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Tuesday 25 January 2022
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for Series of Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday to nine years in prison for his role in five armed robberies of cell phone stores.
Rushard Burton (27) pleaded guilty in August 2021 to four counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Burton to three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, from March 18 to June 5, 2017, Burton, co-conspirators Kejon Ward and Erica Caldwell, and others stole over 400 cell phones from five cell phone stores in North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas. During each robbery, they pointed firearms at — and made threats to — victims in the stores.
Ward (28) pleaded guilty in August 2021, and he is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was a joint investigation by the FBI, North Las Vegas Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Henderson Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Burton and Stephanie Ihler.
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Judge sentences St. Louis County man for being the leader of a Webster Groves crack cocaine conspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Marcus A. Beasley, 34, appeared before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on today’s date. Beasley was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.
Beasley is one of four defendants to have pleaded guilty and be sentenced in a twenty-five-count federal indictment directed towards the members of a crack cocaine drug trafficking organization that operated in an around Webster Groves and other locations within St. Louis County and St. Louis City.
According to the plea agreement, in 2016, St. Louis County Police Department detectives received information that Beasley was selling crack cocaine in the St. Louis, Missouri area. A joint investigation was undertaken by the Saint Louis County and Webster Groves Police Department and FBI.
During the course of the months-long investigation, over twenty-one purchases of crack cocaine were completed with Beasley, or at Beasley’s direction. These illicit drug sales were completed at a variety of locations in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Several of the transactions were completed at or near a Webster Groves residence. At sentencing, the district court found Beasley to be a manager and supervisor of the drug trafficking organization.
"The Webster Groves Police Department would like to thank the Unites States Attorney’s Office for their successful efforts in the prosecution of this case and eliminating a serious threat to our community" stated Chief Dale Curtis.
This investigation was conducted by the Webster Groves Police Department, the St. Louis County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Jefferson County man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Lynch, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Lynch, 57, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine Base and Cocaine Hydrochloride.” Lynch admitted working with others to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” from July 2018 to June 2021 in Jefferson County and elsewhere.
Lynch faces up to 20 years of incarceration and 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police, the DEA Task Force Montgomery County, Maryland; and the Frederick, Maryland, HIDTA group investigated. The EPDTF consists of the West Virginia State Police, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ranson Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Martinsburg Police Department.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Jackson Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court documents, Andre Rene Williams, 53, pawned a stolen firearm on December 16, 2017. Williams has twelve prior felony convictions for both violent and non-violent offenses. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Williams to possess any firearm.
Williams pled guilty on June 28, 2021, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the ATF, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Copiah County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Illegal Possession of Firearms Sends Two Men to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of two cases in the Western District of Louisiana. Sentencing hearings were held yesterday in Alexandria and United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced the following individuals:
Cortez Dayshon Duncantel, 27, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was sentenced to 130 months (10 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. The charges stem from an incident on June 4, 2019, when a Pineville Police Department officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Duncantel was a passenger in the vehicle and was detained during the stop. Officers conducted a pat-down search of Duncantel and found a loaded Glock pistol and a bag of suspected cocaine in his groin area. In addition, officers found a digital scale which Duncantel had in a waist pack around his shoulder. The suspected narcotics were sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be cocaine. Duncantel is a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance in 2014 and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Alfred James Kirk, 40, of Lecompte, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Kirk was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2021, and he pleaded guilty on October 4, 2021 to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On October 3, 2020, a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle Kirk was driving for a traffic violation. When the deputy approached the car, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found small quantities of illegal drugs packaged for distribution, as well as a loaded pistol between the front driver and middle seat of the vehicle. Kirk has a lengthy criminal history of felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. His prior convictions were for illegal use of a weapon (2002); forgery (2004 and 2006); possession of stolen things (2013); simple escape (2013); possession of cocaine (2018); and possession with intent to distribute heroin, alprazolam, and methamphetamine (2018).
These cases were investigated by the ATF, Pineville Police Department, and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica D. Cassidy and Brian C. Flanagan.
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 is 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. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Huntsville Man Charged with Multiple Robberies in North AlabamaRead the Press Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a Huntsville man with committing a string of armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
A 12-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Christopher Maxwell Jacobie Owens, 27, of Huntsville, with 6-counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and 6-counts of brandishing a firearm.
According to the indictment, in a span of six days in November 2020, Owens committed six armed robberies at businesses in Huntsville. Owens robbed two Family Dollar locations, Dollar General, two MetroPCS locations, and Walgreens.
The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery that affects interstate commerce and that involves the taking of property from another person by means of actual or threatened force or violence.
If convicted of a Hobbs Act Robbery, the defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. If convicted of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison.
The FBI investigated the case along with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and the Huntsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pillsbury is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Huntington County Woman Sentenced to One Year and One Day in Federal Prison for Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Linda Grubb, age 74, of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 24, 2022, to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Sylvia Rambo for wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Grubb pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme where the scheme participants manipulated a variety of pandemic relief programs to fraudulently obtain money. Specifically, international fraudsters made applications for pandemic related small business loans and pandemic unemployment assistance, sometimes using stolen identify information. The pandemic loan and unemployment payments were deposited into Grubb’s bank account in Huntingdon County. Grubb allowed her bank account to be used in that manner and then assisted the fraudsters by wiring the funds to foreign bank accounts they identified.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Hartselle Man Charged with Attempted KidnappingRead the Press Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a Hartselle man with attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual assault, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court, charges Matthias Jacob Edward Mann, 22, of Hartsell, with attempted kidnapping and coercion and enticement.
“Over the course of a week, law enforcement moved swiftly to identify the defendant and victim. Federal and local authorities from four different states worked together to investigate and arrest this defendant and derail a dangerous online plot,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “The internet is a tool that provides many opportunities for communication and connectivity, but also gives predators an easy way to access potential victims. One never knows who is lurking behind the keyboard. It is always important to exercise caution and protect your privacy in online forums.”
According to court documents, on December 29, 2021, an undercover detective with the Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department was monitoring the public Kik group “Abduction and R@pe 3.” During that time, the Kik User “Dylan H.,” who was determined to be Mann, posted in the group, asking for someone to abduct and sexually assault a woman from Wisconsin. The undercover detective responded and told Dylan H. that he was in Minnesota and would be interested.
On December 30, 2021, the undercover detective recorded a telephone conversation with Mann. On the call, Mann confirmed that his request for the abduction and sexual assault of the victim was not a fantasy. Mann provided the undercover detective with photos and a physical address of the victim, who he stated was a former friend. Mann requested a video to confirm that the abduction and sexual assault was carried out as requested. During their subsequent conversations, Mann agreed to pay the undercover detective gas money to travel to Wisconsin from Minnesota, and approximately $2,000.00 once the abduction and sexual assault had been completed. Mann paid the undercover detective $75 on January 5th.
Federal agents arrested Mann on the morning of January 6, 2022 in Hartselle, Alabama.
The maximum penalty for attempted kidnapping and attempted coercion and enticement is twenty years in prison.
The FBI investigated the case along with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Police Department; Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department; and FBI (Atlanta Division). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Hodge and John Hundscheid are prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Guntersville Woman Charged in a Scheme to Straw Purchase FirearmsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a Guntersville woman on charges involving straw purchasing of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
A four-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court, charges Caritina Jarquin, 46, of Guntersville, with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
According to the indictment, between March 2021 and May 2021, Jerquing purchased multiple .22 caliber rifles from Simmons Sporting Goods Co., a licensed firearms dealer located in Jefferson County.
The maximum penalty for giving a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is 10 years in prison.
This case is a 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 ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Camp is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Greensboro Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the North Carolina Medicaid Program and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Richard Graves, 49, of Greensboro, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering conspiracy for his role in a scheme to obtain more than $14 million from the North Carolina Medicaid program, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Joining U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement are Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS- CI), and Attorney General Josh Stein, who oversees the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division (MID).
According to filed court documents and today’s guilty plea, Graves was an employee of United Diagnostic Laboratories (UDL), a urine toxicology testing laboratory, and United Youth Care Services (UYCS), a company that provided mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Court documents show that from January 2016 to July 2020, Graves and his co-conspirators executed a conspiracy to defraud the North Carolina Medicaid program by paying illegal kickbacks to co-conspirators in exchange for urine samples from Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries.
As Graves admitted in court today, he and his co-conspirators located recruiters to recruit at-risk youths and other Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries for after-school, youth mentoring, housing, or other programs and services. Once enrolled, the beneficiaries were required to submit urine specimens for drug testing, which were provided to UDL and UYCS for medically unnecessary urine drug testing. Graves and his co-conspirators paid the recruiters a kickback from UYCS’s NC Medicaid reimbursement on the drug testing.
In addition, Graves and his co-conspirators executed a conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the kickback and health care fraud conspiracy through Everlasting Vitality, a company owned by one of the recruiters. According to plea documents, Everlasting Vitality sent fraudulent invoices to UYCS listing the hours that the co-conspirators purportedly worked for UYCS in the prior month. The fraudulent invoices listed fake services that had not actually been provided to UYCS, including program development and design, community engagement, motivational speaking, and college mentorship services. In truth and in fact, the purpose of these invoices was to conceal and disguise the nature and source of UYCS’s illegal kickback payments for drug testing referrals.
Graves pleaded guilty today to health care fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The health care fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a $500,000 fine.
Graves was released on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.
The FBI, IRS-CI, and NC Medicaid Investigations Division are in charge of the investigation.
The prosecution for the government is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
German National Sentenced to 23 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A German national was sentenced in federal court today for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing firearms.
Manuel Poludenyj, 36, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 23 years in federal prison without parole.
On June 24, 2021, Poludenyj pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Poludenyj’s residence on Jan. 3, 2019. In a bedroom, officers found a bag that contained 47.7 grams of pure methamphetamine, a stolen Ruger .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine, and a stolen New England Firearms 12-gauge short-barrel shotgun. Officers also found a paint can with a false bottom in the bedroom, which contained 92.5 grams of methamphetamine, 24.09 grams of cocaine, and 1.69 grams of fentanyl. Poludenyj had $625 in cash in his pocket.
Poludenyj has a criminal history that includes five felony convictions and 32 misdemeanor convictions. Among those convictions are acts of violence towards women, police officers, and others, as well as drug-trafficking offenses. Poludenyj was on state supervision at the time of this federal offense.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
Gary Man Sentenced to 360 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Stephen Coleman, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to four counts of production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Coleman was sentenced to 360 months in prison, a 15-year term of supervised release and ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, between May of 2017 and July of 2018, Coleman produced sexually explicit images of four minor children between the ages of six and eleven years.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Gary Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. McGrath and Jill Koster, formerly an Assistant United States in the Northern District of Indiana Attorney (now an AUSA in the District of the Virgin Islands).
Fruit Belt Gang Member Going to Prison on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Woods, 33, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 88 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who handled the case, stated that since August 2019, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force has been investigating the Fruit Belt Gang, whose members are allegedly actively engaged in the distribution of narcotics, firearms offenses, and gang activity.
On July 1, 2020, Central Park Gang (CPG) member Shariff Jackson was murdered in Buffalo, and investigators believe that Fruit Belt Gang members were involved. On July 4, 2020, Woods, and co-defendant Antwaine Parker, were shot on Sycamore Avenue in Buffalo. Woods, who was shot in the head and spine, drove himself to the hospital, after throwing a gun from the scene. A 9mm handgun was recovered on the roof of a nearby building. Woods told investigators that he was driving in the area with an unnamed person but provided no additional information. Investigators believe the shooting could be the result of rival gang activity between CPG and the Fruit Belt Gang.
On July 14, 2020, a Buffalo Police Officer recovered two guns after initiating a traffic stop of Woods’ vehicle. In March 2012, Woods was convicted in state court of Attempted Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances and sentenced to serve five years’ probation. In addition, Woods was sentenced in July 2015 to serve 84 months in prison after being convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. As a result, both defendants are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Antwaine Parker was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Erie Crime Analysis Center, under the direction of Director Dennis Richards.
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Franklin Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Zachary Cote, 24, of Franklin, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 27, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed at a residence in Franklin where Cote was residing. The investigation stemmed from activity that occurred on a social media platform through an account that resolved back to Cote. Various electronic devices were seized during the search. Forensic review of the devices revealed the presence of over 2,500 images and over 300 videos depicting child sexual exploitation material.
During a consensual interview, Cote admitted viewing and possessing child sexual abuse material on his phone and trading the material with others online.
Cote previously pleaded guilty on September 20, 2021. Cote was ordered to pay $26,000 in restitution and will be under supervised release for eight years after the completion of his sentence.
“Protecting the innocence of children is one of the foremost obligations of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who possess and distribute graphic sexual images of children are drawing pleasure from horrific acts of child abuse and committing a serious federal crime. In our ongoing effort to protect young people from abuse, we will continue to work closely with the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute crimes related to images of child sexual abuse.”
“Now more than ever, our children need to be protected from predators seeking to exploit their innocence. Today’s sentence helps us do that by keeping Zachary Cote behind bars for quite some time. By his own admission, Mr. Cote had four phones filled with thousands of explicit images and hundreds of videos depicting kids under the age of 12 being sexually abused,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Sadly, his despicable actions revictimized the minors featured in these images and videos all over again. Investigating violent crimes against children is a top priority of ours at the FBI, and this case exemplifies how we will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure people like him are brought to justice.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance by the Franklin Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced January 25, 2022, in federal court in Sioux City.
William Howard Rockey Halstead, 34, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty on August 19, 2021, to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
On September 2, 2020, Halstead was stopped by law enforcement for having an inoperable break light. During the stop, law enforcement observed multiple items resembling marijuana in plain view within the car. Halstead was asked to step out of the car at which time he locked his glovebox and exited the car. A subsequent search of Halstead uncovered a digital scale in his pocket. A search of the car revealed numerous pieces of marijuana on the seat, floorboard, and center console of the vehicle. Law enforcement then opened the glovebox and found a loaded Hi-Point JCP 40 Smith and Wesson handgun. Upon arrest, Halstead admitted he also had a small bag of methamphetamine in his sock. Halstead had 17 prior criminal convictions including burglary, grand larceny, controlled substances offenses, evading law enforcement, possession of a firearm by a felon, and absence from custody.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Halstead was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment and must serve a term of 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Halstead remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Purdy-Steenholdt and Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-3040. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Former San Antonio Bookkeeper Sentenced for Stealing $1.6 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for fraud.
According to court documents, Irene M. Scott, 42, is a former bookkeeper and financial manager for a private law firm in San Antonio. Scott worked for the law firm between August 2011 and February 2020. Her duties included issuing business credit cards to employees and closing those credit card accounts when an employee separated from the firm. She also maintained the firm’s financial ledgers and paid vendors and operating expenses.
On May 25, 2021, Scott pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Scott admitted that from 2012 to 2020, she used three office credit cards assigned to other employees to make non-firm related purchases totaling over $1.2 million. An estimated three-fourths of those funds went to support her husband’s outdoor lighting business. She concealed on the firm’s financial ledgers credit card payments she made using the firm’s operating account. Scott also stole an estimated $417,000 by fraudulently withdrawing from the firm’s operating account about 200 times during a two-year period beginning in January 2018. She disguised those withdrawals in the firm’s ledger as vendor payments. Scott committed these fraudulent acts without the knowledge or authorization of any member of the firm.
“The sentencing of Ms. Scott today should sound the alarm to those planning to steal from their employers with the idea that they are going to cook the books to hide their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “You will be investigated, identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to those who would betray their employers and fellow employees by committing fraud,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “The FBI is committed to seeing that individuals who commit these fraudulent acts are held accountable for their actions.”
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Joseph E. Blackwell prosecuted the case.
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Former Bishop, Lay Leader Charged in Fraud Scheme Involving AME Zion Congregations Across CaliforniaRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Staccato Powell and Sheila Quintana were arrested and appeared in federal court today to face conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud charges stemming from an alleged fraudulent scheme committed upon congregations of the AME Zion Church in California and private lenders, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.
According to the federal indictment filed January 6, 2022, and unsealed today, Powell, 62, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Quintana, 67, of Vallejo, were officers of the Western Episcopal District, Inc., an entity formed by Powell and Quintana in 2016 after Powell’s selection as bishop to the Western Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AME Zion Church), an historically African-American denomination of approximately 1.4 million adherents worldwide tracing its history to 1796. The indictment alleges that Powell and Quintana conspired to defraud AME Zion Church congregations in Oakland, San Jose, Palo Alto, and Los Angeles by re-deeding the local congregations’ properties in the name of WED, Inc. The indictment alleges that, prior to Powell and Quintana’s actions, these congregations had little or no mortgage debt on their local church properties, to include sanctuaries, residences for pastoral staff, and other structures used by the local congregations for religious purposes, and in some cases, the congregations had many years earlier paid off their mortgages.
The indictment further alleges that Powell and Quintana used false statements and material omissions to obtain the grant deeds from local pastors, then used fake resolution documents purporting to memorialize the assent of the local congregations to new mortgages on the local church properties. In fact, the local congregations did not authorize the new encumbrances on the local church properties. The indictment further alleges that through WED, Inc., Powell and Quintana conspired, along with others not named in the indictment, to extract cash proceeds by using the fake resolution documents to obtain mortgages from private lenders, usually on terms unfavorable to the borrower. Powell and Quintana did not inform the private lenders of the true facts, and they did not inform the local congregations of the new mortgages using the local church properties as collateral. The indictment alleges that after taking control of the church properties, Powell, Quintana, and others used the real estate as collateral to obtain high interest loans, exceeding $14 million in net proceeds. The indictment further alleges that Powell and Quintana diverted funds from the loans for their benefit, including the acquisition of properties in North Carolina by Powell, retiring mortgage debt on Powell’s personal residence in North Carolina, and cash payments to Quintana’s spouse. On July 30, 2020, WED, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and listed eleven churches in California, Arizona and Colorado among its assets.
In sum, the indictment charges Powell and Quintana each with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. In addition, Powell is charged with one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341. The maximum statutory sentence for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, 1343 or 1349 is 20 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release following prison. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by a court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Powell was arrested today in Wake Forest, North Carolina and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Quintana was arrested today in Vallejo, Calif., and made her initial appearance in Sacramento. The defendants were ordered to appear for their initial appearances in the Northern District of California via Zoom on February 2, 2022, before the Honorable Kandis A. Westmore.
The charges contained in the criminal indictment are only allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is being prosecuted by the Oakland Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Felon Caught with Narcotics and Handgun Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Yesterday U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Eric Coleman, age 37 of Baltimore City, Maryland, to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The sentence 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; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on May 7, 2020, Coleman and several others were standing on a sidewalk when they were observed by Baltimore Police Department detectives patrolling in the area. When the detectives were noticed, a lookout alerted Coleman and the others of BPD’s presence.
When the BPD detectives made a U-turn, Coleman quickly turned the right side of his body away from view, walked away from the group of other individuals, and kept his right arm stiff against his body. The detectives believed that Coleman’s actions were consistent with the characteristics exhibited by an armed person and stopped their patrol vehicle.
As detectives exited the vehicle, Coleman began to flee on foot and eventually threw a firearm with his right arm while running.
During his apprehension and arrest, the detectives discovered a 9mm handgun in the area where he threw it, as well as an extended magazine that Coleman had dropped as he ran. Coleman also possessed a satchel containing 42 gel caps of heroin, 33 gel caps of fentanyl, 29 glass vials of cocaine, and several bags of marijuana.
After his arrest, Coleman placed a consensually recorded jail call in which he discussed his arrest and the handgun. Specifically, Coleman stated “I couldn’t leave without it, yo. I told everybody that I’d rather get caught with it than without it. I got caught with it.”
As stated in his plea agreement, investigators subsequently executed search warrants on Coleman’s cellphone and social media accounts. As a result of the search warrants, investigators located several images and videos in which Coleman possessed a handgun. Investigators also discovered pictures and videos relating to the sale of narcotics.
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 and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard P. Gallena and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia C. McLane, 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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Federal Grand Jury Charges Former Chief Financial Officer of the City of Bardstown with Embezzling City FundsRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment last week charging a former city official with embezzling over three-quarters of a million dollars from the City of Bardstown during her years working with the city.
According to court documents, Tracy L. Hudson, 41, of Bloomfield, Kentucky, embezzled more than $762,000 from the City of Bardstown, Kentucky, while employed first as the City’s Occupational Tax Administrator and then as its Chief Financial Officer. Between 2013 and September 2019, Hudson stole funds from the City of Bardstown by various means, including by taking cash from the City of Bardstown funds for her own personal use, paying herself for false expense reimbursements, diverting additional payments into her 401k pension plan in excess of the amount withheld from her wages, purchasing personal items on a City of Bardstown credit card without authorization, and crediting payments to her personal accounts with the City of Bardstown despite no actual payment having been made.
Hudson is charged with one count of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. Hudson made her initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colin H. Lindsay of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and the Kentucky State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Zimdahl is 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.
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Drug trafficker sentenced to additional prison time for committing PPP fraud while on bondRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Rodriquez Deonte Redding has been sentenced for trafficking cocaine and laundering his drug profits by purchasing luxury cars in his mother’s and grandmother’s names. He faced new charges of wire fraud and the court imposed an additional sentence of one year and three months after the government discovered Redding had fraudulently obtained two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans while on bond for the drug and money laundering charges.
“It’s shocking that, while under indictment for drug trafficking and money laundering, Redding had the audacity to defraud a program meant to help people and businesses struggling for existence during the pandemic in order to fund his luxury shopping sprees,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are grateful to our federal and state law enforcement partners whose efforts brought this defendant to justice.”
“Hitting drug traffickers in their pockets is a crucial part of dismantling high-level drug distribution networks,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Their money is their lifeline and without it, their drug distribution activities could not survive. DEA and its law enforcement partners remain committed to making our communities safe.”
“The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is always pleased to collaborate with our federal justice partners, who share our common objective of preserving the safety and quality of life in Fulton County. This particular case involved an intense investigation, spanning almost nine years. Side-by-side, deputies and task force members relentlessly pursued irrefutable evidence to bring to justice a lawbreaker, whose actions, inspired by greed, further aggravated the effects of the pandemic for legitimate business owners,” said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat.
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Since at least 2010, Redding has been distributing cocaine in the Atlanta area. Redding was known to pick up and deliver kilograms of cocaine and bags of cash for other members of his drug trafficking operation and was recorded on bank security cameras making cash deposits into various accounts controlled by the members of his group. He also used wire transfers to move money on behalf of his group, and sometimes bought and sold cocaine to his own customers. To disguise and launder some of his cash profits, he purchased a series of luxury cars. As a way to further conceal his unexplained wealth, he convinced his mother and elderly grandmother to purchase the cars in their names, entangling them in his crimes.
Redding was indicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering by a federal grand jury in September 2018. He was arrested the following month but released on bond while the charges were pending. He pleaded guilty to those charges on June 2, 2021. However, the government soon discovered that he had obtained two PPP loans for $20,833, for a total of $41,666, which he applied for in April and May 2021, shortly before pleading guilty. To receive the loans, Redding claimed to operate a barber and retail business and submitted falsified tax return forms. Then, instead of spending the PPP money on payroll for employees or other business expenses, he spent thousands of dollars at a time on rental cars and shopping, including at Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Redding spent all of the PPP money in less than one month after receiving it.
Rodriquez Deonte Redding, a/k/a Dreek, 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the PPP lenders and the U.S. Small Business Administration in the amount of $46,666. Redding was convicted on the drug trafficking and money laundering charges on June 2, 2021, after he pleaded guilty. On January 21, 2022, he pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging wire fraud and was sentenced on both sets of charges in a single hearing.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with invaluable assistance from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett L. Bradford, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, prosecuted the case.
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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Door County Man Sentenced on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on January 24, 2022, Christopher J. Kone (age: 37) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment for two counts of possession of child pornography.
Between July 20, 2020, and November 12, 2020, Kone was the focus of a joint human trafficking investigation between the Door County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. During the investigation, law enforcement located several pornographic images of a minor on his cellular telephone. Kone subsequently pled guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(5)(b).
In pronouncing sentence, Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of Kone’s crimes which involved sexual assault and attempted trafficking of a minor. The judge further highlighted the need to deter Kone and others from engaging in similar behavior. Following his release from prison, Kone will serve seven years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender under federal and state law.
This case was investigated by the Door County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica J. Lounsberry, Alexander E. Duros, and Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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For further information contact: [email protected], (414) 297-1700
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Danville Doctor Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Danville, Ky., physician, Christopher Marek, 49, pleaded guilty to tax evasion on Tuesday, before Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves.
According to his plea agreement, between April 2015 and June 2019, Marek underreported income earned through his business, Central Kentucky Plastic Surgery, on his annual IRS income tax returns. Marek admitted to failing to list as income direct payments from patients, as well as only partially listing payments the business received from insurance companies. Overall, Marek failed to list more than $887,000 that he received, and in doing so, Marek caused a $283,687 tax deficiency that is owed by him to the United States.
Marek was indicted in June 2021.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigations, Cincinnati Field Office jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigations. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Moynahan.
Marek is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2022. He faces a maximum of five years in prison. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
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Convicted Felons Charged in Separate and Unrelated IndictmentsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged three convicted felons on gun and drug charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Randy Hasan Abdurrahim, 36, of Birmingham, with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. In April 2021, Abdurrahim illegally possessed a Smith & Wesson .380 pistol in Jefferson County. In September 2021, Abdurrahim possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and containing a detectable amount of fentanyl in Jefferson County.
A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Joseph Ryan Byram, 38, of Adger, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In July 2021, Byram illegally possessed a Rock Island Armory .38 caliber revolver in Jefferson County.
A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Christopher Kevin Key, 46, of Anniston, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. In August 2021, Key illegally possessed a Lorcin .25 caliber pistol in Calhoun County.
The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison.
The maximum penalty for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance is 20 years in prison.
ATF investigated the cases, along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Birmingham Police Department and Anniston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius Greene is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Convicted Felon Charged with Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a convicted felon with illegal firearm possession, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Deanglo Rashad Stephens, 32, of Birmingham, with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the indictment, on November 13, 2021, Stephens unlawfully possessed a FN 9mm pistol. Stephens is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. In October 2021, Stephens pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and was out on bond awaiting sentencing at the time of the new offense.
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.
ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Plyler is prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Admits Illegally Possessing Semi-Automatic Rifle at Veterans Affairs Hospital in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A convicted felon pleaded guilty today to a federal firearm violation for illegally possessing a semi-automatic rifle at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.
BERNARD HARVEY, JR., 43, of Indianapolis, Ind., pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charge is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr., set sentencing for May 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
Harvey illegally possessed the rifle on Aug. 12, 2019, at the medical center, 820 S. Damen Ave. in Chicago. Harvey had previously been convicted in the Circuit Court of Cook County of multiple felonies, including gun offenses, and was not lawfully allowed to possess the rifle.
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 David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The Jesse Brown VA Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey B. Rubenstein.
Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
Columbia County Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Columbia County, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for recording his repeated rape and abuse of a child over a period of five years and secretly recording a second child using a bathroom.
Anthony Wayne Dewey, 60, was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison followed by a life term of supervised release.
“Our hearts break for the children tragically abused and exploited in this and every case of child exploitation. We offer each of them this message: this experience will not define you. You are bigger and stronger than your abuser. You will grow to lead an extraordinary life of meaning and purpose,” said Scott Erik Asphaug, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
“The focus—as always—is on the victims. Although Anthony Dewey received a severe and just sentence, the potential damage done to the children by his depravity will likely well outlast his punishment,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Help us protect our community's children by reporting other violent predators to your local law enforcement agency or the FBI.”
According to court documents, in August 2017, after receiving information Dewey had sexually abused a child and created photographs depicting the abuse, law enforcement executed a search warrant on his Columbia County residence. Investigators seized numerous videos showing Dewey abusing the child over a period of five years when the child was 4 to 11 years old. The abuse occurred at Dewey’s residences in Oregon and Washington State.
During the search, law enforcement also found hidden camera videos of another minor victim using a bathroom. Investigators later learned that Dewey had previously been convicted in 2009 after hiding a camera in the bathroom of his residence in Cowlitz County, Washington. No video evidence was recovered or disclosed at that time.
On February 9, 2018, Dewey was charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of a child. Later, in June 2018 and November 2019, he was charged by criminal information and superseding criminal information with two counts of sexually exploiting a child. On November 7, 2019, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
U.S. Attorney Asphaug and Special Agent in Charge Ramsey made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Longview Police Department and St. Helens Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at http://www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Charleston man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jalin Tyref Mcarn, of Charleston, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Mcarn, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Mcarn, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, admitted to having a semi-automatic pistol in June 2021 in Tyler County.
Mcarn faces up to 10 years of incarceration and fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Sistersville Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Carjacker Sentenced t0 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Kristopher Harris, 23, has been sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for a carjacking. Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., United States Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information provided in court, on July 17, 2019, the victim was inside his vehicle at the Pump and Munch gas station on East Shelby Drive, when Harris and his co-defendant, Kalonji Warren, 24, drove Warren’s tan Jeep SUV alongside the victim's vehicle. Harris pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim, firing one shot into the front passenger-side window. After the victim fled, Warren entered the victim's vehicle and drove away. One shell casing left at the scene was collected as evidence.
Video surveillance captured the suspect’s vehicle in the area and showed Warren enter the gas station prior to the carjacking. Part of the carjacking incident was also captured on video surveillance. During the investigation Harris was positively identified.
Kristopher Harris and Kalonji Warren both pled guilty to the carjacking charge on October 22, 2021. Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2022.
On January 21, 2022, United States District Judge Tommy L. Parker sentenced the defendant to 97 months imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Wendy K. Cornejo and Gregory A. Wagner prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Career Offender Sentenced to More Than Seventeen Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Firearms and DrugsRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Glenn Edward Davis, Jr. (35, Ocala) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and two counts of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The court also ordered Davis to forfeit the firearms and ammunition associated with the offenses. Davis had pleaded guilty on June 23, 2021.
According to facts presented in court, on the night of March 16, 2019, an officer from the Ocala Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Davis’s car. Davis quickly abandoned the car and fled on foot, leaving behind his driver license, a loaded handgun, and methamphetamine packaged for distribution. On July 10, 2019, a detective from the Ocala Police Department spotted Davis driving a different car. When the detective attempted to execute a traffic stop, Davis again fled on foot. Davis struggled with and injured the detective as the detective was apprehending Davis. A search of Davis’s car revealed another loaded handgun, ecstasy pills, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine packaged for distribution. Laboratory testing revealed that Davis’s DNA was present on the handgun.
At the time he possessed the two handguns, Davis had 14 prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
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.
California Man Indicted for Stealing ExplosivesRead the Press Release
RENO – A California man made his initial court appearance yesterday for allegedly stealing explosive materials from a mill in Hawthorne, Nevada.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Evan Ray Atkinson, 38, with multiple counts of Theft of Explosive Material from Licensee; Theft of Explosive Material Moved in Interstate Commerce; Transport of Explosives by a Non-Licensee; Possession of Stolen Explosives; and Improper Storage of Explosives. Atkinson was arrested on January 4, 2022 in Henderson. U.S. District Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb scheduled a jury trial to begin on March 28, 2022, before Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du.
According to allegations in the indictment, on December 24, 2021, Atkinson stole approximately 100 pounds of detonating cord, boosters, and dynamite from a Federal Explosives Licensee. Atkinson then drove the explosives to Henderson and stored them in his hotel room and vehicle. On January 4, 2022, after evacuating the hotel, law enforcement safely recovered the stolen explosive materials from Atkinson’s vehicle and hotel room.
If convicted, Atkinson faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, FBI, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn Johnson is 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.
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CEO of South Florida Armored Transport Company Pleads Guilty to Committing Customs Fraud as Part of a Multimillion Dollar Dirty Gold Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Jesus Gabriel Rodriguez, Jr., 45, former CEO of Transvalue, a South Florida company that transported gold, cash, and other valuables by armored truck, pled guilty yesterday to submitting false customs documents that hid the true origin of gold being imported into Miami as part of a $140 million transnational illicit gold smuggling operation.
As part of his guilty plea, Rodriguez admitted that he facilitated the importation of thousands of kilograms of gold being flown into the United States from Curacao, knowing that the customs paperwork falsely represented the gold’s origins. Rodriguez’s co-conspirators were buyers who earned volume-based commissions by procuring gold for NTR Metals (now, Elemetals LLC). NTR Metals was a U.S. precious metals refinery with policies in place to combat money laundering, including not buying gold from Curacao, a country with no gold mines that is commonly used as waypoint for gold illegally mined in, and smuggled out of, other countries. Rodriguez helped co-conspirators dodge NTR Metals’ anti-money laundering policy and get the gold past U.S. Customs by working to conceal the gold’s origins and connections to Curacao.
Rodriguez agreed to forfeit $267,817 dollars as part of his guilty plea, an amount that represents the estimated increase in value to the business as a result of Rodriguez’s conduct and almost all of his personal earnings from the scheme.
Rodriguez is scheduled for sentencing on April 4, at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles, who sits in Miami. He faces up to 24 months in federal prison.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami; Matthew D. Line, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Office; and Anthony Salisbury, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Filed Office, announced the guilty plea of Rodriguez.
“Complex money laundering schemes involve key players at every stage of the process,” said U.S. Attorney Gonzalez. “Corporate executives who facilitate money laundering while purportedly importing lawful goods at the transport and U.S. Customs stages do not get to hide behind their status as otherwise legitimate business owners. Like everyone else participating in these illegal schemes, they will be prosecuted.”
“Criminals are using increasingly more sophisticated means to hide the proceeds of their illegal activity. Called money laundering, this is the process used by crooks to turn “dirty” money into “clean” money in an attempt to hide or accumulate wealth, avoid prosecution, evade taxes, increase profits, or fund further criminal activity,” said FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Piro. “It is a crime. Our agents and forensic accountants will target and doggedly pursue those who launder money or assist those who do – including corporate executives like Mr. Rodriguez.”
“We will not stand for those who conceal themselves amongst legitimate businesses while defrauding others for monetary gain. Those involved in circumventing the laws in any capacity to launder illicit proceeds will be exposed and prosecuted,” said IRS-CI Miami Special Agent in Charge Line.
“Homeland Security Investigations will utilize its expertise to pursue anyone who facilitates the laundering of illicit proceeds”, said HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Salisbury. “HSI is committed to working with our federal partners to stop individuals who attempt to take advantage of our financial and international trade institutions in support of their money laundering activities.
This prosecution and the related cases are part of Operation Arch Stanton, which is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. The OCDETF program facilitates complex, joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms.
FBI Miami, IRS-CI Miami, and HSI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from DEA-Miami and law enforcement partners in Curacao. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Walter M. Norkin and Andrea Goldbarg. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of this matter.
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-20529-DPG.
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Burlington County Man Charged with Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was arrested today on charges that he distributed images and a video depicting child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Brian J. Crann, 37, of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Joint Base MDL), in Burlington, New Jersey, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He was arrested today, appeared this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert, and was ordered detained.
According to documents filed in this case:
On Jan. 22, 2022, Crann transmitted a video and two images of child sexual abuse to another individual using an account on an instant messaging mobile application. Crann also transmitted a non-pornographic image of himself with a minor, who appeared to be the same minor victim depicted in the images and video of child sexual abuse.
The investigation revealed that the account was associated with an Android smartphone and that a short time before the user of the account sent the images and video, the account was accessed using a Wi-Fi Internet Protocol address assigned to an internet service account subscribed in Crann’s name at a residential address on Joint Base MDL. The contact number for the internet service account was a mobile telephone number subscribed in Crann’s name at the same residential address. On Jan. 25, 2022, law enforcement officials searched Crann and recovered an Android smartphone with the mobile telephone number subscribed in Crann’s name. A search of the smartphone revealed a copy of the non-pornographic image of Crann with the minor that had been sent from the account via the app on Jan. 22, 2022.
The distribution of child pornography charge is punishable by a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI Newark Field Office Crimes Against Children Squad, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., and Fort Dix Army CID Resident Unit with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bath Man Previously Convicted on Child Pornography Charges Pleads Guilty to New ChargeRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ryan Hamilton, 30, of Bath, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior conviction. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in August 2016 and again in September 2017, Hamilton was convicted in Steuben County Court of Possessing Sexual Performance by Child Less than 16. In October 2019, while being supervised by New York State Parole, Hamilton possessed approximately 87 videos and 1,124 images of child pornography on an SD card. Some of the images and videos included children under the age of 12 and depictions of violence.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2022, before Judge Siragusa.
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Aroostook County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Aroostook County man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Andrew Torres, 26, to six years in prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Torres and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Walker observed that “peddling in this poison has brought a great deal of dysfunction and chaos and, too often, death to communities all over our state, and maybe most especially northern Maine.”
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Arizona man pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, in 2017 and 2018, Arthur Merson, 67, of Scottsdale, Arizona, participated in a scheme to defraud involving investments in Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs). Investors were promised that they could receive a portion of the value of an SBLC, worth millions of dollars, for a much smaller initial investment. Investors were promised returns equal to many times the amounts of their initial investments in a matter of weeks. They were also promised that their money would remain in the attorney trust account of a co-conspirator—who at the time was a licensed attorney in Florida—until confirmation was received that the SBLC had been issued.
In his role as an intermediary between investors and the principal members of the conspiracy, Merson falsely represented to investors that the investment was not risky and that he had been involved in similar successful deals in the past. In fact, he had not been involved in prior successful transactions of this sort, nor had he made any significant amount of money from them.
After co-conspirators fraudulently transferred investor funds, Merson relayed a variety of excuses from other members of the conspiracy for why the transactions had not occurred. He also falsely represented that he was an independent consultant who was only going to receive a small finder’s fee, and claimed not to know the details of the transaction or the payouts the clients could expect. In fact, he had a significant independent financial interest in the investment transaction that he failed to disclose, and affirmatively misled investors about, as he responded to investor inquiries.
Merson faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The FBI investigated the case.
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Alpine Resident Sentenced to Life in Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
ALPINE – An Alpine man was sentenced yesterday to two life sentences in prison for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.
According to court documents and evidence at trial, Damion Edward Cruz-Benavente, 30, was found guilty by a jury in Pecos in August 2021 of one count of aggravated sexual abuse by force; one count of sexual abuse by threat or fear; and one count of sexual abuse of a minor. While living in Big Bend National Park beginning in 2015, the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim using force and threats, placing the victim in fear.
Defendant has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 12, 2021.
“This is a horrific case of child victimization by an evil predator who stole a child’s innocence and has now received a sentence that provides some measure of justice for the brave victim,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners as we work together to protect our communities.”
“This sentencing should send a strong message to those who sexually harm innocent children in our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. “For years, the defendant in this case committed despicable and heinous acts against the victim and the victim’s siblings. The victim can now have faith that others believed the victim’s cry for help, wanted to help the victim heal and gave the victim the peace of mind to know the defendant will be behind bars for a very long time. Thanks to the exemplary efforts of the National Park Service, Alpine Police Department, the Killeen Police Department, and the dedicated work from our agents who aggressively pursue these heinous criminals, this individual will finally be held accountable for his actions. The FBI is committed to preventing violent crimes against children and to bring those who harm them to justice. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and use every investigative tool to protect the public from these types of horrific crimes.”
The FBI and the National Park Service along with assistance from the Killeen Police Department and the Alpine Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Kennedy and Tracy Thompson 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 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.justice.gov/psc.
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Monday 24 January 2022
Woman Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Stealing Millions in Federal Funds from Huntington Children's CharityRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Chesapeake, Ohio, woman was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for stealing federal funds from River Valley Child Development Services (“RVCDS”), a non-profit organization located in Huntington. RVCDS provides programs, services, and support to children and families in the region.
Ruth Marie Phillips, also known as Marie Phillips, 69, worked at RVCDS from December 1986 until September 2020 and held various positions at the non-profit organization. Phillips served as Director of Business and Finance and was responsible for all financial operations, including monitoring accounts receivable, creating and submitting invoices, reconciling bank accounts and issuing checks. From July 1, 2016, to on or about June 30, 2017, RVCDS received approximately $7,131,756 in federal funding and Phillips used her position of trust and authority to steal approximately $964,012 during that period.
Phillips further admitted that between December 2013 and August 2020, she stole approximately $4,721,731 from RVCDS. During that period, she sent $1,142,500 to her personal checking account and sent another $3,395,500 to Attitude Aviation’s bank account. Attitude Aviation has offices at Lawrence County Airpark in South Point, Ohio, and Tri-State Airport in Huntington and provides aeronautical services, including fueling, rental of hangar space, aircraft rental, flight instruction and maintenance.
In sentencing Phillips, the Court departed upward from the sentencing guidelines, noting that the guideline range failed to account for the substantial harm Phillips caused the non-profit in the community and the impact Phillips’ theft had on taxpayers.
To assist with restitution, Phillips has agreed to forfeit substantial assets, including $304,576.49 in proceeds from the sale of a lake house at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia that she bought during her scheme to defraud the non-profit, $169,954.58 in proceeds from the sale of a Randolph County property, $322,288.50 in proceeds from the sale of two airplanes, her Chesapeake, Ohio, residence, several vehicles including a Lexus RX and a Chevrolet Corvette, and four additional airplanes that are anticipated to sell soon. As of the date of sentencing, Phillips has forfeited approximately $868,561.44, which both parties anticipate applying to her ultimate restitution debt. The full amount of restitution will be determined at a hearing on April 4, 2022.
“Phillips stole millions of dollars meant for families and children in the Huntington area for her own personal use. It doesn’t get much worse than stealing from children,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “I am thankful for the work of our law enforcement partners and my staff which resulted in a substantial sentence for Phillips and ensured that she will pay restitution to the nonprofit.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, the Central West Virginia Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Lawrence County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office, and the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott prosecuted the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson is handling the forfeiture of Phillips’ many assets.
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-00135.
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Utah County Man Sentenced for Fraud Related to a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) LoanRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah County resident was sentenced last Wednesday in connection with fraudulent representations he made to get a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Michael Leroi Douros, 66, of Lehi, was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making a false statement to a bank, and money laundering contained in the felony information with which Douros was charged in federal court. After being released from prison, Douros will serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents filed as a part of his plea agreement, Douros made false representations to two banks, for a total amount of $437,891, to get a PPP loan for his business, Epic Rentals UT LLC. The business was registered with the Utah Division of Corporations on June 5, 2019, with his son, listed as the registered agent. The false statements included in the loan applications related to (1) misrepresentations about Epic Rentals’ monthly payroll and the number of employees the business had; (2) claims that his son owned 50 percent of Epic Rentals when his son was a straw owner and did not own any portion of the business when at least one application was submitted; and (3) a failure to disclose on the loan application that he had been convicted of a felony in Utah and had been on probation in the last five years.
PPP loan applications make clear, that any company which was owned 20% or more by someone with such criminal history was disqualified from receiving PPP funds. Based on Douros’s criminal history, and the fact that he was still on probation when the loan applications were submitted, his business was ineligible for PPP funding.
To implement his scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program, Douros first submitted an application with false statements through Zions Bank. Zions Bank initially funded the PPP loan of $198,000 to Epic Rentals. However, upon further inspection of the representations in the loan application, the bank cancelled the loan transfer. Douros then submitted a second PPP loan application containing false statements through Cache Valley Bank, which was funded in the amount of $239,091.67 to Epic Rentals. The money laundering conviction relates to a $20,000 payroll check made payable to the defendant from an Epic Rentals bank account.
“This prosecution highlights the serious penalties that can be imposed on anyone who attempts to defraud the federal government out of Paycheck Protection Program funding meant for honest and hardworking small businesses,” said United States Attorney Andrea T. Martinez. “The District of Utah takes all Paycheck Protection Program fraud seriously and will aggressively prosecute anyone who attempts to defraud the United States Government out of this funding which Congress has made available for small businesses.”
"The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of hardship for so many small businesses struggling to stay afloat,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennis Rice of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Mr. Douros lied in order to get a PPP loan, lining his pockets with funds that should have gone to other businesses. We hope his sentence serves as a deterrent to those looking to engage in this type of fraud."
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. FBI special agents investigated the matter.
Two Washington residents suspected of transporting illegal aliens who crossed into United States from Canada appear in courtRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — Two Washington residents suspected of transporting six illegal aliens who allegedly crossed into the United States from Canada near Eureka had initial appearances on criminal complaints on Jan. 21, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Criminal complaints filed in the case accuse Leslie Patricia Rivera, 51, and Miguel Angel Medina, 61, both of the Seattle, Washington, area of conspiracy to transport and transportation of illegal aliens.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Rivera was detained pending further proceedings. Medina was released on conditions pending further proceedings after a detention hearing today.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 19 at about 5 a.m., a Border Patrol agent was notified of persons potentially attempting to illegally enter the United States near the Green Basin area of West Kootenai by crossing the international boundary from Canada. The agent further learned that a group of unknown individuals, possibly from six to nine persons, were attempting to cross the border on foot. The agent ultimately stopped a suspected vehicle, an SUV with a Washington license plate, on a Forest Service road.
The government further alleged that an investigation determined Rivera was the driver and Medina was the front passenger. In the back seats were six occupants, who indicated to the agent that they were in the country illegally. All eight persons were transported to the Border Patrol Station in Eureka for processing.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
PACER case reference. MJ-22-1
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Two Huntington Men Plead Guilty for Roles in Multi-State Drug RingRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two Huntington men who participated in a drug ring distributing various drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine, pleaded guilty today in federal court. Edward Shane Midkiff, 34, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and Mark Anthony Chandler, 30, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to the plea agreements and statements made in court, on January 12, 2021, Midkiff was contacted by a confidential informant to arrange a methamphetamine purchase. Midkiff directed the informant to come to the 500 block of 4th Avenue in Huntington to complete the transaction. At that location, Midkiff met with the informant in a vehicle where he sold the informant methamphetamine.
On June 30, 2021, Chandler received approximately one-half kilogram of cocaine from another individual in Huntington. Chandler was subsequently transporting the cocaine to another location when a Deputy with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop of Chandler’s vehicle. Chandler fled from the stop and was arrested on a later date. During the stop, the deputy seized the cocaine as well a 9mm pistol that Chandler left in the vehicle. Chandler admitted that he intended to distribute the cocaine.
Midkiff and Chandler both face up to 20 years in federal prison when they are sentenced on May 9, 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 hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Courtney L. Cremeans are handling the prosecutions.
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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Twenty-Three People Indicted in Staged Automobile Accident SchemeRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced the unsealing of a 138-count federal indictment charging twenty-three defendants in Washington, California, Michigan, Nevada, and British Columbia, Canada with participating in a staged automobile accident scheme, obstructing an official proceeding, and making false statements to FBI investigators.
According to the indictment, twenty-two of the defendants conspired to commit mail and wire fraud and health care fraud by staging approximately 14 automobile accidents and thereafter caused the submission of almost $1 million in false insurance claims for lost wages, bodily injury, and property damage. According to the allegations, in at least three of the staged accidents, there were no occupants (driver or passengers) in the “victim” vehicle when a defendant deliberately drove the “at fault” vehicle” into the “victim” vehicle. The twenty-two defendants alleged to have been involved in the scheme are: Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Insaf A. Karawi, Hasanein A. Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, Mashael A. Bachay, Hussein K. Bachay, Mohammad Bajay, Noor Tahseen Al-Maarej, Ali F. Al-Himrani, Rana J. Kaabawi, Amar F. Abdul-Salam, Ameer R. Mohammed, Mohammed F. Al-Himrani, Maria Elena Sanchez, Seifeddine A. Al-Kinani, Farooq S. Yaseen, Firas S. Hadi, Abdullah Al-Dulaimi, Khalil Abdul-Razaq, Jesus George Sanchez, and Sinan Akrawi.
The indictment further alleges that when Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Hasanein A. Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, Ali F. Al-Himrani and Mohammed Naji Al-Jibory (who is not charged in the staged accident scheme) learned of the FBI’s investigation, they committed various acts to obstruct official proceedings. Some of the alleged obstructive acts included Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Hasanein A. Yaser and Mohammed Naji Al-Jibory fabricating a story that the FBI case agent, and another individual suspected of working as an FBI informant, solicited a $22,000 bribe payment in exchange for offering the investigation or case to go away. Other alleged obstructive acts included Ali Abed Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay and Ali F. Al-Himrani using threats of physical force to prevent communication of information about the possible commission of federal crimes to a law enforcement officer and a judge.
Two of the defendants, Ali Abed Yaser and Mohammad Naji Al-Jibory, are charged with making false statements to FBI investigators. Ali Abed Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, and Ali F. Al-Himrani are charged with witness tampering. The indictment also alleges Ali Abed Yaser attempted to tamper with evidence.
The following defendants are charged in the Indictment:
Defendant, Age, Location
ALI ABED YASER 51 Kennewick, WA
HUSSEIN A. YASIR 39 Kennewick, WA
INSAF A. KARAWI 52 Kennewick, WA
HASANEIN A. YASER 20 Kennewick, WA
AHMAD K. BACHAY 35 El Cajon, CA
MASHAEL A. BACHAY 31 El Cajon, CA
MOHAMMAD BAJAY 39 El Cajon, CA
HUSSAIN K. BACHAY 32 Vancouver, B.C. Canada
NOOR TAHSEEN AL-MAAREJ 32 El Cajon, CA
ALI F. AL-HIMRANI 40 Temecula, CA
RANA J. KAABAWI 38 Temecula, CA
AMAR F. ABDUL-SALAM 40 El Cajon, CA
AMEER R. MOHAMMED 45 Kennewick, WA
MOHAMMED F. AL-HIMRANI 33 Kennewick, WA
MARIA ELENA SANCHEZ 41 Kennewick, WA
SEIFEDDINE A. AL-KINANI 37 Las Vegas, NV
ABDULLAH AL-DULAIMI 30 Detroit, MI
FIRAS S. HADI 41 El Cajon, CA
FAROOQ S. YASEEN 32 Kennewick, WA
KHALIL ABDUL-RAZAQ 40 Kennewick, WA
JESUS GEORGE SANCHEZ 56 Eltopia, WA
SINAN AKRAWI 44 La Mesa, CA
MOHAMMED NAJI AL-JIBORY 54 Kennewick, WA
Four defendants have not been located at this time and are considered fugitives. If convicted, the defendants face the following possible maximum statutory sentences: 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and each count of mail and wire fraud; 20 years in prison for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and each count of witness and evidence tampering; 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud; and five years in prison for making false statements to the FBI.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case is being prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III and Dominique Juliet Park, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tobyhanna Man Sentenced to Seven Years’ Imprisonment for Brandishing A Firearm During A Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lakeem Hunter-Knight, age 21, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Hunter-Knight pointed a firearm at two victims during a robbery of the Pickerel Inn General Store, in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, on May 20, 2020. During the robbery, Hunter-Knight made the victims lie on the ground face down and threatened to shoot them if they moved. Hunter-Knight stole six firearms from the store, which is a federal licensed firearms dealer, before fleeing the scene. He was later apprehended after investigators found two of the stolen firearms in an abandoned vehicle which also contained a GPS device showing Hunter-Knight’s home address. The remaining firearms, along with other evidence, was found when investigators executed a search warrant at Hunter-Knight’s residence.
In addition to the seven-year imprisonment sentence, Judge Mannion ordered Hunter-Knight to serve three years of supervised release upon release from custody and to pay $4,000 in restitution to his victims.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pike County District Attorney’s office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Texas Man Sentenced for Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Texas man was sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Russell Hearld, 46, of Sugar Land, Texas, to 29 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Final determination of the restitution owed to victims was extended until April. Hearld pleaded guilty on May 24, 2021.
According to court records, in 2017 and 2018, Hearld participated in a scheme to defraud involving investments in Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs). Investors were promised that they could receive a portion of the value of an SBLC, worth millions of dollars, for a much smaller initial investment. Investors were promised returns equal to many times the amounts of their initial investments in a matter of weeks. They were also promised that their money would remain in the attorney trust account of a co-conspirator—who at the time was a licensed attorney in Florida—until confirmation was received that the SBLC had been issued.
Contrary to these representations, Hearld routinely directed the co-conspirator attorney to withdraw investor funds as soon as they were deposited into the attorney’s trust account. For example, in March 2017, an investor wired $500,000 from his bank account in Maine to the attorney’s trust account in Florida. On the previous day, Hearld had sent the attorney an email, directing the attorney to disburse the investor’s funds. At Hearld’s direction, the attorney wired $200,000 to Hearld’s bank account; $150,000 to the account of the attorney’s law firm; $100,000 to the account of another co-conspirator; and $40,000 to the attorney’s personal account.
While discussing the reasons for his sentence, Judge Woodcock noted that Hearld took the victims’ money for “completely selfish reasons.” He also noted that Hearld owed over $13,000 in past due child support, and said it was “just disgraceful” that Hearld had failed to meet his support obligations despite personally receiving over $2 million in the fraud scheme.
The FBI investigated the case.
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Taunton Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Taunton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl.
Carlos Rivera, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2022. Rivera was indicted in February 2021 and has been in custody since his arrest in January 2021.
Between September 2020 and January 2021, Rivera and a co-conspirator engaged in four separate sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Taunton. Rivera used his residence and his barbershop, Knockout Barbershop, to sell drugs and store drug proceeds. On the morning of Jan. 29, 2021, agents arrested Rivera outside his apartment. An on-site search found that Rivera was carrying approximately 40 grams of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentenced of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Taunton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Tampa Man Arrested and Charged with Preparation of False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and unsealing of an indictment charging Thomas Johnson with 14 counts of aiding in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Johnson faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison for each count. He made his initial appearance in federal court in Miami on January 21, 2022.
The indictment alleges that between February 2015 and February 2017, Johnson had a business located in the Middle District of Florida through which he offered his services to clients to prepare their income tax returns. During that time period, Johnson prepared and helped in the filing of numerous tax returns which contained false and fraudulent entries as to taxpayer credits and deductions. As a consequence of those false statements, Johnson’s clients received tax refunds to which they were not entitled. Johnson charged his clients a large fee for his services and required them to split the refund proceeds with him once they received their refund money from the IRS. The total of the unwarranted refunds, which resulted from the false and fraudulent tax returns charged in the indictment, exceeds $155,000.
Belizean law enforcement officials arrested Johnson on January 19, 2022, at his San Pedro, Belize residence for immigration violations. The following day, he was escorted by U.S. federal agents to Miami. The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Mexico City Attaché Post coordinated with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Belize Police Department, and Belize Immigration to return Johnson to the United States to face these federal charges.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.
Shelton Doctor Admits Illegally Prescribing Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID CIANCIMINO, 62, of Trumbull, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams to a controlled substance offense related to his illegal distribution of prescription medication.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ciancimino was a sole practitioner practicing psychiatry and neurology/psychiatry from an office located at 4 Corporate Drive in Shelton. In October 2020, law enforcement began investigating Ciancimino’s prescribing practices of various benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and stimulants, such as Adderall. During the investigation, federal task force officers acting in an undercover capacity paid Ciancimino $200 during visits to receive a prescriptions for Xanax or Adderall, or their generic equivalents, with little to no medical examination.
Ciancimino pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the scope of professional practice, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment 20 years.
As part of his plea, Ciancimino has agreed to forfeit $175,773.45.
Ciancimino is released on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
As disclosed during today’s court proceedings, Ciancimino surrendered his medical license last week.
This investigation has been conducted by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and HHS-OIG’s Office of Investigations, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Drug Control Division and the Middlebury Police Department. The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad includes personnel from the DEA and the Bristol, East Windsor, Glastonbury, Hamden, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, Watertown and West Haven Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
Serial domestic abuser and multi-convicted felon sentenced for gun crimesRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. – A violent Rome-area drug dealer has been sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Floyd’s repeated felony and misdemeanor state convictions show his complete disregard for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This conviction and sentence demonstrate the importance of the Rome Violent Repeat Offender initiative and should serve as a warning that this office will pursue those who put the community at risk by unlawfully using and possessing firearms.”
“Project Safe Neighborhoods has a proven track record of removing violent repeat offenders from the streets of our community,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “This conviction and sentence of nearly a decade in federal prison sends a strong message to Floyd and other violent repeat offenders that their continued possession and usage of firearms will not be tolerated.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: In January 2020, Floyd sold methamphetamine to an ATF confidential informant at a motel that was notorious for drug-trafficking in Rome, Georgia. Following the drug sale, Floyd sold the same informant a pistol he had brought to the deal. The serial number on the pistol had been removed.
Prior to the drug and gun sales that led to his federal criminal charges, Floyd had amassed nearly two dozen felony and misdemeanor convictions in the state system. Although some of those charges involved guns and drugs, many concerned shocking acts of violence against at least eight different women who Floyd admittedly choked, struck, or restrained against their will.
On January 20, 2022, Aubrey Floyd, 45, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown to nine years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Floyd was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he pleaded guilty on October 5, 2021.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Rome Post of Duty, Floyd County Police Department, and Rome Police Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Bryan Henderson prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Scranton Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Quamaine Brown, a/k/a, “BX,” age 39, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 21, 2022, to 180 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Brown conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy.
Brown was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release upon release from custody. Brown was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020. With the exception of Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB,” all other co-conspirators pleaded guilty. Gott was convicted after trial in August 2021 and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Salt Lake City Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Joel Lehi Organista, 29, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty to two felony counts related to the production and transportation of child pornography in federal court last Monday.
In the plea agreement, Organista admitted to owning a Dropbox account which was used for downloading between 10 and 150 images of prepubescent minors. In addition, Organista admitted to using Snapchat to contact minor children and soliciting them to perform sexual acts for him via video chat, including an incident which occurred between Organista and a 13 year-old victim, where the victim performed sexual acts for Organista via video chat.
The case originated in January of 2021, after law enforcement received multiple tips that devices and accounts attributed to Organista were receiving and downloading images containing child pornography. A search warrant was executed at Organista’s residence in June of 2021, and Organista has been in custody since that time.
Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 years in federal prison, which will be reviewed by a District Court Judge at the time of Organista’s sentencing, currently set for May of 2022. Organista also faces a maximum possible sentence of a lifetime of supervised release after his term of incarceration is served and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney’s Office from the United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Special Agents from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.
Reading Felon Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Running a Drug Trafficking Operation Out of His HomeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Luis Gomez, 33, of Reading, PA, was sentenced to 19 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine by United States District Court Judge Edward G. Smith for possessing a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine and a loaded pistol at his home in 2019.
At the conclusion of a long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police into methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine trafficking in the Reading area, in September 2019, Gomez was arrested during the execution of a federal search warrant at his Reading home. Inside Gomez’s bedroom, FBI agents recovered approximately one pound of crystal methamphetamine along with an extended firearm magazine containing 26 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and a bulletproof vest. Approximately two additional pounds of crystal methamphetamine were recovered in separate bedrooms of the house, along with various drug paraphernalia and a loaded 9mm pistol in the living room.
Following forensic analysis at the FBI laboratory, Gomez’s DNA profile was identified on the pistol. Because of a prior felony conviction for drug dealing, Gomez was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Five other defendants were also arrested in connection with this investigation, and over 65 pounds of methamphetamine and three additional firearms were seized in the same month.
“This defendant personally threatened the safety of his neighbors in Reading, and all communities in our District, through his dangerous and illegal actions,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Gomez stashed drugs in his home and illegally possessed a weapon to further his drug-dealing business. Thanks to the steady, determined efforts of investigators at the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police, the defendant and his co-conspirators’ operation was permanently shut down.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.