state—then come up with solutions to not only protect the citizens of Wyoming, but also ensure we are taking care of the men and women who serve to protect.”
The standard registration fee is $100 and includes the awards ceremony dinner. CLE and Post credits are available for some sessions. To register, email [email protected] or call Rob Gaulke at 307-772-2991.
Upland Man Arrested on Indictment Alleging He Distributed Fentanyl to Victim Who Soon Afterward Died from OverdoseRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A San Bernardino County man was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment that alleges he sold fentanyl to a woman last year who soon afterward suffered a fatal overdose from the powerful synthetic opioid.
John Biagianti, 31, of Upland, was arrested this morning at his residence by federal and local law enforcement.
He is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death – a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Biagianti is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside.
According to an indictment filed on April 6, Biagianti on August 8, 2021 knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl to a victim, who ingested the drug and died the following day.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Division investigated this matter.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen T. Merrill of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
U.S. citizen arrested in Honduras convicted of federal fraud and conspiracy chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A federal jury on April 7 returned a guilty verdict on Bruce Beckner, 59, for one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. Beckner will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
Beckner was indicted on June 24, 2015, along with co-defendant Arthur Herlihy, 73, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2007, Beckner recruited Herlihy to join him in developing a business plan and securing financing to renovate a truck stop in Deming, New Mexico.
On July 7, 2009, Beckner and Herlihy obtained a loan for $135,165 from First New Mexico Bank. The stated purpose of the loan was to pay off a prior loan secured by a liquor license, and Beckner and Herlihy pledged the liquor license as collateral for the new loan as part of the transaction. At the time it received the loan from First New Mexico Bank, the truck stop business did not own the liquor license outright, but still owed money to the broker who financed the earlier liquor license transaction, which occurred in December 2008. Herlihy and Beckner falsely represented to the bank that the liquor license would be held free and clear of any liens or lawsuits. Beckner also signed the transaction documents using an alias, “Bill Evans,” and submitted an inaccurate personal financial statement to the bank concealing outstanding restitution debt he owed as the result of a prior criminal conviction in the late 1990s. Rather than pay off the license, Beckner and Herlihy used the loan for other expenses and the license remained encumbered to the previous loan. In 2011, the truck stop business defaulted on the loan from First New Mexico Bank.
On Oct. 2, 2009, Beckner and Herlihy obtained over $16 million in loans for Fuel4Less, LLC, through the New Mexico Finance Authority, including $12 million from Virtual Realty Enterprises and $4 million from U.S. Bank Development Corporation. Beckner signed several documents associated with the loan under the false name “Bill Evans,” representing himself as facilities and operating manager of Fuel4Less. Beckner also submitted a false résumé under the name “Bill Evans” that omitted material information and claimed experience and previous employment he did not have. These loans also went into default in 2011, after which a New Mexico state judge turned the business over to a court-appointed receiver, who filed a bankruptcy petition.
Beckner and Herlihy solicited money from various investors purportedly to be used in a “fuel factoring opportunity.” This opportunity, they told investors, would involve one component of the enterprise purchasing fuel from outside suppliers that would then be sold back to another component at a higher price, and the profits from the internal sales would be shared by the investors. Instead, there were no internal sales, and the investments, some of which were sent by wire transfers, were used to repay other investors or to cover various operational expenses, including Becker’s and Herlihy’s salaries.
Beckner and Herlihy sent investors promissory notes and other documents stating their investments were secured by truck stop assets. They did not tell investors that the pre-existing loans made the promissory notes essentially worthless.
Herlihy pled guilty in Feb. 2017, to making a false statement to a bank on a loan document, and was sentenced on Aug. 11, 2017, to three years of supervised release.
Beckner was arrested by the Honduras Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on March 7, 2019, at the San Pedro Sula airport in Honduras. At the time of his arrest, Beckner had been residing on Roatan, Honduras, for several years. Honduras approved his extradition on April 11, 2019, and he was transferred into U.S. custody on April 16, 2019.
Beckner faces up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud, up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and up to 30 years in prison for conspiracy.
HSI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Special Investigations Division of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean J. Sullivan and Taylor F. Hartstein are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, HSI Honduras TCIU, and the HSI ICE Country Attaché in Honduras assisted with the extradition.
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Two Leaders of Violent Puerto Rico Drug Cartel That Committed Dozens of Murders and Bribed Police Officers Convicted at TrialRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the conviction of JULIO MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, a/k/a “Chino,” and LUIS BLONDET for racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, murder while engaged in a drug crime, and murder through the use of a firearm. After less than a day of deliberations, the unanimous jury convicted MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET yesterday of every count presented to the jury after a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Yesterday’s verdict brings justice for the more than a dozen victims of the defendants’ years-long campaign of brutal violence. Using murder after murder and bribery of corrupt Puerto Rico police officers, the defendants profited from distributing tons of cocaine throughout Puerto Rico and other places in the United States, including drugs sold out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. Thanks to the tremendous work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, the defendants’ reign of terror has ended.”
According to the Indictment and the evidence at trial:
MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was one of the founding fathers of La Organization de Narcotraficantes Unidos, or La ONU, a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, from in or about 2004 to in or about 2016, dozens of murders, the bribery of corrupt police officers in Puerto Rico, and the distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine, including the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York. Cocaine supplied by La ONU was distributed in New York City, including out of a children’s daycare center in the Bronx. BLONDET was a member of La ONU and one of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s closest allies.
On or about April 9, 2005, BLONDET murdered Crystal Martinez-Ramirez. After Martinez-Ramirez refused BLONDET’s advances, BLONDET shot Martinez-Ramirez in the head twice and dumped her body on a street corner in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On or about December 28, 2006, Israel Crespo-Cotto was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Crespo-Cotto was believed to be cooperating with law enforcement. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO’s assassins killed Crespo-Cotto, a double amputee, while he was sitting in his wheelchair in the Manuel A. Perez public housing projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Crespo-Cotto was shot 24 times.
On or about March 20, 2009, Carlos Barbosa was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO because Barbosa was believed to be plotting to seize power from MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO. Barbosa was shot over a dozen times while getting his hair cut at a barbershop in Levittown, Puerto Rico.
In addition, evidence was presented at trial of MARRQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET ordering, committing, or otherwise participating in more than a dozen other murders, some of which include:
On or about May 9, 2007, members of La ONU, including MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, hired corrupt Puerto Rico police officers to participate in the murder of Anthony Castro-Carrillo in Carolina, Puerto Rico, in exchange for a cash bonus. Members of La ONU and two corrupt cops stormed Castro-Carrillo’s residence while dressed as police officers and shot and killed him.
MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, BLONDET, and other members of La ONU arranged for the murder of Hommysan Cariño-Bruno, a leader of a rival drug organization, paying a driver to kill Cariño-Bruno and providing a firearm. Cariño-Bruno was shot and killed while inside a van on or about April 29, 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On or about November 27, 2009, Emanuel Correa Romero, a/k/a “Oreo,” was murdered on the orders of MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO. Members of La ONU beat Correa Romero until he appeared dead. After the assault, members of La ONU placed Correa Romero’s body into a suitcase, and later reported back that they shot the suitcase dozens of times and then lit it on fire.
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MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO, 52, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and BLONDET, 47, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following the return of the verdict. MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO and BLONDET were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum of life in prison. With respect to the murder of Crystal Martinez-Ramirez, BLONDET was convicted of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. With respect to the murders of Israel-Crespo-Cotto and Carlos Barbosa, MARQUEZ-ALEJANDRO was convicted of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, each of which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison; two counts of murder while engaged in a drug crime, each of which carries a mandatory minimum of twenty years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; and two counts of murder through the use of a firearm, each of which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamie E. Bagliebter, Peter J. Davis, Jacob R. Fiddelman, and Justin V. Rodriguez are in charge of the prosecution and represented the Government at trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Estes, Andrew Thomas, Lara Pomerantz, Allison Nichols, and Dina McLeod also participated in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
Two Indiana Towns Agree to Improve Sewer Systems to Stop Discharges of Raw SewageRead the Press Release
The Sanitary District of Highland, Indiana, and the Town of Griffith, Indiana, have agreed to construction projects and capital investments that will eliminate discharges of untreated sewage from their sewer systems into nearby water bodies, including the Little Calumet River.
In two separate consent decrees, Highland and Griffith have each agreed to implement plans that will significantly increase the amount of wastewater they send to the neighboring town of Hammond for treatment and eliminate points in their sewer systems that overflow when their systems become overloaded. Together, the towns will spend about $100 million to improve their sewer systems. In addition, Highland will pay a civil penalty of $175,000 and Griffith will pay a civil penalty of $33,000.
The two consent decrees would resolve the violations alleged in the underlying complaint filed by the United States and the state of Indiana. The complaint alleges that Highland’s sanitary sewage collection system overflowed on 257 days since 2012, resulting in discharges of untreated sewage into the Little Calumet River or a tributary to the river. The complaint also alleges that Griffith discharged sewage into a wetland adjacent to the Little Calumet River on 16 days since 2013. Finally, the complaint alleges that both Highland and Griffith failed to comply with previous orders by EPA to stop these illegal discharges. The defendants were joined in the same cause of action because the claims against Highland and Griffith are similar in nature and both communities rely on the Sanitary District of Hammond to treat all of their wastewater.
“Cities and towns must invest in adequate infrastructure to protect the integrity of our nation’s waters,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “These settlements require meaningful investments that will improve the health of the Little Calumet River and surrounding areas.”
“Highland and Griffith are part of an area of northwest Indiana historically overburdened by pollution,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “These infrastructure improvements will prevent untreated sewage from entering the region’s waterbodies, thereby improving water quality as well as the quality of life for the people who live here.
“These consent decrees are an excellent example of how communities can work together to provide a cleaner healthier environment for the citizens of Northwest Indiana to use and enjoy.” said Commissioner Brian Rockensuess of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Under the proposed consent decrees, Highland and Griffith will also implement plans that will improve operations and maintenance of their sewer system and ability to address and respond to any unforeseen sanitary sewer overflows in the future. Highland and Griffith will submit semi-annual progress reports to the United States and the state until all work has been completed and all of the reports and deliverables required will be available to the public on their municipal websites.
The implementation of these consent decrees will prevent hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage carrying harmful pollutants, such as E. coli, from being discharged to the Little Calumet River. These reductions in pollutants will improve water quality in the Little Calumet River.
The proposed agreements are subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval after publication in the Federal Register.
To view the consent decrees or to submit a comment, visit the Department of Justice website at: www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
Two District Men Plead Guilty to August 2021 Armed Kidnappings Using Blindfolds and Zip TiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Taheed Ebron, 21, and Nathan Coleman, 29, both of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to kidnapping two men at gunpoint over a five-day period in August 2021 and using blindfolds and zip ties to restrain their victims.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Both defendants pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to two counts of armed kidnapping. Ebron also pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license in a separate firearm case. The guilty pleas are contingent upon the Court’s approval. Ebron’s plea calls for an agreed-upon sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison, and Coleman’s plea calls for eight to 10 years in prison. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2022.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 24, 2021, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Ebron, Coleman, and a third perpetrator kidnapped a man at gunpoint while he was walking home in the 1300 block of Corcoran Street NW. The defendants pulled the man’s COVID face mask over his eyes as a blindfold and forced him into the rear of Ebron’s silver Nissan Rogue SUV. They demanded that he turn over his cellphone, credit and debit cards, and personal identification numbers (PINs). The defendants then drove the man to multiple ATM locations and used his financial cards to withdraw more than $1,400 from his accounts. They also used the man’s cards and cellphone to make a series of purchases and transactions, including a $1,200 PayPal transfer. Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator eventually released the man from the SUV, forcing him to lay face down on the ground in an alley before driving away.
Just days later, on Aug. 28, 2021, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Ebron, Coleman, and a third perpetrator kidnapped another man at gunpoint near the intersection of 13th and E Streets NE while he was riding an electric scooter on the way to work. After seeing the man, Ebron parked his silver Nissan Rogue SUV in the intersection, and Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator exited the vehicle. The defendants ran toward the man and caught and threw him to the ground. They then hooded him using a drawstring bag and restrained his hands with zip ties that Ebron and Coleman had purchased the previous day. The defendants forced the man into the SUV and demanded his wallet, cellphone, and PINs. They drove him to an ATM and withdrew more than $1,000 from his bank account. Ebron, Coleman, and the third perpetrator eventually released the man from the vehicle, instructing him to run straight ahead and not look back or else be shot. The defendants then used his debit card to make a series of purchases and withdrawals.
A joint MPD and FBI investigation led to Coleman’s arrest on Sept. 6, 2021, and Ebron’s arrest the following day. Both have been in custody since their arrests.
In announcing the pleas, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from MPD’s Special Investigation Section and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Alesha Matthews, and Victim/Witness Specialists Christina Bloodworth and Karina Hernandez. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles R. Jones and Mary L. Dohrmann, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Twice Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Rudolph Brumfield a/k/a Rudy, 36, of Geneva, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon before Senior U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that Brumfield was the leader of a cocaine trafficking organization operating in Geneva and other areas of Ontario County. During the conspiracy, Brumfield obtained quantities of cocaine and marijuana from suppliers in California and elsewhere. In January 2020, investigators and officers from the Geneva Police Department and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at the Toledo Street residence of Brumfield’s girlfriend, which was used to store, manufacture, and sell the cocaine and marijuana, and at Brumfield’s North Genesee Street residence. During the searches, they recovered:
• 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and 69.7 grams of crack cocaine;
• 18 one-pound packages of marijuana;
• $161,581 in cash;
• two firearms, one which was reported stolen in 2013, and a box of ammunition;
• and materials commonly used to package drugs for street-level distribution.Brumfield was previously convicted in 2006 and 2012 of felony charges in Ontario County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Philip Povero, the Geneva Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike Passalacqua; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge John B. DeVito.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
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Tucson Couple Convicted for Stealing $5 Million from InvestorsRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Michael Feinberg, 73, and Betsy Feinberg, 80, both of Tucson, Arizona, were found guilty by a jury of all charges related to a scheme to defraud investors out of approximately $5 million. The charges included one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and five counts of securities fraud. The Feinbergs are scheduled for sentencing on June 15, 2022.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Michael and Betsy Feinberg operated Catharon Software Corporation as husband and wife. The Feinbergs claimed to have produced revolutionary software called VDelta that would generate enormous returns for investors and philanthropists. For almost 15 years, the couple enticed investors with false promises about the software’s completion, release date, and capabilities. Their victims included friends and associates recruited through various community organizations in Sedona, Arizona, where the Feinbergs resided at the time. In addition to paying themselves salaries, the Feinbergs used investor money for a wide variety of personal expenses, including their home mortgage.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-01786-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-038_FeinbergsThree Plead Guilty to Cedar Rapids Heroin Conspiracy Uncovered by Wiretap InvestigationRead the Press Release
Three individuals who were caught conspiring to distribute heroin during a wiretap investigation pled guilty recently in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Cody Scott Deklotz, age 31, from Shellsburg, Iowa, Andrew James Lehman, 29, from Marion, Iowa, and Jerry Dwayne Banghart, age 20, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were all convicted of conspiring to distribute heroin. Deklotz admitted to conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.
At their plea hearings, all three individuals admitted that they joined a conspiracy to distribute heroin with others in Cedar Rapids. The conspiracy had been running since at least 2017 and continued until June 2021. Evidence at a prior hearing showed that Deklotz allowed a heroin dealer from Chicago, Brian Dennis, to sell heroin out of Deklotz’s Cedar Rapids residence in early 2020. The DEA in Cedar Rapids initiated a wiretap investigation of Dennis in early 2021. Deklotz was intercepted over the wire purchasing heroin and also facilitating transactions between the suppliers and users. Court records also reflect that Deklotz was stopped by officers in May 2021 while in possession of over two grams of a mixture containing heroin, fentanyl, and a powerful synthetic opioid called metonitazene, as well as about 22 grams of methamphetamine.
In a plea agreement, Banghart admitted that he bought heroin from Dennis and others, some of which he redistributed to others. In March 2021, Banghart called Dennis and asked for “half a zip,” or a half ounce, of heroin for $1,400. Banghart ended up purchasing approximately 10.5 grams of a substance that contained heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and metonitazene, which he distributed to another co‑conspirator, Taylor Leyden. Banghart also admitted to tipping off Dennis when another co‑conspirator was arrested to try to warn Dennis that the other co‑conspirator may have cooperated with police.
Two other individuals, Ryan Rick Schlitter and Melinda Salvatora Werning, previously pled guilty to the heroin conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Six other individuals, including Dennis, charged in the same indictment are still pending trial. As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after presentence reports are prepared. All three defendants remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Deklotz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment. Lehman and Banghart both face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime term of imprisonment following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-32-CJW.
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Three Oklahoma Sisters Sentenced to Federal Prison for Crimes Related to Walker County ShootingRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM – On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced three Oklahoma sisters to prison for convictions related to a shooting in Walker County in 2018, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
In July 2021, a federal jury convicted the Tulsa, Oklahoma sisters of various crimes related to shots fired at a Florida resident and his wife as they sat in their car at a rural Walker County convenience store.
Tierzah Mapson, 29, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and discharging of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, two counts of interstate domestic violence and two counts of interstate stalking.
Elisa Mapson, 25, and Charis Mapson, 33, each were sentenced to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to commit interstate stalking and discharging of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and two counts of stalking.
Testimony at trial showed that Tierzah Mapson and the male victim had a child together in 2013. In June of 2018, the child’s father and his wife, also a victim, were planning to meet Tierzah Mapson halfway between their home in Orlando, Florida, and her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to take temporary custody of the child. The victims and Tierzah Mapson agreed to meet on June 18th at a rural convenience store in Eldridge, Alabama, northwest of Jasper.
Testimony and evidence established that the couple drove to Alabama on June 18th, believing that Tierzah Mapson and the child were driving from Oklahoma. While they waited at the store for over four hours, they received text messages from Tierzah Mapson explaining delays in her travel. Around 5:40p.m, the victims heard shots, one of which came through the trunk of their car, hitting the child’s father in the shoulder and lodging in his chest. Store security video showed that as he made two attempts to get out of the car, additional shots hit the ground on his side of the vehicle. After the two took cover inside the store, the shooting stopped. The wounded father was later transported to a Tuscaloosa hospital where his wound was treated and determined to be nonlife-threatening. It was later determined that the shots were fired by a rifle from a wooded hill behind a nearby church.
“These convictions are the result of a collaborative effort by a multitude of agencies, both here and outside the district,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “ I commend all those who were involved in bringing these defendants to justice.”
“I applaud the sentences handed down today, as the Mapsons showed no regard for human life as they carried out their conspiracy,” SAC Sharp said. “This case is a perfect example of how law enforcement can combine resources and efforts to bring violent criminals to justice.”
The FBI North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, the Orlando, Tulsa, and Eureka-Fortuna (CA) offices of the FBI, the Orlando Police Department, the Hoover Police Department, the Tennessee Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, and the FBI Electronic Device Analysis Unit at Quantico, Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Baty and Jonathan Cross prosecuted the charges.
Three Drug Traffickers Sentenced to 48 Years After Striking Police VehicleRead the Press Release
Three drug traffickers who attempted to run a sheriff’s office vehicle off the road have been sentenced to a combined 48 years in federal prison, announce U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Kyle Willeke, 31, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk to 20 years in federal prison. His coconspirator, Ricardo Rodriguez, 35, pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison. Monique Derau, 26, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and misprison of a felony and was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in federal prison.
According to plea papers, on Aug. 19, 2021, a Potter County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to pull over a Toyota Rav4 for a traffic violation. The deputy activated his lights, but a Nissan Infiniti struck his patrol car, causing the vehicle to spin out of control. Both the Rav4 and the Infiniti continued without stopping following the collision.
Law enforcement later identified the diver of the Rav4 as Ricardo Rodriguez, the driver of the Infiniti as Monique Derau, and the passenger who grabbed the wheel of the Infiniti to strike the deputy’s vehicle as Kyle Willeke.
Officers traced Ms. Derau’s phone and located her traveling east on Interstate 40 in a rental car. They stopped the vehicle, which at that point was carrying Ms. Derau, Mr. Rodriguez, and Mr. Willeke.
During a safety sweep of Ms. Derau’s rental, they found a box containing seven bags of methamphetamine weighing approximately 7.57 kilograms. Ms. Derau later told HSI agents that the drugs belonged to Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Willeke. When asked about their travel plans, she changed her story several times.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Division and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Fausto prosecuted the case.
Third Man in Multi-Kilogram Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy SentencedRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute over seven kilograms of fentanyl.
According to court documents, Taurean Venable, 37, and others would obtain kilogram quantities of fentanyl from various sources of supply. The group would then use a pill press to manufacture thousands of counterfeit prescription pills resembling legitimate pain medications, such as Oxycodone. In actuality, the pills contained fentanyl and other cutting agents, and the group would then distribute the pills to redistributors and users in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for profit.
During a court-authorized search of a coconspirator’s residence in Arlington in June of 2020, law enforcement seized pill manufacturing materials along with over seven kilograms of fentanyl in both pill and raw form, along with a loaded AK-47 semi-automatic firearm and $34,828 in U.S. currency. Upon his arrest, law enforcement also obtained court authorization to search Venable’s residence, where they located an additional $23,193 in drug proceeds. Venable is the third member of the conspiracy to be sentenced. Cornelius Frazier, 33, of Arlington received a sentence of 151 months’ imprisonment and Kyle Bouldin, 31, of Woodbridge, received a sentence of 72 months’ imprisonment for their respective roles.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Andy Penn, Arlington County Chief of Police; Michael L. Brown, Alexandria Chief of Police; and David Huchler, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bibeane Metsch and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Roberts prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-39.
Test Taker in College Admissions Case SentencedRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A test taker who played a critical role in the college admissions case was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with accepting nearly $240,000 in payments to cheat on the ACT and SAT exams, and other tests.
Mark Riddell, 39, of Palmetto, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to four months in prison and two years of supervised release. Riddell was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and forfeit $239,449 – of which, the government has already collected $165,878. In April 2019, Riddell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
From 2011 through February 2019, Riddell conspired with William “Rick” Singer, and others, to cheat on college entrance exams in the United States and Canada. As part of the scheme, Riddell secretly took college entrance exams in place of students through the use of fake IDs with the student’s name but his picture with their registration. In other instances, he also posed as a proctor and corrected the students’ answers after they had taken the exam.
In many cases, Singer facilitated the cheating by counseling his clients to seek extended time on the exams, including by having their children purport to have learning disabilities in order to obtain the required medical documentation. Once the extended time was granted, Singer instructed the clients to change the location of the exams to one of two test centers: a public high school in Houston, Texas, or a private college preparatory school in West Hollywood, Calif. Singer had established relationships at those locations with test administrators Niki Williams and Igor Dvorskiy, who admitted to accepting bribes of $5,000 to $10,000 per test in order to facilitate the cheating scheme. Specifically, Williams and Dvorskiy allowed Riddell to take the exams in place of the students; to give the students the correct answers during the exams; or to correct the students’ answers after they completed the exams.
Singer typically paid Riddell $10,000 for each test. Singer’s clients paid him between $15,000 and $75,000 per test, with the payments structured as purported donations to the Key Worldwide Foundation charity Singer controlled or as purported consulting fees to his for-profit business The Key. In many instances, the students taking the exams were unaware that their parents had arranged for the cheating.
In total, Riddell received just under $240,000 for inflating scores for 24 students on 27 exams over the course of eight years.
Singer and Dvorskiy previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Williams pled guilty and was sentenced in December 2020 to one year of probation and was ordered to pay forfeiture of $12,500.
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 Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Kristen A. Kearney of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Tampa Bay Man Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Bank of $20 MillionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Loyd Tomlinson, I (St. Petersburg, 79) to four years and four months in federal prison for defrauding a federally insured financial institution out of more than $20 million. As part of his sentence, the Court also entered a money judgment in the amount of $400,000, the proceeds of the fraud. Tomlinson had pleaded guilty on August 5, 2021.
According to court documents, Tomlinson, I and his son, Loyd Tomlinson II, owned and operated LTA International Global Services LLC (“LTA”), a distribution company. In or around 2015, LTA began to have severe financial problems. In 2016, Tomlinson, I and Tomlinson, II devised a plan to fabricate documents and records to raise money from investors and financial institutions in hopes of salvaging LTA’s business.
Tomlinson, I instructed others to create fake bank statements, inflated sales, accounts receivable, and inventory documents; borrowed money from private investors (who were often also provided fake documents) as off-the-book loans; used other entities as possible alter egos to raise money or divert sales off the books; and concealed from others the true facts about the financial state of LTA. Based on these false statements and representations, in or around July 2019, a financial institution loaned LTA approximately $21 million, which was not recovered.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel K. Jones. Asset forfeiture and restitution matters were handed by Assistant United States Attorneys Julie A. Simonsen and Suzanne Nebesky.
Tahlequah Resident Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Sexually Abusing Minor Under 12 in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Michael David Jackson, age 40, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma was sentenced to three individual life sentences on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child Under 12 Years. Jackson was also sentenced to 360 months for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction and 240 months for two counts of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. All sentences will run concurrently.
The defendant was convicted by a federal jury on July 1, 2021. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Jackson began sexually abusing the victim in the fall of 2019 and the abuse continued until late-December 2019. The child’s parents testified they relied on Jackson to provide childcare while they worked because they thought they could trust Jackson. In his caretaking role, Jackson had continued access to the child, which included staying overnight. Jackson used this time with the victim to sexually abuse her. The trial evidence also proved Jackson used a cell phone camera to capture images of the abuse.
“The sentence ordered by the Court will ensure that the defendant will never have the ability to abuse or exploit another child," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Cases like this are especially heart-wrenching. I am thankful for the work of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office to see to it the defendant was brought to justice.”
“Our children undoubtedly represent our nation’s future”, said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Ed Gray. “This sentence provides a clear depiction of what will continue to happen to perpetrators who defile our nation’s innocent. As protectors of the American people, the FBI will continue its unwavering fight against those who try to thwart our nation’s bright future in any capacity.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearing. Jackson was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await commitment to a United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Jordan and Dean Burris prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Statement of United States Attorney Breon Peace on the Verdict in U.S. v. Roger NgRead the Press Release
“A short time ago, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted former Goldman Sachs managing director Roger Ng of participating in a bribery and money laundering scheme related to a Malaysian investment development fund known as 1MDB.
The scheme was massive in its scale – the defendant and his co-conspirators embezzled billions of dollars from the fund. It was brazen in its execution – Ng obtained lucrative business for his employer by bribing a dozen government officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. And it was obscene in its greed.
Today’s verdict is a victory for not only the rule of law, but also for the people of Malaysia for whom the fund was supposed to help, by raising money for projects to develop their country’s economy. The defendant and his cronies saw 1MDB not as an entity to do good for the people of Malaysia, but as a piggy bank to enrich themselves with piles of money siphoned from the fund.
Between 2012 and 2013, the defendant, Roger Ng, received more than $35 million in kickbacks for his role in the scheme to steal and launder billions of dollars from 1MDB, including funds 1MDB raised in 2012 and 2013 through three bond transactions and to use that money for bribes. Ng also conspired to circumvent Goldman Sachs’s internal accounting controls to ensure that Goldman Sachs would approve the three bond deals that were critical to the scheme. Ng conspired with others to launder the proceeds through the United States financial system by purchasing, among other things, luxury real estate in New York City, valuable artwork, jewelry, and funding Hollywood films like “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
In another film made about Wall Street, not related to the criminal scheme in this case, a character infamously suggested that greed is good. But, greed is not good, particularly when it leads to corruption and abuse, circumvention of corporate policies and controls, and the violation of federal law. With today’s verdict, a powerful message has been delivered to those who commit financial crimes motivated by greed. You will be caught, prosecuted and convicted, like Ng, and face a long prison sentence.
This case was a team effort by prosecutors from my Office, Alixandra Smith, Drew Rolle and Dylan Stern along with trial attorneys Brent Wible and Jennifer Ambuehl from the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, FBI Special Agents Sean Fern, Ryan Collins and Jarrett Brown, FBI forensic accountant Eric Van Dorn, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Robert Heuchling, and Special Agent Marty Sullivan from the Eastern District of New York. They were assisted by EDNY paralegal Daniel Youkilis and Criminal Division paralegals Robert Dwyer and Lianis Marrero Mendez. Their work was outstanding.
And finally, I commend the jury for their attention to the evidence, their dedicated service over the past seven weeks, during a pandemic, and their commitment to do justice.”
Click here for the video of the statement.
Sex Trafficking Conspiracy Leader Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Joshua Lankford a/k/a “20-20”, a/k/a “Light Bright”, a/k/a “Yellow”, age 33, of Federalsburg, Maryland, to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for kidnapping in relation to a sex trafficking conspiracy.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Michael McDermott of the Federalsburg Police Department; and Colonel Melissa Zebley of the Delaware State Police Department.
“Lankford exploited a young woman’s drug dependency and desire to establish a better life for herself and her child to deprive her of her basic humanity his own profit. He also attempted to undermine our justice system by conspiring to kill the victim” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron. “Let this sentence serve as a light to survivors impacted by human trafficking and as a deterrent to those conspiring to commit heinous human trafficking crimes.”
“This defendant preyed on a vulnerable young woman and cruelly exploited her for his profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for Justice Department’s the Civil Rights Division. “Sex trafficking is a heinous crime that has no place in our society. This sentence reflects the defendant’s horrific crime – a crime that deprives some of society’s most vulnerable members of their freedom and dignity. The Civil Rights Division will continue its vigorous enforcement of our human trafficking laws to hold perpetrators accountable and to seek justice for survivors of these heinous crimes.”
“Joshua Lankford’s crimes were nothing short of horrific; he kidnapped and victimized a vulnerable woman then plotted to kill her in order to save himself,” said James R. Mancuso, the Special Agent in Charge of HSI Baltimore. “The atrocities of his crimes are clearly reflected in the severity of his sentence, and today, he will begin to pay his debt to society. HSI Baltimore remains committed to investigating human trafficking organizations as they prey upon the most vulnerable populations in our communities.”
According to his guilty plea, from October 25, 2018, to October 30, 2018, Lankford led and organized a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and to commit kidnapping. Lankford induced Victim 1, who suffered from drug addiction, to travel from Maryland to Delaware to engage in prostitution, and transported Victim 1 across state lines to engage in commercial sex acts.
Knowing of Victim 1’s drug addiction, Lankford lured her into performing commercial sex acts at his direction by falsely promising the victim that he would help her buy a house, make more money, and regain custody of her son. Lankford also told Victim 1 that she would have to give all of the money she made from commercial sex acts to him.
Lankford continued to make false promises to Victim 1 in order to compel her to engage in commercial sex acts for his benefit for approximately two days. Lankford also recruited Lakeya Aldridge, age 41, of Federalsburg, Maryland; Kevonne Murphy, age 31, of Federalsburg, Maryland; and David Goodwin, age 29 of Federalsburg, Maryland to engage in his sex trafficking conspiracy. Specifically, Aldridge helped maintain Victim 1 while Murphy acted as the “muscle”. Lankford informed Victim 1 that these co-conspirators would manage her when he was not physically present.
As stated in the plea agreement, between October 25, 2018, and October 27, 2018, Victim 1 performed commercial sex acts at two motels in Seaford, Delaware. After meeting with clients, Victim 1 was required to give the money she made to Lankford or his co-conspirators.
On October 29, 2018, the co-conspirators drove Victim 1 back to Maryland where she continued to engage in commercial sex acts and provided all funds she was paid to the conspirators. After one commercial sex act, Victim 1 returned to the co-conspirators and gave them the money she had collected. Aldridge and Murphy yelled at Victim 1 for not making enough money. Fearing for her safety, Victim 1 attempted to escape by attempting to jump out of Aldridge’s moving car. Aldridge then removed her belt and put it around Victim 1’s neck to prevent her from escaping. Murphy contacted Lankford and informed him of Victim 1’s escape attempt. Lankford directed the conspirators to pick him up from his residence and stated that he knew where to take Victim 1 to punish her. Lankford instructed the conspirators to drive to railroad tracks in a dark and remote location. There, Lankford and his co-conspirators physically assaulted Victim 1 for her poor earnings and to maintain her compliance. During Victim 1’s entrapment in the conspiracy, Lankford and his co-conspirators repeatedly told Victim 1 that Lankford had recently committed and had been acquitted of murder to keep Victim 1 fearful of her life and compliant to their demands.
After assaulting Victim 1, Lankford and his co-conspirators transported Victim 1 to a motel in which Victim 1 was prohibited from wearing clothes for the remainder of the evening. Victim 1 was also forced to take a cold shower for the purpose of causing her to suffer. Later that night, Lankford and his co-conspirators drafted a sex acts sheet which listed acts that the victim would be required to perform for customers moving forward. The sex acts sheet was later recovered pursuant to a search warrant of the motel room.
As detailed in his plea agreement, on the morning of October 30, 2018, Victim 1 accessed Aldridge’s cell phone and called 911. Upon arrival at the motel room, Murphy opened the door for Delaware State police troopers. Troopers saw Victim 1 standing behind Murphy and Victim 1 began indicating that she was in distress. The three conspirators were then detained. Prior to his arrest, Murphy called Lankford and informed him that Victim 1 was detailing her experience to the police. At that time, Murphy told Lankford to go “underground”. In response, Lankford told Murphy not to worry as he would send Victim 1 a lethal dose of heroin laced with battery acid.
Lankford was arrested two days later and informed officers that he deleted the contents of his cell phone in anticipation of his apprehension. While incarcerated, Lankford told a co-conspirator that he intended to kill Victim 1 to prevent her from testifying against them at trial.
Aldridge pled guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping in 2020. Murphy and Goodwin pled guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in 2019.
Report suspected instances of human trafficking and sex trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke commended the HSI Baltimore and Philadelphia offices, the Maryland State Police Department, the Federalsburg Police Department, and the Delaware State Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer and Leah Branch of the Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prosecution unit, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/human-trafficking and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Sex Offender Going to Prison for 10 Years on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Daniel Rammacher, 63, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possessing child pornography following a conviction for the New York State crime of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Rammacher was also ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution to victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in 2014, Rammacher was arrested by the New York State Police in Warren County, NY, after it was discovered that he sexually abused a four-year-old child in his care. Rammacher was sentenced to serve a 10-year term of sex offender probation, which was transferred to the Monroe County Probation Department in 2015, after Rammacher moved to Rochester. During a routine visit in 2019, probation officers discovered that Rammacher possessed a laptop computer, which contained sexually explicit material, in violation of probation conditions. Officers confiscated the computer and, after a preview did not reveal the presence of any additional contraband, submitted the computer to the Regional Forensic Computer Laboratory in Rochester for a full forensic review. While the computer was being forensically examined, Rammacher confessed to probation officers that he had used the computer to access and view child pornography. The forensic analysis ultimately confirmed the presence of images of child pornography on the computer.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Probation Department, under the director of Chief Probation Officer Jennifer Ball, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
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Senior Leader of Massive No Fault Automobile Insurance Bribery Scheme Sentenced to 7 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JELANI WRAY, a senior leader of a conspiracy in which he and his co-conspirators bribed 911 operators, medical personnel, and police officers for the confidential information of tens of thousands of motor vehicle accident victims, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison. WRAY was sentenced by United States District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. He previously pled guilty on October 12, 2021, to making payments of bribes and gratuities to an agent of a federally funded organization.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jelani Wray and the other leaders of this scheme brazenly exploited New York’s no fault automobile insurance laws by lining their pockets with millions of dollars in illegal profits. In the process, they corrupted 911 operators, hospital workers and police officers; injured accident victims by depriving them of a choice in medical providers and attorneys, lying to them, and subjecting these victims to unwanted medical treatments; and caused licensed drivers in the state of New York to suffer higher insurance premiums by enabling the submission of millions of dollars in false medical reimbursement claims. Wray and his coconspirators will now pay for their crimes, and this Office will never stop pursuing those who seek to profit by corrupting our public institutions.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment, the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made in court:
JELANI WRAY was one of several leaders of a massive no fault automobile insurance scheme spanning New York and New Jersey from at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2019. As part of the scheme, WRAY personally bribed and arranged for others to bribe 911 operators, medical personnel, and police officers for the confidential information of tens of thousands of motor vehicle accident victims. Using this information, WRAY and his co-conspirators contacted victims, lied to them, and steered them to clinics and lawyers handpicked by WRAY and his associates. These clinics and lawyers then paid WRAY and his associates kickbacks for these referrals, which they distributed to coconspirators as payments and bribes.
Specifically, in approximately 2013, while WRAY was working as the manager of a medical clinic, WRAY and a coconspirator, ANTHONY ROSE, a/k/a “Todd Chambers,” reached an agreement that for each patient ROSE sent to the clinic, WRAY would pay him approximately $2,000 to $3,000 in illegal referral fees.
Thereafter, in or about 2016, WRAY began to recruit and acquire his own “lead sources,” which were individuals willing to sell the confidential information of motor vehicle accident victims. From approximately 2016 through in or about December 2017, WRAY bribed at least five NYPD 911 operators to provide him with the names and numbers of motor vehicle accident victims. WRAY then transferred this information to an illegal call center that was operated by ROSE and funded in part by WRAY. ROSE’s call center called the unsuspecting accident victims, lied to them, and then steered them to particular clinics and lawyers that were part of ROSE and WRAY’s illegal referral network. The clinics and lawyers then paid ROSE and WRAY kickbacks by cash and check. WRAY also similarly recruited attorneys and clinics to participate in this portion of the scheme.
Among other things, WRAY concealed his bribery of the 911 operators by providing them with prepaid “burner” phones, using encrypted messaging applications to communicate with them, and by assigning them code names. ROSE and WRAY also received further kickbacks for steering accident victims to a particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility. In addition, in or about 2017, ROSE, WRAY, a paralegal (“Paralegal-1”), and a physician (“Physician-1”) agreed to open a medical clinic in the Bronx (“Clinic-1”). WRAY funded Clinic-1, steered accident victims to Clinic-1, and exercised substantial control over its medical operations, which is illegal under New York law, because WRAY is not a physician.
WRAY received millions of dollars in illegal profits from his involvement in the various aspects of this scheme. In addition to his prison sentence, WRAY, 37 of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $2,200,000 and pay a fine of $250,000.
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The United States Attorney’s Office charged JELANI WRAY and 26 other defendants in November 2019. All 27 defendants admitted guilt; 25 of 27 defendants pleaded guilty and the remaining two defendants had their prosecutions deferred. WRAY is the sixteenth defendant to have been sentenced; ten defendants have been sentenced to serve time in prison. The principal aspects of each defendant’s sentence are reflected in the chart below. To date, the defendants have also been ordered to pay approximately $5 million in forfeiture from this scheme.
Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Financial Services, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, and the White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Mathew Andrews and Louis A. Pellegrino are in charge of the prosecution.
Defendant
Age
Hometown
Principal Aspects of Sentence
JELANI WRAY,
a/k/a “Lani,”
a/k/a “J.R.”
37
Brooklyn, NY
- 7 years prison
- 3 years supervised release
- $250,000 fine
- $2,200,000 forfeiture ordered
NATHANIEL COLES,
a/k/a “Nat”
69
Cortlandt Manor, NY
- 5 years prison
- 3 years supervised release
- $100,000 fine
- $2,594,000 forfeiture ordered
ANTHONY ROSE, Jr.,
a/k/a “Sean Wells”
34
Cambria Heights, NY
- 2 years prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $69,000 forfeiture ordered
CHRISTINA GARCIA,
a/k/a “Cindy”
37
Jersey City, NJ
- 366 days prison
- 3 years supervised release
- $3,000 fine
- $30,000 forfeiture ordered
LEON BLUE,
a/k/a “Boochie”
56
Brooklyn, NY
- Time served prison (approx. two years)
- 3 years supervised release
- $8,310 forfeiture ordered
CLARENCE FACEY,
a/k/a “Face”
36
Brooklyn, NY
- 6 months prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $25,000 forfeiture ordered
ANGELA MELECIO,
a/k/a “Angie,”
a/k/a “P5”
43
Amityville, NY
- Time served prison
- 3 years supervised release, with 6 months’ home confinement
- 250 hrs. community service
- $8,000 forfeiture ordered
STEPHANIE PASCAL,
a/k/a “Steph,”
a/k/a “P2”
49
Brooklyn, NY
- Time served prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $2,000 forfeiture ordered
EDWARD ABAYEV,
a/k/a “Eddie”
54
Staten Island, NY
- 366 days prison
- 3 years supervised release
- $20,000 fine
- $18,000 forfeiture ordered
TONJA LEWIS,
a/k/a “J1”
55
Belleville, NJ
- Time served prison
- 2 years supervised release
- 250 hrs. community service
- $8,310 forfeiture ordered
BERLISA BRYAN,
a/k/a “Lisa”
55
Edison, NJ
- Time served prison
- 3 years supervised release
- 250 hrs. community service
- $20,000 forfeiture ordered
ANGELA MYERS,
a/k/a “Angie”
40
Brooklyn, NY
- Time served prison
- 2 years supervised release
- 250 hrs. community service
- $10,000 forfeiture ordered
SHAKEEMA FOSTER
29
Brooklyn, NY
- Time served prison
- 2 years supervised release
- 250 hrs. community service
- $3,000 forfeiture ordered
KOURTNEI WILLIAMS
35
Brooklyn, NY
- 6 months prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $20,000 forfeiture ordered
MAKKAH SHABAZZ, a/k/a “Mecca”
45
Long Island City, NY
- 6 months prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $36,000 forfeiture ordered
YANIRIS DELEON, a/k/a “Jen”
32
New York, NY
- 6 months prison
- 2 years supervised release
- $10,000 forfeiture ordered
Second of four men charged in racially motivated hate crime enters guilty pleaRead the Press Release
Seattle – The second of four defendants pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to a federal hate crime, and making false statements in connection with a December 8, 2018, racially-motivated assault, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Jason DeSimas, 47, of Tacoma, Washington, is one of four men from across the Pacific Northwest being prosecuted for punching and kicking a Black man and making derogatory comments about his actual and perceived race at a bar in Lynnwood, Washington. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2022.
According to the plea agreement, DeSimas was a prospective member of a white supremacist group that was traveling in the Seattle area to celebrate a known white supremacist, killed in a standoff with police in the 1980s. DeSimas had discussed using “mutual combat” against members of groups he opposed such as Antifa and Black Lives Matter. DeSimas believed that he and his group could go into bars and initiate fights, so that the rest of the members of the group could join in. In the early morning hours of December 8, 2018, the men went to the bar in Lynnwood, Washington and assaulted a Black man who was working as a DJ. The group also assaulted two other men who came to the DJ’s aid. The attackers shouted racial slurs and made Nazi salutes both before and during the assault.
In addition to the hate crime DeSimas admits making false statements to the FBI during the investigation of the case. Jason DeSimas falsely claimed that neither he nor anyone else used a racial slur during the assault. In fact, DeSimas now admits that he repeatedly used a racial slur before, during, and after the assault.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, both sides will recommend a 37-month prison term. U.S. District Judge Richard Jones is not bound by the recommendation. The ultimate sentence will be determined by Judge Jones after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Daniel Delbert Dorson, 27, of Corvallis, Oregon, has pleaded guilty in the case and is scheduled for sentencing August 19, 2022. Jason Stanley, 46, of Boise, Idaho and Randy Smith, 42, of Eugene, Oregon, are also charged in the case and are in custody awaiting trial.
The hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. The false statements charge carries a maximum penalty of five years.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca S. Cohen and Ye-Ting Woo and Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Sacramento Felon Indicted for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment Thursday against Marcus Lawrence Weber, 26, of Sacramento, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Weber had four pending felony arrest warrants when officers located him driving in Roseville. When they tried to pull him over to arrest him, Weber led them on a car chase. Eventually, Weber stopped his car and fled on foot, wearing a black ski mask. He ran into a creek bed, where he dropped a Ruger 5.7 firearm and was eventually arrested. The firearm was loaded with an extended magazine and had a round in the chamber. Weber is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of felony offenses.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Weber faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty 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.
Rochester Man Arrested at the Peace Bridge with A Gun Is Going to PrisonRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher Kendrick, 27, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in October 2011, Kendrick was convicted in Monroe County Court of 3rd Degree Robbery and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On May 11, 2021, while traveling in Buffalo, Kendrick made a turn onto the Peace Bridge and entered the Customs and Border Patrol passenger processing area. At that time, U.S. Border Patrol Agents observed Kendrick in his vehicle and questioned him. Kendrick, who presented a New York State identification but had no other identification, was removed from his vehicle, and escorted to the Peace Bridge Administration Building. During a secondary screening of Kendrick’s vehicle, a .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol and ammunition were located in the glove compartment.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
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Queens Man Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Orlando Lopez was sentenced by United States District Judge Eric R. Komitee to 55 years’ imprisonment for nine counts of child exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography. Lopez was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims. Lopez pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2021.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“The defendant raped and sexually abused numerous vulnerable children, many of them infants and toddlers, for his own gratification,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Although today’s lengthy sentence cannot undo the harm that he inflicted on the victims and their families, it represents some measure of justice for his horrific crimes and ensures that no more children will suffer at the hands of this predator.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the prosecution.
“The conduct for which Mr. Lopez was convicted is among the most depraved our experienced investigators have ever encountered. Prior to law enforcement intervention, he raped and sexually exploited children - some of whom were infants when their abuse began - for more than a decade,” said Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll. “Today's sentence insures he will never harm another child, and our hope is that it brings some measure of comfort to his victims and their families as they continue their recovery from the harm he inflicted upon them.”
Beginning in approximately 2008, and for more than a decade, Lopez raped and sexually exploited children who lived at or near his apartment building in Jamaica, Queens, and took video and photographs of the abuse. Lopez typically abused his victims in his apartment or their residence, but on occasion abused them in other locations, including a local YMCA facility. During the sexual abuse, Lopez sometimes attempted to distract his child victims by providing them with candy or toys.
Law enforcement recovered approximately 13,000 files of child pornography from Lopez’s residence depicting sexual activity with at least 15 child victims, some of whom were infants with the abuse began. Lopez distributed some of the child pornography he created to others.
This prosecution is 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc
Assistant United States Attorney Tanya Hajjar is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
ORLANDO LOPEZ
Age: 66
Jamaica, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-52 (EK)
Previously convicted felon sentenced to prison for possessing firearm during rival neighborhood shootingsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A previously convicted felon was sentenced in federal court here today to 70 months in prison for possessing a firearm.
Tevaughn Presley, 27, of Cincinnati, was on supervised release from a separate federal gun conviction when he was involved in a retaliatory shooting on April 17, 2020, at the Villages at Roll Hill in Cincinnati.
The shooting was one of four episodes of gun violence in early April 2020 between the Villages at Roll Hill and Cumminsville.
“The cost was grave to those involved in the series of shootings – two men lost their lives, and two others were seriously injured from gunshot wounds,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The Cincinnati Police Department and the ATF expended significant resources to curb that surge of violence, and today’s sentence is one of many examples resulting from their joint law enforcement efforts.”
According to court documents, after the shooting, Presley disposed of the gun. However, Presley had taken a picture of himself with the firearm that day – including the weapon’s serial number – lying in his lap. Officers discovered the photo while executing a search warrant of Presley’s phone.
The ATF and Cincinnati Police Department matched two types of shell casings from the vehicle in which Presley was a passenger to the April 17 shooting scene using National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) technology.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Travis S. Riddle, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.
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Previously convicted felon sentenced to prison for possessing firearm during rival neighborhood shootingsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A previously convicted felon was sentenced in federal court here today to 70 months in prison for possessing a firearm.
Tevaughn Presley, 27, of Cincinnati, was on supervised release from a separate federal gun conviction when he was involved in a retaliatory shooting on April 17, 2020, at the Villages at Roll Hill in Cincinnati.
The shooting was one of four episodes of gun violence in early April 2020 between the Villages at Roll Hill and Cumminsville.
“The cost was grave to those involved in the series of shootings – two men lost their lives, and two others were seriously injured from gunshot wounds,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The Cincinnati Police Department and the ATF expended significant resources to curb that surge of violence, and today’s sentence is one of many examples resulting from their joint law enforcement efforts.”
According to court documents, after the shooting, Presley disposed of the gun. However, Presley had taken a picture of himself with the firearm that day – including the weapon’s serial number – lying in his lap. Officers discovered the photo while executing a search warrant of Presley’s phone.
The ATF and Cincinnati Police Department matched two types of shell casings from the vehicle in which Presley was a passenger to the April 17 shooting scene using National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) technology.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Travis S. Riddle, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Teresa Theetge announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.
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Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mid-Level Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 77 months’ imprisonment and four years’ supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws in connection with a large-scale investigation conducted by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV, imposed the sentence on Brandon Green, age 37, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, from January 2018 through June 2019, Green participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Pittsburgh area. Green was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap arranging purchases and discussing prior dealings of heroin/fentanyl. He and his codefendants were also the subject of physical surveillance while engaging in drug-trafficking activity. Green took responsibility for distributing 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman noted Green’s mid-level role in the charged conspiracy and his extensive criminal history, which included numerous felony convictions for drug trafficking and fleeing apprehension by law enforcement. The court further recognized Green’s long-standing drug use and recommended that he receive necessary drug treatment while serving his sentence.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Adult Probation, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department. Other assisting agencies include the Green Tree Police Department, New York City Police Department, Mount Oliver Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Yonkers Police Department, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal
networks.