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8 March 2022
KC Man Sentenced for Robbing Family at GunpointRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing a family at gunpoint in their home.
Cameron E. Scott, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to seven years and three months in federal prison without parole.
On June 2, 2021, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Co-defendant Chase M. Murphy, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
Scott and Murphy (along with an unidentified third man) robbed a group of three juveniles and four adults at gunpoint on March 22, 2020. The three men forced their way into a residence in the 8100 block of Wayne Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., and pointed firearms at multiple victims (mostly members of the same family). They held one of the victims at gunpoint while demanding money and marijuana.
The three men stole $450, marijuana, a rifle and a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol then left the residence. Officers saw a car matching the description a witness gave of the robbers’ vehicle. Three men got out of the vehicle and ran into a residence in the 9200 block of Indiana Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. Soon afterward, the driver of the vehicle returned to the car and left. Officers attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of it. Scott and Murphy were seen leaving from the back of the residence. When officers announced themselves, they fled into a wooded area. A short time later, Scott and Murphy were seen walking in the tree line near 93rd Street and Grandview Road. Officers tried to approach them, but they fled on foot again. Officers gave chase and ultimately found Scott and Murphy hiding in a creek bed.
Officers searched the residence on Indiana Avenue. In the attic, they found a black suitcase with a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol (which matched the description of the firearm taken during the robbery) and a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.
In a separate and unrelated case, Murphy also pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Murphy admitted that he robbed the Taco Bell at 5925 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo., on May 28, 2019. A brick was thrown through the drive-through window of the Taco Bell, shattering the glass. Murphy and another person, both carrying handguns, entered the restaurant through the broken window. They pointed their guns at the heads of two employees and ordered one to open the cash register. They took $300 from the register and fled through the broken window.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner. They were investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Raytown, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
KC Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Used in Fatal Shooting at ZooRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing the firearm he accidentally fired in a fatal shooting at the Kansas City Zoo.
Anthony R. Meneses, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to four years in federal prison without parole.
On Aug. 9, 2021, Meneses pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Kansas City police officers were called to the scene of an accidental shooting in a parking lot at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 9, 2020. The victim, identified in court documents as “J.S.,” had been shot while he was sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2005 Toyota Camry, which was occupied by three other persons.
Meneses was sitting behind the driver’s seat; there was another passenger in the back seat and in the front passenger seat. Meneses grabbed the gun, a Glock 9mm pistol, from the back pocket of the driver’s seat when the gun accidentally fired. The bullet traveled though the driver’s seat, striking J.S. in the chest.
J. S. was transported to Research Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Meneses has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle and burglary.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
John Barksdale Charged with Cryptocurrency Securities Fraud in Connection with Sale of Ormeus CoinRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Ricky Patel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today that JOHN ALBERT LOAR BARKSDALE was arrested abroad on conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud charges. The charges arise from a scheme perpetrated by BARKSDALE to sell a cryptocurrency token called Ormeus Coin (asset symbol “ORME”) through false representations regarding the size, value, and purported profitability of Ormeus Coin’s cryptocurrency mining assets. In particular, through a series of marketing materials designed to sell Ormeus Coin, BARKSDALE and others falsely represented, among other things, that Ormeus Coin was secured by a $250 million cryptocurrency mining operation, which would have been one of the largest such operations in the world, and that its mining revenues exceeded $5 million on a monthly basis.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, John Barksdale perpetrated a scheme to sell the cryptocurrency Ormeus Coin to investors around the world through a web of lies, which he spread through in-person roadshows, social media, and even a jumbotron in Times Square. Among other allegedly false statements he made, Barksdale lied that Ormeus Coin was secured by a $250 million cryptocurrency mining operation that had revenues exceeding $5 million per month, when in fact Ormeus’s mining operations never approached such a value or had such revenues. Together with our law enforcement partners here and abroad, we will work tirelessly to prosecute those who commit frauds against the public in connection with the sale of cryptocurrencies.”
Acting HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel: “As alleged, Barksdale operated like a traveling salesman and peddled lies, overstatements, and misrepresentations regarding a cryptocurrency called Ormeus Coin, which resulted in duping thousands of investors throughout the world and took in over $70 million. The men and women of HSI will not allow fraudsters to sell dreams of inflated and unrealistic revenues to innocent investors with the goal of lining their own pockets. By leveraging federal and international partnerships, Barksdale is now facing prosecution in the Southern District of New York for his alleged criminal acts.”
According to the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court:[1]
From in or about 2017 through at least in or about October 2021, BARKSDALE and his relative (“CC-1”) perpetrated a scheme to sell Ormeus Coin, an ERC-20 compliant smart contract-based token on the Ethereum blockchain, through false representations. Ormeus Coin was offered to investors throughout the world, including in the United States and the Southern District of New York, through enrollment packages sold by Ormeus Global, a multi-level marketing company controlled by BARKSDALE and CC-1, various digital currency exchanges, and directly from BARKSDALE and his associates.
Through a series of white papers, in-person roadshows, online webinars and videos, social media platforms, and other marketing materials approved by BARKSDALE and CC-1, BARKSDALE and CC-1 falsely represented, among other things, that Ormeus Coin was a digital money system secured by a $250 million cryptocurrency mining operation, which would have been one of the largest such operations in the world. In order to backstop the false representations regarding the size and value of cryptocurrency mining assets that purportedly secured the value of Ormeus Coin, BARKSDALE, among other things: (i) approved marketing materials that falsely depicted photos of a purported Ormeus Coin mining facility; (ii) deceptively referenced an “Ormeus Reserve Vault” (“ORV”) that stored over 3,000 Bitcoin purportedly derived from Ormeus Coin’s mining operations, which was represented as securing the value of Ormeus Coin; and (iii) falsely stated that Ormeus Coin’s mining revenues exceeded $5 million on a monthly basis. For example, on or about February 9, 2018, Ormeus Coin ran an advertisement on a jumbotron in Times Square in Manhattan, New York, which proclaimed, in a caption above a giant ORME symbol, “$250 Million Cryptocurrency Mining Farm Revealed in Legal Audit by Ormeus Coin.” On or about February 12, 2018, a photograph of the Times Square advertisement was posted to Ormeus Global’s Twitter account with the caption “Live from New York City, Ormeus Coin Advertising its $250 million Cryptocurrency Mining Farm in Times Square, Manhattan!” In truth, Ormeus’s mining operations never approached a value close to $250 million and never produced revenues exceeding one million dollars in any month, and the Bitcoin stored in the “Ormeus Reserve Vault” belonged to a third party.
Numerous investors purchased enrollment packages through Ormeus Global and purchased Ormeus Coin through digital currency exchanges or directly from BARKSDALE and his associates. Investors made these purchases based at least in part on BARKSDALE’s false representations regarding the size, value, and purported profitability of the cryptocurrency mining assets controlled by Ormeus Global and Ormeus Coin, as well as the purported security that the ORV provided to the value of Ormeus Coin. Through this scheme, from in or about June 2017 through at least in or about April 2018, Ormeus Global raised at least approximately $70 million from the sale of enrollment packages to more than 8,000 investors around the world. From in or about June 2017 through at least in or about October 2021, Ormeus Coin was sold to at least approximately 12,000 investors, including at least 200 U.S.-based investors. At its peak, Ormeus Coin had a market capitalization of approximately $52 million in or about January 2018.
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BARKSDALE, 40, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud. Conspiracy to commit securities fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. All other charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Any individuals who believe they may have been the victim of the alleged crimes perpetrated in connection with Ormeus Global or Ormeus Coin can contact HSI at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form or [email protected].
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and USPIS, and thanked the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which today filed a parallel civil action, for its assistance. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Marshals Service, who all provided significant assistance in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Lai, Sagar Ravi, and Olga I. Zverovich are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms While Subject to A Domestic Violence InjunctionRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Andrew Carl Fulda (44, Jacksonville) to 37 months in federal prison for possessing firearms while he was subject to a domestic violence injunction. The Court also ordered Fulda to forfeit two rifles, a carbine, two pistols, two revolvers, nine silencers, and 4,435 rounds of ammunition. Fulda had pleaded guilty on November 16, 2021.
According to court documents, in September 2021, a Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives received information that Fulda may be possessing firearms despite being prohibited by a domestic violence injunction. The agent verified Fulda’s prohibited status by reviewing the injunction, which informed Fulda that it would be a federal criminal felony offense for him to possess firearms or ammunition while subject to the injunction. The agent also observed that, in April 2020, Fulda had executed an affidavit attesting that he had turned over all of his firearms to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The agent also obtained records showing that Fulda had registered multiple silencers in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record but had not surrendered the silencers to JSO.
Upon further investigation, the agent identified a residence where Fulda had moved his firearms safe and obtained a federal search warrant for the residence. Upon executing the search warrant, the agent located the firearms safe, which contained multiple handguns and a silencer that was not registered to Fulda. Also in the room with the firearms safe were an unregistered short-barreled rifle, additional firearms and silencers, and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictment returned for smuggling nearly 80 in trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 52-year-old legal permanent resident of North Carolina has been charged with human smuggling, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, a federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment against Aurelio Barajas-Pulido. He was originally charged by criminal complaint. He is expected to appear for his arraignment in the near future before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga.
The complaint alleges that on Feb. 8, Barajas-Pulido attempted to drive a tractor trailer through the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint in Laredo. Upon arrival, he allegedly displayed suspicious behavior. A K-9 then alerted authorities to the presence of concealed humans, according to the charges.
Upon further inspection, law enforcement discovered 80 undocumented citizens in the trailer including three unaccompanied minors, one of whom was pregnant, according to the charges. All were allegedly determined to be in the United States illegally.
If convicted, Barajas-Pulido faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He could also lose his status to reside in the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isaac 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.
Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that NATHAN RUSSELL CATES, age 41, of Missouri Valley, Iowa pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cates appeared for a change of plea hearing before United States District Court Nancy D. Freudenthal on June 20, 2022. Sentencing is set for May 16, 2022.
Cates faces a maximum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, five years to life of supervised release, up to $10 million in fines and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Wyoming Highway Patrol and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret M. Vierbuchen is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00101-NDF
Huntington Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine and Fentanyl ChargeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman pleaded guilty today to a federal methamphetamine and fentanyl charge.
According to the plea agreements and statements made in court, Erica Antoinette Kirker, 35, admitted that on April 5, 2021 she possessed approximately 1.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 138 grams of fentanyl, and over $84,000 in cash at her residence on 3rd Avenue in Huntington. Kirker placed the items in a vehicle and parked the vehicle in a parking garage in downtown Huntington. Investigators conducted a search of the vehicle on that date and seized the methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cash. Kirker admitted that she intended to sell the drugs and that the currency constituted proceeds from prior drug sales.
Kirker pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison when she is sentenced on June 21, 2022.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Southern West Virginia TOC-West Task Force. The Southern West Virginia TOC-West Task Force consists of the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Hurricane Police Department, and the Marshall University Police Department, with support from the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West. The Ohio Highway Patrol, the Kentucky State Police, and the FBI and DEA in Columbus, Ohio also assisted in the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Courtney L. Cremeans are handling the prosecution.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
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. 3:21-cr-00109.
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Hartford Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Gun Possession and Drug Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GLADSTONE BENJAMIN, JR., 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hartford Police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his Collins Street residence. On April 23, 2019, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Gladstone’s residence and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended clip; two loaded Taurus .45 caliber handguns; a loaded semiautomatic handgun that did not contain a make, model or serial number stamp; a Remington Arms 12 gauge shotgun with an unreadable serial number; more than 1,000 rounds of loose and boxed ammunition, and distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.
Benjamin’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and drug offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On February 8, 2021, Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On February 26, 2021, Benjamin, who was released on bond, was arrested by Hartford Police after they found him in a car with two firearms. He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King and Konstantin Lantsman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Gun Possession and Drug Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GLADSTONE BENJAMIN, JR., 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hartford Police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his Collins Street residence. On April 23, 2019, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Gladstone’s residence and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended clip; two loaded Taurus .45 caliber handguns; a loaded semiautomatic handgun that did not contain a make, model or serial number stamp; a Remington Arms 12 gauge shotgun with an unreadable serial number; more than 1,000 rounds of loose and boxed ammunition, and distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.
Benjamin’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and drug offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On February 8, 2021, Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On February 26, 2021, Benjamin, who was released on bond pending sentencing, was arrested by Hartford Police after they found him in a car with two firearms. He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King and Konstantin Lantsman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Gloucester County Man Admits Trafficking and Unlawfully Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man with five prior felony convictions today admitted to unlawfully possessing and conspiring to sell multiple firearms, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Dylan Ianncelli, 28, of Pitman, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to make false statements in obtaining firearms and to illegally engage in the business of dealing in firearms, as well as one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Ianncelli and his conspirator, Jessy Hill, agreed to purchase firearms in Georgia and transport them for resale in New Jersey. On Aug. 12, 2021, Hill purchased 11 firearms from a licensed dealer in Georgia. Hill falsely indicated during the purchase that she was the actual buyer/transferee of the firearms even though she was purchasing the firearms for others. Ianncelli and Hill drove a car containing the firearms from Georgia to Mantua, New Jersey, where the car was stopped by law enforcement officers the following morning. Officers recovered from the car the 11 firearms purchased by Hill the prior day, as well as ammunition and a 12th firearm with a defaced serial number that Hill purchased a week earlier.
The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2022.
Hill is charged by complaint with the same conspiracy. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the New Jersey State Police, the Mantua Township Police Department, and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance on this investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Germantown Man Facing Federal Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Dwight Luis Clarke, age 31, of Germantown, Maryland, for federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Clarke sold crack cocaine and a heroin/fentanyl mixture, as well as seven firearms, including five privately manufactured firearms, known as “ghost guns.” The criminal complaint was filed on March 4, 2022, and Clarke was arrested on March 7, 2022. Upon his arrest, law enforcement seized another apparent semi-automatic privately made firearm from Clarke’s person. Clarke had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt yesterday and U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day ordered that Clarke be detained pending trial.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Victor Brito of the Rockville City Police Department.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, early in 2022, Clarke was identified as an individual involved in the distribution of narcotics and firearms. Clarke allegedly sold narcotics and firearms to an undercover law enforcement officer (the UC) in Montgomery County, Maryland on three occasions in February. During those three meetings, Clarke allegedly sold the UC approximately 46.87 grams of crack cocaine; several gel caps of a suspected heroin/fentanyl mixture; two semi-automatic privately made firearms (ghost guns); one Smith & Wesson .22 caliber semi-automatic AR style pistol; one Walther .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol; one 33 round extended magazine loaded with one 9mm caliber cartridge; one AR style extended magazine loaded with three .22 caliber cartridges; and one ammunition box, containing 95 .22LR caliber cartridges.
As detailed in the affidavit, in a fourth meeting at the end of February, Clarke and the UC allegedly communicated via phone calls and text messages and Clarke agreed to sell three fully assembled Glock-type ghost guns for a total of $3,000. Law enforcement observed Clarke get out of his car at the meeting location carrying a white bag that appeared to contain a heavy object that allegedly resembled a firearm. The affidavit alleges that Clarke entered the front passenger seat of the UC’s vehicle and after a short conversation, exited the vehicle without the bag. A short time later, law enforcement recovered three plastic shopping bags from the vehicle, each containing a clear gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Each Ziploc bag contained a privately manufactured 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol bearing no serial number.
The affidavit alleges that during the investigation, Clarke and the UC had a conversation, during which the UC told Clarke that he was unable to purchase a gun at a gun store due to a prior felony conviction. Clarke allegedly told the UC that he could not go into a gun store for the same reason.
If convicted, Clarke faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for distribution of controlled substances; and a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of life in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 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.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Rockville City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Hagan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Kibbe, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Georgia man sentenced to two decades in prison for production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A Wayne County, Ga., man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting he produced and possessed hundreds of images of child pornography.
Casey Causey, 40, of Jesup, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to Production of Child Pornography, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Causey to pay $91,800 in restitution to victims, and to serve 15 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Sexual exploitation of vulnerable children is a vile crime, and our office will relentlessly pursue such predators,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “This prison sentence protects our community and holds Casey Causey accountable for his horrific acts.”
Causey was identified after a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led agents from Homeland Security Investigations to a Jesup residence where Causey lived. During a search of Causey’s room in March 2021, agents seized multiple electronic devices containing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.
“Identifying and arresting predators like Causey, who not only victimize innocent children, but also showcase those horrific images for others to see, are a one of the highest priorities for our office,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Everyone in the community can feel safer knowing that this criminal will no longer be able to exploit children.”
This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, and was led by the Savannah Office of Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer J. Kirkland and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.
Georgia Bar Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Georgia bar owner pleaded guilty today to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, James Stafford, 44, engaged in a scheme to evade taxes he and others owed on income earned from bars in Statesboro and Milledgeville, Georgia. Stafford was nominally the sole owner of Chrysha Inc., which operated a bar in Statesboro, and BGRG Inc., which operated a bar and a restaurant in Milledgeville. In practice, however, both companies had multiple partners with varying percentages of ownership.
Stafford provided false information to an accountant who prepared the companies’ 2014 corporate tax returns. Specifically, he underreported gross receipts and omitted cash distributions made to the true partners. As a result, Stafford caused false corporate tax returns to be filed with the IRS. By filing false corporate tax returns, Stafford also enabled the true owners of the bars and restaurant to evade their respective individual income tax liabilities. Additionally, Stafford underreported his own income on his 2014 individual tax return filed with the IRS.
Stafford is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Estes for the Southern District of Georgia made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI are investigating the case.
Assistant Chief David Zisserson and Trial Attorney Casey Smith of the Tax Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, are prosecuting the case.
Gastonia Man Is Sentenced to 15 Years on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kyle Williamson Auten, 37, of Gastonia, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison and five years of supervised release on drug and gun charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Vincent C. Pallozzi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Joseph D. Ramey of the Gaston County Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on February 17, 2020, officers with the Gaston County Police Department learned that Auten was staying at a hotel in Gastonia and had an outstanding arrest warrant. Officers effectuating the warrant arrived at Auten’s room, where they observed a firearm in plain view. In addition to the firearm, law enforcement recovered from the room narcotics, including methamphetamine and marijuana, cash, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. From Auten’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered a rifle, ammunition and more narcotics. Law enforcement also determined that the vehicle Auten was driving was stolen.
On June 1, 2021, Auten pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Auten is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and the Gaston County Police Department for their investigation of the case and thanked the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess prosecuted the case.
Granite City Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Benny Davis, 37, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced in federal court on Monday, March 7, 2022, to 10 years in prison for possessing firearms while being a convicted felon. Davis was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon his release from prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Davis was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by the Hartford Police Department for traffic infractions. Police officers discovered a rifle, three shotguns and a stolen handgun during a search of the vehicle. The recovered firearms were all loaded at the time of the traffic stop. The officers also obtained videos of Davis firing the guns the day prior to his arrest. Davis admitted to being a convicted felon at the time of his arrest which prevented him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the
Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.The investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.Gillette Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax ViolationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that DAVID A. JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD DAVID JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD D. RODERICK-JACKSON, of Gillette, Wyoming pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, willful failure to collect or pay over tax, and filing a false tax return. Jackson appeared for a change of plea hearing before United States District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on February 23, 2022. Sentencing has been set for May 16, 2022.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Willful failure to collect or pay over tax carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. False statement on a tax return carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Gillette Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret M. Vierbuchen is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00087-NDF
Gillette Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax ViolationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that DAVID A. JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD DAVID JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD D. RODERICK-JACKSON, of Gillette, Wyoming pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, willful failure to collect or pay over tax, and filing a false tax return. Jackson appeared for a change of plea hearing before United States District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on February 23, 2022. Sentencing has been set for May 16, 2022.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Willful failure to collect or pay over tax carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. False statement on a tax return carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Gillette Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret M. Vierbuchen is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00087-NDFGillette Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax ViolationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that DAVID A. JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD DAVID JACKSON, a/k/a GERALD D. RODERICK-JACKSON, of Gillette, Wyoming pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, willful failure to collect or pay over tax, and filing a false tax return. Jackson appeared for a change of plea hearing before United States District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal on February 23, 2022. Sentencing has been set for May 16, 2022.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Willful failure to collect or pay over tax carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. False statement on a tax return carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Gillette Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret M. Vierbuchen is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00087-NDFFort Pierce Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – On February 24, 2022, U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon sentenced Javon Travis Thomas, 32, of Fort Pierce, to 46 months in federal prison for his possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to court records, a 911 call led Fort Pierce police officers to Thomas’ residence on July 5, 2021. The caller reported that Thomas was threatening to shoot someone. When officers arrived at the home, they observed Thomas arguing with someone. While on the scene, officers learned that Thomas had an open warrant and arrested him. Officers found a fully loaded Glock 23, 22-round extended magazine semi-automatic firearm in Thomas’ bedroom. They also confiscated three fully loaded magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Christopher Robinson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office made the announcement.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
ATF Miami and the Fort Pierce Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti prosecuted it.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-14037.
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Former law enforcement officer admits to allowing contraband into countryRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 41-year-old Laredo resident has entered a guilty plea for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Simon Medina III was a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Today, he admitted he helped others illegally bring commercial goods into the United States from Mexico.
Medina admitted that between May 25 and Aug. 6, 2020, he allowed several individuals to enter the United States with contraband in their vehicles on approximately 20 occasions. Although not assigned to the entry lanes at the Laredo Port of Entry, Medina would open a lane and allow his co-conspirators to pass through without inspecting their cargo. Medina also accepted gratuities from his partners.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing June 1, at which time Medina faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Medina was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The Department of Homeland Security - Office of Professional Responsibility and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Former Truck Driver Sentenced to 15+ Years in Prison Resulting from Project Safe Childhood InvestigationRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A former truck driver and Georgia resident was sentenced to serve more than 15 years in prison for distributing hundreds of thousands of images of child pornography depicting the sexual abuse of infants, toddlers and minor children.
Stanley Joseph Weaver, 61, formerly of McDonough (Henry County), Georgia, and currently of Jackson (Butts County), Georgia, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self after he previously pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. In addition, Weaver will have to register as a sex offender for life upon release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Stanley Weaver victimized children every time he viewed and shared these pornographic images, which he did hundreds of thousands of times,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The penalty is high for child predators, including those who actively view and share child pornography. Our office is committed to prioritizing these cases and holding individuals accountable for their crimes against children.”
“The extensive number of times that Weaver shared pornographic images of young children is sickening,” said Philip Wislar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Identifying and prosecuting predators who not only victimize innocent children, but continuously share those horrific images for others to see, is one of the highest priorities of the FBI.”
According to court documents, FBI agents determined Weaver distributed child pornography on publicly available peer-to-peer sharing software to FBI undercover agents on multiple occasions, most recently on Jan. 12, 2021. Weaver was taken into custody on Jan. 23, 2021. Weaver shared a total of 342,756 files (524.8 GB) of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, infants and toddlers, and sadomasochism during two interactions with undercover agents plus a combined 54 images and six videos of child pornography during two more interactions with a foreign law enforcement partner.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Semales and Criminal Chief Michael Solis prosecuted the case.
Former Tennessee State Representative Charged with Honest Services Wire FraudRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Former Tennessee State Representative Robin Smith, 58, of Hixson, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to a single count of honest services wire fraud, following charges filed on Friday, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to a criminal Information filed Friday in U.S. District Court, Smith, representing Tennessee House District 26, engaged in a fraudulent scheme with others to contract with Phoenix Solutions, LLC to provide mail and consulting services for members of the Tennessee General Assembly. Smith and others falsely claimed that Phoenix Solutions was operated by an experienced political consultant named “Matthew Phoenix.” In fact, “Matthew Phoenix” was a fictitious person.
Smith received kickbacks in exchange for using her position to pressure the Tennessee House Speaker’s Office to approve Phoenix Solutions as a Mailer Program vendor and disperse State funds to Phoenix Solutions.
The Information also alleged that in September and December 2020, Smith received two checks from Phoenix Solutions totaling more than $24,000, which she deposited into her consulting firm’s bank account.
Smith will be sentenced on October 17, 2022.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda J. Klopf and Trial attorney John P. Taddei of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
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Former Seattle doctor sentenced to 4 years in prison for defrauding pandemic relief programsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A former Seattle doctor was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 4 years in prison for fraudulently seeking over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds. Eric R. Shibley, 43, of Seattle, was convicted following a trial in November 2021. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said the sentence was due to “the blatant nature of the fraud and its size.” Judge Coughenour also noted Shibley’s decision to testify in the case saying, “I have to say it was one of the worst performances of a criminal defendant. There was very little willingness to adhere to the truth while testifying.”
“Mr. Shibley took advantage of the community, disrupted and distraught by the pandemic, to try to enrich himself through fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “These funds were desperately needed to keep people employed by legitimate small businesses. This fraud made it tougher for those truly in need.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Shibley, submitted 26 fraudulent PPP applications and 13 EIDL loan applications to federally insured financial institutions, other Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved lenders, and the SBA, in the names of businesses with no actual operations or by misrepresenting the business’s eligibility. In the applications, Shibley misrepresented the number of employees and payroll expenses in several applications and concealed his own criminal history. To support the fraudulent applications, Shibley submitted fake tax documents and the names of purported employees who did not, in fact, work for the businesses for which Shibley claimed they worked. Shibley was convicted by a jury of seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, and five counts of money laundering.
Shibley was ordered to pay $1,438,000 in restitution. Shibley’s license to practice medicine was suspended in 2020.
“As the American people suffered from the negative economic effects of the pandemic, Mr. Shibley chose to further this suffering by stealing funds meant to help small businesses stay afloat,” said Adam Jobes, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “Contrary to his oath as a physician to cause no harm, Mr. Shibley caused great harm to those around him as he illegally pocketed resources meant for those who actually qualified for and needed those funds. Financial crimes are not victimless, and IRS:CI will continue to investigate and bring to justice those like Mr. Shibley who choose their own greed above the well-being of the public.”
“OIG is steadfast in our commitment to expose and bring to justice those who would seek to defraud SBA’s pandemic assistance programs,” said SBA OIG’s Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “OIG remains committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
SBA-OIG, the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, FDIC-OIG, TIGTA, IRS-CI, HSI, and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Laura Connelly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Werner of the Western District of Washington prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 167 defendants in more than 103 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
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 Prosecutor Pleads Guilty to Destroying EvidenceRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Franklin County assistant district attorney pleaded guilty in federal court today to the charge of Tampering with Documents, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in July 2020, while Kayla Alves, 36, was employed as an assistant district attorney in the Farmington office of the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, she deleted text message conversations between her and former Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Bradley Scovil. The deleted messages showed that Scovil had repeatedly asked Alves to use her professional position to find out if he was under investigation by law enforcement.
As alleged in United States v. Sirois et al., 21-CR-0175, currently pending before U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker, Scovil was a ranking member of the Sirois Organization and a key participant in a conspiracy involving the illicit cultivation of marijuana, attendant financial crimes and public corruption offenses.
Alves, who ultimately did tip Scovil off to the existence of the federal probe that resulted in the Sirois indictment, admitted to deleting text messages to keep evidence of her own misconduct hidden from law enforcement.
Alves faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She also faces up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This was a joint investigation of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, Portland Resident Office; the FBI’s Boston Division; and the Boston Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation with the cooperation and support of local and state law enforcement partners.
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Former Member of Boston Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A member of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges.
Robert Lara, a/k/a “King Rizz,” 29, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately four months in prison) and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of eight months in prison. On Oct. 28, 2021, Lara pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
Named for its origin on Devon Street in Boston, the Devon Street Kings, or D5K, Chapter of the Latin Kings, included approximately a dozen members. The Devon Street Kings, in turn, reported to the Massachusetts State Leadership of the Latin Kings, providing information, structure, funds and other resources to further the Latin Kings goals and directives in the state. Lara attended numerous meetings of the gang, contributing to its joint account known as the “fundo” and participating in a violent assault of another member at a hotel in the Boston area, which was imposed as punishment for violating the rules of the gang.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Lara is the 46th defendant to be sentenced in the case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Illinois State Senator Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Receiving Salary and Benefits from Labor UnionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Former Illinois State Sen. THOMAS E. CULLERTON pleaded guilty today to a federal embezzlement charge and admitted fraudulently receiving salary and benefits from a labor union for which he did little to no work.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu and Erika Csicsila.
Cullerton, 52, of Villa Park, Ill., was hired in 2013 by Teamsters Joint Council 25 as a purported union organizer and remained on the payroll until February 2016. In addition to receiving a salary, monthly car and telephone allowances, and bonuses, Teamsters Joint Council 25 also funded Cullerton’s participation in Teamsters Local Union 734’s health and pension funds, which enabled Cullerton to receive health and welfare benefits.
Cullerton admitted in a plea agreement that he did little to no work as an organizer for the three years he was on the union payroll. When his supervisors requested that he perform his job duties, Cullerton routinely ignored them, the plea agreement states. For the last year he remained on the payroll, Cullerton admitted that he performed no work at all of value for Teamsters Joint Council 25. From March 2013 to February 2016, Cullerton fraudulently obtained from Joint Council 25 and its members approximately $169,488 in salary, bonuses, and other benefits, approximately $57,662 in health and pension contributions, and approximately $21,678 in reimbursed medical claims. Cullerton admitted that he used the money to pay personal expenses, such as his mortgage, utilities, and groceries.
The embezzlement charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman set sentencing for June 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
Former Chief of Cardiology at Palo Alto VA Hospital Pleads Guilty to Sexual Battery of Subordinate DoctorRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Cardiologist John Giacomini pleaded guilty today to one count of felony abusive sexual contact, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds; Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) Special Agent in Charge Jason Root; and Chief of Police of the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Police Service Martin Sizemore. The guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Beth L. Freeman, United States District Judge.
Giacomini, 73, of Atherton, had practiced medicine and cardiology for over 30 years and from 1985 until 2018 was the Chief of the Cardiology Section at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. According to the plea agreement, Giacomini acknowledged he occupied a position of significant authority, prestige, and influence within the VA Healthcare System and at Stanford University, where he had a faculty appointment in the School of Medicine. In addition, Giacomini acknowledged that as the Chief of the Cardiology Section within the VA, he also occupied a position of public trust, with overall responsibility for meeting the needs of the VA patient population.
As a federal employee for well over 30 years, Giacomini was trained throughout his career on the prevention of workplace sexual assault and sexual harassment. He was aware that non-consensual sexual contact between supervisors and subordinates is coercive, unethical, and unlawful. He knew that inappropriate touching, unwanted gifts, and unwelcome sexual comments can create a hostile work environment that unreasonably interferes with the victim’s work performance and adversely affects the victim’s employment opportunities. As a supervisor and manager, Giacomini had an obligation to the VA and to his subordinates to prevent workplace sexual harassment and disclose any harassing behavior of which he became aware.
He failed to do this. Instead, beginning in the fall of 2017, Giacomini repeatedly subjected a subordinate doctor to unwanted and unwelcome sexual contact, to include hugging, kissing, and intimate touching while on VA premises. On November 10, 2017, the victim explicitly told Giacomini she was not interested in a romantic or sexual relationship with him. She also forcibly resisted his repeated attempts to kiss her on the mouth.
Nevertheless, Giacomini continued to subject his subordinate to unwanted sexual advances and touching, culminating on December 20, 2017, when Giacomini turned out the lights, pulled the victim out of her chair, released the drawstring on her scrub pants and fondled her breast, buttocks, and vagina until a janitor opened the office door and interrupted the encounter. At some point after the event, the victim resigned from her position at the VA, citing Giacomini’s behavior as her principal reason for leaving.
A federal grand jury indicted Giacomini on March 12, 2020, charging him with one count of abusive sexual contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b). Today, Giacomini pleaded guilty to the charge, which is a felony.
Judge Freeman scheduled Giacomini’s sentencing for July 12, 2022. Giacomini faces a maximum sentence of two years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, restitution, supervised release, and a special assessment. However, any sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marissa Harris and Jeffrey Nedrow are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Nina Burney-Williams, Sahib Kaur, and Susan Kreider. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General and the Veterans Affairs Police Service.
Former Charlotte Attorney Is Sentenced to 10 Years for Online Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A former Charlotte attorney was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. to 10 years in prison for the online enticement of a minor, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Joshua Michael Reed, 32, was also ordered to register as a sex offender and to serve the rest of his life under court supervision after he is released from prison.
Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s court proceedings, between February 10 and February 18, 2020, Reed used the Kik Messenger application to engage in multiple communications with an FBI undercover employee posing as a 13-year-old female. Court records show that during these communications Reed discussed his interest in engaging in sexual contact with the “minor” and tried to solicit a nude photograph from the minor. Reed also discussed making arrangements to meet the minor and told the minor they had to be careful or he could get into trouble because “older guys are not supposed to mess around” with girls the minor’s age.
On October 22, 2020, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Reed’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Reed’s laptops contained the aforementioned online Kik chats, as well as images depicting the sexual abuse of children. According to documents filed in the case, law enforcement also recovered previous online chats dating back to approximately five years between Reed and females who claimed to be minors, some as young as 13.
On June 8, 2021, Reed pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. He is currently in federal custody and he will be transferred to custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Reed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Final defendant in drug-trafficking organization sentenced to federal prison for conspiracyRead the Press Release
STATESBORO, GA: The last of seven defendants indicted in a multi-county drug trafficking operation has been sentenced to federal prison.
Matthew Scott Fondren, 50, of Metter, Ga., was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, “Crack” Cocaine, Hydrocodone, and Marijuana, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Fondren to pay a fine of $1,500 and to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Operation Sand Trap is a textbook example of cooperation between multiple levels of law enforcement working together to identify, infiltrate and eradicate a drug-trafficking organization,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “These middle Georgia communities are now safer with these armed drug traffickers off the streets, and we will continue to pursue criminals whose drugs and guns fuel violent crime in our district.”
Operation Sand Trap, an Organized Crime Drug Trafficking Enforcement investigation, targeted a drug-distribution organization led by Travis Lee Brown, a/k/a “Trap,” 39, of Springfield, Ga. From 2017 to 2019, in counties including Emanuel, Candler and Treutlen, the organization brought in large quantities of illegal drugs through Atlanta and into the Lyons, Ga., area, for wider distribution. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, along with officers from the Lyons Police Department and other local agencies, conducted surveillance and covert operations to identify those involved in the conspiracy, seizing large amounts of drugs and at least a dozen firearms during the investigation.
A federal indictment returned in July 2020 charged seven defendants with 30 felony counts, and Fondren was identified as a major wholesaler in the conspiracy. Ultimately, all seven defendants including Fondren entered guilty pleas in federal court, and all have been sentenced to prison terms.
“DEA and its law enforcement partners worked jointly to eradicate the drug trafficking activities of this poly drug distribution network,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “This organization’s drug trafficking activities posed a significant threat to the quality of life in middle Georgia County community. Consequently, the sentencing of the final defendant in this case closes the chapter to a successful investigation.”
“This investigation once again shows that through the cooperation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, persistent and dangerous narcotics traffickers such as these will ultimately have to face the criminal justice system,” said Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The United States Postal Inspection Service is proud to be involved in this multi-agency effort.”
“Illegal drugs and guns have no place in Georgia,” said Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “They are dangerous and threaten the safety of our communities. We will continue to work diligently along with our local and federal partners to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations.”
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Lyons Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karl Knoche and John P. Harper III.
Federal Law Enforcement Focuses on Violent Crime in Helena-West HelenaRead the Press Release
HELENA-WEST HELENA-The FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas have announced their increased focus on prosecuting violent crime in Helena-West Helena. United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross announced today that 25 defendants in the Helena-West Helena area have been charged in federal indictments alleging various violent crimes including felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen bank funds, and interstate travel to have sex with a minor.
The most recent of these indictments, handed down by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2022, charges Michael Rogers with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Rogers is being investigated for the shooting that took place at the Helena-West Helena Christmas parade last year, cancelling the parade.
In addition to Rogers, 20 other defendants in the Helena-West Helena area have been charged since 2020 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Three defendants have already been convicted and are awaiting sentencing: Walter Thornton, Jr.; Raymond Clark; and Carlton Otey. Frank Norton has been convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison, which is the statutory maximum. Nicholas Dismuke has been convicted of both being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and sentenced to more than 18 years in prison. The remaining defendants, listed below, are awaiting trial.
In addition to felon in possession of a firearm cases, three additional defendants are charged with other crimes. Fleming Ivory has been convicted of interstate travel with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor and is awaiting sentencing. Vann Bragg has been indicted for conspiracy to possess stolen bank funds and is awaiting trial, and Dedrick Bragg has been convicted of the same charge and is awaiting sentencing.
“These cases signify the presence of federal law enforcement in Helena-West Helena and the surrounding communities,” stated Ross. “Local communities deserve to be free from the effects of violence, and we will swiftly and forcefully respond to make communities in our district safer. There will be more prosecutions to come, and criminals in the Delta should know that we will not tolerate their violence and disregard of the law.”
“The FBI is working closely with local and state police agencies to combat the scourge of violent crime,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson. “To the criminals operating in the Delta, be warned— an arsenal of federal resources now opposes you. Alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will bring the full weight of the federal government down on the violent gangs terrorizing our Delta communities.”
The FBI is working these cases with the assistance of the Helena-West Helena Police Department. The cases are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The defendants awaiting trial for being a felon in possession of a firearm are:
- Michael Rogers;
- Demario Richardson;
- Xavier Hudson;
- Antonio Dolphin;
- Donterious Troope;
- Demarico Hay;
- Tylin Ezell;
- JC Watson;
- Macon Carter, Jr.;
- Macon Carter, Sr.;
- Treavie Shears;
- Deonta Miller;
- Timothy McNeely;
- Keith Taylor;
- Kenneth Page; and,
- Shannon Williams.
# # #
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
Fort Washakie Man Charged with Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that ROBERT LEE LOWERY, 51, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming was charged with sexual abuse of a minor and attempted sexual abuse of a minor. Lowery appeared for an arraignment hearing on February 25, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial has been set for April 25, 2022, before Chief United States District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl.
If convicted, Lowery faces thirty years to life imprisonment; five years to life of supervised release; up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment, per charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime is being investigated by the Wind River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christyne M. Martens is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Case No. 21-00049-SWS
Erie Freelance Tax Preparer IndictedRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal tax laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The 21-count Indictment named Laurie Cuevas, 57, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, Cuevas, while working as a freelance tax preparer, knowingly and repeatedly reported false and fraudulent income and expenses for numerous individuals on Individual Tax Returns 2017 and 2018.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 63 years in prison, a fine of $5,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
East Bay Resident Found Guilty of Attempting to Help Smuggle Cocaine Through Bay Area AirportsRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - A jury found Lemack Bellot guilty of two counts of attempting to aid and abet possession with intent to distribute cocaine in a scheme to smuggle drugs through San Francisco International Airport (SFO), announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon. The verdicts follow a week-long trial before the Honorable Vince Chhabria, United States District Judge.
At trial, the government presented evidence that Bellot, 42, of Hayward, Calif., attempted to facilitate the smuggling of cocaine through SFO in May 2018 and in November 2018. Unbeknownst to Bellot, the shipments were not actually cocaine because he was negotiating with a confidential source (CS) working for the DEA. The DEA was investigating Bellot based on information that Bellot had been paying airport employees to allow drugs to be smuggled past airport security.
The evidence at trial showed that over an eight-month period between March and November of 2018, Bellot made a variety of arrangements to help the CS smuggle cocaine through SFO. The CS was posing as an Atlanta-based drug trafficker who would fly to the Bay Area to buy cocaine and needed a quick way to transport it back to Atlanta for distribution.
The CS initially met with Bellot at the Fogline Sports Bar and Grill in Hayward, Calif., a bar owned by Bellot . The two men discussed smuggling drugs through Bay Area airports, and Bellot told the CS that he used to run “bricks” or kilograms of cocaine from the Bay Area airports to cities across the country until his airport contact was arrested by law enforcement. Bellot also told the CS that although he had taken a break from airport smuggling following the arrest of his airport associate, he had recently found someone new to help him smuggle drugs through SFO and the Oakland International Airport.
Bellot and the CS agreed to use Bellot’s new smuggling connection and remained in contact over the next eight months as Bellot set up various schemes to smuggle cocaine through the airports.
In February 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Bellot for attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(ii)(II), and attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(ii)(II). The jury found Bellot guilty of both counts.
Judge Chhabria has not yet set a date for Bellot’s sentencing hearing. Bellot faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution, for the first count and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of $500,000 for the second count. Bellot also faces a term of supervised release following imprisonment, restitution, and additional assessments. Bellot’s sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the sentencing factors set forth by statute at 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
This investigation and prosecution is part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement (OCDETF) Section, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA.
Ethete Man Pleads Guilty to Assault by StrangulationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that CALVIN ANDERSON WHITE, 32, of Ethete, Wyoming pleaded guilty to assault by strangulation at a change of plea hearing on February 17, 2022, before Chief United States District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Sentencing has been set for May 10, 2022.
According to the indictment, on or about October 25, 2021, White did knowingly assault his victim by strangling and attempting to strangle them. Assault by strangulation carries a maximum penalty of not more than 10 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy W. Gist is prosecuting the case.
Case No. 21-cr-00123-SWS
Duluth Souvenir and T-Shirt Store Owner Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison and ordered to pay $620,362 in restitution for evading taxes by failing to report his business revenue and income to the IRS. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim sentenced the defendant.
According to court documents, between June 2019 and April 2020, Shimon Shaked, 57, owned and operated several t-shirt and souvenir shops in Duluth’s Canal Park tourist zone, including I Love Duluth, I Love Duluth 2, Up North-The Good Life, and the Lake Life (the “Duluth Stores”). Shaked operated the Duluth Stores under a holding company called ALMS18, LLC, which he formed in 2012. Although Shaked owned, operated, and controlled ALMS18, LLC, he listed his teenage daughter as the nominal owner in order to hide and evade taxes on income he received from the company. In 2017, Shaked opened I Love Marquette, another souvenir store located in Marquette, Michigan, operated under the company SkyMqt, LLC.
According to his guilty plea, Shaked evaded the assessment of taxes on the income he earned through his Duluth and Michigan stores by failing to report the full revenue and income to the IRS. Specifically, Shaked reported the credit card sales for his stores, but failed to report or pay taxes on most of the cash sales. To further conceal his income, Shaked used the cash from the unreported cash sales to pay for personal expenses and to pay some of his employees' overtime wages in cash. In doing so, Shaked failed to account for and pay over to the IRS some or all of the required federal payroll taxes due and owing for those employees. In total, Shaked evaded paying approximately $620,362 in taxes.
On October 13, 2021, Shaked pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Angela M. Munoz prosecuted the case.
Dual U.S.-Russian National Charged with Acting Illegally as a Russian Agent in United StatesRead the Press Release
A federal court in New York unsealed a complaint today charging a dual Russian and U.S. citizen with acting and conspiring to act in the United States illegally as an agent of the Russian government, willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as well as conspiring to commit visa fraud and making false statements to the FBI.
According to court documents, Elena Branson, 61, beginning in at least 2011, worked on behalf of the Russian government and Russian officials to advance Russian interests in the United States, including by coordinating meetings for Russian officials to lobby U.S. political officials and businesspersons, and by operating organizations in the United States for the purpose of publicly promoting Russian government policies. Branson never notified the Attorney General as she was required to, including by registering under FARA.
“As alleged, Branson engaged in a wide-ranging influence and lobbying scheme with funding and direction from the Russian government – all while deliberately leaving the American people in the dark,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The department will continue to expose these serious crimes and shine a light on foreign malign influence.”
“As alleged, Elena Branson, a dual U.S. - Russian national, actively subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States in order to promote Russian policies and ideology,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “The Russian government at its highest levels, up to and including President Vladimir Putin, have made known that aggressive propaganda and recruitment of the Russian diaspora around the world is a Russian priority. In connection with this pursuit, Branson is alleged to have corresponded with Putin himself and met with a high-ranking Russia minister before founding a Russian propaganda center here in New York City, the Russian Center New York. Branson’s promotional outreach, including an ‘I Love Russia’ campaign aimed at American youths, exemplifies her attempts to act at the behest of the Russian government to illegally promote its interests in the United States. All the while, Branson knew she was supposed to register as an agent of the Russian government but chose not to do so and, instead, instructed others regarding how to illegally avoid the same. Particularly given current global events, the need to detect and hinder attempts at foreign influence is of critical importance, and the Southern District of New York is proud to do its part in the fight against tyranny.”
“The evidence gathered in the Branson case shows she is a serial offender in violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act in order to promote Russian interests,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “While living in the United States for nearly a decade, she allegedly took money and direction from Russian government officials – including some at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. – as she arranged meetings for Russian officials to lobby U.S. officials. The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate and stop individuals who hide their work for foreign governments, like the one in Moscow.”
According to court documents, the Russian government has sought to spread Russian propaganda and to use Russian citizens in the United States and elsewhere to make connections with U.S. community leaders, politicians and businesspersons, in order to advance Russian government objectives. Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, have made public statements acknowledging this foreign policy strategy of the Russian government.
As part of that Russian government effort, beginning in at least approximately 2011, Branson, a native of Russia, acted illegally as an agent of the Russian government while living in the United States, by not registering pursuant to FARA or otherwise notifying the Attorney General as required by a separate statute. Among other things, in or about 2012, after receiving approval from the highest levels of the Russian government, Branson incorporated an organization headquartered in Manhattan, New York, named the Russian Center New York (RCNY). She sent correspondence to then-Prime Minister Putin and met with a high-ranking Russian government minister in connection with the initiation of her activities for the Russian government in the United States.
Branson received tens of thousands of dollars in funding from the Russian government for the RCNY and used the RCNY to host events and engage in public messaging at the direction of the Russian government and Russian officials. Branson was directed to, among other things, host events designed to consolidate the Russian-speaking youth community in the United States in exchange for funding. For example, Branson and the RCNY hosted an annual youth forum which was funded in part by an entity controlled by the government of Moscow.
Throughout her work as a Russian agent in the United States, Branson received funding and direction from the Russian government, including from the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and received tasking from high-level Russian government officials and Russian government-run organizations. At the same time, however, Branson actively sought to hide that the Russian government was providing her with tasking and funding her activity, and she instructed her co-conspirators to do the same. She also cautioned others against using language in describing their activities that would draw attention to FARA registration obligations for herself and the organizations.
As alleged, in or about 2019, Branson coordinated through the RCNY a campaign to lobby Hawaiian officials not to change the name of a fort located on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which is the last remaining formerly Russian fort in the Hawaiian-islands and is significant to the Russian government. Among other things, Branson provided Hawaiian officials with messages from Russian government officials and organized a trip to Moscow for Hawaiian officials responsible for the potential name change to meet with high-ranking Russian government personnel.
In addition to the RCNY, Branson served as a chairperson of the Russian Community Council of the USA (KSORS), which is funded at least in part by various Russian government-run entities. Among other things, KSORS coordinated an “I Love Russia” campaign in the United States and organized youth forums focused on the promotion of Russian history and culture to American youths. Branson used the KSORS website to promote messages from the Russian Embassy and organized KSORS events approved by the Russian Ambassador to the United States. When Branson sought financial support from a government of Moscow official for the KSORS website, Branson reported that the purpose of the KSORS website was to spread information “about the activities of organizations created by Russian compatriots to form a positive image of Russia and Moscow among Americans.”
According to the complaint, Branson’s work on behalf of the Russian government also included arranging meetings for herself and other Russian officials with U.S. government officials and executives at businesses based in the United States. For example, in March 2016, Branson worked to arrange meetings for the head of the Department of Foreign Economic Activity and International Relations for the Government of Moscow with, among others, a New York state senator and the management of certain U.S. companies.
Branson also participated in a scheme to obtain fraudulent visas for Russian officials and their associates, by providing information about RCNY events to those individuals for using as false pretenses to obtain visas to enter the United States.
The FBI interviewed Branson on Sept. 29, 2020. During this interview, among other things, Branson falsely claimed that she was never asked by Russian officials to coordinate any meetings between U.S. business leaders or politicians and officials from the government of Moscow. Branson subsequently left the United States for Russia. On or about Oct. 15, 2021, during an interview on a Russian government-controlled television station, Branson stated that she left the United States because she thought it was likely that she would be arrested.
Branson is charged with: (1) conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (2) acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; (3) conspiring to evade FARA registration, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (4) willfully failing to register under FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (5) conspiring to commit visa fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and (6) making false statements to the FBI, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Branson left the United States for Russia in 2020 and remains at large.
The FBI’s New York Field Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason A. Richman for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dual U.S. / Russian National Charged with Acting Illegally as A Russian Agent in the United StatesRead 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 filing of a Complaint charging ELENA BRANSON, a dual Russian and U.S. citizen, with acting and conspiring to act in the United States illegally as an agent of the Russian government, willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”), as well as conspiring to commit visa fraud and making false statements to the FBI. As alleged, beginning in at least 2011, BRANSON worked on behalf of the Russian government and Russian officials to advance Russian interests in the United States, including by coordinating meetings for Russian officials to lobby U.S. political officials and businesspersons, and by operating organizations in the United States for the purpose of publicly promoting Russian government policies, and BRANSON never notified the Attorney General as she was required to, including by registering under FARA.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Elena Branson, a dual U.S. / Russian national, actively subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States in order to promote Russian policies and ideology. The Russian government at its highest levels, up to and including President Vladimir Putin, have made known that aggressive propaganda and recruitment of the Russian diaspora around the world is a Russian priority. In connection with this pursuit, Branson is alleged to have corresponded with Putin himself and met with a high-ranking Russia minister before founding a Russian propaganda center here in New York City, the Russian Center New York. Branson’s promotional outreach, including an ‘I Love Russia’ campaign aimed at American youths, exemplifies her attempts to act at the behest of the Russian government to illegally promote its interests in the United States. All the while, Branson knew she was supposed to register as an agent of the Russian government but chose not to do so and, instead, instructed others regarding how to illegally avoid the same. Particularly given current global events, the need to detect and hinder attempts at foreign influence is of critical importance, and the Southern District of New York is proud to do its part in the fight against tyranny.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “As alleged, Branson engaged in a wide-ranging influence and lobbying scheme with funding and direction from the Russian government – all while deliberately leaving the American people in the dark. The Department will continue to expose these serious crimes and shine a light on foreign malign influence.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “As alleged, Branson worked as an illegal agent of the Russian government in circumvention of FARA requirements. At the direction of the Russian government, she led a years long campaign to identify the next generation of American leaders, cultivate information channels, and shape US policy in favor of Russian objectives. This case highlights the breadth of Russia's relentless intelligence and malign influence activities targeting the United States. The FBI will continue to be just as aggressive in uncovering and dismantling these Russian government networks who seek to harm our national security.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
The Russian government has sought to spread Russian propaganda and to use Russian citizens in the United States and elsewhere to make connections with U.S. community leaders, politicians, and businesspersons, in order to advance Russian government objectives. Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, have made public statements acknowledging this foreign policy strategy of the Russian government.
As part of that Russian government effort, beginning in at least approximately 2011, BRANSON, a native of Russia, acted illegally as an agent of the Russian government while living in the United States, by not registering pursuant to FARA or otherwise notifying the Attorney General as required by a separate statute. Among other things, in or about 2012, after receiving approval from the highest levels of the Russian government, BRANSON incorporated an organization headquartered in Manhattan, New York, named the Russian Center New York (“RCNY”). BRANSON sent correspondence to then-Prime Minister Putin and met with a high-ranking Russian government Minister in connection with the initiation of her activities for the Russian government in the United States. BRANSON received tens of thousands of dollars in funding from the Russian government for the RCNY and has used the RCNY to host events and engage in public messaging at the direction of the Russian government and Russian officials. BRANSON was directed to, among other things, host events designed to consolidate the Russian-speaking youth community in the United States. For example, BRANSON and the RCNY hosted an annual youth forum, funded in part by an entity controlled by the Government of Moscow. Throughout her work as a Russian agent in the United States, BRANSON received funding and direction from the Russian government, including from the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and received tasking from high-level Russian government officials and Russian government-run organizations. At the same time, however, BRANSON actively sought to hide that the Russian government was providing her with tasking and funding her activity and she instructed her co-conspirators to do the same. She also cautioned others against using language in describing their activities that would draw attention to FARA registration obligations for herself and the organizations.
As alleged, in or about 2019, BRANSON coordinated through the RCNY a campaign to lobby Hawaiian officials not to change the name of a fort located on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which is the last remaining formerly Russian fort in the Hawaiian islands and is significant to the Russian government. Among other things, BRANSON provided Hawaiian officials with messages from Russian government officials and organized a trip to Moscow for Hawaiian officials responsible for the potential name change to meet with high-ranking Russian government personnel.
In addition to the RCNY, BRANSON has served as a Chairperson of the Russian Community Council of the USA (“KSORS”), which is funded at least in part by various Russian government-run entities. Among other things, KSORS has coordinated an “I Love Russia” campaign in the United States and organized youth forums focused on the promotion of Russian history and culture to American youths. BRANSON used the KSORS website to promote messages from the Russian Embassy and organized KSORS events approved by the Russian Ambassador to the United States. When BRANSON sought financial support from a Government of Moscow official for the KSORS website, BRANSON reported that the purpose of the KSORS website was to spread information “about the activities of organizations created by Russian compatriots to form a positive image of Russia and Moscow among Americans.”
According to the Complaint, BRANSON’s work on behalf of the Russian government also included arranging meetings for herself and other Russian officials with U.S. Government officials and executives at businesses based in the United States. For example, in March 2016, BRANSON worked to arrange meetings for the head of the Department of Foreign Economic Activity and International Relations for the Government of Moscow with, among others, a then-New York State Senator and the management of certain U.S. companies.
BRANSON also participated in a scheme to obtain fraudulent visas for Russian officials and their associates, by providing information about RCNY events to those individuals for using as false pretenses to obtain visas to enter the United States.
The FBI interviewed BRANSON on September 29, 2020. During this interview, among other things, BRANSON falsely claimed that she had never been asked by Russian officials to coordinate any meetings between U.S. business leaders or politicians and officials from the Government of Moscow. BRANSON subsequently left the United States for Russia. On or about October 15, 2021, during an interview on a Russian government-controlled television station, BRANSON stated that she had left the United States because she thought it was likely that she would be arrested.
* * *
BRANSON, 61, is charged with (1) conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (2) acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison; (3) conspiring to evade FARA registration, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (4) willfully failing to register under FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (5) conspiring to commit visa fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and (6) making false statements to the FBI, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum statutory penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
BRANSON left the United States for Russia in 2020 and remains at large.
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, for their assistance.
The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason A. Richman is in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Defendant Convicted of Child Exploitation Sentenced to 160 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - William Malone, 46, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced today after having been convicted by a jury in October 2021 on child exploitation charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Malone to 160 years in prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Malone was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $206,580.80.
Malone was charged on October 7, 2020, by a federal grand jury in Lafayette with five counts of production of child pornography, one count of use of a facility to cause a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, and one count of possession of child pornography.
Evidence presented at the trial in Lafayette in October 2021 showed that Malone lived in Mobile, Alabama and worked as the captain of a maritime vessel that traveled out of Abbeville in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Law enforcement officers with the Mobile Police Department and Child Advocacy Center began an investigation after they received complaints that Malone had sexually abused a female under the age of 12 years old. The minor victim’s mother reported the allegations after learning from her daughter that Malone had been sexually abusing her.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a forensic examination of the minor victim’s cell phone and found evidence that Malone had texted the minor victim and asked her to send him pictures and videos of herself naked and other sexually explicit images of herself. Agents also executed a search warrant onboard the vessel where Malone was working, for his laptop computer and cell phone. During a review of Malone’s laptop computer and cell phone, agents found the sexually explicit images that the minor victim had told law enforcement officers she sent to Malone at his request. Malone was subsequently arrested and charged.
“The crimes committed by this defendant are shameful,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This defendant took advantage of the minor victim in this case who looked up to and trusted him. Instead of respecting that trust she had in him, he tried to intimidate her into staying quiet about the things he was doing to her which were incomprehensible. He showed no remorse for the awful acts he did. But this minor victim had the courage to tell someone what he did to her and today, she stood victorious knowing that he will never hurt another victim in this way again. We will continue to fight for victims who are forever scarred by guilty defendants like this.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and Mobile, Alabama Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Luke Walker and Craig R. Bordelon, II.
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Convicted Murderer Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Selling Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Rasheed Karreem (38, Jacksonville) to eight years and four months in federal prison for distributing cocaine base, also referred to as “crack” cocaine. Karreem had pleaded guilty on December 8, 2021.
According to court documents, on July 13 and July 25, 2018, Karreem sold crack cocaine to a cooperating defendant who was working at the direction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. At the time, Karreem was on state probation for the January 2018 battery of Jamie Lawyer. On August 10, 2018, Karreem shot Lawyer to death as she sat in her vehicle in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Jacksonville. Karreem is serving three consecutive life sentences in connection with the murder of Lawyer.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
Contractor Pays $930,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Medical Services Contracts at State Department and Air Force Facilities in Iraq and AfghanistanRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Comprehensive Health Services, LLC (CHS), located in Florida, has agreed to pay $930,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely representing to the State Department and the Air Force that it complied with contract requirements relating to the provision of medical services at State Department and Air Force facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is the Department of Justice’s first resolution of a False Claims Act case involving cyber fraud since the launch of the Department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which aims to combine the Department’s expertise in civil fraud enforcement, government procurement, and cybersecurity to combat new and emerging cyber threats to the security of sensitive information and critical systems
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; Roger B. Handberg, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida; Elisabeth “Elli” Kaminsky, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of State, Office of Investigations; and Nicholas J. Groesbeck, Special Agent-in-Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Procurement Fraud Detachment 4, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (OSI), announced the settlement.
CHS is a provider of global medical services that contracted to provide medical support services at government-run facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under one of the contracts, CHS submitted claims to the State Department for the cost of a secure electronic medical record (EMR) system to store all patients’ medical records, including the confidential identifying information of United States service members, diplomats, officials, and contractors working and receiving medical care in Iraq. The United States alleged that, between 2012 and 2019, CHS failed to disclose to the State Department that it had not consistently stored patients’ medical records on a secure EMR system. When CHS staff scanned medical records for the EMR system, CHS staff saved and left scanned copies of some records on an internal network drive, which was accessible to non-clinical staff. Even after staff raised concerns about the privacy of protected medical information, CHS did not take adequate steps to store the information exclusively on the EMR system.
The State Department and Air Force contracts also required CHS to provide medical supplies, including controlled substances, that were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA) and manufactured in accordance with federal quality standards. The United States alleged that, between 2012 and 2019, CHS falsely represented to the State Department and Air Force that certain substances provided under those contracts were approved by the FDA or EMA. CHS lacked a Drug Enforcement Agency license necessary for exporting controlled substances from the United States to Iraq. CHS obtained controlled substances by having CHS physicians based in Florida send letters requesting that a South African physician prescribe the controlled substances. A South African shipping company then received controlled substances that were not approved by the FDA or EMA and sent them to CHS in Iraq, where CHS supplied the unapproved controlled substances to patients under the State Department and Air Force contracts.
“Protecting the health and safety of servicemembers, diplomats, and other government employees working abroad is of utmost importance. The defendants were required to maintain personal health information securely and provide only approved pharmaceuticals to patients. This settlement serves notice to federal contractors that they will be held accountable for conduct that puts private medical records and patient safety at risk,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “We are grateful for the support of our colleagues in the Middle District of Florida, the State Department, and the Air Force for their assistance in investigating these important claims.”
“This settlement demonstrates the department’s commitment to use its civil enforcement tools to pursue government contractors that fail to follow required cybersecurity standards, particularly when they put confidential medical records at risk,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to ensure that those who do business with the government comply with their contractual obligations, including those requiring the protection of sensitive government information.”
“Government contractors should never disregard their obligations when providing medical care to members of the military,” stated United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We thank our colleagues in the Eastern District of New York, as well as the investigative agencies who supported this effort, for their steadfast pursuit of this important investigation.”
“This settlement demonstrates the commitment State Department, Office of Inspector General, Special Agents have to protect the safety, well-being, and personal information of State Department personnel. Our hope is that this outcome will send a clear message that cutting corners on State Department contracts has significant consequences.” stated Special Agent in Charge Elisabeth “Elli” Kaminsky of the U.S. Department of State OIG, Office of Investigations.
“The Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is undeterred in its approach to hunting down fraud within our Foreign Military Sales programs and ensuring the offenders are held accountable,” stated Air Force OSI Special Agent-in-Charge Groesbeck. “We applaud the complainant for coming forward, which allowed our joint partners to protect the governments procurement process and carry out the warfighting mission.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of two actions brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act against CHS. Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the settlement if the government takes over the case and reaches a monetary agreement with the defendant. The qui tam cases are captioned United States ex rel. Lawler v. Comprehensive Health Servs., Inc. et al., Case No. 20-cv-698 (E.D.N.Y.) and United States ex rel. Watkins et al. v. CHS Middle East, LLC, Case No. 17-cv-4319 (E.D.N.Y.).
The investigation and resolution of this matter demonstrates the government’s emphasis on combatting cyber-fraud. On October 6, 2021, the Deputy Attorney General announced the Department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which aims to hold accountable entities or individuals that put U.S information or systems at risk by knowingly providing deficient cybersecurity products or services, knowingly misrepresenting their cybersecurity practices or protocols, or knowingly violating obligations to monitor and report cybersecurity incidents and breaches. Information on how to report cyber fraud can be found here.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Department of State Office of Inspector General, and the United States Air Force.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
The government’s case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Volpe and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Kutlin of the Eastern District of New York, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Bloor of the Middle District of Florida.
Cleveland man admits to drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jontue Coleman, of Cleveland, Ohio, has admitted to his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Coleman, age 45, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, Cocaine Hydrochloride, Methamphetamine, and Heroin.” Coleman admitted to working with others to sell cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, methamphetamine, and heroin in Ohio County, the Southern District of Ohio, and elsewhere from June 2019 to August 2021.
Coleman faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clairsville Police Department assisted.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
City of Kenner Former Director of Inspection and Code Enforcement Pleads Guilty to Using an Interstate Facility with Intent to Carry on Unlawful Activity and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that JAMES MOHAMAD, 52, of Kenner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1952(a)(3)) and filing false tax returns (Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1)).
According to Court documents, MOHAMAD, the former Director of the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement for the City of Kenner, paid bribe money to Brian Medus, the Assistant Chief Mechanical Inspector for the City of New Orleans, Safety and Permits Department, in return for the issuance of fraudulent permits for MOHAMAD’s HVAC jobs. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, MOHAMAD paid Medus and others approximately $93,000 to further the bribery scheme. Additionally, MOHAMAD filed false individual tax returns which omitted substantial amounts of income resulting in an understated amount of income tax due.
As to the conspiracy charge, MOHAMAD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. As to the tax fraud, MOHAMAD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three (3) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. MOHAMAD will be sentenced on July 13, 2022.
A co-defendant, Brian Medus, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and is scheduled for sentencing on May 18, 2022.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and the City of New Orleans/Office of Inspector General. Assistance was also provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight is prosecuting the matter.
Charges Filed in Connection with Texas Oilfield DeathsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Midland, Texas, returned an indictment charging an oilfield company and an executive of the company with worker safety and environmental crimes.
According to court documents, Aghorn Operating Inc. owns and operates oil wells and leases in Texas. Aghorn and Trent Day, Vice President of Aghorn, were indicted for violating the Clean Air Act relating to releases of hydrogen sulfide from an Aghorn facility, as well as obstructing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation. Aghorn was also charged with three worker safety OSHA crimes for causing the death of an Aghorn employee. In addition, Aghorn and Day, along with another corporation, Kodiak Roustabout Inc., were charged with violating the Safe Drinking Water Act and making false statements regarding the mechanical integrity of Aghorn injection wells in forms and pressure charts filed with the State of Texas Railroad Commission.
The charges are the result of an investigation of the Oct. 26, 2019, death of Aghorn employee, Jacob Dean and his wife, Natalee Dean. Both were overcome by hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas, at an Aghorn facility in Odessa.
“The Justice Department will protect and defend the right to a safe workplace, and we will prosecute those who violate federal law aimed at keeping workers safe,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“Our nation's environmental laws are designed to protect our communities and workers from hazardous pollutants,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Todd “Tony” Adams of EPA's Southwest Area Criminal Investigation Program. “Today's indictments demonstrate that companies intentionally violating those laws and endangering others will be held responsible for their crimes.”
According to the allegations in the indictment, on the night of the incident, Jacob Dean responded to a call to check the pump house at the facility, an enclosed building with two bay doors. His wife, Natalee Dean, knew where Jacob had gone, and started calling him when he did not return in a timely manner. When those calls went unanswered, Natalee drove to the station with her two children, aged nine and six. A pump had failed in the pump house, causing a leak of produced water containing hydrogen sulfide. Jacob had been overcome by hydrogen sulfide in the pump house, and when Natalee arrived at the station, she exited the vehicle and proceeded to the pump house, where she too was overcome by the gas. Both Jacob and Natalee were found dead by the first responders to the scene.
The indictment stated that: “Aghorn was aware that its produced water contained high amounts of H2S as well as the deadly nature of the gas.” Aghorn and Trent Day allegedly “knowingly violated their general duty to prevent the accidental release” of hydrogen sulfide and also knowingly “placed another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.”
OSHA began an investigation two days later. The indictment alleges that Aghorn and Day obstructed the OSHA investigation, arising out of statements made by Day to OSHA in two separate interviews.
The mechanical integrity of an injection well must be evaluated by conducting pressure tests or alternative testing methods approved by the Railroad Commission. In evaluating the results of a pressure test, the Railroad Commission considers the level of pollution risk that loss of well integrity would cause. Aghorn operated numerous produced water injection wells, and submitted purported well pressure test results to the Railroad Commission. The indictment alleges that the defendants made false statements regarding the mechanical integrity of Aghorn injection wells in forms and pressure charts filed with the Railroad Commission.
If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Costantini and Trial Attorney Mark Romley of the Environment and Natural Resources Divsion’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cedar Rapids Man Convicted of Attempted Carjacking and Trying to Have Witness KilledRead the Press Release
A man who attempted to carjack a car and subsequently tried to have a witness killed pled guilty on March 7, 2022, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Christopher Daniel Taylor, age 39, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of attempted carjacking, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and attempted witness tampering.
At the plea hearing, Taylor admitted that on December 3, 2020, he attempted to take a car from another person in Cedar Rapids. During the attempted carjacking, he displayed a firearm. He subsequently attempted to have a witness killed to prevent the witness from testifying or otherwise communicating information about his federal offenses to law enforcement.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Taylor remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Taylor faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and was investigated by the Marion Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-0016.
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Camp County Man Guilty of Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Leesburg man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Nathan Paul Hart, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven.
According to information presented in court, Hart conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine, marijuana, and other drugs in east Texas. On Nov. 30, 2020, Hart was stopped by a Texas State Trooper in east Texas with almost two kilograms of methamphetamine, which had been imported from Mexico. He was also in possession of a pistol. In May 2021, while in jail, Hart directed a shipment of $22,680.00 to another person as payment for drugs from California. Hart was an organizer and leader in the drug trafficking operation, which included five or more participants and was otherwise extensive.
Hart was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 28, 2021. He faces up to life in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
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.
This case is being investigated by the Mount Pleasant office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.
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California Man Pleads Guilty for Operating A Multi-Million Dollar Mortgage Modification FraudRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today that SERGIO LORENZO RODRIGUEZ, of Orange County, California, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent foreclosure rescue scheme that took in at least $5 million in prohibited advance fees from thousands of financially distressed homeowners. RODRIGUEZ pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted today, for years, Sergio Lorenzo Rodriguez took advantage of desperate homeowners who were facing foreclosure and eviction to collect from them, in the aggregate, millions of dollars in advance fees based on promises that Rodriguez knew he could not, or would not, keep. He exploited the financial vulnerability of his victims and is now being held accountable for his crime.”
According to the Complaint, the Indictment,[1] and statements made in court, and publicly available documents:
From approximately mid-2015 through August 2020, SERGIO LORENZO RODRIGUEZ and a co-conspirator (the Defendants) owned and/or managed a series of mortgage modification companies through which they perpetrated a scheme to defraud and attempt to defraud financially distressed consumers who were facing or were at imminent risk of foreclosure through deceptive marketing practices. Those companies included American Home Servicing Center, National Advocacy Center, National Advocacy Group, and Capital Home Advocacy Center (collectively, the “Companies”). The Defendants tricked desperate homeowners into paying thousands of dollars each in prohibited advance fees through various misrepresentations, including: falsely claiming that the homeowners had been pre-approved by their lender or servicer for a mortgage modification; misrepresenting prohibited advance fees as closing costs or other non-prohibited costs; fraudulently claiming that the Companies achieved success rates of 95 percent or higher for mortgage modifications; and making empty promises of a no-risk money back guarantee. As a result of their intentional misrepresentations, and misrepresentations that they encouraged their subordinates to make, the Defendants induced thousands of homeowners to pay, in the aggregate, millions of dollars in prohibited advance fees to the Companies, including a large number of consumers who were ultimately denied mortgage modifications or who received modification offers that were less favorable than they had been led to expect at the time they paid advance fees.
In February 2018, the Federal Trade Commission brought a civil lawsuit against the Defendants, among others, in federal court in Santa Ana, California. That civil action resulted first in a temporary restraining order and then a permanent injunction barring the Defendants from marketing and selling all debt relief products and services. As alleged in the Indictment, the Defendants flouted those judicial orders by having a relative create another mortgage modification company named 1st Premier Asset Solutions, which the Defendants operated using aliases and some of the same deceptive practices.
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SERGIO LORENZO RODRIGUEZ, 47, of Laguna Niguel, California, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding and persistent investigative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and thanked the Federal Trade Commission for their assistance.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Lai is in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As to Rodriguez’s co-defendant Eva Christine Rodriguez, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Bronson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Eugene A. Light, 74, of Bronson, Florida, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography after pleading guilty on January 18, 2022. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”
Court documents reflect that a detective with the Levy County, Florida Sheriff’s Office received information that a subject residing in Bronson, Florida, had distributed images of child pornography on the Internet. After further investigation, on January 6, 2021, detectives executed a search warrant at the residence of Light. Inside of the residence, detectives found numerous computers and electronic storage devices. A forensic review of the computers and storage devices revealed Light had received and saved over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography. The materials included prepubescent children and sadistic and masochistic sexual abuse of children
Light's prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will also be required to pay $39,000.00 in restitution, register as a sex offender, and be subject to all sex offender conditions.
“Thanks to the outstanding partnership between HSI Gainesville and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, this child predator will face the consequences of his crimes,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips.
"These dedicated Sheriff's Office Detectives invested countless hours examining the evidence they seized during this investigation. Ensuring the safety of our children cannot be more serious and the men and women assigned to this division are subjected to the most heinous criminal element that plague our society. I am most proud of their professionalism and dedication to this mission in working with our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which led to this successful conclusion and Justice was served,” said Sheriff McCallum.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Barre Couple Charged in Federal Court with Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that David Tom, 37, and Tiffany Fisk, 32, who are married and both of Barre, Vermont, were arrested yesterday. A federal grand jury had previously charged Tom with unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The same grand jury returned an indictment alleging Fisk had distributed controlled substances on multiple occasions. The United States has requested that both Tom and Fisk remain detained pending trial.
According to court records, Tom and Fisk were both in a vehicle that was stopped by Vermont State Police on January 28, 2022, in Barre. The stop occurred because of a suspected invalid registration and an inoperable taillight. At the time of the stop, both Fisk and Tom appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant. A K9 alerted on the vehicle, and officers observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. During a subsequent search, a small backpack was located in the rear of the vehicle near where Tom had been seated. A Hi Point .380 ACP semi-automatic handgun was inside the backpack. Also, drug paraphernalia for smoking cocaine base was in the same backpack. At the time of the traffic stop, Tom was subject to conditions of release in multiple pending State of Vermont criminal matters and was subject to a 24-hour curfew.
The grand jury’s indictment in Fisk’s case alleges she distributed fentanyl on two occasions in October of 2021 and distributed cocaine base on January 25, 2022.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Fisk and Tom remain presumed innocent until and unless convicted of a crime. Tom faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment. Fisk faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Montpelier Police Department. He also thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their vital assistance in apprehending both Tom and Fisk.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. Tom is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. Fisk is represented by John Mabie, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. See https://www.justice.gov/psn
Assumption Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RODNEY ROUSSELL (“ROUSSELL”), age 40, of Belle Rose, Louisiana, pled guilty today to bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2).
According to documents filed in federal court, the case against ROUSSELL began as a result of a complaint from a local company (“Company A”) to the FBI. According to the bill of information, in August, 2017, ROUSSELL began working for Company A. Company A maintained its operational headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana. Company A maintained a business account with JPMorgan Chase Bank (“Chase Bank”). Company A’s salary payments to ROUSSELL were made electronically and drawn on Company A’s account.
As Company A’s employee, ROUSSELL did not have access to Company A’s Chase Bank account, and was not authorized to make payments of any kind using funds in the account. Beginning in or about April 2018, and continuing until in or about June 2018, ROUSSELL utilized Chase Bank’s web portal and mobile banking app to transfer money from Company A’s account to pay the balance of ROUSSELL’s personal bank card. In total, ROUSSELL obtained $213,372.05 from Company A’s Chase Bank account.
ROUSSELL faces a maximum penalty of thirty (30) years imprisonment, followed by up to five (5) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for June 14, 2022, before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige O’Hale.
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Armed Drug Dealers Sentenced to Five Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Brandy Sue Rayburn (41, Jacksonville) and Duane Lamonte McCray (43, Jacksonville) each to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court also ordered them to forfeit a Remington pistol and ammunition. Rayburn and McCray had pleaded guilty on December 7, 2021.
According to court documents, between April and May 2020, Rayburn and McCray sold cocaine and other drugs from Rayburn’s residence in the Arlington area of Jacksonville. To protect their drug dealing operations, Rayburn and McCray obtained a firearm that they kept at the house. Following the arrest of Rayburn and McCray, a Remington firearm and ammunition was located and seized by law enforcement. Forensic investigation revealed DNA of Rayburn and McCray on the firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus P. Zomorodian and Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez.
This case is 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.