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Thursday 31 March 2022
National Security Agency Employee Indicted for Willful Transmission and Retention of National Defense InformationRead the Press Release
A Maryland man is charged with willful transmission and retention of National Defense Information (NDI) in an indictment unsealed today in the District of Maryland.
According to court documents, as an employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), Mark Robert Unkenholz, 60, of Hanover, held a Top Secret/SCI clearance and had lawful access to classified information relating to national defense that was closely held by the government (National Defense Information or NDI).
As detailed in the indictment, national security information is classified as Top Secret, Secret or Confidential. Only individuals with the appropriate security clearance could have authorized access to such classified national security information. All classified information can only be stored in an approved facility and container.
According to the 26-count indictment, on 13 occasions between Feb. 14, 2018 and June 1, 2020, Unkenholz, lawfully having possession of, access to, and control over NDI, which he had reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation, willfully transmitted that information to another person who was not entitled to receive it. The indictment alleges that the information Unkenholz transmitted was classified at the Secret and Top Secret/SCI levels and that Unkenholz transmitted the classified information using his personal email address to the other person’s private company email addresses. The person receiving the information held a Top Secret/SCI clearance from April 2016 until approximately June 2019, while employed at a company referred to in the indictment as Company 1. From July 2019 until approximately January 2021, the person worked for a company referred to in the indictment as Company 2, and was not authorized to access, or receive, classified information.
The indictment alleges that Unkenholz’s personal email address, and the company email addresses of the person receiving the information were not authorized storage locations for classified NDI. Unkenholz allegedly retained the classified NDI within his personal email address.
Unkenholz was arrested this morning and will make his initial court appearance this afternoon in Baltimore. If convicted, Unkenholz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the 13 counts of willful transmission of NDI and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the 13 counts of willful retention of NDI. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and P. Michael Cunningham for the District of Maryland and Trial Attorney S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Controls Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
National Security Agency Employee Facing Federal Indictment for Willful Transmission and Retention of National Defense InformationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Mark Robert Unkenholz, age 60, of Hanover, Maryland, for willful transmission and retention of National Defense Information (NDI). The indictment was returned on March 29, 2022 and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendant.
Unkenholz is expected to have initial appearance at 3:00 p.m. today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s Nationals Security Division; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
As an employee of the National Security Agency (NSA), Unkenholz held a TOP SECRET/SCI clearance and had lawful access to classified information relating to the national defense that was closely held by the government (“National Defense Information” or “NDI”).
As detailed in the indictment, national security information is classified as “TOP SECRET,” “SECRET,” or “CONFIDENTIAL.” Only individuals with the appropriate security clearance could have authorized access to such classified national security information. All classified information can only be stored in an approved facility and container.
According to the 26-count indictment, on thirteen occasions between February 14, 2018 and June 1, 2020, Unkenholz, lawfully having possession of, access to, and control over NDI, which he had reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation, willfully transmitted that information to another person who was not entitled to receive it. The indictment alleges that the information Unkenholz transmitted was classified at the SECRET and TOP SECRET/SCI levels and that Unkenholz transmitted the classified information using his personal email address to the other person’s private company email addresses. The person receiving the information held a TOP SECRET/SCI clearance from April 2016 until approximately June 2019, while employed at a company referred to in the indictment as “Company 1.” From July 2019 until approximately January 2021, the person worked for a company referred to in the indictment as “Company 2” and was not authorized to access or receive classified information
The indictment alleges that Unkenholz’s personal email address, and the company email addresses of the person receiving the information were not authorized storage locations for classified NDI. Unkenholz allegedly retained the classified NDI within his personal email address.
If convicted, Unkenholz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each of the 13 counts of willful transmission of NDI and for each of the 13 counts of willful retention of NDI. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron and Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron and Mr. Olsen thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and P. Michael Cunningham and Trial Attorney S. Derek Shugert of the of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Controls Section, 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 www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Naples Felon Arrested and Charged with COVID Relief FraudRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Daniel Joseph Tisone (34, Naples) with wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal monetary transactions. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each of the fraud charges and up to 10 years in federal prison for the illegal monetary transaction offense.
According to the complaint, between March 2020 and April 2021, Tisone, a convicted felon, submitted false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to the Small Business Administration, as well as PPP and MSLP approved lenders. The loan applications contained numerous false representations, including the criminal history, average monthly payroll, number of employees, and gross revenues of the applicant, Tisone. In support of the fraudulent EIDL, PPP, and MSLP applications, Tisone submitted false and fictitious payroll and tax documents, as well as a fake commercial lease.
Tisone’s false and fraudulent representations caused the SBA, PPP and MSLP lenders to approve and fund one MSLP, three EIDL, and five PPP loans, totaling approximately $2,523,954.17. Tisone then unlawfully used the funds to purchase more than $1 million in stocks and investment securities, as well as the purchase of a residence in the Naples, Florida area.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if the business spends the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and uses at least a certain percentage of the loan toward payroll expenses.
The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds.
The MSLP was designed to provide support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was intended to help companies that were in sound financial condition prior to the onset of the pandemic maintain their operations and payroll until conditions normalized.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR), and IRS – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Trent Reichling and Suzanne Nebesky.
NHA Director of Information Technology Admits Embezzling Funds to Purchase Thousands of Electronic DevicesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Housing Authority (NHA)’s former director of information technology admitted using his position to embezzle NHA funds to purchase cellular telephones and other electronic devices, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Venancio Diaz, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti in Newark federal court on March 30, 2022, to an information charging him with committing theft from an agency receiving federal funds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From December 2013 to Aug. 10, 2021, Diaz bought, on behalf of NHA and using NHA funds, 1,509 electronic devices, primarily cellular telephones and tablets, from a telecommunications company. Diaz then caused those devices to be activated on NHA’s account on the company’s network for a short period of time – often only days or weeks. After the brief period of activation ended, Diaz posed as the owner of the devices and sold them to two different online electronics resale marketplaces. Diaz directed all the proceeds of the sales – a total of $594,425 – to his own bank accounts and kept the money for his own personal use.
The count of theft from an agency receiving federal funds carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of pecuniary gain that any person derived from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina D. Scaringi in Newark; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the IRS-Criminal Investigations for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Joel Silberman Esq., Jersey City
Monongalia County man admits to a firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shuron Howard, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Howard, 24, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Howard, a person prohibited from having a firearm, admitted to having a pistol in May 2020 in Monongalia County.
Howard faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Minnesota Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Marshall, Minnesota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on March 29, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Brody Lee Chase Hancock, age 29, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Hancock was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 7, 2021. He pled guilty on January 4, 2022.
The conviction stems from Hancock failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law between December 1, 2020, and July 7, 2021. Hancock had previously been convicted of a sex offense in the state of Minnesota, which requires him to register for 15 years upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Hancock was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Maryland Internal Medicine Physician Agrees to Pay More Than $500,000 Dollars to Settle Federal False Claims Act Allegations of Billing for Services Not RenderedRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Anuja Kurichh, M.D., an internal medicine physician who operates a medical practice known as PHC Healthcare, LLC in College Park, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $555,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the United States for medical services that were not performed by her.
The civil settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Amy K. Parker of the Office of Personnel Management – Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG).
“It is imperative that Medicare and other federal health care programs are protected from fraud because those programs are funded through tax-payer dollars,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron. “The United States Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those providers who defraud federal health care programs by billing for services not rendered by them.”
“Medical providers participating in federal health care programs are obligated to appropriately and lawfully bill for services,” stated Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “False claims charged to the Medicare program divert funds necessary to support essential health services for patients most in need. HHS-OIG works diligently with our law enforcement partners to detect and deter illegal actions that pose threats to the integrity of Medicare.”
“Today’s settlement should serve as a warning to those who would attempt to defraud the Government,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy K. Parker, OPM OIG. “The OPM OIG is committed to protecting the integrity of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute false claims that waste taxpayer dollars and increase the cost of medical care.”
Dr. Kurichh is board certified in internal medicine, specializing in the internal organs and systems of the body. By virtue of her specialty, she may and does diagnose and treat a spectrum of health conditions. According to the settlement agreement, between August 1, 2013 and January 31, 2019, Dr. Kurichh billed both Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (“FEHBP”) for ultrasound studies of the: (1) area behind the abdominal cavity; (2) heart, including blood flow and valve function; (3) blood flow on both sides of the head and neck; (4) arteries and arterial grafts in both legs; and (5) for such things as the removal of ear wax, blood sample collection, and corresponding evaluation and medical management codes indicative of face-to-face patient encounters supposedly lasting for time intervals of ten to fifteen minutes, despite being outside of the United States on the billed dates of service as reflected by travel records. During the billed dates of service, Dr. Kurichh was the sole provider for PHC Healthcare, LLC and was responsible for identifying the Current Procedural Terminology Codes to be used for billing the services rendered. During that same time frame, Dr. Kurichh also billed Medicare and the FEHBP for ultrasound services, specifically the interpretation of ultrasounds purportedly performed by another physician who did not, in fact, perform those services.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations. The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Kurichh or PHC Healthcare, LLC, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
The case arose from an initiative launched by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland which involves the use of specialized resources and personnel to review Medicare billing data. The review of that data has enabled the United States Attorney’s Office to identify areas of concern where it appears that billing irregularities may have taken place. Partnering with the affected agencies, the United States Attorney’s Office has developed the ability to investigate these billing irregularities to determine whether the matter is appropriate for enforcement under the False Claims Act.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the HHS-OIG and OPM OIG for their work in this investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tarra DeShields and Vince Vaccarella who handled this case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Montana Sex Offender Charged with Interstate Child Sex CrimesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that TAYLON JEFFREY BAIN, 36, of Richey, Montana was charged with transporting a minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct and commission of a felony offense by a registered sex offender. Bain appeared for an arraignment hearing on March 16, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial has been set for May 31, 2022, before United States District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson.
If convicted, Bain faces ten years to life imprisonment; five years to life of supervised release; up to a $250,000 fine, a $5,000 assessment according to the Justice of Victims of Trafficking Act and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office in Montana and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming. Assistant United States Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Case No. 22-00009-ABJ
Louisville Woman Sentenced to over 21 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville woman was sentenced on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, to 262 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release for production and possession of child pornography. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Monica Bradley, 62, produced and possessed child pornography images of five minor victims over the course of multiple years. Monica Bradley further transported one of the minor victims, beginning when she was only 11 years old, to the residence of her husband, Curtis Bradley, for the purpose of him engaging in sexual contact with the victim. In return, Curtis Bradley provided Monica Bradley with drugs and cash. Curtis Bradley was previously sentenced on March 4, 2022, to 50 years in prison followed by a life term of supervised release, for his commission of multiple offenses, including the production and possession of child pornography.
“We will continue to combat the sexual exploitation of children through aggressive federal prosecution,” stated United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. “The lengthy sentence imposed, as well as the 50-year sentence previously ordered in the Curtis Bradley case, resulted from our strong working relationship with the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the excellent investigative work of HSI Nashville and LMPD.”
"The lengthy sentence is a gratifying outcome for our special agents and a testament to the severity and horrific nature of the crimes," said Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet, Jr., Homeland Security Investigations Nashville. "We can only hope that this sentence serves as a part of the lengthy healing process for the victims, and we thank our law enforcement partners for a successful outcome."
The United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Zimdahl and Christopher Tieke prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Lodge Grass man sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing children on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian reservationsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who was convicted by a jury of sexually abusing two children in the 1990s on the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Indian reservations was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
A federal jury in October 2021 found Donald Ray Gardner, 58, guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of abusive sexual contact.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that Gardner sexually abused two young girls over multiple occasions. Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, in 1994 in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The government further alleged Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the Crow Agency area on the Crow Reservation in 1996 and in 1998. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Local man gets 40 years for sexually exploiting minors through SkypeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Houston man has been ordered to prison for committing sexual exploitation and coercion and enticement of minors, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Thomas Douglas Butler pleaded guilty April 14, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennet sentenced Butler to 480 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court also heard additional information including a statement detailing the severe emotional distress that now exists among the victim and her relatives from the trauma Butler inflicted. “The defendant in this case took advantage of my daughter’s weaknesses and caused her lifelong damage,” it read. The mother further noted her daughter returned home a “very different child.”
In handing down the prison terms, the court noted Butler had been “on a path to this moment based on his criminal history.” Butler will serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Butler met the 14-year-old female victim through a social media website known as FaceFlow. During those communications, posed as a 23-year-old male, befriended her and convinced her to run away with him. Butler subsequently traveled to pick her up and broght her to a Houston hotel where he had been residing for approximately one year.
The victim said Butler provided alcohol to her immediately and on numerous occasions while she was with him and gave her very little food. Law enforcement was quickly able to rescue her.
A search warrant executed at the hotel room revealed several documents and electronic devices which led to the discovery of a second out-of-state victim. Butler had also groomed that minor female to engage in sexually-charged conversations and sexually-illicit behavior online such as exposing her genitals in a lewd and lascivious manner during Skype video calls. Butler recorded the Skype calls with the victim. If she did not comply, Butler threatened to notify the victim’s parents or others of their relationship and distribute the videos he created from the Skype calls.
Butler has been in custody since being determined a danger to the community and a flight risk, where he will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Lebanon Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Lebanon, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today after a law enforcement officer noticed child pornography on his cell phone during a traffic stop.
Justin Barton, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Barton to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration and ordered Barton to pay $3,000 in restitution to each of his victims.
On Nov. 30, 2021, Barton pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography from Jan. 1, 2018, to Jan. 15, 2020. Barton is a registered sex offender after his 2017 court-martial for possessing and distributing child pornography while serving in the U.S. Army in the Republic of Korea.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant stopped Barton on Jan. 15, 2020, for having an inoperable license plate lamp. Barton provided the sergeant with proof of insurance by accessing his insurance card through his cell phone. As the sergeant handed the phone back to Barton, an image of a naked child appeared on the screen. Barton agreed to allow the sergeant to take the phone to patrol headquarters for further examination. Investigators then obtained a search warrant and found images and videos of child pornography on the phone.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Lander Man Pleads Guilty to Seven Counts of Wire Fraud Relating to Cares Act Stimulus FundingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that PAUL MCCOWN, 33, of Lander, Wyoming pleaded guilty on March 29, 2022, before Chief United States District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, to four counts of wire fraud in relation to pandemic relief programs administered by the Wyoming Business Council and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds and three counts of wire fraud relating to money fraudulently obtained from Ria R Squared, Inc., the proceeds of which were used in part to repay the Wyoming Business Council. Sentencing has been set for June 17, 2022.
McCown faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christyne M. Martens is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 0:22-cr-00023-SWS
Kenyan national arraigned on wire fraud chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Oscar Kipikirui Ngeno, 41, was arraigned in federal court on March 30 on an indictment charging him with ten counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. Ngeno will remain on conditions of release pending trial.
A federal grand jury indicted Ngeno on Feb. 24. According to the indictment and other court records, from October through December of 2019 Ngeno, a citizen of Kenya who was present in New York on an immigrant visa, allegedly engaged in a scheme to deceive and defraud the government of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
As alleged in the indictment, Bernalillo County received an email intended to appear to come from a legitimate vendor, CDW Government Inc., which had provided products and services to the county for which payment was due. The spoofed email included a completed automated clearinghouse (ACH) form used by Bernalillo County to establish or change automated payments electronically to vendor bank accounts. The email also included an image of a voided check showing the same routing and account numbers listed on the ACH form. The email provided a telephone number that was represented as a contact number for CDW, but actually belonged to Ngeno.
The routing and account number provided caused the county to send payments to an account owned and controlled by Ngeno. Between October and December of 2019, the county sent payments totaling $447,372.89 to Ngeno’s account. Ngeno then allegedly distributed a portion of the funds to his co-conspirators, including by issuing checks totaling $98,930.
“As our technologies and banking systems evolve, so do the strategies of thieves and fraudsters,” said Fred J. Federici, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. “For this reason, we continue to encourage heightened vigilance with respect to unsolicited email requests. The responsibility for these crimes rests entirely with the perpetrators. However, we can each do our part by taking every precaution, such as scrutinizing email addresses and verifying contact information. We will do our part by prosecuting those who attempt to deceive our citizens and institutions.”
“When governments are victimized by fraud, especially one as large as what Bernalillo County experienced, taxpayers and residents are the ones who can get cheated,” said Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “The FBI will use all its resources to go after those who would steal funds that could provide critical services like public safety and health care. We also want to reiterate the importance of government agencies and businesses learning as much as they can about internet fraud and how to protect themselves.”
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Ngeno faces up to 20 years in prison for each count.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Buffalo Field Office and the Rochester Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Taylor Hartstein is prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Reinforces Federal Nondiscrimination Obligations in Letter to State Officials Regarding Transgender YouthRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it issued a letter to all state attorneys general reminding them of federal constitutional and statutory provisions that protect transgender youth against discrimination, including when those youth seek gender-affirming care.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all children are able to live free from discrimination, abuse and harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s letter reaffirms state and local officials’ obligation to ensure that their laws and policies do not undermine or harm the health and safety of children, regardless of a child’s gender identity.”
The letter advises states that laws and policies that prevent individuals from receiving gender-affirming medical care may infringe on federal constitutional protections under the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The letter also discusses federal statutes that impose nondiscrimination obligations, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The letter was issued on the International Transgender Day of Visibility in recognition of the contributions and accomplishments of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as their continued struggle to live free from violence and discrimination.
A copy of today’s letter can be found here. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work to uphold and protect the civil and constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ individuals is available online at https://www.justice.gov/crt/lgbtqi-working-group. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov.
Jury Finds Maryland Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder in 2014 Killing of Woman in Southeast WashingtonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Bowser, 42, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, has been found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder while armed and other charges in a stabbing that resulted in 47 sharp force injuries and that took place inside the victim’s home in Southeast Washington. announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Bowser also was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon of a second victim, a related weapons offense for the knife, and two counts of obstructing justice. The verdict was returned on March 30, 2022, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Milton C. Lee, Jr. scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2022. Bowser faces a minimum sentence of 30 years on the murder conviction alone.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 20, 2014, at approximately 1:30 a.m. Bowser entered the home and bedroom of the homicide victim, Tracy Womack, as she was laying in her bed to sleep at her apartment in the 4600 block of Benning Road NE. Bowser and Ms. Womack had known each other for months and gathered together as people often did in this residential apartment area. After enjoying a normal weekend evening with neighbors and friends, Ms. Womack went into her bedroom, fully clothed, to go to sleep.
While two friends lingered in the apartment living room, Bowser walked into the unlocked apartment, into Ms. Womack’s bedroom, and shut the bedroom door. One of the friends, who could not get the bedroom door open, ran outside to look for help. When Bowser emerged from Ms. Womack’s apartment, Ms. Womack had suffered 47 stabbing and cutting wounds to her face, neck, torso, arms, and hands. Ms. Womack was also found with her pants and underwear pulled down to her thighs. Before fleeing the scene, Bowser lunged with the knife in hand towards a second victim who had come back to Ms. Womack’s home. Though rushed to a hospital, Ms. Womack, 39, was soon pronounced dead.
Bowser was arrested the next day and has been in custody since.
While the case was pending trial, Bowser attempted to mail a letter, instructing someone to locate two witnesses he claimed was lying in his case. Bowser listed them by name: the witness who ran to get help and the second victim Bowser threatened with the knife. In the letter, Bowser included a diagram of exactly where one of these witnesses lived and instructions on how to use the first witness to find the second witness. The mailroom at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections intercepted this letter after noting a discrepancy on the envelope, and this message to tamper with these witnesses was never delivered.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Debra Forte, Intelligence Analyst Zachary McMenamin, Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth, former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker, Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, and Victim/Witness Services Coordinator La June Thames.
Finally, they commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Bradford, who indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jin Park and Dennis Clark, who prosecuted the case.
Jury Finds Illinois Man Guilty of Operating $20 Million Retail Crime SchemeRead the Press Release
An Illinois man was convicted at trial of running a multi-million dollar retail crime ring, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
After four days of trial, a federal jury found Artur Gilowski, 48, of Barrington, IL, guilty of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The defendant was ordered detained immediately after the verdict was read on Thursday.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Gilowski’s coconspirators stole tens of thousands of products – valued at over $20 million – from brick-and-mortar retail stores across the United States, then shipped them to Mr. Gilowski, who sold the stolen goods on various e-commerce websites, generating more than $11 million in profits.
The thieves traveled across the country in vehicles registered under false names and used “booster skirts” (garments with concealment pouches for stolen goods) and electronic transmitters designed to disrupt retailers’ anti-theft and loss-prevention measures. Using aliases, they rented storage lockers where they kept the stolen items until they could be shipped to interstate and foreign customers via the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx.
Mr. Gilowski created a network of numerous online seller profiles, multiple bank accounts, and various companies registered in other people’s names to conduct the unlawful online sale scheme and funnel the proceeds of his illicit operation to himself.
The evidence also showed that Mr. Gilowski received over a million dollars in cash from his crime ring – including $97,000 that was found in the center console of Mr. Gilowski’s truck – which led one of Mr. Gilowski’s coconspirators to testify at trial that Mr. Gilowski “treated money like trash.”
“Mr. Gilowski and his coconspirators swiped thousands of products from retail shelves, then resold stolen goods online,” said U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. “We are proud to hold these defendants accountable for their crimes, and are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of our case.”
“Organized retail crime leads to consumers having to pay higher prices for goods, fewer job openings, and a decrease in consumer spending on legitimate goods that small-business owners and other retailers depend on for survival,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller, HSI Dallas. “Working alongside the U. S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Arlington Heights (Illinois) Police Department, we were able to secure today’s conviction, and take another step in our ongoing fight against organized retail crime so consumers and retailers don’t have to bear the brunt of those impacts.”
Five of Mr. Gilowski’s coconspirators pleaded guilty prior to trial.
Mr. Gilowski now faces up to 25 years in federal prison. He is set for sentencing on August 2.
The Arlington Heights Police Department in Illinois conducted the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fabio Leonardi and Camille Sparks prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn presided over the trial.
Jefferson County man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Shaquan Osullivan Kelly, of Ranson, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 21 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Kelly, 25, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base.” Kelly admitted to selling cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in August 2018 in Jefferson County.
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.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man pled guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court documents, Waddah Farah, 42, of Jackson, was arrested and indicted for brandishing a firearm during the robbery of a Dollar General store in Jackson on October 1, 2018.
Farah is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2022, and faces a penalty of not less than seven years to life in prison. A federal district judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Jackson Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Murray prosecuted the case.
Hurricane Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane man was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Shea Owen Marsh, 33, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Marsh will also ordered to pay restitution to victims at a later date.
Marsh pleaded guilty in April 2021 to downloading videos and images of child pornography onto his cell phone several times while at his residence in Hurricane.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson made today’s announcement. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin F. Scott prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:20-cr-00126 and 3:21-cr-00043.
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Henryetta Resident Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murdering FatherRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Diamond Levi Britt, age 27, of Henryetta, Oklahoma was sentenced to life imprisonment for being found guilty by jury trial of First-Degree Murder in Indian Country. Britt’s federal jury trial began with testimony on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, and concluded on Thursday, July 15, 2021, with the guilty verdict.
During Britt’s jury trial, the United States presented evidence that on September 16, 2019, the defendant attacked his father, Gary Britt, with a samurai sword. The victim suffered significant injuries including a partially severed arm, multiple head wounds, and a transected quadriceps tendon. The victim died nine days after the attack due to complications from his injuries.
The evidence at trial further demonstrated that Britt knowingly and deliberately killed his father, with premeditation. On at least two occasions prior to the attack the defendant informed family members he intended to kill his father. After the vicious attack, Britt left the crime scene and was observed by Henryetta police officers walking along a roadway carrying the sword. Britt was taken into custody and made numerous statements that night indicating that he wanted to kill his father and that he regularly thought about stabbing his father. After hearing argument from the parties during the sentencing hearing, United States District Court Judge John F. Heil, III sentenced Britt to life in prison.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The case was the result of an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, the Henryetta Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“A life sentence is fit punishment,” said Christopher J. Wilson, United States Attorney. “The defendant viciously murdered his father with a samurai sword. His acts were almost unthinkable, and my heart goes out to the victim’s family. Prosecuting violent crime in Indian Country like this continues to be of paramount importance to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
No excuse can justify the premeditated act of savagery committed by this man, who will now spend the rest of his life behind bars” said Ed Gray, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Division. “The FBI stands strongly with our tribal partners in our joint commitment to bring to justice those who engage in such brutality. Violent crimes, such as this horrendous act, will never go unchallenged.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearing. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Essley and Robert Reeves represented the United States. Britt 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.
Hardy County man guilty of firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Gregory Stump, of Moorefield, West Virginia, was found guilty today of a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
After a two-day trial, Stump, 52, was found guilty of one count of “Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number.” Stump had a .45 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number in April 2020 in Monongalia County.
Stumps faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Morgantown Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Fresno Man Convicted of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm Faces Additional Escape ChargeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment today against Joel Jose Rueda, 29, of Fresno, charging him with escaping from federal custody, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Rueda was convicted in federal court on April 2, 2021 of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In December 2021, he was transferred from the federal penitentiary in Mendota to the Turning Point Residential Reentry Center, a halfway house in Fresno, to complete the remainder of his prison sentence. On Jan. 18, 2022, he escaped from the halfway house. He was later arrested by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop on March 11, 2022, when he attempted to flee. He later admitted to resisting arrest charges in Fresno County Superior Court and was sentenced to 7 days, with credit for time served. He has been ordered detained on the escape charge and is next scheduled to appear in federal court for arraignment on the indictment on April 4, 2022.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Gilio and Karen Escobar are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Rueda faces a maximum statutory penalty of five 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.
Fort Drum Contractors Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Pay More Than $750,000 to Resolve False Claims Act LiabilityRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean O’Sullivan, age 59, of Sackets Harbor, New York, and David Rose, age 58, of Newport News, Virginia, have pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their roles in a fraudulent scheme to obtain government construction contracts that were set aside for businesses owned and operated by disabled veterans. O’Sullivan, Rose, and their businesses also agreed to pay a total of $758,526.68 to the United States to resolve their civil liability for the submission of false claims for payment to the federal government.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Larry S. Moreland, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Mid-Atlantic Fraud Field Office; Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the General Services Administration, Office of the Inspector General (GSA-OIG); Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region (SBA-OIG); and Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region (DOT-OIG).
Federal government agencies offer “set aside” construction contracts to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“SDVOSBs”), which must meet certain criteria, including that a military veteran with a disability rating incurred as a result of military service must own the majority of the business and personally manage and controls its daily business operations.
Rose and O’Sullivan incorporated, and co-owned, Sierra Delta Contracting, LLC, a construction company. Although Rose is a service-disabled military veteran, O’Sullivan is not. O’Sullivan certified to federal agencies that Sierra Delta was a SDVOSB, falsely representing that Rose personally managed and controlled Sierra Delta’s day-to-day business operations. That certification was false because O’Sullivan, not Rose, fulfilled those roles. Rose lived in Virginia, where he had a full-time job, unrelated to Sierra Delta, and O’Sullivan ran the business by himself in Jefferson County, New York, with little input from Rose.
Sierra Delta bid on and received multiple construction contracts from the Army at Fort Drum, New York, and one construction contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation. All of the contracts were 100% set aside for SDVOSBs. These contracts were fraudulently obtained because Sierra Delta was not a SDVOSB.
O’Sullivan arranged for Sierra Delta to hire SOS Inc. – O’Sullivan’s own construction company – as the primary subcontractor on the set-aside contracts, enabling O’Sullivan to retain the majority of the profits generated by the contracts. O’Sullivan admitted that he received $345,271.34 in profits from the scheme. Rose admitted that he received $33,992 from his participation in the scheme.
Government agencies challenged Sierra Delta’s SDVOSB status and questioned whether Rose managed the company on a day-to-day basis. In response, Rose falsely claimed that he “control[led] the long term and day to day operations of Sierra Delta Contracting LLC,” that he maintained Sierra Delta’s “main office” in Virginia, that he worked on Sierra Delta business 25 hours a week and that O’Sullivan dedicated substantially less time to Sierra Delta. Rose knew these statements were false.
O’Sullivan, Sierra Delta Contracting LLC, and SOS Inc. will pay $690,542.68, and Rose will pay $67,984, to the federal government as part of the resolution of the criminal and civil allegations.
O’Sullivan is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2022, and Rose is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20, 2022. The charges filed against O’Sullivan and Rose carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
In a related matter, O’Sullivan also pled guilty to conspiring to commit an offense against the United States by offering and giving gratuities to Fort Drum Contracting Officer Cindy McAleese. In pleading guilty, O’Sullivan agreed that he promised and provided things of value to McAleese, including sports tickets, meals, sexual encounters, and time and attention, for and because of official action taken by McAleese on O’Sullivan’s behalf, such as providing O’Sullivan’s company with government contracts and approving payment on those contracts. O’Sullivan also admitted that he and McAleese took steps to keep their relationship a secret from other officials at Fort Drum. McAleese has been indicted for her alleged role in the conspiracy, and her trial is scheduled to take place on July 11, 2022. The charges in the indictment against McAleese are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation and resolution were the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division; General Services Administration, Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General; and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region. The criminal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Perry. The civil case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher R. Moran.
Former VA Pharmacist Sentenced for Stealing Painkillers Meant for VeteransRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 2 years probation on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Matthew Camera, 51.
According to information presented to the court, January 2017 to June 2020, while Camera was employed as the Pharmacy Chief at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Erie, he unlawfully obtained multiple dosage units of Hydrocodone and Oxycodone from pill bottles awaiting delivery to Veterans Affairs patients.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Camera.
Former Puerto Rico Legislator and Two Capitol Employees Plead Guilty to Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A former Puerto Rico legislator and two employees who worked in his office pleaded guilty this week to engaging in a bribery and kickback scheme.
Nelson Del Valle Colón, 56, of Dorado, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to one count of federal program bribery. Mildred Estrada-Rojas, 55, of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and her daughter, Nickolle Santos-Estrada, 32, also of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty yesterday before Judge Carreño-Coll, each to one count of federal program bribery.
“We will continue to prosecute public officials whose conduct undermines the public’s trust in the government,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “Public corruption destroys the trust we have in our elected officials, which is essential for democracy to thrive. Now the defendants will be held accountable for violating one of the basic tenets of public trust, that is, serving their constituents with integrity and honesty.”
“Public corruption investigations require hard work and dedication. They take time to complete, because they are sensitive and complex in nature,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of The FBI San Juan Field Office. “Today’s result is another example of how our steadfast commitment to doing the right thing, the right way pays dividends in justice to the people of Puerto Rico. Special thanks to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, for their continued support to the FBI mission.”
According to court documents, Del Valle Colón was elected to be a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives in 2016. He thereafter hired Estrada and Santos to work in his legislative office. In exchange for their employment and their salaries, however, Estrada and Santos paid biweekly kickbacks to Del Valle Colón of between approximately $500 and $1,300 from early 2017 until July 2020.
According to admissions made in connection with their pleas, Del Valle Colón, Estrada, and Santos admitted that they paid and he received the biweekly kickbacks in a variety of ways. Estrada and Santos generally paid their biweekly cash kickbacks in an envelope that they provided to Del Valle Colón in an office in the Capitol Building in Old San Juan. Estrada sometimes paid her kickback to Del Valle Colón over ATH Móvil, a mobile phone cash transfer application. Another individual who worked for Del Valle Colón in his legislative office also agreed to pay Del Valle Colón biweekly cash kickbacks during this individual’s employment with Del Valle Colón.
Del Valle Colón is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, and Estrada, and Santos on June 29, and each faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
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Former Los Lunas High School coach arraigned on child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Johnathon Bindues, 30, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, was arraigned in federal court on March 30 on a nine-count indictment charging him with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and eight counts of production of child pornography.
A federal grand jury indicted Bindues on March 23. According to court records, at the time of the alleged offenses, Bindues was the coach for the girls’ basketball and track teams at Los Lunas High School. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, was a freshman and a member of the teams Bindues coached.
Between September 2020 and June 2021, the defendant allegedly exchanged over 17,000 text messages with the victim. Bindues allegedly requested nude images of Jane Doe and encouraged her to delete the text messages immediately. After discovering sexually explicit messages on her daughter’s phone, Jane Doe’s mother reported the relationship to the New Mexico State Police.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Bindues faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for coercion and enticement and a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography, and Bindues would be subject to registration as a sex offender.
The FBI and New Mexico State Police investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Alexander M. Uballez are prosecuting the case.
Former Coal Company Vice President Arrested and Charged with Foreign Bribery, Money Laundering, and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A former coal company executive was arrested today on charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), laundering funds, and receiving kickbacks as part of an alleged scheme to pay bribes to government officials in Egypt in connection with contracts with an Egyptian state-owned and state-controlled company, Al Nasr Company for Coke and Chemicals (Al Nasr).
The seven-count indictment alleges that Charles Hunter Hobson, 46, of Knoxville, Tennessee, engaged in the bribery and money laundering scheme between late 2016 and early 2020.
During part of that time, Hobson was the Vice President of a coal company in Pennsylvania (referenced as Company 1 in the indictment) and responsible for the company’s business relationship with Al Nasr. Hobson and others, including Company 1’s sales intermediary, allegedly paid bribes to Al Nasr officials in Egypt to obtain approximately $143 million in coal contracts for Company 1. To effectuate the bribery scheme, the indictment alleges, Hobson and others caused Company 1 to: (1) pay commissions to the sales intermediary, who passed on bribes to Al Nasr officials in exchange for the coal contracts, and (2) transfer the corrupt commission payments from a bank account in the United States to a bank account in the United Arab Emirates. The indictment also alleges that Hobson conspired to secretly receive a portion of the commissions paid to the sales intermediary as kickbacks.
Hobson is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA, two counts of violating the FCPA, one count of conspiracy to launder money, two counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces up to five years in prison for each of the bribery conspiracy and bribery charges, and up to 20 years in prison for each of the money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendant will make his initial court appearance this afternoon in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
The FBI’s International Corruption Unit in Washington, D.C., and the Washington Field Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan of the Western District of Pennylvania and Trial Attorneys Leila E. Babaeva and Natalie R. Kanerva of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Coal Company Vice President Arrested and Charged with Foreign Bribery, Money Laundering, and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A former coal company executive was arrested today on charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), laundering funds, and receiving kickbacks as part of an alleged scheme to pay bribes to government officials in Egypt in connection with contracts with an Egyptian state-owned and state-controlled company, Al Nasr Company for Coke and Chemicals (Al Nasr).
The seven-count indictment alleges that Charles Hunter Hobson, 46, of Knoxville, Tennessee, engaged in the bribery and money laundering scheme between late 2016 and early 2020. During part of that time, Hobson was the Vice President of a coal company in Pennsylvania (referenced as Company 1 in the indictment) and responsible for the company’s business relationship with Al Nasr. Hobson and others, including Company 1’s sales intermediary, allegedly paid bribes to Al Nasr officials in Egypt to obtain approximately $143 million in coal contracts for Company 1. To effectuate the bribery scheme, the indictment alleges, Hobson and others caused Company 1 to: (1) pay commissions to the sales intermediary, who passed on bribes to Al Nasr officials in exchange for the coal contracts, and (2) transfer the corrupt commission payments from a bank account in the United States to a bank account in the United Arab Emirates. The indictment also alleges that Hobson conspired to secretly receive a portion of the commissions paid to the sales intermediary as kickbacks.
Hobson is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA, two counts of violating the FCPA, one count of conspiracy to launder money, two counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces up to five years in prison for each of the bribery conspiracy and bribery charges, and up to 20 years in prison for each of the money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendant will make his initial court appearance this afternoon in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.
The FBI’s International Corruption Unit in Washington, D.C., and the Washington Field Office are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Leila E. Babaeva and Natalie R. Kanerva of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan of the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Catholic Priest Sentenced for Making False Statements in Connection with Church Sex Abuse InvestigationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Robert Brennan, 83, of Perryville, MD, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Anita B. Brody to five years of probation, the first two years of which will be served on home confinement with location monitoring, for lying to investigators about not knowing a former parishioner and victim of sexual abuse.
In November 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to making materially false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the United States government. The charges stem from an interview conducted in April 2019, during which Brennan was questioned by the FBI and made a number of false statements.
Brennan had served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1993 to 2004 as a priest at Resurrection of Our Lord parish in the Rhawnhurst section of Northeast Philadelphia. In September 2013, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against him, alleging that he had sexually abused a minor, Sean McIlmail, during Brennan’s time at Resurrection. Soon thereafter, in October 2013, Sean McIlmail died of a drug overdose and the criminal charges against Brennan were dismissed.
In November 2013, the McIlmail family filed a civil lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Brennan. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in May 2018. During the April 2019 interview with the FBI, Brennan made several false statements, including that prior to the filing of the 2013 criminal case and civil lawsuit against him, he did not know Sean McIlmail, his father, mother or brother.
“Holding people accountable for their actions, within the confines of the criminal justice process, is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “With this sentence handed down today, we hope it brings a sense of justice and closure to this case.”
“Lying to the FBI is more than a mistake and beyond a bad choice,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Doing so poses a direct threat to investigations, prosecutions — our entire system of justice. Such ramifications make it a crime for which there have to be some consequences, with violators held appropriately accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
Former Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Artistic Advisor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former employee of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to possession of child pornography.
David St. George, 75, of Arlington, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Aug. 16, 2022. St. George was arrested and charged in September 2018.
In May 2018, investigators received information regarding a shared secure online storage account containing child pornography. The IP address for this account ultimately was linked to St. George’s internet. The storage account contained over 5,000 files, including sexually explicit images and videos of children, many of which depicted child sexual abuse – including the depiction of an adult raping an infant of approximately one year of age.
In September 2018, a search of St. George’s residence revealed thousands of files of child pornography, including the depiction of sexual assaults of children between six-and-eight years old. Emails revealed that St. George continued to re-post child sexual abuse materials despite being repeatedly banned by an online service provider. During the search, St. George admitted that he had been receiving and downloading child pornography from the Dark Web while taking steps to conceal his identity, as well as receiving and downloading child pornography via email for upload to his shared secure storage account.
St. George faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington Police Department.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Former Bank Employee Sentenced on Charges related to Stealing Social Security Administration Benefits from Account of Deceased CustomerRead the Press Release
BAY CITY - A former JPMorgan Chase Bank branch manager was sentenced today to 34 months in federal prison on charges of theft of government funds and identity theft, stemming from his theft of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits from the account of a deceased bank customer, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Gail S. Ennis, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Region, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.
Jeffrey Piecka, 46, of Midland was sentenced this afternoon by United Stated District Judge Thomas L. Ludington in the United States District Court in Bay City.
According to court records, Piecka devised a scheme to steal $169,967.63 in government benefits from the bank account of a deceased individual. Piecka, a former branch manager with JPMorgan Chase Bank, identified the individual’s account in the course of his employment, noting that it had little activity. Suspecting that the account owner had passed away, Piecka manipulated the bank account to create online account access for himself, and he proceeded to withdraw significant sums of money from the account by various means, including by making online payments to credit card companies, a utility company, his apartment complex, and his car lender.
“The defendant was in a position to safeguard bank customers’ accounts, and he abused that trust. It is also important to remember that stealing from the government is stealing from the taxpayers that fund that government. The sentence today reflects the seriousness of this offense,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
“Mr. Piecka was in a position of trust; he abused it for his personal gain and stole over $169,000 in Social Security benefits. This sentence holds him accountable for his criminal actions,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue to work with SSA to identify improper payments to deceased persons. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this individual and protecting the integrity of SSA programs.”
Piecka was also ordered to repay $169,967.63 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
This case was investigated by special agents of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Lambert, and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka.
Florida Woman Pleads Guilty to Submitting Fraudulent EIDL and PPP Applications in $865k Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Denver – The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced that Patricia Gilroy, 58, of Naples, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for a wire fraud scheme in which she received $865,351 as a result of fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications that she submitted.
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The two primary sources of funding for small businesses were the PPP and EIDL program.
According to the plea agreement, from April 2020 through April 2021, defendant Patricia Gilroy submitted fraudulent EIDL and PPP applications to the SBA and participating lenders on behalf of ten inactive, shell companies that she controlled seeking loans from the EIDL and PPP programs. In these applications, Gilroy made false statements about the number of employees and the amount of gross revenues and cost of goods sold that the companies had in the 12 months prior to January 31, 2020. In the applications, Gilroy also falsely agreed to use the funds solely as working capital for the companies when, in fact, she intended to use the funds for other purposes, including making personal investments. Three of the PPP applications, three applications for second PPP draws, and two EIDL applications were approved and funded. As a result, companies controlled by Gilroy received $856,351 in PPP and EIDL proceeds.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Small Business Administration-Office of Inspector General in connection with their work on the Colorado-based EIDL Fraud Task Force. The prosecution was handled by Pegeen Rhyne and Sarah Weiss, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Colorado, Denver.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
CASE NUMBER: 22-cr-00063-DDD
Fentanyl Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Federal Distribution Charge for 30,000 ‘Pressed Pills’Read the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Smyth County man, who ordered approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills from California and sold them in Southwest Virginia, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court.
Zachary Ryan Hutton, 21, of Marion, Virginia, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl.
“The Commonwealth of Virginia, and Southwest Virginia in particular, has seen a dramatic uptick in substance abuse disorder in recent years,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “Disrupting and prosecuting fentanyl trafficking networks—especially pressed pills—is one of my Office’s top priorities. We know we cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic, but when traffickers brazenly spread tens of thousands of lethal pills across the country and into our Virginia communities, we will hold them accountable.”
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating a flood of illegal pills in Smyth County, Virginia that resembled pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone pills, but were inconsistent in size, shape, and color, indicating that they were counterfeit pills. The investigation revealed that the active ingredient in these “pressed” pills was fentanyl. Pills of this type are sometimes referred to as “Roxicodone,” “pressed,” or “M30” pills. The pills often have an imprint of an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other side.
In June 2021, the U.S. Postal Service–Office of Inspector General intercepted a package addressed to “Ryan Hutton” at the residence of Hutton’s grandmother in Marion, Virginia. The package contained approximately 561 grams of pressed fentanyl pills.
Law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package, at which time Hutton was arrested and found to be in possession of an additional 798 pressed pills. During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement learned that Hutton had ordered fentanyl pills by mail for at least four months, received approximately 30,000 pills during that time frame, and paid a source in California $20,000 for the most recent package.
Hutton is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2022 and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. In addition, Hutton will pay a $50,000 judgment to the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service–Office of the Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce is prosecuting the case.
Federal Trial Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts Against New Orleans Man in Connection with the 2013 Murder of Loomis Armored Guard Hector TrochezRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CURTIS JOHNSON, JR., 30, of New Orleans, was found guilty today after a four-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk.
The jury found JOHNSON guilty as charged in the second superseding indictment for Conspiracy to Obstruct and Obstruction of Commerce by Robbery, Murder, and Violations of the Federal Gun Control Act. He will be sentenced on July 13, 2022. JOHNSON faces a maximum term of life imprisonment.
In November 2019, co-defendants Jeremy Esteves and Robert Brumfield III were found guilty by a jury at trial, while co-defendants Lilbear George, Chukwudi Ofomata, and Jasmine Theophile previously pleaded guilty. George and Ofomata were sentenced to a 480-month term of imprisonment. Esteves, Brumfield and Theophile will be sentenced on April 6, 2022.
According to court documents, on the morning of December 18, 2013, CURTIS JOHNSON, JR., along with co-defendants, George, Ofomata, and Jeremy Esteves, robbed a Loomis armored vehicle as it was making a delivery of approximately $265,000 to the Chase Bank at the intersection of S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne Avenues. As the Loomis guard, Hector Trochez, prepared to make the delivery, George and Ofomata, both armed, exited the vehicle (a Chevy Tahoe stolen by George in preparation for the robbery), and ordered Trochez to give up the money. Trochez pulled his weapon and fired at the robbers. Ofomata and George fired their weapons in Trochez’s direction. JOHNSON fired at the Loomis truck to keep the driver inside. Trochez was fatally struck on the left side of his forehead and suffered a graze wound to his elbow. One of the robbers ran towards the rear of the Loomis truck and took possession of the money bag before re-entering the Tahoe. The robbers fled the Chase Bank parking lot.
A witness seated in a vehicle at the corner of S. Claiborne and S. Carrollton Avenues observed the shooting and provided a description of the shooters and the vehicle they occupied. That witness followed the Chevy Tahoe as it fled the location of the shooting/robbery. During the vehicle’s flight, one of the shooters fired at the witness’s vehicle in an attempt to deter the witness from following. The witness observed the Chevy Tahoe arrive in the 1700 block of Adams Street and saw the four robbers exit the Chevy Tahoe and enter the awaiting Honda Accord driven by Brumfield. The Honda Accord fled the Adams Street location, leaving the Chevy Tahoe behind.
The Tahoe was recovered by the New Orleans Police Department and searched pursuant to a federal search warrant. During the search, FBI agents observed that the steering wheel column of the vehicle had been breached. Agents located two screwdrivers on the floorboard and a bandana on the console. The items were collected and submitted for DNA testing at the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory. An unknown DNA profile, later confirmed to be that of George, was recovered from one of the screwdrivers. Likewise, the DNA recovered from the bandana was confirmed to be that of CURTIS JOHNSON, Jr.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany L. Reed, Gregory M. Kennedy, and Inga Petrovich prosecuted the matter.
Federal Jury Convicts Hopkins Man for Distributing Fentanyl that Caused Eleven Overdose DeathsRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury found a Hopkins, Minnesota man guilty of distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Following a 10-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Aaron Rhy Broussard, 31, was convicted on 17 counts, including conspiracy, importation of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.
“Aaron Broussard was a black-market drug dealer,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. “Concerned only with his profits, Broussard sold illegal, dangerous drugs over the internet. The defendant’s deadly fentanyl killed eleven young, healthy, and vibrant victims, and caused serious bodily harm to at least four others. Even after Broussard found out his customers were overdosing, he callously continued to ship out deadly drugs. I thank the jury for their service in a difficult case. I offer my condolences and gratitude to the family members of victims across the county who traveled to the District of Minnesota to testify at trial. I applaud the trial team for their work in bringing the defendant to justice.”
“Today’s verdict is the culmination of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into an individual who used innovative techniques to supply an incredibly lethal substance to an unwitting community,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “In the time since Broussard’s arrest in 2016, our nation has seen an unprecedented rise in overdose deaths attributed to synthetic substances such as fentanyl. As Broussard is now held accountable for his actions, the DEA continues to educate communities on the dangers of this potent substance while also working with our local, state, tribal and federal partners to remove the threat of drug traffickers pushing this highly addictive substance.”
“The prosecution and conviction of Aaron Broussard is an excellent example of multiple law enforcement agencies combining their expertise and resources to conduct investigations with the common goal of taking down internet vendors of illicit narcotics. Broussard worked under the belief he was an anonymous individual selling dangerous narcotics, such as the deadly fentanyl uncovered in this investigation, which resulted in the deaths of almost a dozen citizens. U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from greedy drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives,” stated Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division.
According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2014 through December 6, 2016, Broussard obtained controlled substances, including fentanyl, from China-based drug suppliers. Broussard conspired with his China-based suppliers to smuggle what would prove to be deadly drugs into the country. Broussard marketed these drugs for sale on his website, PlantFoodUSA.net, under the guise of selling plant food. He then used the United States mail and a United States Postal Service “Click-N-Ship” account to send out packages of deadly drugs around the country.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on March 12, 2016, Broussard placed a drug order for 100 grams of 4-FA, a controlled substance analogue, which was shipped from China. The package actually contained 100 grams of 99% pure fentanyl. Although Broussard had experienced a similar mix-up in August 2015 and was repeatedly told to test his drugs, he just didn’t bother. Between March 31 and April 27, 2016, Broussard sent his branded packages containing fentanyl to more than a dozen customers throughout the United States. The customers had ordered and were expecting to receive an amphetamine analogue, similar to Adderall. They were not opiate users and had no tolerance for the deadly fentanyl Broussard sent them. After ingesting the fentanyl, believing it was Adderall, eleven of the customers died from a fentanyl overdose, and at least four customers suffered serious bodily injury. Broussard continued distributing his deadly packages despite hearing about adverse reactions. Even after he learned that several customers had been hospitalized and nearly died, Broussard never warned his customers not to take the deadly drugs. Broussard did reach out to his suppliers in China to request a discount on his next drug delivery.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the University of Minnesota Police Department, the Peoria Heights (Illinois) Police Department, the Dallas (Texas) Police Department, the Broome County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Office, Garrard County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office, Hazel Green (Wisconsin) Police Department, and the Atlanta (Georgia) Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Hollenhorst and Melinda A. Williams tried the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Anchorage Man of Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – A federal jury convicted an Anchorage man on two counts of distributing heroin following two controlled operations in June 2020.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jason McAnulty, aka “Snoop,” 38, sold approximately 101 grams of heroin for $5,000 cash on June 17, 2020, and nine days later sold approximately 25 grams of heroin for $1,300 cash to a law enforcement source. Following the two controlled buys, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McAnulty’s residence in July 2020 where they found more than $34,000 cash and other drug distribution contraband.
“Opioids are fueling an addiction crisis that is killing Alaskans, destroying lives and causing unfathomable misery,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., of the District of Alaska. “For the sake of a few dollars, drug dealers like McAnulty willingly become instruments and facilitators of this tragic carnage. With our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work to stop these dealers and protect the public with consequential prosecutions.”
“Part of keeping Anchorage safe is arresting those who distribute drugs on our streets. Our HIDTA unit is designed for this purpose,” said Anchorage Chief of Police Michael Kerle. “Because of HIDTA’s focus on drug trafficking along with our strong relationships with our law enforcement partners we are able to arrest dangerous drug traffickers like Jason McAnulty.”
McAnulty was indicted on the charges in September 2020. Following his conviction at trial, McAnulty faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison given his State of Alaska conviction for a serious violent felony – Robbery in the First Degree. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD), in support of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Tran and Stephan Collins are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska.
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Federal Judge Sentences McDowell County Man to 30 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jonathan Leslie Carver, 27, of Nebo, N.C., was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today for the production of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Carver’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release and he will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
“Carver harmed a child for his sexual gratification and shared the abuse online,” said U.S. Attorney King. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation of this case. The evidence gathered helped put this predator behind bars where he belongs.”
“Stopping those who prey on the innocence of children is one of the most important missions HSI has,” said Special Agent in Charge Martinez. “Whenever one of these images is shared or viewed it victimizes an innocent child all over again. We will continue to focus the full resources of HSI on investigating and holding accountable those who engage in this type of horrific activity.”
“Another successful collaborative effort with our federal partners bringing a child predator to justice,” stated Sheriff Buchanan. “We should always do all we can to protect our children and keep them safe.”
On September 1, 2021, Carver pleaded guilty to using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct. According to court records, in November 2020, HSI was notified that an individual with the screen name “Johnnybegood115,” later identified as Carver, was using the Kik social media messaging application to create and distribute child pornography. In December 2020, law enforcement issued a search warrant for Carver’s Kik account. A forensic analysis of the information obtained revealed that Carver had produced images and videos of himself sexually abusing an infant and used his Kik account to distribute the child pornography online.
The case was investigated by HSI and the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Alexis Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Federal Authorities Announce Charges Related to Multi-Million Dollar Sport Gambling Business Involving Current and Former Pro AthletesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities today announced a series of cases stemming from an illegal gambling operation that involved current and former professional athletes, some of whom assisted with the business and others who placed large bets on games.
In documents unsealed Wednesday in United States District Court, the principals of the operation agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges and admitted they took in millions of dollars in bets, many of which were facilitated by a Costa Rica-based gambling website. One of the leaders of the scheme also admitted that he failed to report to the IRS nearly $1.5 million in income he received from the gambling scheme over two years.
The owner of the online gambling business and website pleaded guilty earlier this month and admitted the business was illegal under California law because it involved at least five people, operated for at least six years, and often had gross revenue of well over $2,000 on a single day.
Four new cases and related plea agreements were unsealed this week against:
- Wayne Nix, 45, of Newport Coast, a former minor league baseball player, who was charged with one count of conspiring to operate an illegal sports gambling business, and one count of filing a false tax return;
- Edon Kagasoff, 44, of Lake Forest, Nix’s longtime partner in the operation, who was charged with one count of conspiring to operate an illegal sports gambling business;
- Howard Miller, 63, of Gardena, who was charged with one count of aiding and abetting the operation of an illegal sports gambling business by assisting in the collection and payout of gambling proceeds related to the Costa Rica-based website; and
- Celebrity Financial LLC, dba Sherman Oaks Check Cashing, which was charged with failing to maintain an effective money laundering program related to it cashing at least $18 million in checks from the illegal sport gambling business at its San Fernando Valley check cashing store.
Representatives of Celebrity Financial appeared in court on March 28. Nix made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon, and he is scheduled to formally enter his guilty plea on April 11. Miller has agreed to appear in court this afternoon, and Kagasoff has agreed to appear in court on Friday.
The Justice Department also announced that earlier this month the court unsealed cases against two other defendants:
- Kenneth Arsenian, 52, of Newport Beach, who pleaded guilty on January 26 to four charges: operating an illegal sports gambling business, filing a false tax return, money laundering, and accepting a financial instrument for unlawful internet gambling; and
- Joseph Castelao, 56, of Rancho Palos Verdes, the owner of the gambling website – Sand Island Sports – who pleaded guilty on March 15 to operating an illegal gambling business.
According to the court documents made public this week, Nix began operating a bookmaking business about 20 years ago. Through his contacts in the sports world, Nix developed a client list that included current and former professional athletes, and he employed three former Major League Baseball players to assist with the business.
Kagasoff joined Nix in the gambling operation around 2014, and they used an online infrastructure and calling center operated by Sand Island Sports to create accounts for bettors, according to court documents, which note that Nix and his associates paid winning bets and retained nearly all of the money collected from bettors.
Nix’s plea agreement outlines specific incidents related to the betting scheme, including receiving payments for gambling losses from a professional football player, a Major League Baseball coach and a baseball analyst. The plea agreement also discusses a bettor who wagered $1 million a year with Nix’s operation, a $5 million bet on the 2019 Super Bowl, and a sports broadcaster who told Nix he was going to refinance his home to pay off gambling debts.
In relation to the tax count against him, Nix admitted receiving $1,466,947 in income that he failed to report on his 2017 and 2018 federal income tax returns. In his plea agreement, Nix agreed to pay all back taxes due for those years – a total of $1,248,429, which includes the back taxes, penalties and interest. Nix also agreed to forfeit to the government nearly $1.3 million seized in February 2020 from two bank accounts and two brokerage accounts he controlled.
When Arsenian pleaded guilty in January, he admitted failing to report to the IRS more than $2.8 million in income for the years 2015 through 2018. Arsenian has agreed to pay $1.1 million in back taxes, plus additional penalties and interest. Arsenian also agreed to forfeit $341,459 in United States currency seized from his residence in February 2020.
In its plea agreement, Sherman Oaks Check Cashing admitted that it encouraged customers to bring large business checks – far in excess of the $10,000 that normally triggers a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) to federal authorities – and employees of the company told customers that it would not file CTRs. As a result, many of its customers brought checks that were proceeds of unlawful activity, including two customers of the gambling operation who cashed at least $18.35 million in checks. Sherman Oaks Check Cashing admitted that it made at least $500,000 in profits by engaging in this activity. In its plea agreement, the company agreed to pay a $500,000 fine, which is the maximum penalty under the law.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS Criminal Investigation are conducting the ongoing investigation in this matter. The HSI agents are part of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Mitchell of the Major Frauds Section and Dan Boyle of the Asset Forfeiture Section are prosecuting these cases.
Fort Washakie Man Pleads Guilty to Assault by StrangulationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that XAVIER BRANDON GUINA, 25, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming pleaded guilty to assault by strangulation and suffocation on March 29, 2022, before United States District Court Chief Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Sentencing has been set for June 17, 2022.
Guina faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00129-SWS
Fort Washakie Man Pleads Guilty to Assault by StrangulationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that JARED MATTHEW NOSEEP, 24, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by strangulation on March 29, 2022, before United States District Court Chief Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Sentencing has been set for June 17, 2022.
Noseep faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $200 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 22-cr-00014-SWS
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Eugene Falls, 42, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was sentenced on March 31, 2022, to
405 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent
to Distribute Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine; Attempted Possession with the Intent
to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Heroin; and Money Laundering. Falls was
convicted of all charges by a jury on December 2, 2021. The jury also found that Falls had a
prior drug conviction that subjected him to an enhanced sentence.
Evidence established during the trial and sentencing hearing demonstrated that from
between December 2018 through March 2019, Falls was responsible for receiving or
distributing over 19 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of heroin in the Southern District
of Illinois, and he laundered drug proceeds to conceal his drug distribution operation. He was
arrested in March 2019 during a deal in which he was attempting to receive another ten pounds of
methamphetamine.Falls was previously convicted in the Southern District of Illinois for Conspiracy to Distribute
Cocaine Base and Distribution of Cocaine Base, and he was still on supervised release for that case
at the time he committed these new offenses. At the sentencing hearing, Falls faced a mandatory
minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment as a result of that prior offense. He will be required to serve a
new 10-year term of supervised release once he completes this term of imprisonment.The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service,
Criminal Investigation.Dracut Construction Business Owner Sentenced for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a commercial and residential construction business in Dracut was sentenced yesterday for an income diversion and payroll tax scheme resulting in a tax loss that exceeded $1 million.
James P. Enwright, 53, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to three years of probation with the first year under home incarceration. The government recommended a sentence of two years in prison. On March 2, 2021, Enwright pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and one count of failure to pay over taxes.
Enwright owned and operated Enwright Construction for over 20 years. From 2013 through 2018, Enwright withheld from his tax preparer over $2.8 million of Enwright Construction’s gross receipts. In addition, during the tax quarters ending March 31, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2019, Enwright paid over $3 million in wages to his employees in cash “under the table.” As a result of his conduct, Enwright underreported his personal income tax obligations and failed to report and pay the IRS the employment taxes owed on the cash wages. In total, Enwright caused a loss to the IRS of $1,025,312.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Donna man sentenced for hostage taking during smuggling attemptRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 23-year-old local resident has been ordered to federal prison after holding two men against their will and demanding ransom, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Miguel Angel Castillo pleaded guilty Jan. 29, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him to 240 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted this was Castillo’s third time in federal court following two prior convictions for alien smuggling. Further, the instant offense occurred while Castillo was on federal probation.
In August 2019, two men illegally entered the United States in hopes to reunite with their families in New Jersey and California. As part of the smuggling attempt, they stayed at Castillo’s stash house in Donna.
From Aug. 1-15, 2019, Castillo held the men against their will and forced them to call their family members to request ransom monies. Castillo threatened both men with a firearm and said he would kill them if they did not comply.
One victim’s family members paid over $6,000 ransom for his release.
On Aug. 15, 2019, the two men were transported to a motel in Donna. There, they were eventually able to obtain a phone and call for help.
Castillo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Donna Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell prosecuted the case.
Defendant Sentenced for Dog-Fighting Conspiracy and Illegal Possession of a FirearmsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Henrico resident was sentenced today to 37 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to federal charges resulting from a lengthy investigation into a significant multi-state dog fighting conspiracy.
According to court documents, Raymond L. Johnson, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Beginning in November 2019, law enforcement investigated a criminal organization involved in dog fighting based out of Richmond, and extending into Baltimore, Maryland. In late 2020, law enforcement agents executed three residential search warrants in Virginia and one residential search warrant in Maryland, and seized numerous dogs that were being used for organized dogfighting, together with dog-fighting paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition.
During the investigation, Johnson communicated with his co-conspirators about breeding and fighting dogs, past dog fights, coordination of upcoming dog fights, and other topics detailing the business and the brutality of dogfighting. Johnson hosted two dog fights at his residence, videos of which were recovered by law enforcement. Agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s Henrico residence on November 19, 2020, and recovered 9 pit bull terrier-type dogs with scarring consistent with dog-fighting. Agents also seized other evidence of dog fighting activities at Johnson’s residence, including dog collars, medications, supplies and supplements, and a treadmill used to train dogs for fighting.
Agents also recovered firearms and ammunition from Johnson’s residence, including an AK47 style rifle. As a convicted felon, it was illegal for Johnson to possess those firearms and ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division; and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; made the announcement after sentencing by Senior United States District Judge Robert E. Payne.
Special assistance was provided by the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force and the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony and Trial Attorneys Banu Rangarajan and William Shapiro with the Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section, are prosecuting 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. 3:21-cr -108
Defendant Sentenced for Dog Fighting Conspiracy and Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
A Virginia resident was sentenced today to 37 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to federal charges resulting from a lengthy investigation into a significant multi-state dog fighting conspiracy.
According to court documents, Raymond L. Johnson, 41, of Henrico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in an animal fighting venture and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Beginning in November 2019, law enforcement investigated a criminal organization involved in dog fighting based out of Richmond, and extending into Baltimore, Maryland. In late 2020, law enforcement agents executed three residential search warrants in Virginia and one residential search warrant in Maryland, and seized numerous dogs that were being used for organized dog fighting, together with dog fighting paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition.
During the investigation, Johnson communicated with his co-conspirators about breeding and fighting dogs, past dog fights, coordination of upcoming dog fights, and other topics detailing the business and the brutality of dog fighting. Johnson hosted two dog fights at his residence, videos of which were recovered by law enforcement. Agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s Henrico residence on Nov. 19, 2020, and recovered nine pit bull terrier-type dogs with scarring consistent with dog fighting. Agents also seized other evidence of dog fighting activities at Johnson’s residence, including dog collars, medications, supplies and supplements and a treadmill used to train dogs for fighting.
Agents also recovered firearms and ammunition from Johnson’s residence, including an AK47 style rifle. As a convicted felon, it was illegal for Johnson to possess those firearms and ammunition.
“Raymond Johnson actively participated in a multi-state criminal enterprise that caused the needless suffering of innocent animals,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Johnson’s sentence demonstrates that dog fighting is a serious crime, which deserves a substantial penalty.”
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division; U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador for the FBI’s Richmond Field Office made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General Animal Law Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force and Henrico County Police Animal Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Banu Rangarajan and William Shapiro of Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.
Cumberland Man Charged with Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Cumberland man made an initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday, charged with allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Patrick K. Newton, 26, is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography, and possession and access with intent to view child pornography. He was released on unsecured bond following an appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge.
It is alleged in charging documents that, in January, a Homeland Security Investigations agent reviewed information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a person allegedly downloading and sharing child pornography. The agent determined that an email and IP address allegedly belonging to Newton was being used to view and share the material.
On Wednesday, HSI and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Newton’s residence. It is alleged that videos and images of child pornography were discovered during a brief on-scene forensic preview of a cell phone and a digital storage device belonging to Newton. Several computers, cell phones, and a second digital storage device were seized and will further analyzed by the ICAC Task Force.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Corinth Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Corinth man pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, the FBI and the Denton, Texas Police Department were tasked with finding Francis Cahill, aka Bruce Cossett, 73, and learned that he may have moved to Maine. The Maine State Police was asked to help in determining his location. Cahill was subsequently located at his residence in Corinth and arrested by the Maine State Police. During a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Cahill admitted that he possessed two firearms in his residence. A subsequent search of Cahill’s residence uncovered a .22 caliber rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. Cahill is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 1978 conviction in Texas for murder.
Cahill faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, if the Court determines that Cahill is an armed career criminal, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. Cahill will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI; the Denton, Texas Police Department; the Maine State Police; and the ATF investigated the case. The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN- Randy Grayson, 43, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on January 15, 2017, Memphis Police Officers noticed a silver Infiniti G35 with expired license plates, running. As Officers approached the vehicle, they observed Grayson sitting unconscious in the driver’s seat with a black pistol on his lap.
Officers quietly surrounded the vehicle and opened the unlocked driver’s side door. They were able to wake Grayson and retrieve the weapon without incident. The pistol was a Sig .40 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber and several in the magazine. In addition, Grayson had a knife clipped to his waist and a bag of marijuana in his front pocket which contained several individual bags of marijuana, totaling 26.8 grams.
On January 9, 2020, Grayson pled guilty.
Grayson failed to attend his sentencing hearing on June 8, 2020 and remained a fugitive for approximately a year and a half.
On March 25, 2022, United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Grayson to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force. The PSN initiative is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Cleveland Man Convicted of Distributing Fentanyl that Led to Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that a federal jury convicted Devonte L. Fellows, 26, of Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, March 25, 2022, of distributing fentanyl that led to the death of an individual. The jury returned the verdict after a four-day trial before Judge Donald C. Nugent in Cleveland.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, detectives with the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department began an investigation into the April 26, 2019, overdose death of an individual found unresponsive. During the investigation, law enforcement officers recovered a substance containing fentanyl from the deceased’s residence. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a full autopsy and determined that the cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity.
Court records state that investigators later determined that Defendant Devonte L. Fellows distributed a fentanyl mixture to the victim, who ingested it, overdosed and died. During an interview with investigators, Fellows admitted to selling drugs, including fentanyl, to the deceased.
Fellows is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, 2022. He faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
This investigation was conducted by the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Christopher J. Joyce.
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