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26 April 2022
Justice Department Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with Events Throughout the CountryRead the Press Release
DETROIT, MI – In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 24-30, 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, along with the Detroit Crime Victims’ Action Team, will be recognizing crime victims and those who have dedicated their lives to serve and assist victims of crime.
Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys Offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 24-30, with the theme: Rights, access, equity, for all victims. This theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and ensuring equity and inclusion for all.
This year’s honoree is Open Arms, part of Ascension Southeast Michigan Community Health. Open Arms is a crime victim service program that provides individual and family counseling, crime victim court advocacy, peer support groups, and legal support for victims of crime and domestic violence. Open Arms will be recognized for their tireless work to ensure that the needs of victims are met.
This year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week event will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at Lafayette Greens. This location is located on the corner of Shelby and W. Lafayette. Lillian Reyes, Drop-In Youth Director with the Ruth Ellis Center, will be the guest speaker and share her emotional story. All are welcome to attend this event.
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel are both scheduled to speak at the event and will be joined by local and federal law enforcement leaders. Bishop James Williams, Crime Stoppers of Michigan will moderate Tuesday’s event.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan is committed to assisting victims of crimes and protecting them from further harm,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “Our staff of professionals are dedicated to ensuring that victims’ rights are protected and that they have access to services in their time of need.”
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.
The Eastern District of Michigan, like other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, has a dedicated Victim Witness Unit that serves federal crime victims across the District's many counties. Our staff notify victims of significant case events through the Department of Justice's Victim (DOJ) Notification System (VNS). Such notice enables victims to participate in court proceedings and make their voices heard. In calendar year 2021, our staff made more than 68,000 notices to victims. In addition to notification, the Eastern District of Michigan's Victim Witness Unit provides essential services to victims, such as making referrals for counseling, securing temporary housing, assisting with access to victim compensation funds, and accompanying victims to court to provide support and guidance during the proceedings. These services provide tools victims need to reshape their futures.
The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Program at [email protected].
Jury Finds Husband and Wife Guilty of Participating in International Fraud RingRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN- Caesar Oruade, 38, and Ayana Saunders, 36, of Hawthorne, California, have been convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney, announced the conviction today.
According to information presented in court, in May 2017, a computer intrusion at a real estate company resulted in a Memphis woman’s $76,000 payment on a home purchase being diverted to the bank account of California resident Jeffrey Cranford. Agents investigating the case followed the money and found that the $76,000 had been "chopped" and sent to several other U.S. bank account holders before ultimately being wired to an account in Nigeria. Many others across the United States and in Canada had been similarly victimized in their attempts to purchase real estate. The proceeds of romance fraud were flowing through the same accounts as well.
Bank accounts belonging to defendant Ayana Saunders generally served as the last domestic stop for funds before leaving the United States; they then landed in the Nigerian account of Caesar Oruade. Saunders and Oruade, now married, claimed the money came from "investors" who were funding the making of Nigerian films through their production company. Both were convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to launder money.
Victims from around the United States and Canada testified that they had been directed by either an online real estate lender or an online love interest or friend to wire money to Saunders as insurance on their pending loan or to assist their "friend" in an emergency. More than half a million dollars moved into Saunders’ accounts over the course of approximately one year. Saunders took a cut before forwarding the remaining fraudulently obtained funds to Nigeria.
Wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry sentences of up to twenty years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
"Targeting domestic and foreign fraudsters who scam innocent people out of their hard-earned money is a priority for the FBI," said Douglas M. Korneski, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office. "These convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of state and federal law enforcement working together to protect the public from real estate and romance scammers and bring those responsible to justice."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Memphis Division, investigated this case with assistance from the United States Secret Service (USSS), FBI – Los Angeles Division and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Sentencing is set for July 21, 2022, before Senior United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen. Jeffrey Cranford pled guilty in the scheme and is set to be sentenced on May 5, 2022, before Judge J. Daniel Breen.
Assistant United States Attorneys Raney Irwin and Debra Ireland are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
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Judge sentences East Prairie, Missouri, Woman to 36 months for Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., sentenced Angelica Woods to 36 months in prison today. The 59-year-old East Prairie, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty on October 7, 2021, to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Woods was employed by an in-home services provider in Mississippi County, Missouri. Part of Woods’ job duties for the service provider included going to homes of elderly clients to provide in-home services for them. Woods devised a scheme to defraud Sallie Mae Bank, and a client of the service provider, to fraudulently obtain a student loan for another person.
On or about November 6, 2018, Woods sent in interstate commerce by wire transmission a false and fraudulent Application Promissory Note fraudulently using the client’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number, to obtain a student loan from Sallie Mae Bank in the amount of $18,000.00. At the time the loan application was submitted, the client was unaware that Woods had used her identity to guarantee repayment of the student loan, and had not given Woods permission to use the client’s identity to obtain the student loan. Woods fraudulently caused student loan proceeds in the approximate amount of $18,000.00 to be sent to Missouri Welding Institute located in Nevada, Missouri, via wire transfer in interstate commerce as directed by lender Sallie Mae Bank.
The case was investigated by the East Prairie Police Department, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Paul W. Hahn handled the prosecution for the government.
Jamaican Wedding Trip Lands Felon Back in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood and current resident of the suburb of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 24 months in prison for violating his federal supervised release, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Kevin Carter, age 50, of MacFarlane Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235.
According to information presented to the court, Carter was released from federal prison on January 19, 2018, after serving 168 months for multiple federal heroin trafficking crimes. He was found to have travelled outside western Pennsylvania without permission when a Pennsylvania State Trooper stopped him as he was driving back from New Jersey on March 3, 2021. Then, on April 7, 2021, Carter was stopped by a Pittsburgh Police Officer for driving a motorcycle while holding a three-year-old child on the tank. In addition to not having a helmet or eye protection for himself or the child, Carter was found to be driving without registration, insurance, or a motorcycle license while he possessed a small amount of marijuana.
When Carter obtained a passport and booked a flight to Jamaica to attend his cousin’s wedding, the Court issued a warrant and he was arrested shortly before boarding the flight to Montego Bay on March 17, 2022. Records showed that Carter had actually had his girlfriend book many additional airline trips in order to hide them from the Court. Specifically, evidence during the April 26, 2022, court hearing revealed that Carter took at least 14 trips to various out-of-state locations including Las Vegas, Disney World and Los Angeles, between his 2018 release from prison and the March 17, 2022, flight that resulted in his arrest.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan rejected the defendant’s request for a sentence of time served and instead sentenced him to 24 months of incarceration, a sentence within the guideline range of 21 to 27 months of incarceration applicable to Carter’s violations.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the United States Probation Office, United States Customs and Border Protection Officers and the United States Marshal Service for the investigation and efforts leading to the successful prosecution of Carter.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing His Twin’s Identity to Obtain Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Wayne Bowen (64, Jacksonville) to two years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. The Court also ordered Bowen to reimburse various federal agencies a total of $63,773 for government benefits that he had received in connection with his identity theft scheme. Bowen had pleaded guilty on January 20, 2022.
According to court documents, in 2014, Bowen used the name, Social Security card, and military discharge papers of his estranged twin brother to apply for federally subsidized housing benefits. The specific subsidy – intended for indigent military veterans – was funded under a joint program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Unlike his twin, Bowen is not a military veteran.
When interviewed by federal agents, Bowen admitted that he had been using his twin brother’s identity for years. He had obtained a Florida identification card using his twin’s name and had been arrested and convicted of felony offenses under his twin’s identity. Although Bowen initially told the agents that he, like his twin, had served and been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Bowen eventually relented and admitted that those were lies.
Due to Bowen’s fraudulent use of his twin’s identity, the VA provided him with $32,434 in medical services, HUD provided him with $18,905 in housing subsidies, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded $12,434 in nutritional benefits for him. Bowen’s twin has confirmed that he did not apply for any of these benefits and that he never gave Bowen permission to use his name.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An Illinois man was sentenced to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for sex trafficking a woman and transporting another woman to engage in prostitution, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“Sex trafficking is an insidious crime that causes lasting physical and emotional trauma. Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of Mr. Stennis’s crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “I commend our law enforcement partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the Bloomington Police Department for their commitment to this case.”
“While today’s sentencing cannot undo the pain Stennis inflicted upon those who survived his abuse, it is my hope that by seeing him held accountable for his heinous crimes they will be given some form of solace knowing he is no longer in the communities in which they live,” said Jamie Holt, acting special agent in charge of HSI St. Paul. “HSI, along with our law enforcement partners, are dedicated to the eradication of sex trafficking and will continue to search out those who intend to profit off the pain and abuse of others.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, between January and March 2019, Darnell Deshawn Stennis, 30, transported one woman around the Midwest, using threats and physical violence to force the woman into performing commercial sex acts. In March of 2019, Stennis transported a second woman between Minnesota and North Dakota for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
On March 25, 2019, officers with the Bloomington Police Department were dispatched to the La Quinta Inn in Bloomington, Minnesota, following a report that a hotel guest heard yelling and what sounded like someone being thrown against a wall. Upon arrival, officers encountered Stennis and the two women, identified as Victim A and Victim B. Officers checked the hotel room and observed obvious signs of a disturbance, including a toilet seat that was broken into multiple pieces and a towel rack that was bent. Victim A reported to officers that Stennis had violently assaulted her after she told him she didn’t want to engage in commercial sex work anymore. Victim A reported that Stennis choked her, bashed her head into the towel rack, and pushed her down onto the toilet seat. Stennis, who also had outstanding warrants, was arrested and placed into custody. After his arrest, Stennis instructed Victim B to lie to the investigators and destroy evidence of the sex trafficking. He continued to force Victim A to perform commercial sex acts for several months, even while he was in custody, by threatening her with physical violence.
On October 7, 2021, Stennis was convicted by a federal jury on two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, two counts of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution, and one count of obstruction. Stennis was sentenced earlier today by U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.
This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bloomington Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Manda M. Sertich, and Evan B. Gilead.
Harrison County woman admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Heather Joe Paugh, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Paugh, 30, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm.” Paugh, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in August 2021 in Monongalia County.
Paugh faces up to 10 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Hancock County Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Owensboro, KY– On April 20, 2022, a Hancock County Kentucky woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for multiple child pornography offenses. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, Shasta Maria Coiles, 40, of Lewisport, Kentucky, was sentenced for committing three counts of production of child pornography, two counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor. Coiles committed these offenses in March of 2020 and was arrested that month by Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition to the prison sentence, Coiles was placed on supervised release for her lifetime.
“I commend the work of the FBI agents who investigated the case and AUSA Hancock for his handling of the prosecution,” stated United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. “The production, distribution, and transfer of child pornography merit the 20-year sentenced imposed. Upon release from prison, the defendant will be under the close supervision of federal probation officers for the remainder of her life. This office, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to work diligently to identify and prosecute those who sexually exploit children.”
"Coiles' significant sentence will not undo the harm and pain her actions have caused innocent children and their families, but we hope it will serve as a wake-up call to those who think they can hide behind the anonymity of the internet," said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI's Louisville Field Office. "Uncovering those who exploit this most vulnerable population will always be a major focus of the FBI and our law enforcement partners."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Louisville Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Seth Hancock, Branch Chief of the Paducah U.S. Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case.
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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.”
Glen Allen Man Pleads Guilty to $400,000 Bankruptcy Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Glen Allen man pleaded guilty today to executing a mail fraud scheme during the course of his bankruptcy proceeding in order to conceal the true extent of his financial assets from the Bankruptcy Trustee and his numerous creditors.
According to court documents, in January 2019, William Henry Romm, III, 44, filed a Voluntary Petition for Bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In filing that petition, Romm deliberately concealed his recent receipt of both a sizeable life insurance policy payout and a parcel of real estate, both of which he had received following his father’s death. Romm shortly thereafter sold that real estate and spent the bulk of those concealed proceeds on, among other things, a boat for his personal use.
Over the course of the next two years, Romm continued to conceal his receipt and dissipation of additional funds, including more than $268,000 that he received from the sale of his late father’s residence. Romm’s efforts to conceal also included concealing his marital status from the Court and Trustees by representing himself as single in his court filings; opening bank and brokerage accounts in his wife’s name, but over which he maintained control; using those accounts to hide the real estate sale proceeds; drafting checks on the bank account by forging his wife’s signature; and using the brokerage account to trade stocks he purchased with those real estate sale proceeds.
To ensure the Bankruptcy Court and Trustee remained unaware of his financial activities, Romm also filed knowingly false paperwork with the Bankruptcy Court and made numerous false statements under oath. In total, Romm concealed more than $400,000 in assets from the Bankruptcy Court before the Court dismissed his bankruptcy case in August of 2021.
Romm is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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 Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-41.
Ganado Man Sentenced to 18 Years for MurderRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Leon Lee Jones, 38, of Ganado, Arizona, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Jones previously pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder.
On July 11, 2018, Jones shot and killed the victim, who was his intimate partner. The murder occurred near Klagetoh, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Jones is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, as was the victim.
The FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Samuels and William Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08369-PCT-MTL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-050_Jones# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Four Members and Two Associates of the Genovese Organized Crime Family Charged with RacketeeringRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Letitia James, New York State Attorney General, and Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney, announced today the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging four members and two associates of the Genovese Organized Crime Family with racketeering.
The Superseding Indictment charges NICHOLAS CALISI and RALPH BALSAMO, alleged Captains in the Family, MICHAEL MESSINA and JOHN CAMPANELLA, alleged Soldiers in the Family, and MICHAEL POLI and THOMAS POLI, alleged associates of the Family, with racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and extortion.
MESSINA was previously arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang on April 12, 2022. BALSAMO, CAMPANELLA, MICHAEL POLI, and THOMAS POLI were arrested today and will be presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger this afternoon. CALISI was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida and presented before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Florida. The case is assigned to United States District Judge John G. Koeltl.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “From extortion to illegal gambling, the Mafia continues to find ways to prey on others to fill its coffers. Our office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to putting organized crime out of business.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James said: “For years, members of the Genovese crime family have terrorized New York communities with violence and illegal businesses. These individuals allegedly made their money through illegal gambling and loan sharking — saddling victims with incredible debt that they cannot repay. Today’s indictment makes clear that we will continue to root out organized crime wherever it exists, and I thank U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez for their partnership in taking down these criminal enterprises.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said: “Organized crime, and the illegal conduct that flows from its activities, remain a problem in Brooklyn and beyond. My Office is committed to continue working together with our law enforcement partners to investigate these criminal organizations, as we’ve done in this case. I thank the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the New York State Office of the Attorney General for their partnership and cooperation.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, which was unsealed today[1]:
The Genovese Organized Crime Family is part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names, including La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”) and the “Mafia,” which operates through entities known as “Families.”
Like other LCN Families, the Genovese Organized Crime Family operates through groups of individuals known as “crews”. Each “crew” has as its leader a person known as a “Captain” and consists of “made” members, known as “Soldiers.” Soldiers are aided in their criminal endeavors by other trusted individuals, known as “associates,” who sometimes are referred to as “connected” or identified as “with” a Soldier or other member of the Family. Associates participate in the various activities of the crew and its members. In order for an associate to become a made member of the Family, the associate typically needs to demonstrate the ability to generate income for the Family, and/or that the associate is capable of committing acts of violence.
A Captain is responsible for supervising the criminal activities of his crew, resolving disputes between and among members of the Family, resolving disputes between members of the Family and members of other Families and other criminal organizations, and providing Soldiers and associates with support and protection. In return, the Captain typically receives a share of the illegal earnings of each of his crew’s Soldiers and associates.
At times relevant to the charges in the Superseding Indictment, NICHOLAS CALISI and RALPH BALSAMO were Captains in the Genovese Family, MICHAEL MESSINA and JOHN CAMPANELLA were Soldiers in the Genovese Family, and MICHAEL POLI and THOMAS POLI were associates of the Genovese Family.
Members of the Genovese Family, including CALISI, BALSAMO, MESSINA, CAMPANELLA, MICHAEL POLLI, and THOMAS POLLI, engaged in or agreed that others would engage in certain crimes, including making extortionate extensions of credit, financing extortionate extensions of credit, collecting extensions of credit by extortion, extortion, operating illegal gambling businesses, and transmission of gambling information.
* * *
A chart containing the ages, residency information, and charges against the defendants, as well as the maximum penalties they face is attached. The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its assistance in this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Celia V. Cohen, Rushmi Bhaskaran, and Justin Rodriguez, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Murray, are in charge of the prosecution. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States v. Michael Messina, et al., S1 22 Cr. 212 (JGK)
DEFENDANT
AGE
CITY OF RESIDENCE
CHARGES
MAX SENT.
Messina, Michael
69
New Fairfield, CT
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
Calisi, Nicholas
63
Boca Raton, FL
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
Balsamo, Ralph
51
Tuckahoe, NY
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
Campanella, John
47
Bronx, NY
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
Poli, Michael
37
Hawthorne, NY
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
Poli, Thomas
64
Bronx, NY
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
20 years
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 168 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Mandell D. Strawter, age 30, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced, April 25, 2022, by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady, on his plea of guilty to distributing a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Strawter was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in February 2019, Strawter distributed heroin. Strawter was determined to be a career offender based on his prior felony convictions for armed robbery and dealing cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
Former Substitute Teacher and Coach Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of 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 Steven Gasiorek, 36, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Williams M. Skretny to receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between March 2014, and April 16, 2019, Gasiorek worked as a substitute teacher and athletic coach at John F. Kennedy Middle and High Schools in Cheektowaga, NY. During that time, Gasiorek pretended to be a teenage girl living in California and used a fictitious Instagram account in the name of LEXIGURL1015 to communicate with numerous minor males and receive child pornography from them. Gasiorek knew the victims he was communicating with were minors, and he served as a teacher or coach to some of the victims he received child pornography from.
On April 16, 2019, during the execution of a search warrant at Gasiorek’s residence, a laptop computer and external hard drive were seized. A forensic examination recovered images and videos of child pornography depicting many minor males, of which 29 have been positively identified. The victims lived in Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Virginia, Texas, and Florida. In total, Gasiorek possessed over 600 images and videos of child pornography.
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 Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Edward Baker, and the Fauquier County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Jeremy Falls.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 27, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.
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Former State Unemployment Contractor and Co-Conspirator Indicted for Stealing Unemployment Insurance BenefitsRead the Press Release
DETROIT - A former contract employee with the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, and one co-conspirator, were charged today in an indictment for their roles in a scheme to steal unemployment insurance benefits, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Joining in the announcement were Special Agent-in-Charge Irene Lindow, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, FBI Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca and Julia Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Charged are Autumn Mims, 29, of Troy, Michigan and William Haynes, 25, of Detroit, Michigan.
The indictment charges Mims and Haynes with conspiring to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Mims is also charged with illicitly possessing fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.
According to court records, Autumn Mims worked for the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency as an Unemployment Insurance Examiner. Her duties included reviewing, processing, and verifying the legitimacy of unemployment insurance claims.
It is alleged that shortly after Mims began working for the State of Michigan, she began using her insider access to fraudulently process claims in the names of third parties without their knowledge or authorization. It is also alleged that as part of the scheme, Mims and Haynes caused unauthorized bank accounts to be fraudulently opened in the names of third parties and caused unemployment insurance claim payments to be issued to those illegitimate accounts. It is also alleged in the indictment that Mims and Haynes took control of those unemployment insurance claim payments and used the funds for their own benefit.
During the execution of a search warrant at Mims’s residence, law enforcement officers located significant evidence of fraud, including personal identifying information of third parties and receipts relating to transactions made using proceeds of the fraud scheme.
Mims was previously charged in a criminal complaint for her alleged role in the scheme.
“Those who commit unemployment insurance fraud not only steal from honest taxpayers but they also make it more difficult for legitimate claimants to receive the assistance to which they are entitled,” stated United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “We will continue to work tirelessly to fight unemployment abuse and fraud.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate fraud involving unemployment insurance programs. This is particularly true when an allegation involves misconduct by the very government employees and contractors charged with overseeing those programs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and state workforce agencies to aggressively investigate unemployment insurance fraud,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“These defendants conspired to use Mims’ official position to take money meant for people who were unemployed during the pandemic. That money was vital to many of our community members who were suffering pandemic-related economic challenges,” said Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “The FBI will continue to work alongside our state and federal partners to investigate unemployment insurance fraud.”
“The unemployment insurance benefits system is built on trust that the residents of Michigan will receive the money they are entitled to when they lose their jobs through no fault of their own,” said Julia Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. “We will not tolerate an abuse of that trust. I am committed to our partnership with law enforcement as together we identify bad actors and bring them to justice.”
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
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.
Former Owner of Chrysler Dealerships in Lodi and Sonora Charged with Wire Fraud for Defrauding InvestorsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On April 21, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Vincent Elliot Porter, 73, of Oakdale, charging him with wire fraud, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between 2013 and 2017, Porter owned and operated two Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships: Sonora Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. He used his ownership of those businesses to defraud investors of approximately $8 million. He promised investors fixed rates of return and falsely represented that the investments were risk free and backed by collateral. He misrepresented the financial health of the dealerships and the intended use of investor funds. Porter spent much of the investors’ funds for personal use including expensive travel (including to golf resorts such as Pebble Beach, high end hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, and numerous trips to Las Vegas, the Napa Valley, and other luxury locations), the purchase of an expensive vehicle, and other personal expenses.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Porter faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Florida Man Sentenced for Misleading Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A Florida man was sentenced today for lying to federal agents. Steve Hill, 57, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $345,727.15 by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
Formerly of the Memphis area, Hill spent nearly a quarter century working in the medical sales industry for various Fortune 500 companies, during which time he received standard compliance training on the Anti-Kickback Statute. In 2014, then working under Brad Duke of Little Rock, Hill began to promote expensive compounded prescription drugs covered by TRICARE. Hill operated on a commission basis, earning a fixed percentage of whatever TRICARE paid for the drugs.
To generate sales, Hill encouraged a Memphis area doctor to prescribe the expensive compounded drugs by agreeing to share his commission on the doctor’s prescriptions through payments to the doctor’s spouse. Most of Hill’s payments would eventually be routed to a Tennessee shell corporation formed under the spouse’s name. Within a year, Hill’s arrangement succeeded in generating over $1 million in TRICARE compounded prescription drug claims, earning Hill $345,727.15.
Federal agents investigating the case discovered the connection between Hill, the shell corporation, the spouse, and the doctor. In August 2017, federal agents visited Hill’s Memphis area home to discuss his promotion of compounded prescription drugs. When asked about his financial dealings with the spouse, Hill denied paying the spouse anything in relation to the doctor’s prescriptions.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander D. Morgan.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Covid-19 Related Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses in Connection with A Scheme to Unlawfully Obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FundsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jorice Williams Dennard, age 25, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty today before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to mail fraud and identity theft offenses in connection with a scheme to unlawfully obtain Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal Information to which Dennard pleaded guilty alleges that Dennard submitted a false application with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for PUA funds utilizing the personal identification information, including name, birth date, and social security number of another person. The PUA program is administered by the various states, including Pennsylvania, but its benefits are funded in part by the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (or “CARES Act”). The Information further alleges that Dennard also falsely provided a residential address in Jim Thorpe, PA on the same fraudulent application and then, on January 28, 2021, traveled to this address and to the Jim Thorpe Post Office in an effort to obtain a package addressed to his identity theft victim that contained a debit card in the victim’s name with a balance of over $14,000 in PUA funds.
This case stems from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
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.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 22 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of 2 years that attaches. A sentence following a finding of guilt will be imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes.
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Final Defendant Sentenced in Federal Drug Conspiracy CaseRead the Press Release
Owensboro, KY – Ryan Compton, the remaining defendant in a federal drug conspiracy, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and for distributing methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, beginning on or about November 19, 2020, and continuing to on or about December 14, 2020, Ryan Compton, 32, of Owensboro, KY, conspired with Christopher Berry, 41, of Harned, KY, to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. Compton also distributed 83 grams of methamphetamine to another person on December 2, 2020.
Berry was previously sentenced on August 13, 2021, to 15 ½ years in federal prison for engaging in the same conspiracy with Compton. Berry was also sentenced for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and possessing a handgun as a convicted felon. Berry’s prior felony convictions were for two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree and possession of a controlled substance in the first degree.
“Excellent investigative work by the ATF Bowling Green Office, the Kentucky State Police, and the Henderson Police Department, stated Michael A. Bennett, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. This office, in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, will continue to root out and aggressively prosecute those who poison our communities with illicit drugs.”
“Many families in Kentucky have endured pain and suffering due to the drug crisis plaguing our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “ATF is committed to making our communities safer. This investigation demonstrates that federal, state, and local law enforcement work closely to pursue drug dealers who use guns. I commend the Kentucky State Police, the Henderson Police Department, the ATF Bowling Green Office and the prosecution team for their hard work in bringing these offenders to justice.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Kentucky State Police, and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office prosecuted the case.
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Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict Against Drug Trafficker with Ice Chest with Hidden CompartmentRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – After a two-day trial in United States District Court in Mobile, a federal jury on Wednesday, April 21, announced a guilty verdict against a man stopped on I-10 in Baldwin County in June 2020 and found in possession of about $400,000.00 worth of methamphetamine, also known as “ice”.
According to court documents and trial testimony, Enrique Miranda Martinez, 47, a Cuban national residing in Miami, accompanied by Yuir Maikel Hernandez Perez, 39, a Cuban national residing in Orlando, drove through Baldwin County on I-10 on the morning of June 23, 2020. A member of the Baldwin County Special Operations Division pulled over a Mercedes SUV driven by Martinez after he committed a traffic violation. The Special Operations Division is tasked with interdicting drug trafficking on I-10 and I-65, and are specially trained to look for signs that travelers may be engaged in drug trafficking.
After the Special Operations Officer approached the SUV’s passenger side, he noted that an ice chest on the back seat behind Martinez showed signs that its lining had been removed and replaced. Another member of the Special Operations Division joined the investigation to interview the passenger, Perez. The interviews of the Martinez and Perez yielded further clues that the pair had conflicting stories about their travels. A subsequent search of the SUV revealed that the ice chest had a secret compartment to transport methamphetamine, but was disguised as one holding only ice and drinks.
Further investigation revealed that Martinez had bought a vacuum sealer at a Tucson, Arizona, Wal Mart two days before the pair was stopped in Baldwin County. The approximately 8.2 pounds of methamphetamine—also known as “ice” due to its purity—found in the ice chest was vacuum sealed with the same brand of vacuum sealer that Martinez had bought in Arizona.At trial, a DEA Special Agent testified that the evidence was consistent with drug smugglers going to a Tucson-area stash house to vacuum seal the methamphetamine to shrink it for further transportation back to the Miami, Florida, area, where someone could likely double their money as the price increases the further it travels from the border. The jury deliberated less than an hour before rendering their guilty verdict on the pair of charges against Martinez: Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
U. S Attorney Costello said, “This is a great example of effective coordination between federal and state law enforcement to stop drug traffickers from delivering their poison as they passed on I-10. I’m grateful for the excellent work of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and its Special Operations Division, and the DEA, as they work with our talented prosecutors to take drug smugglers and their product off the streets.”
The Court will sentence Martinez on July 21. He faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison to a maximum of life in prison and may also be subject to sentencing enhancements for testifying falsely at trial. Perez, who pleaded guilty the morning of trial, will be sentenced on July 18.The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, other investigators of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorneys George May and Alex Lankford prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.Federal Jury Convicts Broken Arrow Resident of Offenses Relating to the Exploitation of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Heather Nicole Bycroft, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and one count of Possession of Certain Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, April 25, 2022, and concluded on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with the guilty verdicts. Based on the verdicts, the defendant is facing up to thirty years of imprisonment.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on July 4th, 2015, Heather Nicole Bycroft, together with her husband, Jason Cory Bycroft, created visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving a six year old girl. At the time of her arrest in 2021, Heather Bycroft was working as a first grade teacher at Bixby Public Schools.
The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Broken Arrow Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Heather Bycroft was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencings.
Prior to Heather Bycroft’s trial, her codefendant, Jason Cory Bycroft entered a guilty plea to two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and two counts of Possession of Certain Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. His sentencing will be scheduled following the completion of a presentence report.
Assistant United States Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich and Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Jones represented the United States.
Eighth Person Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Trafficking Oxycodone and Xanax PillsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester City, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone pills and selling Xanax pills, making him the eighth person to be sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking ring operating in and around Gloucester City and Camden, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Marcus Rushworth, 48, of Gloucester City, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and distributing a quantity of Xanax.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Rushworth admitted that on multiple occasions from January 2020 to March 2020, he worked with Rocco DePoder to sell oxycodone and Xanax to customers in and around Gloucester City. Rushworth also obtained a quantity of Xanax from DePoder on Feb. 17, 2020, in order to sell to a drug customer. Rushworth was charged along with 17 others in March 2020 in connection with an investigation by the FBI into the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, including high dosage oxycodone pills, to customers in Gloucester City and Camden. DePoder was sentenced by Judge Bumb on Oct. 8, 2021, to 70 months in prison for his role in the scheme.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Rushworth to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of FBI Philadelphia Division, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; the Camden County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert L. Wilson; the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, under the direction of Director Laurie R. Doran; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
He also thanked the FBI Newark Division, New Jersey State Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the Newark office.
Dubois Woman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering for Drug OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Dubois, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to violation of a federal money laundering law related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Cindy Chung announced today.
Taylor Thomas, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder money before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Thomas was one of 47 defendants charged in six related indictments as part of the Return to Sender investigation.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Thomas was intercepted communicating with other members of the conspiracy, including Derek Hillebrand and Yusuf Adekunle. Those communications revealed that Thomas sent multiple parcels containing United States currency to individuals in California on behalf of Hillebrand, Adekunle, and other members of the drug trafficking organization. That money represented drug proceeds that were used to purchase additional methamphetamine and marijuana for the members of the organization, who would then receive shipments of methamphetamine and marijuana in mail parcels sent from suppliers in California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Thomas on Aug. 30, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that the defendant remain out on bond.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan D. Lusty and Michael R. Ball are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department.
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.
Distribution of Fentanyl Sends Abbeville Man Back to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Raymond Hawthorne, Jr., 48, of Abbeville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 57 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. Hawthorne pleaded guilty to the charge on November 4, 2021.
On August 27, 2019, law enforcement officers operating in an undercover capacity made arrangements to purchase fentanyl from Hawthorne. He directed them where to meet to purchase the narcotics. Upon arrival as directed by Hawthorne, his co-defendant provided the purchaser with approximately 25 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in exchange for cash. Following the transaction, law enforcement officers observed Hawthorne’s co-defendant drive directly to meet Hawthorne and provide him with the money from the drug transaction.
Hawthorne was previously convicted in 2002 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.
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Dental clinic operator arrested for failing to pay $1.7 million in taxesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A local man has been taken into custody on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay employment taxes, announced Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jonathan Louis Lepow is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m. today.
According to the indictment, returned under seal March 30, Lepow operated Lepow DDS. He was allegedly the office and business manager responsible for payroll obligations and making tax payments to the IRS. Beginning in 2012, Lepow stopped paying employment taxes to the IRS, according to the charges.
The indictment further alleges Lepow avoided paying owed taxes to the IRS by opening and closing bank accounts, accepting cash payments for dental and other services and depositing revenue in bank accounts held in the name of other companies. These allegedly included Texas Center for Continuing Education, Lepow Properties LLC, American Dental Supply LLC, Lepow Management Inc. and Lepow Management LLC.
During the 2012-2016 tax years, Lepow’s outstanding employment tax obligation exceeded over $1.7 million.
If convicted, Lepow faces up to 10 years of imprisonment a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.Defendant Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distributing Narcotics that Caused Multiple Fatal OverdosesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal court in Brooklyn, Angelina Barini was sentenced by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to 30 years’ imprisonment for distributing narcotics and causing the deaths of multiple victims. In August 2021, Barini pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing narcotics that caused the deaths of a person; one count of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine; and one count of conspiring to distribute gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Ricky J. Patel, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“The defendant drugged and killed multiple people for a few quick dollars. She stole their personal belongings while they lay unconscious dying from the lethal drugs she gave them. The defendant’s substantial prison sentence is warranted by her shocking disregard for human life,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Hopefully, today’s sentence will bring some solace to the victims’ families and serve as a warning to future perpetrators that there are significant consequences to these horrific crimes.”
“Displaying complete disregard for human life, Barini peddled fentanyl-laced drugs to her victims who tragically lost their lives to temporary highs. The plague of addiction continues to devastate families and communities in New York and around the country. This case is a painful reminder that there are people like Barini who prey on addicts, turning deadly fentanyl cocktails into quick profits. HSI, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to investigating and dismantling networks that perpetuate opioid related overdose deaths. Today’s sentencing holds one more dealer responsible for profiting off the addiction of others, several of whom paid the ultimate price,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Patel.
“For the immense harm her illegal narcotics peddling caused several victims, Angela Barini today will be sent to prison,” said Police Commissioner Sewell. “This sentence underscores the NYPD’s commitment, along with all of our law enforcement partners and the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, to never stop working to protect lives and ensure justice.”
As detailed in court filings and statements at court proceedings, between July and August of 2019, Barini provided narcotics to her victims to incapacitate and rob them of their belongings while sometimes conducting business as a sex worker. On multiple occasions, those narcotics contained lethal doses of fentanyl. On July 4, 2019, Barini met with a victim at a motel in Astoria, Queens and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs. The victim was found dead later that day. On July 11, 2019, Barini met with a victim at a motel in Woodside, Queens and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs which caused his overdose death. On August 5, 2019, Barini met another victim in College Point, Queens and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs which caused his overdose death.
Additionally, on August 18, 2019, Barini met a victim inside an Elmhurst, Queens motel room and drugged him with GBL, which is commonly referred to as a “date rape” drug. The victim died shortly after entering the motel room and Barini made repeated attempts to dispose of the victim’s body without being detected. On August 21, 2019, the NYPD found the victim dead in the motel room. The victim’s body had been wrapped in bleach-stained sheets and placed inside of a garbage bin.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Grubin and Andrew Wang are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
ANGELINA BARINI
Age: 43
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-428 (S-2) (BMC)
DOJ Paralegal Convicted of Witness Retaliation and Obstruction of Justice-Related CrimesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, following a one-week trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against Tawanna Hilliard, the mother of a 5-9 Brims gang member, on charges of witness retaliation, conspiracy to commit witness retaliation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At the time of her crimes, Hilliard was a paralegal working in the Civil Division of another United States Attorney’s Office. Hilliard’s co-defendant and son, Tyquan Hilliard pleaded guilty in November 2020 to witness tampering conspiracy related to the same scheme and was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.
“As found by the jury, the defendant, a paralegal in a federal prosecutor’s office, obstructed justice to retaliate against, harass and jeopardize the safety of suspected cooperating witnesses against her gang member son,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Those who brazenly commit such acts, including through the anonymity provided by the use of social media and the internet, will be investigated and prosecuted.”
Mr. Peace thanked the Office of Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution.
"Hilliard released information obtained in the discovery of a case involving her son in an effort to harass and retaliate against potential cooperating witnesses, which resulted in threats being made to those individuals. This type of behavior, especially from our public servants, won’t be tolerated,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
The evidence at trial proved that in May 2018, the defendant’s son, Tyquan Hilliard, a member of the 5-9 Brims, participated in an armed robbery of a cell phone store in Monticello, New York with another individual (“John Doe”) and that individual’s girlfriend (“Jane Doe”). Following the robbery, all three individuals were arrested by local police. John Doe and Jane Doe separately made video-recorded post-arrest statements to law enforcement (the “Videos”), including to federal task force officers investigating a string of commercial robberies committed by 5-9 Brims members.
In August 2018, the defendant received the discovery in her son’s robbery case, which included the video-recorded statements of John Doe and Jane Doe. She thereafter discussed the Videos in detail over recorded phone calls with her son, who was incarcerated following his arrest for the robbery. On August 5, 2018, as captured on a recorded jail call, the defendant’s son asked his mother to upload one of the Videos to the internet, and they discussed possible titles for the video. During the same call, the defendant’s son also spoke to another one of his associates and referred to the Videos as “ammunition.”
On August 5, 2018, the defendant uploaded the video of John Doe’s statement to YouTube. The video was uploaded from a Google account with username primetime59brim on Gmail and on YouTube. The video was entitled, “NYC Brim Gang Member SNITCHING! Pt. 1.”
Also on August 5, 2018, the defendant’s son asked the defendant to send the video of Jane Doe’s post-arrest statement to one of his gang associates over a recorded jail call. The defendant and her son also discussed “tagging” John Doe in the video, to make it clear he had also “snitched.” Later that day, a different user uploaded the video of Jane Doe’s statement to YouTube with the title, “NYC Brim Gang Member Girlfriend SNITCHING ([Facebook name of John Doe]).” The video of Jane Doe’s statement quickly garnered over 10,000 views, and a substantial amount of attention on social media, including comments that included threats of violence against Jane Doe and John Doe.
Shortly thereafter, Jane Doe began receiving numerous death threats and reported hearing gunshots outside her apartment. John Doe also received numerous death threats in prison, both in Sullivan County and, when he was arrested and charged federally, in the Bureau of Prisons.
This case was brought as 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. As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas Moscow and Lindsey Oken are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Celine Laruelle.
The Defendant:
TAWANNA HILLIARD
Age: 47
Brooklyn, New YorkDefendant Previously Sentenced:
TYQUAN HILLIARD
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-358 (S-1) (PKC)
DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. On Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Location information is available from the DEA, along with items that cannot be accepted. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This April’s event is DEA’s 22nd nationwide event since its inception 11 years ago. Last spring, Americans turned in nearly 744,082 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 4,982 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 from its state and local law enforcement partners.
The DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop-off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium-ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium-ion batteries. Concerns have been raised across the United States over illnesses and deaths caused by vaping and the high youth vaping initiation rates. To support a healthy lifestyle and energetic population, especially among America’s youth, DEA is committed to doing all it can to help safely dispose of vaping devices and substances.
To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow CDC COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
The DEA’s “Take Back” day and “Get Smart About Drugs” initiatives address the vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses because of these drugs. Synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, are the primary driver of the increase in overdose deaths. For information on DEA’s “Take Back” in Spanish, click here, or for more information on the “Get Smart About Drugs” publication, click for English or Spanish.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long. For more information, visit DEA’s year-round collection site locator. Participating in the next DEA Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30th, simply means cleaning out your medicine cabinet or anywhere you keep unused, unwanted, or expired medications and dropping them off at your nearest collection site. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30th Take Back day event, go to DEA Drug Take Back event or by calling 800-882-9539.
The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here: English or Spanish.
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DEA Announces 22nd National Prescription Take Back DayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney SHAWN N. ANDERSON, for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, will join the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Saturday, April 30th for its 22nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including in Guam and the CNMI. This event offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.
Working in close partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 7,600 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. This event facilitates DEA’s ongoing efforts to combat the rise of overdoses plaguing the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 105,000 people died in the United States in the 12-month period ending October 31, 2021, as the result of drug overdoses. This marks the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. Opioid related deaths accounted for 75 percent of all overdose deaths during this time. In 2021, citizens of Guam and the CNMI turned in over 2,270 pounds of unneeded prescription medication.
The following sites in Guam and the CNMI are designated to receive unused prescription drugs and vaping device products on Saturday, April 30, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.:
- Agana Shopping Center (Center Court)
- Andersen Air Force Base Exchange (Entrance to Store)
- Dededo Senior Center
- Inarajan Mayor’s Office
- Naval Base Guam - Navy Exchange (Food Court)
- Saipan Commonwealth Health Center (Outpatient Pharmacy)
- Rota Health Center
- Tinian Health Center
Contact DEA Resident Agent in Charge Kenneth Bowman at 671-472-7384 regarding any questions about prescription drug abuse and any concerns regarding drug-related activity on Guam or in the CNMI.
For more information, go to www.dea.gov, www.DEATakeBack.com
Colorado Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Canon City, Colorado, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on April 25, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Jeremiah Edward Haning, age 39, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Haning was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 12, 2021. He pled guilty on January 31, 2022.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on May 18, 2020, when Haning got pulled over by police and a Taurus .38 Special caliber revolver, as well as 56 rounds of ammunition, were found in the vehicle he was driving. Haning had previously been convicted of a felony in Colorado and knew he could not possess firearms. Further, at the time he possessed the gun, he was addicted to methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Haning was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Clemency Recipient ListRead the Press Release
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is granting clemency to 78 individuals, consisting of three pardons and 75 commutations.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is pardoning the following three individuals:
Abraham W. Bolden, Sr. – Chicago, Illinois Abraham Bolden is an 86-year-old former U.S. Secret Service agent and was the first African American to serve on a presidential detail. In 1964, Mr. Bolden was charged with offenses related to attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service file. His first trial resulted in a hung jury, and following his conviction at a second trial, even though key witnesses against him admitted to lying at the prosecutor’s request, Mr. Bolden was denied a new trial and ultimately served several years in federal custody. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence, arguing that he was targeted for prosecution in retaliation for exposing unprofessional and racist behavior within the U.S. Secret Service. Mr. Bolden has received numerous honors and awards for his ongoing work to speak out against the racism he faced in the Secret Service in the 1960s, and his courage in challenging injustice. Mr. Bolden has also been recognized for his many contributions to his community following his release from prison.
Betty Jo Bogans – Houston, Texas Betty Jo Bogans is a 51-year-old woman who was convicted in 1998 of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine in the Southern District of Texas after attempting to transport drugs for her boyfriend and his accomplice, neither of whom were detained or arrested. At the time of her conviction, Ms. Bogans was a single mother with no prior record, who accepted responsibility for her limited role in the offense. Because of the harsh penalties in place at the time she was convicted, Ms. Bogan received a seven-year sentence. In the nearly two decades since her release from custody, Ms. Bogans has held consistent employment, even while undergoing treatment for cancer, and has focused on raising her son.
Dexter Eugene Jackson – Athens, Georgia Dexter Jackson is a 52-year-old man who was convicted in 2002 for using his business to facilitate the distribution of marijuana in the Northern District of Georgia. Mr. Jackson was not personally involved in trafficking marijuana, but allowed marijuana distributors to use his pool hall to facilitate drug transactions. He accepted full responsibility for his actions at the time he was charged, and pled guilty. Since his release from custody, Mr. Jackson has converted his business into a cell-phone repair service and hired local high school students through a program that seeks to provide young adults with work experience. Mr. Jackson has also worked to build and renovate homes in a community that lacks quality affordable housing.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is commuting the sentences of the following 75 individuals:
Sergio Acosta – Montgomery, Alabama
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine (Eastern District of Kentucky).
Sentence: 97 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 23, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Kathy Marie Albrecht – Jamestown, North Dakota
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute a controlled substance (District of North Dakota).
Sentence: 150 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (November 6, 2014).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Maria Isabel Arreola – San Bernardino, California
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (Eastern District of Texas). 2. Conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (Middle District of North Carolina).
Sentence: 1. 121 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (March 24, 2016). 2. 130 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (November 17, 2016). Prison sentences and terms of supervised release in each case to run concurrently.
Commutation Grant: Sentences commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year terms of supervised release.
Roberto Barrio – South Gate, California
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute cocaine base and cocaine powder; interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprise (four counts); use of a telephone to facilitate the distribution of cocaine base and cocaine powder (two counts) (Western District of Oklahoma).
Sentence: Life imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (October 23, 2000).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Kelvin Beaufort – Charlotte, North Carolina
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (Western District of North Carolina).
Sentence: 324 months of imprisonment, 20-year term of supervised release (December 10, 2007); amended to 262 months of imprisonment, 20-year term of supervised release (January 20, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 20-year term of supervised release.
Brandon Todd Berry – Sikeston, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine (Eastern District of Missouri).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (October 19, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Sharon Louise Boatright – Richardson, Texas
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 190 months of imprisonment, four-year term of supervised release (December 16, 2013); amended to 188 months of imprisonment, four-year term of supervised release (July 15, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the four-year term of supervised release.
Terry Booty – Morgan City, Louisiana
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine (Eastern District of Louisiana).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release, $10,000 fine (November 13, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $10,000 fine.
Ramola Kaye Brown – Huntsville, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and less than 50 kilograms of marijuana (Southern District of Texas). Sentence: 145 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (September 15, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Julian Burford – Bedford, Ohio
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine (Northern District of Ohio).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 17, 2009).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Mark Richard Burton – Odessa, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and/or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 121 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $15,000 fine (March 16, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Nickolas Cano – Amarillo, Texas
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 140 months of imprisonment, four-year term of supervised release (September 5, 2014).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the four-year term of supervised release.
Ruben Lopez Cazares – Chula Vista, California
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substance (District of Nebraska).
Sentence: 300 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 7, 2007); amended to 262 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (January 12, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Jose Luis Colunga – Juniata, Nebraska
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 13, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on October 26, 2023, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Paul Hernandez Contreras – Perris, California
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine (District of Colorado).
Sentence: 108 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (January 8, 2019).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Karen Cox – Salt Lake City, Utah
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (District of Wyoming).
Sentence: 121 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $900 community restitution (June 16, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 60-month term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $900 community restitution.
Lori Jean Cross – North Richland Hills, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (September 12, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Mario Cruz – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute an unspecified quantity of cocaine and heroin (Western District of Michigan).
Sentence: 121 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (January 23, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Christopher Dancy – Prince George, Virginia
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (Eastern District of Virginia). Sentence: 336 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 27, 2009); amended to 288 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (December 19, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Catalina Davis – San Antonio, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 210 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 6, 2014); amended to 151 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (August 31, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Stacie Demers – Constable, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute marijuana (Northern District of New York).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (October 26, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Deborah Ann Dodd – Forney, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine or 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Eastern District of Texas).
Sentence: 140 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 19, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Manuel Ruben Duran-Pimentel – Miami, Florida Offense: Conspiracy to import controlled substances; laundering of monetary instruments (District of Puerto Rico).
Sentence: 151 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (April 20, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Nova Neal Finau – Fort Worth, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 140 months of imprisonment, four-year term of supervised release (March 31, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the four-year term of supervised release.
Tina Marie Finazzo – Las Vegas, Nevada
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (District of Hawaii).
Sentence: 172 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 16, 2012); amended to 168 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (May 19, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
David C. Frazier – St. Louis, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine; maintaining a drug involved premises (Eastern District of Missouri).
Sentence: 144 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (May 21, 2014).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Julio Garza – Edinberg, Texas
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 10 kilograms of cocaine (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (May 13, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Odell Givens – Certe, Illinois
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (three counts) (Northern District of Illinois).
Sentence: 186 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (December 14, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Dianna Gonzalez-Agosto – Altura de Rio G, Puerto Rico
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 3.5 kilograms but less than 5 kilograms of cocaine within a protected location (District of Puerto Rico).
Sentence: 87 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (July 14, 2020).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release.
Virgil Goodman, Jr. – Lexington, Tennessee
Offense: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (Western District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 262 months of imprisonment, six-year term of supervised release (June 30, 2005).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the six-year term of supervised release.
Christopher Gunter – Columbia, South Carolina
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute a quantity of marijuana and a quantity of MDMA (District of South Carolina).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (September 25, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Rachel Lynn Hanson – Richton Park, Illinois
Offense: Possession of an unspecified quantity of cocaine with intent to distribute (Western District of Michigan).
Sentence: 151 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (March 4, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Stephanie Hernandez – Dallas, Texas
Offense: Distribution of a controlled substance (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (April 21, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Brandon Jermaine Huguley – Chattanooga, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 235 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (August 20, 2012); amended to 188 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (May 22, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
David Charles Jenkins – Beaumont, Texas
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Western District of Louisiana). 2. Violation of supervised release (Eastern District of Texas). 3. Production of counterfeit access devices (Eastern District of Texas).
Sentence 1. 151 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, $5,000 fine (November 28, 2011); amended to 121 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release, $5,000 fine (February 9, 2018). 2. 24 months of imprisonment (January 5, 2012). 3. 24 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release, $2,516 restitution (April 29, 2015). Prison sentences and terms of supervised release in each case to run consecutively.
Commutation Grant: Sentences commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight and three-year terms of supervised release, and the unpaid remainders, if any, of the $5,000 fine and $2,516 restitution.
Douglas Dean Johnson – Dickens, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and possess and distribute pseudoephedrine following a felony drug conviction; travel in interstate commerce and aid and abet travel in interstate commerce with the intent to promote and facilitate a business enterprise involving the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances (Northern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (December 8, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Gregory Jones – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and aiding and abetting (East District of Pennsylvania).
Sentence: 216 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $2,500 fine (March 30, 2012).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $2,500 fine.
Stephan George Jones – Rosebud, South Dakota
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (District of South Dakota).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $1,000 fine (April 11, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $1,000 fine.
Terri Kelly – Rialto, California
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine (Eastern District of Kentucky).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (November 30, 2009).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Tellas Levallas Kennedy – Glennville, Georgia
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride (Southern District of Georgia).
Sentence: 210 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $4,800 fine (September 30, 2013); amended to 168 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $4,800 fine (October 22, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and $4,800 fine.
Vincent Edward Kennedy – Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; money laundering (District of South Carolina).
Sentence: 180 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 26, 2014); amended to 145 months of imprisonment 10-year term of supervised release (June 29, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Brittany Krambeck – Fort Worth, Texas
Offense: Maintaining drug involved premises; structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 220 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (October 29, 2010).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2024, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Carry Le – Duluth, Georgia
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 4, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
David Lee – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and to distribute or manufacture in or near a school zone; distribution and possession of heroin with intent to distribute (seven counts); use of communication facility (Eastern District of Pennsylvania).
Sentence: 300 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release, $1,500 fine (October 1, 2007); amended to 243 months of imprisonment,10-year term of supervised release, $1,500 fine (June 24, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release and $1,500 fine.
Rosamaria Lucero – New Braunfels, Texas
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, aiding and abetting (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (February 13, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Paul A. Lupercio – Blue Springs, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and five kilograms or more of cocaine (Western District of Missouri).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (May 8, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Angelica Marquez – Apple Valley, California
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine (District of Kansas).
Sentence: 117 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (April 23, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Eddie Mateus – New York, New York
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine (Southern District of New York).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (January 17, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Stephanie McMurphy – Adel, Georgia
Offense: Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school (Middle District of Georgia).
Sentence: 102 months of imprisonment, six-year term of supervised release (October 22, 2018).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the six-year term of supervised release.
Byron James Miller – St. Louis, Missouri
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine (Eastern District of Missouri). 2. Possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession of heroin in a federal prison (District of Central Illinois).
Sentence: 1. 292 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 6, 1997); amended to 188 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (December 17, 2019). 2. 210 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (March 5, 1999). Prison sentences and terms of supervised release in each case to run consecutively.
Commutation Grant: Sentences commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the consecutive eight and three-year terms of supervised release.
Bethel Cheyenne Mooneyham – Spencer, Tennessee
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (June 13, 2011).
Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Colleen Mossberger – Crest Hill, Illinois
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 5, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Quang Nguyen – Houston, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 30, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Rickey Wayne Norton – Augusta, Georgia
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (Southern District of Georgia).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release, $40,000 fine (October 17, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $40,000 fine.
Shannon Ann Norton – Augusta, Georgia
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (Southern District of Georgia).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release, $40,000 fine (October 17, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $40,000 fine.
Thomas Perkins – Louisville, Kentucky
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute in excess of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride (mixture) and 50 grams or more of cocaine base (mixture) (Southern District of Indiana).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (December 22, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Aaron Ponce – Odessa, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute a controlled substance, 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (July 11, 2013).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Rose Trujillo Rangel – Waco, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a schedule II-narcotic-drug-controlled substance (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release, $5,000 fine (April 14, 2008).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $5,000 fine.
Alejandro Reyna – Brownsville, Texas
Offense: Importation of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine (Western District of Texas).
Sentence: 210 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $2,000 fine (January 16, 2014); amended to 180 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $2,000 fine (February 26, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $2,000 fine.
Fermin Serna – Rio Grande City, Texas
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, a schedule I controlled substance (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (November 9, 2007).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Mackie Shivers – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine (Southern District of Florida).
Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (April 10, 2001).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release.
Kirstie Marie Smith Israel – Albertville, Alabama
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Northern District of Alabama).
Sentence: 97 months of imprisonment, three-year term of supervised release (August 23, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the three-year term of supervised release.
Tony Lee Stanfield – Villa Rica, Georgia
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Western District of North Carolina).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (November 2, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Cleola Sullivan – Tallahassee, Florida
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine (Northern District of Florida).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (December 13, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Charles Arnold Thomas – Inglewood, California
Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of phencyclidine, or one kilogram or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of phencyclidine (Southern District of Texas). 2. Possession of a prohibited item by a prison inmate (Eastern District of Arkansas).
Sentence: 1. 210 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (August 4, 2011). 2. Seven months of imprisonment (April 25, 2018). Prison sentences in each case to run consecutively.
Commutation Grant: Sentences commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Edwin G. Tierney – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (District of Nebraska). Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (November 8, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Jesse Alan Trimue – Burton, Michigan
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 grams of actual methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, a schedule II-controlled substance (Eastern District of Tennessee).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (June 6, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release.
Daniel Valencia – Maylene, Alabama
Offense: Importation of a quantity of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine (Southern District of Texas).
Sentence: 135 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $2,000 fine (April 24, 2015).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $2,000 fine.
Martin R. Vandemerwe – Price, Utah
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (District of Utah).
Sentence: 20 years of imprisonment; five-year term of supervised release (September 23, 2009).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
James Darrell Walker – Lubbock, Texas
Offense: Distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Northern District of Texas).
Sentence: 327 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (August 21, 2006); amended to 262 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 9, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Cindy Noella Williams – Casper, Wyoming
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (District of Wyoming).
Sentence: 120 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release, $800 restitution (October 10, 2018); amended to 102 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release; $800 restitution (November 4, 2019).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $800 restitution.
Cynthia Lynn Yeley-Davis – Mills, Wyoming
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute methamphetamine (District of Wyoming).
Sentence: 240 months of imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release, $1,000 fine (December 17, 2009).
Commutation Grant: Sentence to expire on August 24, 2022, leaving intact and in effect the 10-year term of supervised release and the unpaid remainder, if any, of the $1,000 fine.
Andrea Zavala – Waterloo, Iowa
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and 5 grams of actual methamphetamine (Northern District of Iowa).
Sentence: 108 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (June 7, 2017).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Courtney Donnell Zeno – Warner Robins, Georgia
Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (five counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; forfeiture (Western District of Louisiana).
Sentence: Life imprisonment, 10-year term of supervised release (August 31, 2010); amended to 240 months of imprisonment, eight-year term of supervised release (February 7, 2013).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the eight-year term of supervised release.
David L. Zouck – Buffalo, Missouri
Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of five grams or more of actual methamphetamine (Western District of Missouri).
Sentence: 132 months of imprisonment, five-year term of supervised release (March 30, 2016).
Commutation Grant: Sentence commuted to expire on April 26, 2023, with the remainder to be served in home confinement, leaving intact and in effect the five-year term of supervised release.
Civil Rights Division and Office on Violence Against Women Highlight Justice Department Efforts to Combat Sexual MisconductRead the Press Release
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) today held an event to highlight efforts to combat sexual misconduct and gender-based violence. The event, entitled “Access to Justice for Survivors of Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Misconduct,” featured Civil Rights Division and OVW officials and staff, as well as national community leaders and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“We are committed to using our federal civil rights laws to confront gender-based violence, prosecute perpetrators of sexual assault and eliminate sexual harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual assaults and gender-based violence, whether carried out in our communities, workplaces, schools or jails, stand as a threat to our shared humanity. Through enforcement of the law, we are working to empower survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, expose unlawful systems that leave people vulnerable and ensure greater public safety in every corner of the country.”
“Sexual violence – in all its forms – is an affront to our values, impacting the lives of everyone in our communities, not just those of us who are survivors,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall. “Sexual assault harms all of us in a workplace or a neighborhood or a family. It ripples out. And it demands a response from all of us. That response must be rooted in what survivors themselves tell us they need. We must hold survivors at the forefront of our efforts to repair and prevent harm.”
At the beginning of the event, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco’s pre-recorded remarks were aired and she discussed the Justice Department’s criminal enforcement efforts and the 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
The event also featured a discussion with Fatima Goss Graves, the Executive Director of the National Women’s Law Center, and Condencia Brade, the Co-Founder and Strategic Director of the National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault, who are national leaders in representing survivors of sexual misconduct and advocating for affected communities.
The event also included panels where attorneys from the Civil Rights Division discussed their enforcement authorities to address sexual misconduct, and where an OVW attorney advisor and representatives from HHS and HUD discussed initiatives that provide economic and housing supports and protections to survivors, including funding for transitional housing and family violence prevention services.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke also announced the creation of a new Coordinating Committee to Combat Sexual Misconduct, which will increase the Civil Rights Division’s outreach to affected communities and enhance civil and criminal enforcement actions.
Learn more about the Civil Rights Division’s work combatting sexual misconduct at http://www.justice.gov/crt and more about OVW’s work to provide assistance to victims and survivors of sexual violence at http://www.justice.gov/ovw.
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Selling HeroinRead 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 Victor Quinones, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of distribution of heroin, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on July 16, 2019, Quinones sold heroin to an individual working with the FBI. A few days later, on July 18, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Quinones’ residence on Leroy Avenue where he was apprehended. Investigators recovered drug packaging and a quantity of butyryl fentanyl. Quinones admitted to distributing heroin in the Buffalo area for approximately one year, including the sale of heroin to an individual who overdosed and died.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
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Buffalo Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges, His Girlfriend Admits Lying to AuthoritiesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frankie Cook, 28, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin and 40 grams of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine. In addition, Shawntee Ellison, 28, also of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, who is handling the case, stated that on February 11, 2020, in Erie County Court, Cook was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On February 26, 2020, Erie County Probation officers went to Cook’s residence on Dartmouth Avenue in Buffalo, for an initial information visit. During the visit, officers discovered what appeared to be a drug preparation station with gloves, masks, and plastic bags in the basement. Officers then searched the basement and found a hidden safe with approximately 240 grams of fentanyl, 156 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia, a .45 caliber magazine, .45 caliber ammunition, 9mm ammunition, and a stolen loaded 9mm handgun inside.
Shawntee Ellison knew that Cook possessed the heroin and fentanyl, and the firearm, but failed to notify the proper federal law enforcement authorities. She also took steps to conceal Cook’s actions, including falsely telling law enforcement authorities that she did not know about the heroin, fentanyl, and firearm in the safe at her residence or that Cook was involved in distributing controlled substances.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Erie County Probation Department, under the direction of Commissioner Michelle Olszowy; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
Frankie Cook is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. and Shawntee Ellison is scheduled to be sentenced on September 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., both before Judge Vilardo.
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Bread Springs man pleads guilty to manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jansen Peshlakai, 53, of Bread Springs, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty today in federal court to voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country. Peshlakai will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on June 13, 2018, in San Juan County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, Peshlakai used his vehicle to ram the vehicle of another man. In doing so, Peshlakai ran over the victim, identified in court records as John Doe, killing him. In the plea agreement, Peshlakai admitted that he acted in the heat of passion and lost self-control.
Peshlakai faces up to 15 years in prison.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigation.
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Boston Area Fentanyl and Cocaine Supplier Sentenced to over Seven Years in Prison in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston-based fentanyl and cocaine supplier was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Jose Perez Felix, a/k/a “Eugenio Piedraita-Rivera,” “Roberto Patricio Ramirez,” “Grande,” 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 87 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Sept. 29, 2021, Perez Felix pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana and one count of distribution of heroin.
In 2018, federal and state law enforcement agents began investigating a violent Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves. The investigation revealed that Goncalves and others distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout Southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations in Brockton. The investigation also identified Perez Felix as a Boston-based fentanyl and cocaine supplier for Goncalves and others. Intercepted communications from Perez Felix’s cellphone determined that he distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from a base of operations in Boston throughout the greater Boston area and that Perez Felix routinely provided Djuna with supplier quantities of fentanyl (50 grams at a time).
On April 9, 2019, agents observed Perez Felix deliver heroin to a customer in Dorchester and subsequently seized 60 grams of a heroin-fentanyl mixture from the buyer. A search of Perez Felix’s residence in May 2019 resulted in the seizure of cellphones, materials commonly used to package drugs for street level sale, digital scales and a bag containing approximately 60 grams of a heroin-fentanyl mixture.
In all, 17 defendants, including Perez Felix, were indicted as part of a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Cape Cod. Perez Felix is the 14th defendant to be sentenced in the case.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
Bergen County Company Sentenced for Price Gouging KN95 Masks During COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, company was fined $67,668 today and sentenced to one year of probation for its role in price gouging a chain of New Jersey grocery stores in connection with the sale of KN95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
TSC Agency LLC (TSC), a logistics and freight forwarding company based in Mahwah, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen to an information charging it with price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In March 2020, TSC and two partners purchased 250,000 KN95 filtering facepiece respirators from a foreign manufacturer. TSC and one of those partners then sold 100,000 masks to a chain of New Jersey grocery stores at prices in excess of prevailing market prices. TSC sold the masks at a price of $5.25 per mask, which amounted to a markup of more than 400 percent from its acquisition cost. Prior to the spread of COVID-19, TSC had no history of selling personal protective equipment.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Peter Fitzhugh in New York, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Government Fraud Unit in Newark and Nicholas P. Grippo, Chief of the Criminal Division in Newark.
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.
Baltimore Man Admits to Possessing Kilograms of Fentanyl and Heroin with Intent to Distribute Those Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Rajeim Ali Bradshaw, age 49, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge Selwyn Smith of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on June 20, 2019, Baltimore County Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Bradshaw’s Baltimore residence. As a result of the executed search and seizure warrant, officers located approximately 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, and a significant amount of drug manufacturing, packaging, and distribution paraphernalia including respirator masks which are commonly worn by individuals during the packaging of fentanyl. Law enforcement was also able to obtain Bradshaw’s DNA from one of the respirator masks found in his home. Additionally, officers located a series of drug-related messages including a text message in which Bradshaw stated that he was “still working” accompanied by a picture of Bradshaw in a respirator mask.
In addition to the drugs and paraphernalia seized at Bradshaw’s residence, law enforcement also recovered a .40 caliber pistol, a rifle, and $48,433 in cash from Bradshaw’s bedroom. Bradshaw admits that he possessed the firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and that he possessed the heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute the drugs.
Bradshaw and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Bradshaw will be sentenced to 136 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.
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. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. 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 is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the HSI and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Rigali, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Arlington Man Sentenced for East Texas Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – An Arlington man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
Jason Neil Hughes, 48, pleaded guilty on Sep. 10, 2021, to health care fraud and was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III. Hughes was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $416,124.68 to private health insurers.
According to information presented in court, Hughes was the owner and operator of ChangePoint Counseling Service, a mental health clinic in Forney, Texas. Hughes founded ChangePoint in 2013 and sold it in 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, Hughes carried out a scheme to defraud private health care insurers through the submission of false and fraudulent claims. Hughes and others incorrectly billed private insurance claims using a Texarkana doctor’s National Provider Identifier (“NPI”) for counseling services that the doctor did not provide. Although ChangePoint’s counselors had their own NPI numbers that could be used for billing counseling services, ChangePoint—at Hughes’s direction—used the doctor’s NPI to submit claims because the use of the doctor’s NPI resulted in higher payments from insurers. This billing practice resulted in ChangePoint receiving an average of 100% to 120% additional money paid per service from health insurers.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tyler Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.
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Alleged Trinitarios Gang Member Who Trafficked 27 Guns, Ammunition, Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Sentenced to More than Five Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An alleged member of the Trinitarios street gang was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with trafficking firearms, ammunition, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Greater Lawrence area.
Jose Omar Hernandez-Aragones, 24, of Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Nov. 30, 2021, Hernandez-Aragones pleaded guilty to four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.
Hernandez-Aragones was indicted and arrested in November 2019 as part of a sweep targeting federal and state offenders, including members and associates of the Trinitarios street gang in the Greater Lawrence area.
Beginning in 2017, law enforcement conducted an investigation into the members, associates and suppliers of the Trinitarios operating in the Greater Lawrence area. The Trinitarios is a street gang originating in the New York area with increased presence in Lawrence and the surrounding communities. According to court documents, many Trinitarios members are involved in a broad range of illegal activities including, but not limited to, firearms and drug trafficking as well as violent crimes undertaken to protect the interests of the gang and its members.
During the investigation, Hernandez-Aragones sold 27 guns, ammunition, and approximately 27.5 grams of fentanyl/heroin, 83 grams of cocaine and 33 grams of cocaine base over the course of 14 controlled purchases between May and July 2018. This included two handguns and ammunition for $1,900 on May 16, 2018; a bulletproof vest, a loaded 9 mm handgun, a SKS rifle and a magazine containing ammunition for the rifle on June 4, 2018; two handguns and approximately 55.4 grams of a substance containing cocaine on July 3, 2018; as well as three guns, one of which was stolen, and approximately 8.7 grams of a substance containing crack cocaine on July 13, 2018. Hernandez-Aragones is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a 2016 conviction of assault that was punishable by more than one year in prison.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Field Division; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy P. Vasque made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted 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.
Alamogordo firefighter facing charges of child exploitationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jason Ross-Lattion Fleming, 36, of Piñon, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court on Apr. 25 facing charges of providing child pornography to a minor, possession of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor. Fleming will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for April 28.
According to a criminal complaint, from January 2021 to March 2021, Fleming engaged in sexual contact with a nine-year-old child while she was visiting her father in New Mexico. At various times during his contact with the child, Fleming allegedly exposed himself to the child and provided her access to pornographic videos on his cellphone, including child pornography. Fleming allegedly offered the child Reese’s candy to entice her to engage in sexual acts.
On Dec. 9, 2021, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) executed a search warrant and seized two cellphones from Fleming. On April 18, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) obtained and executed a federal warrant to search the contents of Fleming’s phones. Investigators allegedly found child pornography on Fleming’s personal cellphone.
Fleming was a firefighter in Alamogordo, New Mexico, at the time of the alleged offenses. The City of Alamogordo has terminated his employment.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Fleming faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for providing child pornography to a minor, up to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography, and a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor.
HSI investigated this case with assistance from NMSP, the Las Cruces Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Marisa A. Ong is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
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15 convicted in $11M cartel drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Several individuals residing in South Texas and Mexico have pleaded guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to transport large quantities of marijuana forCartel del Noreste (CDN), announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gustavo Alberto Duenes-Perez pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Fourteen others previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the same conspiracy.
“The arrests and convictions serve as a significant blow to the cartels who were trafficking massive amounts of marijuana into the Laredo area for years and using our communities to make profit,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “These individuals were a thorn that has now been ripped from the city of Laredo and surrounding areas thanks to the continuous hard work and commitment of federal and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who brought these individuals to justice.
“We are pleased to be an integral component of a complex and successful investigation which led to conviction of these 15 individuals,” said Laredo Police Department (LPD) chief Claudio Treviño. “Through our close collaborations with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we have been able to maintain enforcement and safety in our border community despite our proximity to the Mexican border. LPD lauds our Narcotics and Vice Unit for their dedication and tireless efforts towards their investigation and the seamless teamwork with our partner agencies. We are committed to enhance their efforts with future collaborations to disrupt and dismantle these criminal transnational organizations in order to maintain peace and safety for the citizens of Laredo.”
In March 2019, authorities learned CDN provided $4,500 for the purchase of a white utility truck. The organization planned to use the vehicle to pick up a marijuana load from a warehouse on San Mateo Drive in Laredo.
Law enforcement continued the investigation and monitored the vehicle over the next several months. Duenes-Perez was often the driver. On April 17, 2019, the truck was involved in a smuggling event that occurred at a ranch near State Highway 359 and Botello Road in Laredo.
There, several people loaded a Lincoln Navigator with bundles of marijuana which was driven to a local stash house. Law enforcement seized approximately 1,168 kilograms of marijuana from the ranch and an additional 969 kilograms from inside both the Lincoln Navigator and the stash house.
In total, authorities have seized approximately 11,240 kilograms of marijuana valued at approximately $11.6 million as part of the case.
All 15 co-conspirators are scheduled for sentencing before District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo in June 2022. Duenes-Perez and others could face up to life in prison and a $10 million maximum possible fine. Other convicted in relation to the investigation face up to 40 years. Duenes-Perez has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
This case was part of the Blue Indigo Task Force and brought as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Noreste. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
The DEA and LPD conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. National Guard; Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s Office Precincts 1 and 4; and Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting this case.
25 April 2022
York Woman Sentenced in Connection with Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hannah Lapham, age 23, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 22, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to one year of probation for conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of firearms. The term of probation includes three months of home confinement.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lapham previously admitted that she purchased a firearm in February 2021, for another individual who was prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. While making that purchase, Lapham falsely represented to the seller that she was the actual purchaser of the firearm. Lapham also admitted that she later attempted to purchase two additional firearms for that same individual.
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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the York County Drug Task Force, and the York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Wheatfield Man Sentenced to 21 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Kevin Chevrette, 40 years old, of Wheatfield, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James Moody on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Chevrette was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on February 10, 2021, while responding to a drug overdose call, officers encountered Chevrette. During their response to this call, officers also recovered a 5.56 caliber rifle. Chevrette admitted he had obtained that particular firearm two months ago, despite knowing he could not possess a firearm. His criminal history revealed he had previously been convicted of multiple prior felony offenses.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick.
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.
Wasatch Railroad Contractors and Its Chief Executive Officer Found Guilty of All ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that JOHN ELDON RIMMASCH, 47, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and WASATCH RAILROAD CONTRACTORS (“WASATCH”), incorporated in Wyoming in 2005, were found guilty by a federal jury on five counts of wire fraud and one count of knowing endangerment. The trial took place April 4 through 13, 2022 before Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson. Sentencing has been set for July 5, 2022.
Headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Wasatch also operated a facility in Shoshoni, Wyoming. The company performed repair and restoration on freight cars and its Wasatch Railroad Contractors division purported to specialize in restoring historic railroad equipment. John Eldon Rimmasch is the founder and owner of Wasatch and served as its Chief Executive Officer.
This case arose after Wasatch entered a contract to restore a historic railcar owned by the National Park Service. Wasatch failed to complete the restoration, and in the process, endangered its employees by exposing them to asbestos without proper safety measures. Nevertheless, through directives of its owner, John Rimmasch, Wasatch invoiced the National Park Service certifying that it performed the asbestos abatement pursuant to the contract, knowing full well it had not. The contract also obligated Wasatch to pay Davis Bacon wages to its laborers, which Wasatch failed to do. Rimmasch, however, directed others to knowingly submit false certified payrolls to the National Park Service stating his employees were paid the minimum Davis Bacon wage. Rimmasch knew that compliance with the contract was necessary to receive the $800,000 payment from the National Park Service, which was received.
Wasatch and Rimmasch were indicted on 5 counts of wire fraud for knowingly submitting false invoices and payrolls to the NPS for payment. Both were also indicted on one count of knowingly releasing asbestos and placing Wasatch’s employees in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
If convicted on all counts, Rimmasch faces up to 115 years imprisonment and up to $1.5 million in fines, $600 in special assessments and up to three years of supervised release. Wasatch could face up to $2.25 million in fines.
The crimes were investigated by the United States Department of the Interior, Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie I. Sprecher and Special Assistant United States Attorney Richard Baird are prosecuting the case.
Vallejo Men Sentenced to Prison for Robbery and Assault of Federal Officer During Undercover Drug DealRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rafael Ruiz, 34, and Edgar Torres, 35, of Vallejo, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 13 and 10 years in prison respectively for their involvement in the armed robbery of a federal agent during an undercover drug deal, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on June 14, July 3, and July 27, 2018, Ruiz sold crystal methamphetamine and thousands of methamphetamine pills to an undercover agent. Ruiz agreed to sell heroin to the undercover agent on Sept. 3, 2018. During that arranged transaction, Ruiz and Torres robbed the undercover agent at gunpoint. During the robbery, Torres pointed the firearm at the agent and threatened to kill him.
Ruiz and Torres were arrested in possession of the stolen funds. The firearm used in the robbery, a Halloween mask, knife, and 3,000 additional methamphetamine pills were later seized from Ruiz’s residence. Ruiz was convicted of distribution of at least 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit robbery of money of the United States, and assault on a federal officer. Torres was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery of money of the United States, assault on a federal officer, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Vallejo Police Department, the Napa Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Justin L. Lee prosecuted the case.
United States Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 24–30, 2022Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 24–30, 2022, staff from the United States Attorney’s Office will utilize a Twitter campaign to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available.
Crime victims are our family, friends, neighbors, and community members. While we can never truly understand the depth of their trauma and the impact on their lives, we can ensure that equitable, inclusive, culturally appropriate, and gender responsive services are available to help them. By enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and upholding principles of equity and inclusivity for all, we can enable crime victims to find the justice they seek, in whatever form that might take.
The public can follow the Twitter campaign and the United States Attorney’s Office at https://twitter.com/usaowy. A one minute video will be played each day at 1:00 p.m. to commemorate the advancement of victims’ rights and explain how it came to be. In addition, there will be messages posted throughout the week from other agencies and partners who work tirelessly for victims of crime.
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme—Rights, access, equity, for all victims— spotlights victim service organizations’ best practices to reach all victims and help them forge new healing pathways. OVC will host the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime. For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist crime victims, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia Announces New Policy for Accepting Service of Civil Summonses and ComplaintsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - The Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has refreshed its guidance on how persons may effect service of civil summonses and complaints on it under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i).
Specifically, the Civil Division has updated its mailing and physical address for service by certified and registered mail and hand delivery, respectively. Additionally, the Civil Division has refreshed its guidance to allow service of civil summonses and complaints by email under certain terms and conditions. The Office hopes that accepting service of civil summons and complaints by email under these terms and conditions will reduce the transactional costs associated with traditional means of service, minimize the number of inadvertent mis-deliveries arising from service by mail, and streamline the Office’s internal intake processes.
The specifics of the new guidance have been posted to the Office’s website (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/civil-division)
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The details also are below:
Service of Process in Civil Actions
*** EFFECTIVE APRIL 25, 2022 – SUPERSEDES PRIOR GUIDANCE ***
Hand Delivery or Email Service as outlined below are the preferred means for service of civil process (i.e., service of civil summonses and complaints) on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia because, due to safety and security procedures, all mail sent to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is initially routed through a central mail room at the Department of Justice, which can occasionally result in the delay or mis-delivery of that mail. Service will not be deemed perfected until actual receipt by a Civil Process Clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Litigants who sue federal defendants should note that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)(1) and the corresponding Superior Court Civil Rule 4(c)(4)—which impose a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons on certain individuals, corporations, and associations—do not apply to service on the United States and its agencies, corporations, officers, and employees.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is not authorized to accept service on behalf of the Attorney General or other federal agencies, corporations, officers, or employees. Thus, if an applicable rule requires any such entities and persons to be served, they must be served separately and in addition to service upon the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Hand Delivery and Certified / Registered Mail Service
Service of process on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia of civil summonses and complaints under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A) may be made by (i) hand delivery or (ii) registered or certified mail at the following:
Civil Process Clerk
U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C.
601 D Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530For hand delivery, the entrance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office is on D Street, NW, between Sixth and Seventh Streets, NW.
Email Service
In addition to the means of service provided under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia may also be served with civil summonses and complaints by email according to the following terms and conditions, which must be strictly adhered to if email service is attempted. If service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is performed consistent with the following provisions, the Government will not argue under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(5) that service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has not been accomplished.
- Service may be made at [email protected] and no other email address.
- The subject of the email must contain the caption of the suit with the court assigned docket number—e.g., “John v. Doe, 20-9999”.
- The summons, complaint, and all exhibits or other documents must be combined into a single PDF, with the summons coming first in the PDF, unless the file size of the combined PDF exceeds 20 megabytes.
- Service packages exceeding 20 megabytes must be broken into PDF files of no more than 20 megabytes and sent using separate emails with a notation in the subject that it is multi-part service—e.g., “John v. Doe, 20-9999 (Email 1 of 2)”.
- If you are serving a copy of a motion for provisional relief with your summons and complaint (i.e., a motion for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order), you must also email the Civil Chief indicating as much. To email the Civil Chief, you may visit this website and follow the corresponding link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/civil-division
If your service under this procedure is received and accepted, you will receive a responsive email indicating as much.
Serving the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia via email under these procedures does not relieve a litigant from delivering or serving the other copies as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)—e.g., to the Attorney General or relevant agencies. Further, the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not waive other requirements for effective service under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4—e.g., the requirements of Rule 4(c)(2). Lastly, this procedure for email service applies only for service on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and not for U.S. Attorney’s Offices for other federal judicial districts or any other component of the Department of Justice.
Please note that the [email protected] email address should not be used for any other communications with the U.S. Attorney’s Office aside from civil service of process under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i)(1)(A). Other communications sent to that address will be deleted and no response will be forthcoming.
U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against Two European Citizens for Conspiring with A U.S. Citizen to Assist North Korea in Evading U.S. SanctionsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Michael J. Driscoll, the 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 ALEJANDRO CAO DE BENOS, a citizen of Spain, and CHRISTOPHER EMMS, a citizen of the United Kingdom, with conspiring to violate United States sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) by working with U.S. citizen Virgil Griffith to illegally provide cryptocurrency and blockchain technology services to the DPRK. Both CAO DE BENOS and EMMS remain at large. Griffith previously pled guilty to conspiring to assist North Korea in evading sanctions in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), and was sentenced to 63 months in prison and a $100,000 fine by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Alejandro Cao de Benos and Christopher Emms conspired with Virgil Griffith, a cryptocurrency expert convicted of conspiring to violate economic sanctions imposed on North Korea, to teach and advise members of the North Korean government on cutting-edge cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, all for the purpose of evading U.S. sanctions meant to stop North Korea’s hostile nuclear ambitions. In his own sales pitch, Emms allegedly advised North Korean officials that cryptocurrency technology made it ‘possible to transfer money across any country in the world regardless of what sanctions or any penalties that are put on any country.’ The sanctions imposed against North Korea are critical in protecting the security interests of Americans, and we continue to aggressively enforce them with our law enforcement partners both here and abroad.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “The United States will not allow the North Korean regime to use cryptocurrency to evade global sanctions designed to thwart its goals of nuclear proliferation and regional destabilization. This indictment, along with the successful prosecution of co-conspirator, Virgil Griffith, makes clear that the Department will hold anyone, wherever located, accountable for conspiring with North Korea to violate U.S. sanctions.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “The two subjects charged here today, as alleged, conspired to provide financial services to the DPRK in direct violation of sanctions against North Korea imposed by the United States government. Our government puts sanctions in place to protect our national interests, and today's action demonstrates our commitment to enforcing them both domestically and globally.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court,[1] as well as other documents in the public record and statements made in public court proceedings in connection with the Griffith prosecution:
Pursuant to the IEEPA and Executive Order 13466, United States persons are prohibited from exporting any goods, services, or technology to the DPRK without a license from the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and it is illegal to conspire with U.S. persons to do the same.
Beginning in or about early 2018, CAO DE BENOS, the founder of the “Korean Friendship Association,” a pro-DPRK affinity organization, and EMMS, a cryptocurrency businessman, partnered to jointly plan and organize the “Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference” (the “DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference”) for the benefit of the DPRK. CAO DE BENOS and EMMS recruited Griffith, an American cryptocurrency expert, to provide services to the DPRK at the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference and arranged Griffith’s travel to the DPRK in April 2019 for this purpose, in contravention of U.S. sanctions. CAO DE BENOS coordinated approval from the DPRK government for Griffith’s participation in the Conference. EMMS confirmed for Griffith that “the dprk will not stamp your passport,” which could risk revealing Griffith’s travel to U.S. authorities, and that EMMS had “obtained a rare full permission” from the DPRK “for US citizens to enter the country” for the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference.[2]
At the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference, EMMS and Griffith provided instruction on how the DPRK could use blockchain and cryptocurrency technology to launder money and evade sanctions. EMMS and Griffith’s presentations at the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference had been approved by DPRK officials and tailored to the DPRK audience. For example, EMMS opened the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference by stating that it was a “great honor” to be “leading this delegation” to “explain to you a lot about Blockchain . . . and how you can use this technology here in the DPRK.” EMMS introduced Griffith as an “early scientist” behind blockchain technology, which, according to EMMS, made it “possible to transfer money across any country in the world regardless of what sanctions or any penalties that are put on any country.”
EMMS and Griffith answered specific questions about blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies for the DPRK audience, including individuals whom they understood worked for the North Korean government, proposed plans to create specialized “smart contracts” to serve the DPRK’s unique interests, and mapped out cryptocurrency transactions designed to evade and avoid U.S. sanctions, including by diagramming such transactions on a whiteboard for the North Korean audience. In one question-and-answer session, EMMS described how North Koreans could use over-the-counter cryptocurrency providers in transactions to evade and avoid U.S. sanctions.
After the DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference, CAO DE BENOS and EMMS continued to conspire with Griffith to provide additional cryptocurrency and blockchain technology services to the DPRK, including by seeking to develop potential cryptocurrency infrastructure and equipment inside North Korea, attempting to broker introductions for DPRK Cryptocurrency Conference attendees, through Griffith, to other cryptocurrency service providers, and recruiting others through Griffith’s contacts, including Americans, to provide expert services relating to cryptocurrency to the DPRK. As part of these efforts, CAO DE BENOS, EMMS, and Griffith planned to hold a second cryptocurrency conference in the DPRK in 2020.
CAO DE BENOS and EMMS took steps in an effort to conceal their activity, and Griffith’s role in the conspiracy, from U.S. authorities. Griffith was arrested by U.S. authorities in November 2019, disrupting CAO DE BENOS, EMMS, and Griffith’s scheme and the second conference planned for 2020. At no time did CAO DE BENOS, EMMS, or Griffith obtain permission from OFAC to provide goods, services, or technology to the DPRK.
* * *
CAO DE BENOS, 47, of Spain, and EMMS, 30, of the United Kingdom, are charged with one count of conspiring to violate and evade U.S. sanctions, in violation of IEEPA, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, and thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, and the Singapore Police Force for their assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly J. Ravener and Kyle A. Wirshba are in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Matthew J. McKenzie of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
[2] The communications described and quoted herein are set forth in substance and in part.
Two Plead Guilty to Interstate Stolen Property ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two people pleaded guilty to charges involving the interstate transport of stolen property, arising from a scheme to obtain vehicles totaling $172,950 in approximate value from car dealerships in Kentucky and West Virginia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Millard Patrick, 52, and Mindy Turner, 51, admitted that Turner passed a bad check at a Louisville, Kentucky, dealership in June 2021 so they could obtain a 2020 Ford Explorer with an approximate value of $53,500. The two then transported that vehicle to West Virginia, where they unsuccessfully attempted to trade it in at a Charleston dealership for a more expensive Ford F-250.
Patrick admitted that he told an employee at the Charleston dealership that he worked for the United States Marshal Service, which he said would deliver a check in two days to pay for the trade-in. Patrick asked the employee to hold a personal check as collateral in the meantime. Patrick admitted that he told the employee not to be alarmed if an armed deputy U.S. Marshal appeared at the dealership to give him the check.
Turner and Patrick admitted that they passed another bad check at a Hurricane dealership in July 2021 to obtain a Jeep Cherokee with an approximate value of $60,056.22. The following day, the pair passed a bad check at a Ripley dealership to obtain a new Ford Explorer with an approximate value of $59,393.48. That same day, Patrick and Turner attempted to obtain a Ford F-150 with an approximate value of $64,108.24 from a Hurricane dealership. They were turned away when the bad check did not clear.
Patrick and Turner both pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the interstate transport of stolen property. Turner is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2022. Patrick is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2022. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement, commending the FBI for conducting the investigation and the Charleston Police Department, the Hurricane Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisville Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Negar M. Kordestani is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-18.
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Two Naturopaths Agree to Pay $32,000 in Civil Penalties for Improper Prescription of Opioids and Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Dr. Jacqueline Thomas, N.D., an East Wenatchee-based naturopathic doctor, and Dr. Rebecka Hoppins, an, Edmonds-based naturopathic doctor, have each agreed to pay $16,500 to resolve allegations under the Controlled Substances Act that they improperly prescribed controlled substances. The Controlled Substances Act regulates certain drugs deemed to pose a risk of abuse and dependence. To protect public safety and prevent misuse and diversion, the Act requires practitioners to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) to prescribe these controlled substances.
During the relevant time period, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Hoppins were both naturopathic doctors licensed and practicing in the State of Washington. Under state and federal law, as naturopathic doctor, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Hoppins were only authorized to prescribe two types of controlled substances: codeine and testosterone products. Nonetheless, in the settlement agreement between the United States and Dr. Thomas, Dr. Thomas admitted to issuing 110 prescriptions for controlled substances that she was not licensed to prescribe between December 2016 and September 2021. These included the narcotic opioid tramadol; the sleep aids zolpidem (often sold under the brand name Ambien) and eszopiclone (often sold under the brand name Lunesta); the sedative pregabalin (sometimes sold under the brand name Lyrica); and the diet drug phentermine. Similarly, in the settlement agreement between Dr. Hoppins and the United States, Dr. Hoppins admitted to issuing 110 invalid prescriptions for controlled substances between 2017 and 2022, including the benzodiazepine alprazolam; the narcotic opioids hydrocodone and tramadol; and the sleep aids eszopiclone (commonly prescribed under the brand name Lunesta) and zopidem (often sold under the brand name Ambien).
The settlement agreement also further sets forth that both doctors ceased their improper prescribing practices after being contacted by the DEA. Dr. Hoppins voluntarily surrendered her DEA registration and implemented additional controls to ensure appropriate prescribing going forward, while Dr. Thomas entered into a separate compliance agreement with DEA to submit regular prescribing logs and to undertake additional corrective actions to ensure that this conduct does not recur.
“I am relieved that it does not appear anyone was seriously harmed by medications improperly prescribed by these practitioners, and I commend both for admitting their past conduct and committing to strict compliance going forward. But when a healthcare practitioner prescribes controlled substances that she is not licensed or qualified to prescribe, the public is placed at serious risk of potentially dangerous side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “This resolution demonstrates our strong commitment to protecting public health and to keeping our communities strong and safe. In particular, I commend the excellent investigative work conducted by DEA’s Diversion Group, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold health care practitioners accountable.”
“The careless and irresponsible prescribing habits of Dr. Hoppins and Dr. Thomas are a violation of federal law and in serious breach of their naturopathic license, presenting a clear and present danger to our nation’s health, safety and security,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Although regretful and conciliatory, the behavior of these medical professionals significantly contributes to the many complexities fueling the opioid epidemic and endangering the citizens of Washington. We will continue to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in the opioid and overdose prevention awareness campaign and relentless pursuit of all those involved in the trafficking of opioids.”
These are the latest in a series of settlements the U.S. Attorney’s Office has announced with naturopaths for improperly prescribing controlled substances. In November 2021, Dr. Christopher M. Valley, a Spokane-based naturopath, agreed to pay $47,700 to resolve his liability under the Controlled Substances Act, while Dr. Judith Caporiccio, a Richland naturopath, entered into a $70,096 settlement resolving her liability in February 2022.
The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by DEA’s Seattle Field Office, Diversion Group, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Seattle Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene handled this matter on behalf of the United States.
final_hoppins_settlement_agmt_fully_executed.pdf fully_executed_thomas_settlement_agreement.pdf