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Wednesday 23 March 2022
Toledo Business Owner Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than 1.1 Million in Restitution After Pleading Guilty to Evading Income TaxesRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Michael Meridieth, 41, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay 1,125,268.84 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to attempt to evade and defeat income tax.
According to court documents, from 2004 to the present, Meridieth owned and operated five different businesses in the Toledo area. At each business, Meridieth handled the accounting and bookkeeping, which included the withholding of employment taxes from employee paychecks.
At each business, except for one, Meridieth failed to timely file employer tax returns or make timely deposits of employer taxes to the IRS. Each business, except for one, shut down owing payroll taxes and withholdings to the IRS. Instead of making these payments, Meridieth transferred the assets of one business to another to continue business operations and avoid paying accumulated tax liabilities.
Instead of making timely payments to the IRS, Meridieth used these withheld funds on personal expenses to support a lavish lifestyle, such as the purchase of a snowmobile and to pay for a visit to a rehabilitation facility. In addition, while payroll taxes were outstanding, Meridieth allowed himself and his business associates to spend business funds on personal expenditures, including furniture, jewelry and a country club membership.
In total, Meridieth failed to pay more than $1.1 million in employment taxes.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa Healy.
Texas Man Sentenced for Selling Chinese-Made Military Helmets and Body Armor to Federal AgenciesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Celeste, Texas, man was sentenced yesterday to 33 months in prison for a wire fraud scheme involving the selling of Chinese-made military helmets, body armor, and other products to the United States Department of State and other federal agencies while falsely claiming that his company manufactured the goods in Texas.
According to court documents, from approximately June 2017 through approximately December 2020, Tanner Jackson, 32, operated Top Body Armor, LLC USA, and a related entity, Bullet Proof Armor LLC, from his residence in a rural part of Texas. Jackson was the lowest bidder on contracts to supply the Department of State with helmets and body armor, including to personnel guarding the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, and to foreign law enforcement partners in Latin America. The equipment was removed from service after concerns about its quality came to light.
As part of the scheme, Jackson altered or falsified ballistics laboratory test reports that he provided to the government. On one occasion, after his products failed testing at a legitimate laboratory, Jackson created his own fake ballistics laboratory— “Texas Ballistics LLC” —and simply produced fake reports giving himself passing scores. To conceal the Chinese origin of the products and associated delays in shipping the products to the government, Jackson created and controlled numerous email accounts in the names of supposed shipping company employees. Jackson would author email exchanges between himself and the bogus employees, while copying government contracting officers, to explain away shipping delays from China with cover stories such as truck accidents and COVID outbreaks at the warehouse. Jackson also won similar contracts with the Department of the Air Force. Court records also show that Jackson applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan based on false documents and obtained HubZone status by falsely listing his business location.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Diana Shaw, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General for the Department of State, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-238.
Ten “OED” Gang Members Charged with Narcotics ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Timothy Foley, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (“DEA”), Kevin P. Bruen, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of a criminal complaint today charging gang members JERRIN PENA, a/k/a “Rooga,” a/k/a “Perry,” ARIEL OLIVER, a/k/a “8Ball,” a/k/a “Ocho,” JUSTIN DEAZA, a/k/a “Booka,” WILSON MENDEZ, a/k/a “Tati,” JOWENKY NUNEZ, a/k/a “Juju,” BRIAN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Malikai,” VICTOR COLON, a/k/a “V,” JOSE GUTIERREZ, a/k/a “G,” ARGENIS TAVAREZ, a/k/a “Nose,” and NIJMAH MARTE, a/k/a “N,” with participating in a conspiracy to traffic narcotics. Six of the defendants also were charged with using guns in furtherance of that conspiracy.
PENA, MENDEZ, COLON, GUTIERREZ, and MARTE were arrested yesterday in New York, New York and the Bronx, New York and will be presented today before the Hon. Barbara Moses, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York. OLIVER, DEAZA, and HERNANDEZ were already in state custody. NUNEZ and TAVAREZ remain at large.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, these defendants were members of a gang that distributed many types of illegal narcotics in a Manhattan neighborhood for years. Several of the defendants frequently carried firearms while dealing drugs. Today’s arrests are part of our continued commitment, along with our law enforcement partners, to target narcotics trafficking and firearms use in New York City.”
DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley said: “The Own Every Dollar gang used social media to glamorize their drug enterprise, conduct drug transactions and brandish weapons instilling fear in the community. Our drug trafficking investigations have a way of uncovering links to the threat of gun violence and gang-related criminal activity. Today’s arrests exemplify law enforcement’s commitment to law and order and people’s right to live without fear.”
NYSP Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “We have no tolerance for those who bring drugs and the threat of violence to our communities. These arrests are the result of an aggressive strategy to stop the trafficking of narcotics and other deadly drugs on our streets. Together, with our law enforcement partners at all levels, we will continue to work vigilantly to put dangerous individuals like these gang members behind bars.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “The details of this investigation make clear: Criminal gangs, illegal guns, and illicit drugs are a dangerous combination – and will never be tolerated in our city, and any person who deals in the criminal behavior alleged in this case will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, the New York State Police, and everyone else who worked to take these 10 defendants off our streets, and made New York City safer for all the people we serve.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today[1]:
PENA, OLIVER, DEAZA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, GUTIERREZ, TAVAREZ, and MARTE, are members of a criminal gang called “Own Every Dollar” or “OED,” which uses the following logo:
Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2022, the defendants sold fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana in and around the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The defendants sold drugs to, among others, undercover police officers, and were frequently arrested in possession of drugs packaged for resale.
In addition, PENA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, and MARTE each possessed firearms in connection with their drug dealing, and PENA, OLIVER, and NUNEZ regularly posted social media photographs and videos of themselves holding firearms.
On February 24, 2022, DEAZA was arrested in possession of one kilogram of fentanyl.
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JERRIN PENA, 20, ARIEL OLIVER, 22, JUSTIN DEAZA, 20, WILSON MENDEZ, 19, JOWENKY NUNEZ, 19, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, 22, VICTOR COLON, 24, JOSE GUTIERREZ, 20, ARGENIS TAVAREZ, 22, and NIJMAH MARTE, 21, all from New York City, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, also in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
PENA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, and MARTE are also each charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, NYSP, and NYPD. He also thanked the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Mead, Sarah L. Kushner, and Ashley Nicolas are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tax Evader Pleads Guilty to Defrauding United States of Nearly Quarter Million DollarsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Christopher Douglas Williams, 60, of Langley, has pleaded guilty to defrauding the United States of over $230,000 in taxes owed.
“I appreciate the work of the Internal Revenue Service in bringing this defendant to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis. “This office will continue to prosecute those who fail to pay their fair share of taxes, who cheat their fellow citizens, and who undermine the funding and functioning of our institutions.”
“Tax evasion is not a victimless crime," said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office. "Honest taxpayers need to be reassured that everyone is paying their fair share. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division, together with the Department of Justice, will investigate and prosecute those who violate our tax system.”
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Williams filed for bankruptcy in January 2016. Over the course of two bankruptcy hearings, the trustee discovered that Williams had concealed income and failed to report his interest in five parcels of property. By filing false returns in 2015 and 2016, Williams avoided paying $230,044 to the United States that was rightfully owed.
Williams faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and one year of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Williams after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the IRS and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday.
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Syracuse Tax Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns for Herself and OthersRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Phoenix Phan, age 63, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release for filing a false tax return for herself and aiding and abetting the filing of a false tax return for a client. Phan also was ordered to pay $890,690.67 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
As part of her previously entered guilty plea, Phan admitted that she failed to report gross receipts on her personal income tax returns for tax years 2013-2017. She also admitted that she aided and assisted hundreds of clients in filing false federal income tax returns during the same period, including by falsely reporting: (1) business income that the taxpayer did not earn; (2) rental losses; and/or (3) that the taxpayer had a filing status (e.g., head of household) that the taxpayer did not actually have.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.
Serial Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to over 25 Years after Attempting to Murder Pennsylvania State Trooper During ArrestRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Christopher Larue, 44, of Lansdale, PA, was sentenced to 25 years and one day in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine by United States District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter for committing an armed bank robbery in Bucks County and then nearly killing a Pennsylvania State Trooper in Montgomery County directly thereafter.
In October 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of armed bank robbery. According to court documents, in the early morning hours of October 19, 2020, Larue entered QNB Bank in Perkasie, PA, wearing dark clothing and a black mask as employees were arriving for work. The defendant brandished a firearm and robbed the bank of over $11,000 in U.S. currency. He then fled in his vehicle. A GPS tracking devices hidden with the stolen money quickly led Pennsylvania State Police to the defendant, who had driven to his job site in Conshohocken, PA. When the State Police arrived and attempted to arrest him, Larue pointed a gun at the head of a trooper and pulled the trigger, but the gun mis-fired and troopers were able to handcuff Larue. In and around the defendant’s work locker, investigators found the stolen money, additional ammunition, and the clothing and mask Larue wore during the robbery.
Larue previously served over 12 years in federal prison after being convicted in 2009 of five additional bank robberies and was on supervised release at the time of this offense.
“This sentencing is especially poignant during a week when we have lost two Pennsylvania State Troopers who were bravely executing their duty in the face of extreme danger,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “In this case, the defendant acted with complete disregard and callousness for the lives of the Pennsylvania State Troopers and the bank employees whom he threatened with a firearm. But for a mis-fired gun, the outcome could have been yet another tragic loss of life. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate this kind of violent lawlessness.”
“Christopher Larue aimed a loaded gun at a state trooper’s head, asked him if he wanted to die that day, and repeatedly pulled the trigger. It was very nearly a tragedy, but thankfully the weapon didn’t fire,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “That was just after Larue had held three bank employees at gunpoint during a robbery — and that was after a previous string of bank robberies for which he’d served time. This is a dangerous serial offender who needs to be off the street. The FBI will continue working with the Pennsylvania State Police and all our law enforcement partners to keep violent criminals like Larue from committing further harm.”
The case was investigated by the Perkasie Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle L. Morgan.
Second Co-Conspirator Federally Indicted in Kidnapping Resulting in Death of Wilmington ResidentRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that a federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment yesterday charging an additional Wilmington man with conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Jamil Salahuddin, 19, Kimon Burton-Roberson, 28, and others conspired to kidnap a victim from a Wilmington residence and transport the victim into Pennsylvania. The victim was found dead hours later. Court documents explain that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The victim also had significant blunt force trauma to his skull. According to court documents, surveillance camera footage and cell phone location records helped to identify the suspects. Court documents also explain that law enforcement located Burton-Roberson’s car days after the kidnapping. Inside, they found blood stains and a pry bar, both of which had DNA that analysts concluded likely belonged to the victim.
Burton-Roberson was charged with kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in February. The Superseding Indictment adds Salahuddin as a co-defendant to the conspiracy charge. The Superseding Indictment references additional co-conspirators, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury. This investigation is ongoing and involves close collaboration between FBI, the Yeadon Borough Police Department, and the Wilmington Department of Police.
Salahuddin and Burton-Roberson are charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. If convicted on the conspiracy charge, they each face life imprisonment. Burton-Roberson is also charged with a substantive kidnapping offense. If convicted, he faces mandatory life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-CR-17-CFC.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Santa Fe man appears in court for bank robbery chargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Bobby Garcia, 29, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on March 22 for a preliminary and detention hearing, facing charges of bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence. Garcia will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to a criminal complaint, on March 16, Garcia allegedly entered a Wells Fargo Bank on St. Michael’s Drive in Santa Fe and robbed it using a firearm. Garcia then allegedly fled the bank in a black Kia.
Shortly afterward, Santa Fe Police officers spotted a car matching the description of Garcia’s vehicle on St. Francis Road and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop, and a pursuit ensued. Officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police joined the pursuit, which eventually ended at the intersection of Old Las Vegas Highway and Storrie Lane in Santa Fe, and Garcia was arrested.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Garcia faces a minimum of seven years and up to life in prison.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Fe Police Department, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Letitia Carroll Simms is prosecuting the case.
Sanford Foster Parent Indicted for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Justin Dwayne Johnson, Sr. (47, Sanford) with 12 counts of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse images and videos and one count of possession of these materials. If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up 30 years, in federal prison on each count, and a potential life term of supervised release. The indictment also notifies Johnson that the United States intends to forfeit his electronic devices which are alleged to have been used to commit these offenses.
According to court documents, this investigation began in January 2022 after Seminole County Child Protective Services had been alerted that Johnson was secretly recording his foster children. A forensic examination of Johnson’s cellphone revealed several sexually explicit images and videos depicting minor children, including several children under Johnson’s care that had been photographed or video-recorded in Johnson’s home. The FBI has identified at least 12 child victims who were either under his care or to whom he had access in his home. Additionally, Johnson’s cellphone contained numerous visual depictions of other children being sexually abused.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Sanford Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney Richardson-Jones and Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Rosebud Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on March 22, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Mason Drew Reddy, age 26, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Reddy was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 12, 2021. He pled guilty on November 15, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on the evening of December 4, 2020, in Rosebud, South Dakota. On that date, Reddy went to the victim’s residence and asked the victim to join him in a fight or confrontation down the street. When the victim refused, Reddy assaulted the victim with a sharp instrument, inflicting a deep laceration on the victim’s neck.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Reddy was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty in Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty today to trading on inside information about a Massachusetts company’s planned acquisition of a California semiconductor company.
John Younis, 59, of Bristol, R.I., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud in federal court in Boston before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel, who scheduled sentencing for June 29, 2022. Younis was arrested and charged on Jan. 19, 2022, along with co-defendants David Forte and Gregory Manning.
According to the charging documents, Younis was close friends with co-conspirator David Forte, whose relative was a senior executive at Analog Devices, Inc. (Analog), a Norwood-based semiconductor company. Beginning in or around June 2016, Forte allegedly obtained material non-public information from his relative about Analog’s planned acquisition of Linear Technology Corp. (Linear), a semiconductor company based in Milpitas, Calif. Forte allegedly passed the information to Younis, who purchased shares of Linear stock and call options (bets that the price of a stock will increase prior to the expiration of the option) in the week leading up to the public announcement of the acquisition on July 26, 2016. Younis also tipped a business associate to purchase Linear shares. After the deal was announced, Younis and his associate sold their Linear securities at a profit.
Forte and Manning have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office made the announcement. The Securities & Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Registered Sex Offender from Oshkosh Indicted for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on March 22, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Scott J. Meyer (age: 49) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Meyer faces charges alleging that he attempted to sexually exploit a minor and persuade that minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a). Meyer was previously convicted of causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity in Shawano County in 2018. He spent time in prison for that crime and was required to register as a sex offender. As such, he faces a second charge for the commission of a felony sex offense by an individual required to register as a sexual offender contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A. If convicted of the charges, Meyer faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Fox Valley Metro Police Department and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander E. Duros.
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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Previously Convicted Child Sex Offender Indicted for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Billerica man previously convicted of child sex offenses in New Hampshire was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for possession of child pornography.
Eric Robert Johnson, 49, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date. Johnson was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 23, 2022 and has remained in federal custody since.
According to the charging document, a search of Johnson’s residence resulted in the recovery of a laptop computer and other electronic devices, including multiple hard drives that were found hidden in the ceiling. A preliminary review revealed that at least one of Johnson’s electronic devices allegedly contained images and videos depicting child pornography, including videos of children as young as approximately six to 10-years-old. Forensic review of the devices remains ongoing.
Additionally, according to court documents, during the search of Johnson’s residence, diapers were found and at least three mutilated dolls with the vaginal region sliced to make a hole. Two children’s backpacks containing various children’s clothing including bathing suits and a nightgown were found under Johnson’s bed. A bag of children’s costumes along with a sex toy were recovered in the basement.
Johnson was previously convicted in 1992 on state charges in New Hampshire of two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault on a child under 13 years of age.
The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction for a sex offense provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and 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.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Postal Worker Arrested, Charged with Conspiracy to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Fratini, 36, of Dunkirk, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to produce child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on February 14, 2022, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and stated that Fratini used his cellular telephone to solicit nude photos and videos of the pre-pubescent daughters of a female acquaintance (Witness 1), whom he met in October 2021 through a dating application. After meeting in person, Witness 1 did not hear from Fratini again until recently when they spoke over the telephone and Fratini told Witness 1 that he had a mother/daughter fantasy. He then sent a follow-up text message asking for videos and/or pictures of Witness 1’s daughters to fulfill his fantasies. After receiving the text message, Witness 1 filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office. At the direction of the Sheriff’s Office, Witness 1 continued text message conversations with Fratini. On March 18, 2022, investigators surveilled Fratini leaving his workplace, the U.S. Postal Service on Grant Street in Buffalo, and travel to an Amherst hotel where he was expecting to meet Witness 1. After arriving at the hotel, Fratini was taken into custody.
Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-856-7800.
Fratini appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was ordered detained.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Philadelphia Felon Found Guilty by Jury of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Asa Jackson, 40, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted after trial of unlawfully possessing a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony. The charges arose from an incident during which he threatened and intimidated two victims while possessing a firearm.
In May 2020, in the Harrowgate section of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police officers responded to a call that someone had assaulted two women inside a Frankford Avenue corner store and threatened them with a firearm. When officers arrived, they observed a man one block away who fit the description in the call, later identified as the defendant. When Jackson saw the police, he ducked between two parked vehicles and appeared to drop something to the ground that made a metallic sound. Police apprehended Jackson and recovered a loaded pistol between the two parked vehicles.
“The crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm is a serious offense, particularly in Philadelphia where gun violence has reached record-breaking proportions,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “As the evidence presented at trial showed, Asa Jackson illegally possessed a loaded firearm that fortunately was recovered by Philadelphia Police officers. Our Office is determined to continue doing everything we can to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia by being ‘All Hands On Deck’ to get criminals like this defendant off the streets for a long time.”
“This conviction is a result of the hard work and collaboration between our local, state and federal law enforcement partners,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Anytime dangerous felons commit gun crimes; we will use all of our available resources to make sure justice prevails. The community is a safer place with this guilty verdict.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 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 and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright.
Pharmacist Charged in a Scheme to Bill Insurance for Medications Not DispensedRead the Press Release
DETROIT - A Dearborn Heights pharmacist was arrested today for committing health care fraud.
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison was joined in this announcement by the FBI’s Acting Special Agent-In-Charge, Josh P. Hauxhurst and HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Mario Pinto.
Zeinab Makki, 59, was charged with a criminal complaint, unsealed today, in the Eastern District of Michigan with one count of health care fraud. She is scheduled to make an initial appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge.
According to the criminal complaint, Zeinab Makki submitted or caused to be submitted at least $10.6 million in claims to Medicare and Medicaid for pharmaceuticals that were not actually dispensed. Makki submitted these claims while working as the pharmacist-in-charge at two Inkster pharmacies, New Millennium Drugs and Western Wayne Pharmacy.
“Taxpayers fund Medicare and Medicaid systems to provide critical resources for senior citizens and other beneficiaries,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison. “We hope that today’s charge reflects my office’s commitment to holding medical providers accountable who engage in such misconduct and exploit these programs for personal benefit.”
“Makki allegedly engaged in a health care fraud scheme that stole millions of dollars over several years from a system designed to provide health care to those in need. The FBI is committed to working with our partners to stop these illegal acts and hold accountable those who commit them,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Josh Hauxhurst of the FBI’s Detroit Division.
“HHS-OIG is committed to investigating allegations of fraud in our Federal health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto. “We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those engaged in this type of fraud are held accountable.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, determinations will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
If convicted of a health care fraud charge, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment of ten years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted of the money laundering charges, the defendants face up to twenty years’ imprisonment. Upon conviction, the court would be required to impose both forfeiture and restitution judgments.
The case was investigated by Special Agents of the HHS and FBI, with cooperation and assistance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip A. Ross.Peabody Construction Company Owner Sentenced for Tax and Workers' Compensation FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former owner of a Peabody construction company was sentenced today in connection with a scheme to defraud the IRS of payroll taxes and to defraud his workers’ compensation insurance carrier by failing to disclose how many workers he employed.
Argyrios “Eric” Mavros, 57, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 18 months in prison and 18 months of supervised release. Mavros was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,007,760 to the IRS and $158,524 to his workers’ compensation insurance carrier. On Nov. 1, 2021, Mavros pleaded guilty to 10 counts of failure to collect or pay over taxes and one count of mail fraud.
Mavros, who owned Mavros Construction, Inc., cashed more than $3.3 million in customer checks at a Peabody check cashing business and used some of those funds to pay his employees in cash. Mavros failed to report these employees or their wages in quarterly corporate tax filings, in an effort to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare taxes on employee wages and withholding federal income taxes. Overall, Mavros failed to pay and withhold federal taxes on more than $2.5 million in wages, resulting in a tax loss of more than $1 million. Additionally, Mavros failed to report these employees to his workers’ compensation insurance carrier, thereby defrauding the insurer of more than $150,000 in premiums.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Omaha Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Tiloe Cardel Williams, age 43, of Omaha, was sentenced yesterday in federal court to 36 months in prison for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. His term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.
On July 30, 2021, a police officer stopped Williams’ vehicle for overly dark window tint. The officer could smell marijuana and requested the assistance of a canine officer. Marijuana and a firearm were located under the cup holder of the center console. At the time of the offense, Williams was a convicted felon and drug user and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.
Niagara Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, NY--U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jeffrey Richards, 32, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute acetyl fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a stolen firearm. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and fine of up to $10,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that on December 14, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Richards’ residence on Packard Court in Niagara Falls. During the search, investigators recovered, among other items, amounts of acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, alprazolam, approximately 10 firearms, various rounds of ammunition, drug trafficking paraphernalia, an improvised destructive device, and various items used in the manufacturing of destructive devices.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent John Faso, and the Niagara County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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New Jersey Husband and Wife Admit Selling Misbranded and Unapproved New DrugsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County husband and wife pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to market and distribute over $3 million worth of misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Sylvia Kovaleski, 43, of South Amboy, New Jersey, pleaded guilty On March 22, 2022, by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to one count of conspiring to distribute misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs. Her husband, Keith Kovaleski, 57, pleaded guilty to the same charge on March 21, 2022.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Kovaleskis owned and operated All American Peptide (AAP). From 2014 to January 2019, AAP used its website to market and distribute substances primarily used by bodybuilders and others engaged in weight training to enhance performance and mitigate the side effects of performance enhancing substances.
The Kovaleskis, though AAP, sold: prescription drugs, such as tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis; SARMS, used by bodybuilders as an alternative to steroids; peptides, also used as performance enhancing substances; and other drugs that had not been approved for human use, for example, clenbuterol, a drug sold in foreign markets but not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Kovaleskis used their South Amboy basement as a manufacturing facility to make and label AAP products, including homemade capsules containing significantly higher dosages of tadalafil than the highest recommended dosage. The Kovaleskis failed to provide adequate directions for use for their products, such as frequency of administration, dosage information, or warnings about side effects.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a maximum potential fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greatest. As part of their plea agreements, the Kovaleskis must forfeit over $3 million in criminal proceeds. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for July 26. 2022.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the Food and Drug Administration Criminal Investigation’s New York Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Felezzola; special agents of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Waters; and postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cari Fais, Chief of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit, and Barbara Ward of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit.
New Castle Marijuana Dealer Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Christopher Shaner, age 26.
According to information presented to the court, Shaner conspired to possess with intent to distribute marijuana that had been imported into California from Mexico and then sent through the mail and interstate carriers to the New Castle area. Shaner and other than distributed the marijuana in the New Castle and surrounding areas.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Marnie Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shaner.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Montgomery Man Charged as Leader of Organized Armed Robbery Conspiracy with Six Other DefendantsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a superseding indictment charging PATRICK CHELLEL in a conspiracy to commit multiple armed robberies of suspected drug dealers and drug runners in Orange County, New York, the Bronx, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut. CHELLEL was arrested today and was presented before Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Patrick Chellel organized and directed a violent conspiracy to rob suspected drug dealers and associates at gunpoint. Chellel and his robbery crew allegedly engaged in serious acts of violence and sophisticated methods to track their victims, including with a hidden Apple Watch on a victim’s car. Today’s arrest is part of our continued commitment with our law enforcement partners to root out gun violence in our communities.”
As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today and in other filings[1]:
From at least in or about November 2019 and continuing through at least in or about January 2020, PATRICK CHELLEL, a/k/a “Pat,” DARREN LINDSAY, a/k/a “DJ,” ANTOINE KOEN, a/k/a “Twon,” ROBERT OJEDA, a/k/a “Mini,” ONITAYO ARE, a/k/a “Oni,” INDIGO GRANT, and PATRICIA KONCO, a/k/a “Flacca,” conspired to rob suspected drug dealers and associates of drugs and drug proceeds. As part of the conspiracy, on or about November 14, 2019, CHELLEL organized a plan with LINDSAY to rob suspected drug dealers at their residence in the vicinity of Mount Hope, New York, where the victims were assaulted at gunpoint. Furthermore, on or about December 15, 2019, LINDSAY, KOEN, and OJEDA robbed at gunpoint suspected drug dealers of marijuana at a residence in the Bronx. Finally, on or about January 19, 2020, LINDSAY, KOEN, ARE, GRANT, and KONCO, acting at CHELLEL’s direction, committed a violent gunpoint robbery of a drug runner in a hotel parking garage after surreptitiously tracking the victim’s location with a hidden Apple Watch, resulting in approximately $500,000 in drug proceeds stolen.
CHELLEL, 31, LINDSAY, 31, KOEN, 30, OJEDA, 31, ARE, 29, GRANT, 30, and KONCO, 32, are each charged in the following counts in the Superseding Indictment:
Charge
Defendants
Maximum Possible Sentence
Count One
(Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951)
CHELLEL, LINDSAY, KOEN, OJEDA, ARE, GRANT, KONCO
20 years in prison
Count Two
(Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2)
CHELLEL, LINDSAY
20 years in prison
Count Three
(Brandishing Firearms During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2)
CHELLEL, LINDSAY
Mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison
Count Four
(Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2)
LINDSAY, OJEDA, KOEN
20 years in prison
Count Five
(Brandishing Firearms During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2)
LINDSAY, OJEDA, KOEN
Mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison
Count Six
(Hobbs Act Robbery, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2)
CHELLEL, LINDSAY, KOEN, ARE, GRANT, KONCO
20 years in prison
Count Seven
(Brandishing and Discharging Firearms During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2)
CHELLEL, LINDSAY, KOEN, ARE, GRANT, KONCO
Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison
Count Eight
(Narcotics Conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a), 841(b)(1)(A)
CHELLEL
Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Police, the New York City Police Department, the Town of Crawford Police Department, and the City of Middletown Police Department.
Mr. Williams stated that the investigation is ongoing. Mr. Williams requests that any individuals with relevant information should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (800)-CALL-FBI.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley and Jennifer N. Ong are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and Superseding Indictment and the description of the Indictment and Superseding Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Mission Man Sentenced for Prohibited Person in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mission, South Dakota man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on March 21, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Kerry Browning, age 36, was sentenced to about six and half months of custody through April 14, 2022, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Browning was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 8, 2021. He pled guilty on December 30, 2021.
The conviction stems from an incident on April 11, 2021, in Todd County, South Dakota, when law enforcement received a call that Browning was driving recklessly. When law enforcement made contact with Browning, they observed a rifle in plain view in his vehicle. Browning is felon and an unlawful user of a controlled substance making him a prohibited person.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.
Browning was detained following his sentencing hearing.
Midland Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
ALPINE – A Midland man pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to possess fentanyl and one count of illegal possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, between August and October 2021, Edgar Parra, 36, sold a total of 112.3 grams of fentanyl to undercover DEA operatives on three separate occasions. On November 11, 2021, the Midland Police Department executed a search warrant on the hotel room Parra was staying. Officers found a loaded handgun along with 3.7 grams of methamphetamine.
According to DEA.gov, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine and can be up to 100 times more potent. Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.
Parra pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and one count of Possessing a Firearm during and in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Parra faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison on the drug charge and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the gun charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Parra has remained in federal custody since January 21, 2022, when he was arrested on federal indictment charges.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Greg Millard made the announcement.
The DEA, with invaluable assistance from the Midland Police Department, is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Michigan Man Charged with Using $1 million in Covid-Relief Loans to Purchase Seaview Condominium in Beirut, LebanonRead the Press Release
DETROIT, MI - A Dearborn Heights man was arrested today in connection with a wire fraud and money laundering scheme involving more than $1 million Economic Injury Disaster Loans. United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison was joined in this announcement by the FBI’s Acting Special Agent-In-Charge, Josh P. Hauxhurst.
Wahid Mohamed Makki, 59, was charged with a criminal complaint, unsealed today, in the Eastern District of Michigan with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance today before a United States Magistrate Judge. According to the criminal complaint, Wahid Makki transferred approximately $1,082,600 from ten separate EIDL loans obtained for 10 shell corporations to a bank in the Republic of Turkey via international wire. The wire transfer instructions reflect that the Wahid Makki transferred the funds for the purchase of a “sea view condo in Beirut, Lebanon.”
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted March 29, 2020. The CARES Act authorizes the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
My office remains committed to using every available federal tool — including both criminal and civil remedies — to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud,” said United States Attorney Dawn Ison. “We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to exploit the pandemic for personal gain, to protect vulnerable populations, and to safeguard the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs.”
“Economic Injury Disaster Loans played a significant role in keeping many Michigan businesses running during the pandemic,” said Josh Hauxhurst, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “This defendant is alleged to have taken money from that program and used it to purchase property overseas. This is a serious crime and the FBI is committed to finding and investigating anyone guilty of defrauding this program.”
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. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, determinations will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Philip A. Ross is prosecuting the case.
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 Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-formMan Sentenced to 99 Months in Prison for Committing Mail Fraud while Serving Federal Sentence for Previous FraudRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – The president of a company providing goods to government agencies was sentenced today to 99 months in prison – 87 months for attempting to defraud businesses in connection with government contracting and an additional 12 months for violating his supervised release – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Keith Fisher Sr., 64, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Burlington, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of mail fraud. Fisher also pleaded guilty to violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior conviction.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 18, 2017, Fisher was sentenced by Judge Bumb to 60 months in prison for conspiring to commit mail fraud using various companies he owned and controlled. In that case, Fisher and his companies won bids for U.S. government contracts; subcontracted with victim-businesses to provide goods to the government pursuant to the contracts; collected payments from the government for fulfilling the contracts; and then failed to pay the subcontractor victim-businesses that actually provided the goods.
The fraud scheme sentenced today involved another company, Atlantic Safety Corp., controlled by Fisher, and began when Fisher was nearing the end of his previous prison sentence. Fisher used Atlantic Safety to bid on federal contracts through a reverse auction online marketplace that enabled government agencies to post requirements for goods. Upon submitting a winning bid, Atlantic Safety was awarded a contract to provide goods to a government agency.
Fisher orchestrated his fraud by using an alias to subcontract with a third-party vendor to provide goods directly to the government agency. Fisher induced the third-party vendor to ship the goods to the government agency on credit by falsely promising to pay the vendor for the goods. Fisher also made fraudulent representations to other potential subcontractor vendors about the creditworthiness and financial status of Atlantic Safety.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb also sentenced Fisher to 54 months of additional supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Economic Crimes Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Eric Maddox; special agents with the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations Mid-Atlantic Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Eric D. Radwick; and special agents with the U.S. Department of State Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Speckhardt, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Man Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl-Laced Fake PercocetRead the Press Release
A Fort Worth man who allegedly sold fake Percocet pills laced with fentanyl has been charged with a federal drug crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Troy Wright, 40, was indicted on three counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford after a criminal complaint was filed against him earlier this month.
“Mr. Wright demonstrated his wanton disregard for the lives of his neighbors and their children when he allegedly pushed onto the streets large numbers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “DEA and its local law enforcement partners will continue to improve the safety of our neighborhoods by working together to remove dangerous illegal drugs from our streets and hold accountable those who make these drugs available.”
According to court documents, a confidential source told DEA agents that Mr. Wright, aka “Roy,” had contacted him regarding sale of the fake pills.
At the agents’ direction, the source ordered 200 pills for $8 apiece. He and Mr. Wright met outside a hardware store in Irving, where Mr. Wright allegedly handed over the pills in exchange for $1,600. (Agents then confiscated the pills from the source.)
Two weeks later, the source ordered 400 pills for $7 apiece. Agents followed Mr. Wright from his home in Fort Worth to a discount clothing store in Hurst, Texas, where Mr. Wright allegedly gave the source the pills in exchange for $2,800. (Agents again confiscated the pills from the source.)
Immediately after the transaction, the source texted Mr. Wright asking to purchase additional pills.
“Picking my kids up from school we can meet up after 4 I can be headed your way,” the defendant responded.
An indictment is merely an allegations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Wright is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he faces 20 years on each count for a total of up to 60 years in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanna Etessam is prosecuting the case.
Maine Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $500,000 from New Hampshire CompanyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jessica Pechtel, 35, of Springvale, Maine pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Pechtel was the office manager for a company in Somersworth, New Hampshire. In that role, she had full access to the company’s finances, including its accounting records, bank accounts, and company credit card.
Between January 2019 and March 2021, Pechtel used her access to the company’s finances to make unauthorized purchases and transfers of funds to accounts that she controlled. This scheme had four distinct components. First, she transferred funds from the company’s bank accounts to her own accounts. Second, she used the company’s credit card to make unauthorized purchases from retailers such as Amazon or make payments via the online payment transfer system Venmo. Third, she drafted 17 unauthorized checks payable to herself that were drawn on the company’s bank account. And fourth, she stole almost $44,000 in COVID-19 relief funds that were intended for the company. Overall, Pechtel fraudulently obtained at least $587,219 from her employer.
Pechtel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2022.
“This defendant stole a significant amount of money and betrayed the trust of her employer,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “As this case demonstrates, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute white collar criminals to ensure they are held accountable for their crimes.”
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating complex fraud schemes especially those that involve the exploitation of New Hampshire based businesses.” stated Timothy Benitez, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s New Hampshire Office. “The success of this investigation is due to the collaboration between the U.S. Secret Service, Somersworth Police Department, and Nashua Police Department.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Somersworth Police Department and the Nashua Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Mail and Identity Thief Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison After EscapeRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who evaded capture for nearly a month after walking away from custody at a halfway house was sentenced on March 22, 2022, to four years in federal prison. Kevin Robert Kappmeyer, age 55, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 23, 2021 guilty plea to one count of escape from custody and his admission that he violated the terms of his supervised release.
At his sentencing, revocation, and other hearings, Kappmeyer admitted that, in 2018, he was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his role in a Cedar Rapids area mail and identity theft scheme. Kappmeyer was released from prison in May 2020 but violated the terms of his supervised release, was sent back to prison for seven months in September 2020, and eventually released in March 2021. On July 8, 2021, after Kappmeyer again violated the terms of his supervised release, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered Kappmeyer to serve time in a halfway house and specifically warned Kappmeyer to not leave the halfway house without permission. About two weeks later, on July 23, 2021, Kappmeyer obtained an employment pass from the halfway house, left, and never returned. The United States Marshal’s Service arrested Kappmeyer on August 16, 2021, at a local grocery store and found methamphetamine in his possession. Kappmeyer has an extensive criminal history with over 20 prior convictions, including multiple convictions for offenses involving violence, such as resisting arrest and domestic battery.
Kappmeyer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Kappmeyer was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment on his new escape case and an additional 24 months’ imprisonment for his supervised release violations. Kappmeyer must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after he is released from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
Kappmeyer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file numbers are 21-CR-50 and 17-CR-44.
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Madison Resident Sentenced to 108 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Andre L. McClinton, 50, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 108 months in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms. In addition, Judge Peterson entered a money judgment against McClinton in the amount of $313,100. McClinton also agreed to forfeit $116,890 in cash, property located in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, three vehicles, and two firearms. McClinton pleaded guilty to the charges on December 16, 2021.
In 2020, federal and state law enforcement agencies started investigating several known cocaine traffickers in Dane County, Wisconsin. As part of this joint investigation, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) obtained state-authorized wiretaps on two phones belonging to McClinton. Over the course of several months, investigators intercepted numerous calls and text messages between McClinton and co-defendant Michael C. Henderson. Most of these conversations centered on Henderson supplying cocaine to McClinton, negotiating lower costs from a source-of-supply, improving the quality of the cocaine, and recruiting additional customers in Dane County. The conspiracy took place from September through December 2020 and resulted in McClinton purchasing approximately 9 kilograms of cocaine from Henderson.
While searching two homes belonging to McClinton, investigators found cocaine packaged for distribution, a loaded .45 caliber Glock handgun, .45 caliber ammunition, and $16,580 in cash. Agents also searched three of McClinton’s vehicles and determined they had sophisticated traps installed in the passenger compartments. Inside the vehicles and traps, agents found seven and a half pounds of marijuana, a loaded .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, and $100,310 in cash.
Special agents and financial analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) analyzed McClinton’s bank statements, business records, and financial transactions. As a result of this review, the FBI found evidence that McClinton used drug proceeds to purchase and improve his personal residence, which he sold after being indicted. McClinton used part of the proceeds from the sale of his house to purchase property located in Mount Horeb. McClinton commingled the remaining proceeds into bank accounts and property belonging to an uninvolved third party.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that McClinton made a career out of trafficking drugs. Judge Peterson specifically highlighted McClinton’s level of sophistication, the fact he armed himself, and the assets that McClinton acquired.
On December 9, 2021, Judge Peterson sentenced Henderson to 84 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Peterson also ordered Henderson to forfeit $22,763 in cash.
The charges against McClinton were the result of an investigation conducted by DCI, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.
Lower Brule Man Indicted for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.
Jade LaRoche, age 41, was indicted on January 11, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on March 23, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on October 31, 2021, in Lower Brule, South Dakota, LaRoche struck and injured a federal law enforcement officer.
The charge is merely an accusation and LaRoche is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
LaRoche was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Livingston man who possessed stolen firearm sentenced to two years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Livingston man who admitted to possessing a stolen firearm after a traffic stop led to his arrest was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Orville James McIntire, 21, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to possession of a stolen firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 31, 2020, a Park County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop near Livingston of a Cadillac Deville that had been reported stolen. The deputy saw on the front passenger seat a firearm case that contained a Zastava M70 semi-automatic 9 mm pistol, with a loaded magazine and a round in the chamber. McIntire was in the rear passenger seat and the only other occupant of the vehicle. Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The driver told officers he had picked up McIntire from a residence so the two could go to Butte to get drugs. The driver further said McIntire entered the vehicle with a backpack and the gun case and sat in the front seat. When law enforcement began following the vehicle, McIntire became nervous, jumped in the back seat and told the driver to stop so he could run from the car. Investigators learned from an individual that McIntire had stolen his Zastava 9mm semi-automatic pistol in January 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Livingston Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl.
Junior Turbis, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 42 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Earlier in the hearing, Turbis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and two counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Turbis was indicted in December 2020.
From 2019 through 2020, Turbis engaged in a drug conspiracy to sell fentanyl and fentanyl analogue to a cooperating witness and to an undercover law enforcement agent in Lawrence. As part of the conspiracy, Turbis delivered and collected payments for the drugs. A search of Turbis’ residence resulted in the seizure of 93 grams of fentanyl and 151 grams of fentanyl analogue. In total, Turbis distributed or conspired to distribute 292 grams of fentanyl and 151 grams of fentanyl analogue.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The DEA Cross Border Initiative led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Kistner and Jared Dolan of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Jury finds local man guilty of shooting, killing former girlfriend’s ex-husband in front of victim’s childrenRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted a Dayton man of traveling interstate to murder the former husband of his then-girlfriend after cyberstalking the victim.
Sterling H. Roberts, 38, of Dayton, was found guilty of shooting and killing Robert Caldwell in August 2017. As a previously convicted felon, Roberts was prohibited from possessing the firearm he used in furtherance of the crime of violence.
The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on March 8 before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.
According to court documents and trial testimony, around 6pm on Aug. 15, 2017, Robert Caldwell and his three minor children left a counseling appointment in Riverside, Ohio. While crossing the parking lot, Roberts shot Robert Caldwell multiple times in front of his children and died at the scene.
Roberts’ girlfriend at the time, co-defendant Tawnney Caldwell, and the murder victim had an ongoing dispute regarding the custody of their children. The two, along with four other co-defendants, collaborated to plan, execute and cover-up the murder.
Earlier in August 2017, Roberts pretended to be a customer in need of stonework and messaged Robert Caldwell to lure him into meeting in Jamestown, Ohio. Roberts, armed with a gun, ambushed Robert Caldwell, who fled and called 911. Robert Caldwell eventually escaped that encounter and reported it to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Between the time of the attempted homicide and the eventual murder of Robert Caldwell, Roberts fled to a relative’s home in Tennessee. Tawnney Caldwell traveled interstate and brought him back to Ohio, stopping in Kentucky to illegally purchase Roberts an AK-47 rifle.
Sterling Roberts’ brothers, Chance Deakin and Christopher Roberts; Chandra Harmon (Tawnney’s mother); and James Harmon (Tawnney’s step-father) were each charged in March 2018 and have been convicted of crimes related to the cyberstalking and murder.
Tawnney Caldwell was sentenced in July 2021 to 35 years in prison for interstate stalking resulting in death.
Roberts faces up to life in prison; a sentencing date has not yet been set.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson and Sugarcreek Township Police Chief Michael Brown announced today’s guilty verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith, Sheila G. Lafferty and Kevin Koller are representing the United States in this case.
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Jury Finds That Charlotte Man Previously Convicted of Federal Crimes Violated the Federal Debt Collection Procedures ActRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury in Charlotte has returned a verdict against Malcom Bynum, for fraudulently transferring a piece of property to a relative in violation of the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act (FDCPA), to avoid paying restitution owed to victims of his criminal conduct, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney presided over the two-day civil trial.
The FDCPA prevents individuals who owe debts to the United States from improperly transferring properties and other assets in order to avoid paying their debt obligations, including court-ordered criminal restitution to victims.
On January 22, 2021, the United States filed a federal civil lawsuit against Tico Bynum, Malcolm Bynum, and Donald Bynum for violating the FDCPA. According to the civil complaint, Tico Bynum fraudulently transferred the property located at 1344 Downs Avenue to his son, Malcolm Bynum, to avoid his debt obligations, specifically, $221,818.98 in restitution payments owed to victims of his crimes. On February 22, 2022, Judge Whitney ruled that Tico Bynum’s transfer of the property to his son was indeed fraudulent.
According to information contained in the civil suit and evidence presented at Malcolm Bynum’s civil trial, Malcolm Bynum also transferred the same property to his grandfather, Donald Bynum, to avoid his own debt of $169,923.24, which included both restitution to victims of his crimes, and special assessments. Trial evidence established that Malcolm Bynum signed a quitclaim deed transferring 1344 Downs Avenue to his grandfather, shortly before Malcom Bynum was indicted for multiple violations of federal criminal statutes, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, financial institution fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The evidence at trial further demonstrated that, as part of his plea agreement with the government, Malcolm Bynum agreed to make full restitution and pay back his victims for certain losses incurred as a result of his crimes. According to trial evidence, the day before Malcolm Bynum signed the plea agreement, the quitclaim deed was recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds, effecting the transfer of the 1344 Downs Avenue to his grandfather. The deed reflected that Donald Bynum did not pay any consideration to Malcolm Bynum in exchange for the property, which, at the time of transfer, had a tax value of $207,900. As part of his sentence for the criminal case, Malcolm Bynum was ordered to pay restitution and penalties totaling $169,923.24 to his victims. On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, a federal jury found that the property transfer was a violation of the FDCPA.
Next, the Court will determine the appropriate statutory relief, which may include the avoidance or voiding of the property transfers and the issuance of a writ of execution on the property, to satisfy the restitution judgments stemming from the criminal convictions.
“Time and again, the Bynums have tried to dodge their financial obligations to crime victims and thwart the United States’ efforts to enforce court-ordered judgments. But the proverbial buck stops here,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Collection on federal debts – and particularly restitution judgments entered for the benefit of crime victims – remains a priority for my Office.”
In making toay's announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the Office's Financial Litigation Unit for their investigation of the case.
The Financial Litigation Unit enforces collection of criminal restitution, fines, and other monetary penalties ordered as the result of criminal convictions, as well as civil debts owed to the United States. Funds collected for restitution are disbursed directly to the victims of the crime identified in the criminal judgment. Criminal fines go to the National Crime Victims Fund, which disburses grants to various victims’ groups across the country.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia Wood and Katherine Armstrong of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the civil action.
Jury Convicts Glenpool Man for Sexually Exploiting a MinorRead the Press Release
A federal jury found a Glenpool man guilty Tuesday for sexually exploiting a 16-year-old minor, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Thomas Anthony Pearce, 54, was convicted of coercion or enticement of a minor, production of child pornography, possession of child pornography in Indian Country, and distribution of marijuana.
The crimes occurred from Feb. 3, 2021, through Feb. 8, 2021. Pearce met the victim online, coerced her into sexual activity, provided her with marijuana, and took sexually explicit photographs of the teenager. He was also found to possess additional child pornography on various electronic devices, which included images and video depicting the sexual abuse of children younger than 12 years of age.
“There are two heroes in this case: an alert Jenks police officer whose action helped protect the victim from further exploitation by Thomas Pearce and the victim who came forward and testified,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This pedophile has been convicted thanks to the officer’s vigilance, the victim’s testimony, and the hours of work from investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the Jenks Police Department. I am grateful for their dedicated service.”
In the early morning hours of Feb. 8, 2021, a Jenks police officer observed a suspicious white Dodge pick-up parked on a partially paved area just off a road and saw an adult male in the driver’s seat. As the officer turned around to investigate, the driver quickly drove away. The officer conducted a traffic stop and initiated contact with Pearce and a minor female in the passenger’s seat. Pearce claimed the minor was his niece but could not provide a phone number for the officer to contact the child’s parents.
During the stop, the minor victim told officers that she was high on marijuana that Pearce had given her and stated that nothing had occurred “this time” but that the defendant had zip tied her hands and took explicit pictures of her on another occasion. Pearce was taken into custody.
During a search of the vehicle at the scene, officers located marijuana, four thumb drives, a package of zip-ties, duct tape, three cell phones and other items.
The victim was later forensically interviewed. She disclosed that she and Pearce had contact on six different occasions and that Pearce’s sexual advances and abuse escalated with each encounter, to include sexually assaulting the victim, ziptying her, and taking sexually explicit photographs of her.
She stated that Pearce provided her with marijuana. He also told her to take a pill, which she refused.
On a phone found in the vehicle, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the Jenks Police Department discovered a file with the victim’s name on it, which contained explicit photographs depicting the sexual acts that the victim described in her interview.
In text messages between Pearce and the victim, Pearce made references to his sexual abuse of the victim, told the victim that she should take a pill that would make her feel good because “he said so,” and stated that he had had sexual encounters with other minors. When the victim texted that she did not want to meet him again, he threatened to harm her siblings.
Search warrants were also executed on Pearce’s residence in Glenpool and at two storage units in Tulsa. Officers seized a computer and numerous hard drives during the searches.
On a thumb drive seized, investigators found another file with a female’s name on it that contained sexually explicit images of a minor. The woman, now an adult, was contacted. She confirmed that she had met Pearce online while she was in high school and that Pearce had sex with her and took sexually explicit photographs. She stated that Pearce would pay her in cash, gifts, and marijuana.
Investigators also located child pornography on one of the hard drives seized. Video and image titles specifically referenced “raped teens” and other child sexual abuse.
“The Jenks Police Department was glad to be a part of this investigation from beginning to end. Our Officers and Investigators worked diligently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI to bring justice for the victims of Thomas Pearce,” said Major Melissa Brown, Patrol Division Commander for the Jenks Police Department. “We pride ourselves in our Officers’ commitment to this department and to the citizens of Jenks. There is not a prouder moment when our Officers are able to take a predator off the streets and keep our children safe. We want to thank all involved for their continuing efforts in this investigation,”
“This defendant exploited a child, violating federal statutes and destroyed the innocence of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Christopher Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “I am grateful for the continued vigilance and dedication of our special agents and law enforcement partners investigating this case. This perpetrator and others will be held accountable.”
Pearce was one of 33 defendants apprehended during Operation Clean Sweep. The four-month long operation focused on identifying predators who exploit children and ultimately led to the identification of 12 child victims. The operation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and more than a dozen local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies in 10 of the 11 counties in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Jenks Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal and Richard M. Cella are prosecuting the case.
Jackson County man sentenced as an armed career criminalRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Brandon Mason has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal.
“The Armed Career Criminal statute was written for defendants like Mason whose drug trafficking and violence pose a significant risk to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, and community stakeholders, are helping to achieve meaningful reductions in violent crime in these communities.”
“Targeting trigger pullers is a key component to ATF’s mission to take violent offenders off the street” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “The fact that Mason is an armed career criminal will guarantee he is off the streets for many years to come.”
“The Commerce Police Department was honored to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in an effort to hold Brandon Mason accountable for his actions. Brandon Mason has routinely reoffended upon returning to our community. The opportunity to prosecute this case through Project Safe Neighborhoods will aid us in our efforts to keep Commerce a safe community to thrive in. Mason has demonstrated time and again a propensity to commit violent acts that create an unsafe negative environment in the neighborhood he grew up in. The sentence imposed should stand as both accountability for Brandon Mason as well as a deterrent to others that would consider the commission of violent acts intended to disrupt the safety, tranquility, and quality of life in the City of Commerce,” said Kenneth Harmon Jr., Chief of Police, City of Commerce.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On October 6, 2019, the Commerce, Georgia, Police Department responded to a 911 call of shots fired. The victim identified Brandon Mason as the shooter, and a crime scene expert determined that bullets had pierced the back windshield of the victim’s car, pierced the driver’s headrest, and exited through the front windshield of the vehicle. Officers also found .40 caliber shell casings at the scene. Investigators apprehended Mason approximately one hour after the shooting in possession of a .40 caliber pistol.
Brandon Mason, 34, of Commerce, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story to 15 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Mason pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm on December 21, 2020, in connection with this shooting.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Commerce Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Indiana Man Convicted of Multiple Sex OffensesRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Lebanon, Indiana, man was convicted today on four counts of sex offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Randal Wise, 45, was convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, transportation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted transfer of obscenity to a minor following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp.
According to documents in this case, and the evidence at trial:
On Oct. 24, 2019, Wise traveled into New Jersey, approached an individual he believed was a 14-year-old boy on an internet dating application, and started a sexual dialogue. The individual was actually an undercover officer posing as a minor. Wise sent the undercover officer multiple photographs of his genitalia and requested similar photographs from him. The following day, Wise approached another individual that he believed was a minor boy on the same application. Unbeknownst to Wise, this individual was a second undercover officer posing as a minor. Wise engaged the second undercover officer in a highly sexual dialogue over the ensuing 24-hour period, sending sexually explicit photographs, questioning the second undercover officer about his sexual preferences and interests, and inviting the individual to his hotel for sex. On Oct. 26, 2019, Wise traveled to the second undercover officer’s location to engage in sexual activity with a minor, at which time he was arrested.
Law enforcement seized Wise’s phone and subsequently discovered multiple items of child pornography embedded in a sexually graphic conversation.
The attempted online enticement of a minor charge carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Because of a prior conviction, the transportation of child pornography charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 40 years, and a mandatory minimum of 15 years. Because of a prior conviction the possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum of 20 years, and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. The attempted transfer of obscenity to a minor count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years. All of the counts carry a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited 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 conviction. He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Thomas J. Chirichella, detectives with the Bayonne Police Department, and detectives with the Indianapolis Police Department.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray Mateo and Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division in Newark.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Keith T. Jones, 28, Chicago, Illinois was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 30 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Jones pleaded guilty to this charge on December 15, 2021.
On the night of August 24, 2020, La Crosse Police Department officers responded to a shots-fired complaint in La Crosse. Officers learned that multiple gunshots were fired from a gray minivan towards a blue sedan. Multiple residents reported bullet hole damage to their homes from the shooting, including into a bedroom that was occupied at the time.
The next day, officers conducted a traffic stop on the gray minivan involved in the shooting. Jones was one of the occupants in the minivan at the time of the stop. Officers searched the minivan and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in the center console, and a spent 9mm shell casing under the driver’s seat. The Taurus handgun was identified as the same firearm used in the shooting the night before, and further investigation revealed that Jones was the shooter. In addition, analysis by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab identified Jones’ DNA on the firearm. Jones was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on a prior felony conviction.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Jones’s gun possession was connected to a shooting that occurred in a neighborhood which posed a profound risk to the community, including both the intended targets as well as bystanders. Judge Peterson said the sentence was meant to be a deterrent to Jones to prevent any future involvement with firearms, and also a message that shootings which take place in communities have to be taken seriously and will lead to steeper punishment.
Co-defendant Antwan Taylor, who was also involved in this drive-by shooting, previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison by Judge Peterson on December 2, 2021.
The charge against Jones was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
Hendersonville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Metro Courthouse ArsonRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – The Hendersonville, Tennessee man, described in Court filings as “the face of the attempt to burn down City Hall,” was sentenced today to federal prison for his participation in the arson of the Metro Courthouse on May 30, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Wesley Somers, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger, to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
“On May 30, 2020, scores of local, state and federal law enforcement officers stood ready to protect the Constitutional right of every citizen to engage in peaceful protests,” said U.S. Attorney Wildasin. “Unfortunately, Somers and others interfered with a lawful assembly and resorted to violence and destructive behavior, which resulted in significant property damage and placed many at risk of harm. We will always defend the right of every individual to exercise their First Amendment liberties but will not tolerate the actions of those who choose to exploit peaceful protest by resorting to violence and intimidation.”
Somers was charged in a criminal complaint on June 3, 2020, following the May 30th protests in downtown Nashville, which resulted from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the evening, several persons gathered in front of the Nashville City Hall, also known as the Metro Courthouse, and began smashing the windows of the premises and spraying graffiti on the Courthouse facade. The interior of the Courthouse was also set on fire.
Numerous video clips and photographs of the destruction at the Courthouse were posted on social media websites, on the websites for news outlets, and on other Internet sites. One video depicted Somers lighting a sign on fire and placing it through the window of the Courthouse. Somers then sprayed an accelerant into the fire which quickly caused the fire inside the Courthouse to spread.
Somers was soon identified by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department – Specialized Investigation Division, after receiving numerous tips from citizens.
Records filed with the Court also indicate that after Somers was arrested and booked into the Davidson County Jail, he reveled in his newfound fame and related during a phone call that he was a celebrity among other inmates and had been nicknamed “Protest.”
Somers and Shelby Ligons, 23, of Nashville, Tenn., were indicted on October 20, 2020. Somers pleaded guilty on June 29, 2021. Shelby Ligons pleaded guilty on March 3, 2021. She was sentenced on August 11, 2021, to a year and a day in prison.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the FBI; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Schrader and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the Department’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.
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Hartford Woman Involved in Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JANICETTE REYES, 43, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Ricardo Reyes. Court-authorized wiretaps confirmed that he was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to him, as well as associates who sold drugs on his behalf. Intercepted communications also revealed that Ricardo Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms.
Janicette Reyes, who is Ricardo Reyes’ sister, used a Rowe Avenue residence she shared with Johnny Ortega, also known as “Clatcho,” to store, process and package fentanyl for distribution, and she delivered fentanyl to customers at Ricardo Reyes’ direction.
On April 22, 2019, Ricardo Reyes was arrested on state charges after he used a straw purchaser to purchase two handguns from a licensed gun dealer in Newington. After the purchase, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Ricardo Reyes’ vehicle in New Britain and seized the two firearms. A search of the vehicle also revealed approximately 450 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, more than one pound of marijuana, and $1,160 in cash. While Ricardo Reyes was detained in state custody, Janicette Reyes continued to service Ricardo Reyes’ drug customers.
Janicette Reyes was arrested on June 17, 2019. On that date, a court-authorized search of her Rowe Avenue revealed approximately 3,450 dose-bags of fentanyl, narcotics paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition.
On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Ricardo Reyes, Janicette Reyes, Ortega and 12 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. On October 1, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Reyes, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on June 24, 2022.
Ricardo Reyes and Ortega pleaded guilty to related charges. On February 11, 2021, Ricardo Reyes was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment. On December 27, 2021, Ortega was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 19 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on March 22, 2022, Damon Todd Carey, age 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 228 months of imprisonment to be followed by 96 months of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo. Carey previously was convicted following a jury trial of cocaine trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, during the trial, the government presented evidence of an extensive drug trafficking operation led by Carey, which included large quantities of cocaine, over $80,000 cash, a loaded firearm, money counter, digital scales, kilogram press, five cellphones, ledger totaling $92,700 in drug debts, and duffel bags filled with drug cooking equipment, cutting ingredients, and packaging materials. At the time of his arrest and federal charges, Carey was on supervised release, and had just completed a 120-month prison sentence for drug trafficking.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Harrisburg Police Department, who received valuable assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Greenville Woman Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Oxycodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Keowsha Golden, 36, of Greenville, was sentenced to more than 1o years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that Golden obtained prescription paper and then forged physician information to write prescriptions for 30 milligram oxycodone tablets. The prescriptions were passed at various pharmacies in the upstate of South Carolina and in western North Carolina. Golden used drug addicts and homeless persons to pass the prescriptions. She provided the prescription passers with the money to pick up the prescriptions as well as fraudulent identification documents. Golden sold the bottles of oxycodone tablets to others at the wholesale rate of $2,800 to $3,500 per bottle.
During the execution of a search warrant at Golden’s residence, law enforcement officers seized her personal telephone and laptop which revealed fraudulent prescription templates, physician information, and copies of driver’s licenses used by prescription passers at various pharmacies.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Golden to 130 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Laurens Police Department, and Greenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.
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Gloucester Man Convicted of Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possessing an Illegal Machine GunRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Gloucester, Virginia man on Monday on charges of methamphetamine trafficking and related firearms charges.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Eric Lee Smith, 40, engaged in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in Gloucester County and surrounding areas in 2019 and 2020. Smith and other conspirators obtained quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona and caused it to be transported to Virginia, where Smith stored it in various locations and distributed it for profit. Smith also possessed firearms in the course of the conspiracy. On November 25, 2020, Smith was in possession of an illegal machine gun and unregistered silencer. Smith used the machine gun to shoot another individual.
Smith was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, using and maintaining drug premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, illegal possession of a machine gun, and possession of an unregistered firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment across the various convictions prison when sentenced on August 8. 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.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the verdict.
Special thanks to Mathews County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Devon Heath 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. 4:21-cr-42.
Franklin County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that March 22, 2022, Adam Neftali Santana, age 37, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson. Santana previously was convicted following a jury trial of conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, attempted possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the investigation uncovered a drug trafficking operation where at least eight boxes that contained cocaine were mailed from Puerto Rico to Santana’s residence. A search warrant was then executed at Santana’s residence where authorities found a digital scale, a Glock 9mm pistol, numerous pistol magazines and ammunition in the master bedroom. Additional packaging consistent with a seized parcel was also found indicating earlier cocaine deliveries.
The case was investigated jointly by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Ford and Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Four Men Indicted for $16 Million Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Four men were charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Arkansas for an alleged $16 million wire fraud and money laundering scheme involving fake investment offerings.
According to court documents, John C. Nock, 53, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Brian Brittsan, 65, of San Marcos, California; Kevin Griffith, 66, of Orem, Utah; and Alexander Ituma, 55, of Lehi, Utah, allegedly engaged in an investment fraud scheme between 2013 and 2021 through their firm, The Brittingham Group, by falsely representing the nature of their investment offerings and promising large returns they could not and did not produce. The indictment further alleges that Nock and Brittsan directed victims to send their funds to bank accounts controlled by Griffith, Ituma, and others, and the defendants then transferred the money through a complex web of bank accounts throughout the world.
The defendants are each charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition, Nock is charged with money laundering. The defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today in the Western District of Arkansas. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Additionally, Nock faces up to 10 years in prison for money laundering. 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 David Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Altemus of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Dallas Field Office; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-CI and the FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Philip Trout and Vasanth Sridharan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich for the Western District of Arkansas 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.
Four Men Indicted for $16 Million Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – Four men were charged in an indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Arkansas for an alleged $16 million wire fraud and money laundering scheme involving fake investment offerings.
According to court documents, John C. Nock, 53, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Brian Brittsan, 65, of San Marcos, California; Kevin Griffith, 66, of Orem, Utah; and Alexander Ituma, 55, of Lehi, Utah, allegedly engaged in an investment fraud scheme between 2013 and 2021 through their firm, The Brittingham Group, by falsely representing the nature of their investment offerings and promising large returns they could not and did not produce. The indictment further alleges that Nock and Brittsan directed victims to send their funds to bank accounts controlled by Griffith, Ituma, and others, and the defendants then transferred the money through a complex web of bank accounts throughout the world.
The defendants are each charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition, Nock is charged with money laundering. The defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today in the Western District of Arkansas. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Additionally, Nock faces up to 10 years in prison for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Altemus of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Dallas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-CI and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich for the Western District of Arkansas and Trial Attorneys Philip Trout and Vasanth Sridharan 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 HP Planning Manager Pleads Guilty to $5+ Million Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Shelbee Szeto pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, money laundering, and a relate tax charge in a scheme to defraud her former employer out of more than five million dollars, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Pearson. The guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam Jr., United States District Judge.
According to the plea agreement, Szeto, 30, of Fremont, was employed by HP, Inc. (HP) as an executive assistant and finance planning manager from approximately August 2017 until June of 2021. In these roles, Szeto was responsible for making payments to HP vendors and was issued multiple HP commercial credits cards to make the payments on HP’s behalf. Rather than make payments in accordance with the company’s policies, Szeto devised a fraudulent scheme whereby she sent approximately $4.8 million in unauthorized payments from her HP commercial credit cards to several Square, PayPal, and Stripe merchant accounts under her control.
The plea agreement provides several details of the scheme. For example, the agreement describes how, as part of her employment with HP, Szeto was issued multiple American Express commercial credit cards that were intended only for business expenses. Szeto then set up bogus merchant accounts with PayPal, Stripe, and Square that she maintained under her control, but represented were for legitimate vendors. Szeto then unlawfully sent payments from the credit cards to the bogus accounts. To further her plan, Szeto uploaded falsified invoices to HP’s internal system and falsely represented to HP that the payments were made to legitimate vendors. She also made false representations to Square that the payments sent from the credit cards were sent to HP’s approved vendors for legitimate business transactions and falsely represented to her bank that the money from HP was for legitimate business transactions.
According to the plea agreement, Szeto caused at least $4.8 million to be fraudulently from HP accounts to accounts she controlled and attempted to steal an additional approximately $330,000 from HP. Szeto acknowledged that the total loss and attempted loss from her scheme was at least $5.2 million.
Furthermore, the plea agreement contains a list of items for which Szeto has forfeited her interest. The list includes items such as the proceeds of a First Republic Bank account; a 2020 Tesla sedan; a 2021 Porsche sport utility vehicle; several bags and purses from Dior, Gucci, Hermes, and Chanel; and a collection of jewelry and timepieces including necklaces, rings, pendants, and watches from Rolex, Bulgari, Audemars Pignet, and Cartier. The list has 161 line items—some lines of which include multiple items such as “7 necklaces with clover-shaped design,” “6 gold necklaces with pendants,” and “26 pairs of earrings.”
On February 11, 2022, the Office of the United States Attorney filed an Information charging Szeto with two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957; and one count of filing a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1). According to today’s plea agreement, Szeto pleaded guilty to all five counts.
The maximum statutory sentence for the wire fraud counts is a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release, per count. The maximum statutory sentence for money laundering counts is ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release per count. The maximum statutory sentence for the false tax return charge is three years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and one year of supervised release. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by a court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Judge Gilliam scheduled Szeto’s sentencing for July 20, 2022.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Priedeman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Leeya Kekona. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI.
Former Freight Company Executive Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former program manager of an international freight forwarding company was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to embezzle over $550,000 from the company, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Morten Nielsen, 37, a Danish national residing in Maine, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today via videoconference.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
As program manager for the freight forwarding company, Nielsen was responsible for the company’s contract relating to the Egyptian Foreign Military Sales program (EFMP), a program between the government of Egypt and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) that facilitated the sale and repair of military equipment from the DoD to Egypt. Nielsen was responsible for ensuring all logistics for the transportation of certain material between the United States and Egypt and for submitting all paperwork and billing invoices on behalf of the company to the Egyptian government. Once approved, those invoices were forwarded to the DoD for payment to the company.
From July 2017 through July 2019, Nielsen submitted fraudulent invoices from a sham company that he controlled to the freight forwarding company for work that the sham company never performed. Nielsen then sent the fraudulent invoices on behalf of his employer to the Egyptian government. The fraudulent invoices were approved by Egypt and, the DoD reimbursed the freight forwarding company. Nielsen caused his employer to pay the sham company he created approximately $559,000 over the course of two years, and then transferred those funds into his personal account.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Nielsen to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $559,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick Hegarty; and special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
Former Federal Contract Employee Charged with Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Kansas City, Missouri, man has been charged in federal court after child pornography was found on the cell phone he carried into a secure area at the U.S. Department of Energy national security campus in Kansas City, Mo.
Shaun Walker, 39, currently a resident of Springfield, Mo., was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on March 14, 2022, with one count of distributing child pornography, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. The complaint has been unsealed following Walker’s arrest on Monday, March 21. Walker remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Thursday, March 24.
Walker was employed by Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technology, which is contracted by the Nuclear National Security Administration.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Walker entered an inner secure area of the U.S. Department of Energy National Security Campus in Kansas City, Mo., with his personal cell phone on Nov. 29, 2021. Walker contacted Kansas City National Security Campus Security to self-report the violation.
Walker gave his cell phone to security personnel, who reviewed the cell phone to determine if any classified material was present on the phone. During the review, the affidavit says, a security officer observed numerous images and videos depicting child pornography. Walker’s phone was seized in order to conduct a forensic examination.
Investigators found an encrypted folder on Walker’s cell phone that contained 21 images and a video of a 5-year-old girl who is known to Walker. Investigators found dozens of additional images and videos of child pornography on Walker’s cell phone. Investigators also found thousands of WhatsApp chats between Walker and females he contacted through a livestreaming pornography website. Walker requested photos and videos of nude underage females conducting sexual acts, the affidavit says. As a result of his WhatsApp chats, Walker allegedly received and distributed images and videos of child pornography.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly. It was investigated by the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General.
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."