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17 February 2022
Aberdeen Man Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on February 15, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Charles Chambers, age 35, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, $5,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Chambers was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2021. He pled guilty on November 1, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on February 23, 2021, when Chambers accessed hundreds of digital files containing child pornography into his KIK Messenger account. Chambers used his cellular phone and the internet to access the files in interstate commerce.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Aberdeen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Chambers was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
11 Members and Associates of the Brooklyn-Based Woo Gang Charged with Multi-Million Dollar COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance FraudRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Romean Brown, Tyrek Clarke, Kennith Desir, Stephan Dorminvil, Kai Heyward, Keith James, Oneal Marks, Jahriah Olivierre, Christopher Jean Pierre, Roleeke Smith and Christopher Topey with conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits funded, in whole or in part, by COVID-19 pandemic assistance programs. Eight defendants were arrested this morning in New York City and will make their initial appearances this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara. Heyward was arrested in Delaware and will make his initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in Wilmington. Brown was arrested in California and will make his initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles. Olivierre remains at large.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Regional Office (DOL-OIG), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrests and charges.
“As alleged, the defendants conspired to steal millions of dollars in pandemic-related unemployment assistance and then brazenly flaunted the proceeds of their crimes on social media,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “These government programs are designed to provide financial assistance to those who are most in need during an unprecedented pandemic. This Office and its law enforcement partners will vigorously prosecute gang members and anyone else who exploits the pandemic and steals from taxpayer-funded programs."
Mr. Peace also thanked the New York State Department of Labor for its assistance during the investigation.
“The Unemployment Insurance Program exists to provide needed assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed due to no fault of their own. Fraud against the Unemployment Insurance Program distracts state workforce agencies, like the New York State Department of Labor, from ensuring benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with our many law enforcement partners, to investigate those who exploit the Unemployment Insurance Program,” stated DOL-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Mellone.
“COVID benefit payments were meant to keep Americans who lost jobs, income, and financial stability from drowning in debt. These funds were never intended to be a multi-million dollar slush fund to pay for rented Beverly Hills mansions, high-end restaurants and expensive foreign cars for members of gangs and crews connected to gun violence in New York City. I commend the work of the NYPD Intelligence Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Section and our partners in the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General as well as the prosecutors for the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their work on this investigation,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell.
As alleged in the complaint, the defendants are all members or associates of the Brooklyn-based Woo gang. Between March 2020 and October 2021, the defendants used the personally identifiable information of more than 800 victims to submit nearly 1,000 claims to the New York State Department of Labor for unemployment insurance benefits funded, in whole or in part, by COVID-19 pandemic assistance programs. The defendants ultimately obtained approximately $4.3 million in unemployment insurance after having filed for approximately $20 million in benefits. During the period of the charged conspiracy, the defendants posted photos of themselves on social media flashing gang signs, standing in front of luxury vehicles, and holding stacks of United States currency. Several of the defendants appeared in a music video entitled “Trappin,” which was posted to YouTube on May 8, 2021. The lyrics of the song include, “Unemployment got us workin’ a lot,” a reference to the defendants’ fraudulent scheme.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress established programs and provided additional funding for unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed persons. These programs included the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and created programs for pandemic unemployment assistance and federal pandemic unemployment compensation.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section and Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael W. Gibaldi and Robert Polemeni are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
ROMEAN BROWN
Age: 23
Los Angeles, CaliforniaTYREK CLARKE
Age: 21
Miami, FloridaKENNITH DESIR
Age: 20
Brooklyn, New YorkSTEPhAN DORMINVIL
Age: 21
Brooklyn, New YorkKAI HEYWARD
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkKEITH JAMES
Age: 20
Brooklyn, New YorkONEAL MARKS
Age: 20
Brooklyn, New YorkJAHRIAH OLIVIERRE
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkCHRISTOPHER JEAN PIERRE
Age: 21
Brooklyn, New YorkROLEEKE SMITH
Age: 20
Brooklyn, New YorkCHRISTOPHER TOPEY
Age: 21
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-MJ-169
"Long Time Coming" Update: Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Floyd Dermonta Ramsey, 42, of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ramsey admitted to entering Parkersburg on August 31, 2021, in possession of approximately 98 pills containing fentanyl, 62.83 grams of cocaine, and approximately three pounds of marijuana. These substances were seized by a law enforcement officer in connection with a traffic stop. Ramsey admitted he intended to distribute these controlled substances to other people.
Ramsey faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 18, 2022.
Robert Sanders, Jr., still faces federal charges as a result of the nearly year-long investigation dubbed “Long Time Coming.” Ambera Roberts, Era Dawn Corder, Matthew Edward Depew, and Carlo Ramsey, all of Parkersburg, previously entered guilty pleas in this case and await sentencing. Also as a result of the investigation, more than a dozen individuals were arrested on state charges in Wood County.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the excellent investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force (PNTF), the Parkersburg Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Vienna Police Department, the Williamstown Police Department, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Boyd County (KY) Sheriff’s Department, the Russell (KY) Police Department and the Raceland (KY) Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00163.
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16 February 2022
Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania woman was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for robbing a bank in Ayden, North Carolina. She was also ordered to pay restitution for all the banks. On November 2, 2021, Circe Nena Baez pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Baez, 38, entered the Southern Bank in Ayden on July 24, 2019, and handed a note to the bank teller demanding money. The note also threatened that Baez’s children were being held hostage. The bank teller gave $2,494 to Baez who then left the bank. After leaving the bank, Baez met with her co-conspirator, Alexis Morales, who was the driver for the robbery. Law enforcement agents later verified that no children were held hostage as part of the robbery.
Baez and Morales also robbed three other banks in the same manner during July 2019. Those robberies occurred in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Hamlet, North Carolina. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police departments were able to track Baez and Morales to Charlotte, North Carolina and arrested them.
Morales also pled guilty to the robbery and is awaiting sentencing.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ayden Police Department, the Hamlet Police Department, the Delaware State Police, the Carlisle Borough Police and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Stephany and John Parris prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-cr-00072-M.
Wilmington Woman Pleads Guilty to Collecting Social Security Monies Issued to Her Deceased Mother for More Than a DecadeRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wilmington woman pleaded guilty yesterday to Theft of Government Property.
According to court documents, Antoinette Andrea Colbert, 49, of Wilmington, pled guilty to theft of government property in connection with the ongoing receipt and use of her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits for more than a decade. The investigation showed that the defendant’s mother passed away in 2007, but her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration by family. Then, in 2008, after her mother’s death, Social Security mailings were rerouted to the defendant’s address in Wilmington, North Carolina. Various benefit card replacements were also routed to the defendant’s address. The defendant was also identified on bank footage utilizing her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits.
Colbert pleaded guilty to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 and faces a maximum of up to ten years in prison when sentenced in May of this year.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:21-CR-136-M.
Weyers Cave Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession, Receipt of Thousands of Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Weyers Cave, Virginia man, who was found to be in possession of child pornography after being reported to the FBI, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison.
John Taylor Whittington, 69, pleaded guilty in September 2021, to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.
“When child pornography images are downloaded, shared, or otherwise viewed, it perpetuates the victimization of innocent children,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “These cases are a top priority for our office, and we are grateful for the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners in helping to bring yet another predator to justice.”
“Through this investigation, the FBI and our partners were able to remove an individual from society who had a careless, disregard for the welfare of these young victims,” Stanley Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division said today. “We are committed to identifying these criminals and holding them accountable; but more importantly we are committed to identifying the young children victimized by these criminals and providing resources to assist them as they heal and grow into adulthood. If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of child pornography - or you suspect a crime is occurring - please report it to authorities immediately.”
In late 2020, FBI executed a search warrant at Whittington’s home and seized multiple electronic devices including multiple laptops, seven thumb drives, and hundreds of portable storage devices.
A forensic examination of the electronic devices seized from Whittington’s home revealed approximately 4,700 images depicting minor-aged children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Whittington admitted that he was attracted to minor-aged females and possessed images of what he knew to be child pornography.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, the Augusta County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Barish Swartz prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood organizes federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
West Warwick Man Admits to Trafficking Thousands of Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A West Warwick man who arranged to sell thousands of counterfeit OxyContin pills containing fentanyl to an undercover member of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force pleaded guilty in federal court today to fentanyl trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Richard Delsanto, 28, pleaded guilty to distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to charging documents, in April and May 2021, an undercover Newport Police Department detective assigned to the DEA Drug Task Force engaged in a series of text messages with Delsanto to arrange for the purchase of 1,000 counterfeit OxyContin pills known to contain fentanyl. Delsanto delivered the pills on May 4, in exchange for $5,000. Nine days later, the undercover detective arranged for a second delivery of pills from Delsanto. As Delsanto arrived at an agreed-upon meeting location, members of the DEA Drug Task Force stopped Delsanto’s vehicle and seized approximately 3,000 pills containing fentanyl. An additional 700 fentanyl pills were seized from Delsanto’s residence during a court-authorized search.
Delsanto is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2022.
Distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl is punishable by statutory penalties of 40 years in federal prison, with a mandatory minimum 5 years of imprisonment, and a term of federal supervised release of 4 years. Possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl is punishable by statutory penalties of up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years of imprisonment, and a term of 5 years of federal supervised release. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Michael Seaman.
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Waterbury Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification ActRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER POSKUS, 47, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for failing to register as a sex offender.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2010, Poskus was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 14 years of incarceration, suspended after seven years, and 10 years of probation. He also was required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. While on probation, Poskus violated several mandatory and special conditions, had his probation revoked, returned to prison, and eventually was placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring.
In July 2019, Poskus removed his GPS monitoring device and fled to California. On August 29, 2019, the U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Poskus in San Francisco, where he was residing in a homeless shelter. Poskus failed to update his Connecticut sex offender registration to reflect an interstate change of residence, and he failed to register as a sex offender in California.
Poskus was detained from the date of his arrest until December 21, 2020, when he began serving a seven-year term of probation. On January 7, 2021, state probation officers were unable to contact Poskus, and they subsequently discovered that Poskus had left Connecticut by train shortly after his release from prison. He was again located in San Francisco, and has been detained in federal custody on March 18, 2021. Poskus again had failed to update his Connecticut sex offender registration to reflect an interstate change of residence, and he failed to register as a sex offender in California.
On October 14, 2021, Poskus pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to register as a sex offender.
This matter was investigated by the United States Marshal Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
Virginia Woman Who Fled to Nicaragua with Her Child for More Than A Decade Pleads Guilty to International Parental KidnappingRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorneys Trini E. Ross, of the Western District of New York, and Nikolas Kerest, of the District of Vermont, announced today that Lisa Miller, 53, formerly of Virginia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to international parental kidnapping, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Defendant Miller was in a civil union with Janet Jenkins under Vermont law. Miller was artificially inseminated during the civil union and had a child, IMJ. In 2003, Miller sought termination of the civil union and disputes arose regarding Miller’s and Jenkin’s parental rights of IMJ. Miller disputed those parental rights in both Virginia and Vermont courts. Prior to September 2009, Jenkins had been awarded parental rights in Vermont. In early September 2009, the Vermont family court, which had jurisdiction over the dispute regarding the parental rights of IMJ, ordered that Janet Jenkins was entitled to an unsupervised parental visit with IMJ on the weekend of September 25, 2009. Miller was aware of the court ordered visit but did not want to allow unsupervised visitation for that weekend. In the early morning of September 22, 2009, Miller removed IMJ from the United States to Canada via Buffalo, NY, and eventually to Nicaragua, with the intention to take IMJ out of the country in order to obstruct Jenkin’s court ordered parental rights. Miller remained out of the country until she voluntarily returned to the United States in January 2021, after IMJ had reached 18 years of age.
Three other defendants were charged and convicted for their roles in this case. Philip Zodhiates was charged in the Western District of New York and convicted following a jury trial of international parental kidnapping and conspiracy to commit international parental kidnapping and sentenced to serve 36 months in prison. Zodhiates organized the kidnapping of IMJ. He also assisted in the recruitment of Mennonite Pastor Kenneth Miller, who was convicted following a jury trial of international parental kidnapping in the District of Vermont and sentenced to serve 27 months in prison. Timothy Miller was also charged, convicted, and sentenced to time served (eight months) for his role in assisting Lisa Miller. He purchased a one-way plane ticket for Lisa Miller and IMJ to travel from Toronto, Ontario to Nicaragua. Upon their arrival in Nicaragua, Timothy Miller assisted Lisa Miller and IMJ financially including providing them with shelter.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Vermont Office of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, under the direction of Marshal Bradley Larose; the Vermont Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent-in-Charge; and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael DiGiacomo and Paul Van de Graaf are handling the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 9, 2022, before Judge Arcara.
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Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Laundering Millions from Fraud Schemes Targeting Victims Across the United States Perpetrated by Ghana-Based Criminal EnterpriseRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that FRED ASANTE pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a criminal enterprise based in the Republic of Ghana (“Ghana”) involving the theft of tens of millions of dollars. ASANTE was arrested on February 17, 2021 in Virginia and pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. ASANTE has been detained since his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Fred Asante admitted today to laundering money from victims of various fraud schemes, including cruel scams targeting elderly online daters searching for companionship. Compounding the disappointment of learning their potential soulmate was indeed nonexistent, Asante’s victims later found they were also targets of a Ghana-based criminal enterprise netting over $35 million in illegal proceeds. We implore the millions of Americans looking for someone special online to use extra caution, and be especially beware if solicited for money or other personal information.”
According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court:
From at least in or about 2013 through at least in or about 2020, ASANTE was a member of a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Ghana that committed a series of frauds against individuals and businesses located across the United States, including in the Southern District of New York. The frauds perpetrated by the Enterprise have consisted of, among other frauds, business email compromises, romance scams, and fraud schemes related to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. First, the objective of the Enterprise’s business email compromise fraud scheme was to trick and deceive businesses into wiring funds into accounts controlled by the Enterprise through the use of email accounts that “spoofed” or impersonated employees of a victim company or third parties engaged in business with a victim company. Second, the Enterprise conducted the romance scams by using electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, or online dating websites that deluded victims, many of whom were vulnerable older men and women who lived alone, into believing the victim was in a romantic relationship with a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise. Once members of the Enterprise had gained the trust of the victims using the fake identity, they used false pretenses to cause the victims to wire money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when in fact the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise. Finally, the Enterprise submitted fraudulent loan applications through a loan program of the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) designed to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) Program. The Enterprise submitted fraudulent EIDL applications in the names of actual companies to the SBA and when an EIDL loan was approved, the funds were ultimately deposited in bank accounts controlled by members of the Enterprise.
ASANTE and other members of the Enterprise received fraud proceeds from victims of the Enterprise in dozens of business bank accounts that they controlled in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. The business bank accounts were opened in the names of companies formed by ASANTE and other members of the Enterprise that were purportedly involved in, among other things, automobile sales, food imports and exports, and freight trucking and shipping. Once ASANTE received fraud proceeds in bank accounts under his control, he withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the Enterprise abroad. The defendant primarily laundered the fraud proceeds through his business by using the proceeds to purchase automobiles, food products, and other goods from U.S.-based suppliers and distributors of such products and shipping those products to Ghana and elsewhere. The defendant’s transactions had the appearance of legitimate business transactions when, in fact, the products had been purchased using the proceeds of fraud schemes. This trade-based money laundering scheme was designed to obscure the origin of the fraud proceeds as well as the identity of the ultimate beneficiaries of these schemes. In total, from in or about 2016 through in or about 2020, the defendant controlled over a dozen business bank accounts with deposits totaling over $35 million.
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FRED ASANTE, 36, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, ASANTE agreed to pay a money judgment of $647,488 and to forfeit his interest in approximately $323,646 seized by the Government from his bank accounts as well as a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE AMG seized by the Government.
ASANTE will be sentenced on May 18, 2022, by Judge Rakoff. ASANTE’s co-conspirator, LORD ANING, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on October 15, 2021, and will be sentenced on February 28, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. before Judge Rakoff.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi, Katherine Reilly, and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana Joins Its Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Partners in Addressing Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – Today, in a demonstration of unity, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans joined federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to announce their joint efforts to address the violent crime spike occurring in the City of New Orleans. The collaborative effort features a team comprised of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), City of New Orleans Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police (LSP), and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).
The components of the collaborative deterrence plan include:
- Investigative resources focused on the most violent offenders/gangs and the use of federal prosecution for long-term criminal deterrence.
- Daily investigative coordination and interagency de-confliction reviews to include the following:
- Interagency sharing of analytical and investigative resources targeting violent crime;
- USMS violent offender warrant list for violent criminals; and
- ATF NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) and eTrace leads.
- Proactive community engagement to guide law enforcement in the apprehension of violent criminals, identification of cooperators, and the development of leads for short-term and long-term racketeering, and VCAIT (Violent Crime Abatement Investigation Team) investigations.
U.S. Attorney Evans stated, "As a law enforcement collective, we recognize the imminency of the violent crime surge sweeping across our community. We want the public to know that federal, state, and local law enforcement stands ready to collaborate, combine resources and continue to target those who prey on our citizens. Victims of crime also should know that law enforcement is committed to preventing, investigating, and solving the crimes that have plagued our community. Just as importantly, the perpetrators of these offenses are on notice that they will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”
“The safety and well-being of our citizens is paramount. ATF is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to target gun violence in our communities and has pledged manpower and resources as part of this effort,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “This initiative demonstrates our collective commitment to combatting violent crime in our communities.” Contact ATF TipLine at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477).
“DEA is proud to be a partner in this joint effort to curb the rising violent crime in our city and beyond. The combined strength that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies bring to bear in the battle against these violent offenders will strike a significant blow to their criminal and drug trafficking organizations. By working together, we will leverage our respective resources and expertise to achieve results that we could not accomplish on our own. Our combined, concentrated efforts will make our communities a safer place to live by disrupting the flow of guns and dangerous drugs to our neighborhoods,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.
“Violence undermines one of the most basic freedoms of all Americans – the right to feel safe and secure in our own homes and in our communities. Today, let this message be clear to gang members and violent criminals: we will deploy our collective strength to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods and communities," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. Please call (504) 816-3000 or submit an anonymous tip at fbi.gov/tips
“Our number one priority is to keep the American public safe. With HSI’s unique transnational authorities, our special agents stand ready to collaborate with and support our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to target the violent criminal activity plaguing our community,” said HSI New Orleans Deputy Special Agent in Charge Jeb Bison. “By coming together in a common mission with our law enforcement partners, we will be able to pool our resources and more efficiently and effectively make our neighborhoods safer.”
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is committed to this initiative with our local, state, and federal partners and feel that partnerships are the key to reducing the uptick of violent crime across the New Orleans metro area. Our USMS New Orleans Task Force has a history of being actively engaged in working with our partners to locate violent felony offenders, sex offenders, and the recovery of missing endangered children.
“The impact of violent crime in our communities is far reaching and affects every aspect of our daily lives,” stated Colonel Lamar Davis, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “Louisiana State Police is committed to maintaining successful and productive relationships with our public safety partners to combine resources and combat violent crime in the Greater New Orleans area and across the state.”
“From the very beginning of my administration, we have understood the importance of collaborating with our local, state and national partners in the fight against crime in this city. I am grateful to stand with US Attorney Duane Evans, NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson and all of our law enforcement partners in this fight to announce the Violent Crime Deterrent Plan. This unified, strategic plan across agencies will allow us all to combine and coordinate efforts to fight the rise of crime in New Orleans. There is a crime surge happening in this country, but here in New Orleans, we are surging back together,” stated Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.
"We thank each of our partners for the work that they do day-in and day-out to keep our city safe," said Criminal Justice Commissioner Tenisha Stevens. "The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Coordination and this administration is dedicated to collaborating with all of our justice system partners, at the local, state, and federal level, to work together to ensure accountability at all points of the system and do the work that we have been called to do."
“The citizens of this city should know that the plan we’re carrying out is a force-multiplier for NOPD will make New Orleans a safer place to live and visit,” NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said. “And to individuals who continue to commit violent acts and steal from your neighbors, you need to know we’re coming for you, and we’ll see you soon.”
If you suspect or are aware of any criminal activity, please contact your local federal investigative agency or NOPD.
U.S. Attorney joins FBI in Albuquerque billboard campaign targeting violent crimeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico Fred J. Federici joined FBI Albuquerque Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda and local and state law enforcement partners to announce a new billboard campaign aimed at reducing violent crime.
The billboards’ message: “Gun crime = Federal time. No parole.”
“Our simple message today is for dangerous criminals who are responsible for driving up violent crime in Albuquerque,” said U.S. Attorney Federici. “And that message is that you should think twice if you are a convicted felon who chooses to carry a gun, or are a criminal who is drug trafficking or robbing people using a gun, because you could find yourself with a one-way ticket to federal court. This office vigorously enforces our federal laws, and we are resolved to both identifying the most dangerous criminals and determining the most just and effective avenue for prosecuting them. We are committed to restoring the sense of safety the people of Albuquerque so much deserve."
The U.S. Attorney and Special Agent in Charge were joined by local and state partners from the Violent Crime and Gang Task Force: Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina; Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales; and New Mexico Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie.
Below are the U.S. Attorney’s remarks from the event:
Thank you and good morning.
My name is Fred Federici. I am the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. We really appreciate you joining us here today for this message. It is an important community message for all of us.
I first want to thank FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. He and his staff committed to this public awareness campaign, and we are happy to be here with him today and with all our state and local partners.
Getting the message on this billboard out to those who need to hear it is just one part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing strategy to combat violent crime. That’s a strategy that I know you will be hearing more about in the months to come from the Department. But combating violent crime is something to which the United States Attorney’s Office has been over the past several years and is fully committed, as the SAC just told you.
Our simple message today is targeted at felons who possess guns, carjackers, people holding up businesses with guns, bank robbers, and people trafficking drugs or committing other violent crimes and choosing to do that with guns. And our simple message to them is this: If you want to find yourself staring down the barrel of a federal indictment, then commit just one of the federal crimes I just listed and you will find yourself with a one-way ticket to federal court.
So, for example, if you have spent time in the past in a jail cell or a prison cell wearing government-issued orange coveralls and you get out and you decide that it’s still a good idea to possess a gun, then know that you may well find yourself on the working end of a federal indictment. We have federal prosecutors standing by ready to do just that.
And let me be very clear about the potential federal penalties that just some of these crimes carry that are implicated by this billboard behind me.
For example, if you illegally possess a firearm as a prohibited person, like a convicted felon, that’s a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in a federal prison. Depending on the violence of your criminal history, you could be facing a mandatory minimum of 15 years in a federal prison cell for possessing that firearm.
Or if you decide to carry or use a firearm during a violent crime or drug trafficking crime, by federal law you can face a minimum of five years in prison and up to life in prison, and that’s on top of the penalty that you’re going to face for the underlying crime that’s attached to it. If you actually choose to brandish a firearm during that crime, well then guess what: it’s a minimum of seven years in federal prison on top of the penalty for the underlying crimes.
And if you are so foolish as to decide to discharge a firearm during such a crime, it’s a minimum of 10 years that you might get to spend sitting in a federal prison on top of the penalty that you will get for the underlying crime.
And finally, if you have certain prior convictions, you could be facing a minimum penalty as high as 25 years in a federal prison.
As our SAC just told us, offenders should also be aware that the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, which we put together in Albuquerque, and by “we,” I mean everybody standing up here - the Sheriff, APD, the FBI, the DPS, New Mexico State Police, everybody, and others – the FBI Violent Crime Task Force that has been put together in Albuquerque is formidable and it includes federal, state and local officers. And almost every single day prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office who lead our Project Safe Neighborhood initiative work together with our state counterparts to try to identify the most dangerous offenders. That’s the goal here: to try to identify the most dangerous offenders on the streets of Albuquerque and find the most just and effective venue for prosecuting them.
Those for whom the message on this billboard is intended should also be on notice that for the last few years we have developed the strongest working relationship that I know of over my 27 years of being a prosecutor in New Mexico. The strongest working relationship we have ever had with our state and local counterparts in this district. We are all fully committed to this fight.
In fact, since mid-2017 we have brought literally hundreds of cases involving some of the most dangerous offenders arrested by the Albuquerque Police Department over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution. So these billboards should serve notice to those who need to hear it that we are here to vigorously enforce federal criminal laws.
Like you, all of us live here, all of us work here. Like you, all of our families live here, go to school here and work here. And we do not think it’s acceptable that there are criminals who think that they own the streets of Albuquerque, because they don’t. Our families should not have to go to bed at night used to hearing police helicopters flying overhead trying to catch dangerous criminals or hearing gunshots from our back yards.
So, I can assure you that we are fully committed to doing everything we can to help our state counterparts restore the sense of safety that the people of Albuquerque so much deserve.
Thank you.
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Two Rhode Island Men Charged in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Rhode Island men have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.
Jasdrual Perez, 33, of Cranston, R.I., and Erik Ventura, 33, of Providence, R.I., were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Following initial appearances before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell, Perez and Ventura were detained pending a hearing which is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2022.
According to the charging documents, in September 2019, agents began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) headed by Perez. The investigation revealed that Perez, Ventura and others allegedly conspired to distribute large quantities of controlled substances, including fentanyl pills, to customers in numerous locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. The investigation further revealed that the DTO manufactured fentanyl pills for distribution. In July 2021, law enforcement seized close to 1,100 counterfeit oxycodone pills suspected to contain fentanyl in Dedham, allegedly attributable to the Perez DTO.
According to court documents, on Feb. 7, 2022, a search of Perez’s residence resulted in the seizure of two pill presses, a gallon-sized freezer bag suspected to contain fentanyl pills, more than 50,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills suspected to contain fentanyl and multiple marijuana plants. In total, over 10 kilograms of suspected fentanyl was seized. A search of another home where Perez resides resulted in the seizure of more than $80,000 in alleged drug proceeds.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Providence Field Office; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; the Rhode Island State Police Department; and the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig E. Estes and Lindsey E. Weinstein of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two More Defendants Added to Federal Indictment Alleging Fraud Scheme at Chicago Elementary SchoolRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — An ongoing federal investigation into an alleged fraud scheme at a Chicago elementary school has resulted in charges against two new defendants.
An eleven-count superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleges that SARAH JACKSON ABEDELAL carried out a fraud scheme while serving as Principal of Brennemann Elementary School on the North Side of Chicago. The first aspect of the scheme involved overtime fraud, for which Abedelal was initially charged last year. The superseding indictment adds a second aspect to the alleged scheme – procurement fraud – and charges two new defendants: former Brennemann Assistant Principal JENNIFER MCBRIDE, also known as “Jennifer Ellen,” and former Brennemann Business Manager WILLIAM JACKSON. McBride allegedly participated in the overtime aspect of the fraud scheme, while Jackson allegedly participated in both the overtime and procurement aspects.
The superseding indictment charges Abedelal, 58, of Chicago, with one count of wire fraud. McBride, 40, of Northbrook, Ill., is charged with four counts of wire fraud. Jackson, 37, of Chicago, is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Arraignments in U.S. District Court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.
The superseding indictment 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 Will Fletcher, Inspector General of the Chicago Board of Education, Office of Inspector General. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terry M. Kinney and Patrick Mott.
According to the superseding indictment, the procurement aspect of the fraud scheme was carried out by Abedelal, Jackson, and a sales representative for a company that sold goods to Chicago Public Schools. The trio allegedly submitted or caused to be submitted to CPS false purchase orders and invoices totaling more than $45,000, ostensibly for office and school supplies. In reality, they knew that the false orders and invoices were actually meant to conceal the receipt of iPhones, iPads, and approximately $30,000 in gift cards intended for the personal use of Abedelal, the indictment alleges.
The overtime aspect of the fraud scheme was allegedly carried out by Abedelal and McBride, with assistance from Jackson, two other former employees at the school, and others. The charges allege that Abedelal authorized unearned overtime pay for certain employees and directed them to deliver the proceeds to Abedelal or McBride in the form of cash or gift cards. Abedelal told the employees that the money would be used to fund legitimate school expenses, when, in fact, Abedelal intended to convert the money to her own personal use, the indictment alleges. Abedelal, McBride, Jackson, and others prepared or caused to be prepared fraudulent overtime sheets to conceal the scheme, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each count in the indictment is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Two Indicted for Conspiracy to Defraud the North Carolina Medicaid Program and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury in Charlotte has indicted two individuals on federal charges in connection with a scheme to obtain more than $15 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).
The indictment charges Donald Booker, 56, of Charlotte, and Delores Jordan, 53, of Louisville, Kentucky, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, Booker owned 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. Jordan owned Legacy Housing, a subsidized housing provider. The indictment alleges that from January 2016 to December 2020, Booker and his co-conspirators executed a conspiracy to defraud the North Carolina Medicaid program by paying illegal kickbacks to Jordan and other co-conspirators in exchange for urine samples from Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries.
The indictment alleges that Jordan and other co-conspirators recruited housing-vulnerable individuals and other Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries for housing and other programs and services. Once enrolled, the beneficiaries were required to submit urine specimens for drug testing as a condition of their participation in the program. The specimens were allegedly provided to UDL and UYCS for medically unnecessary urine drug testing. The indictment further alleges that Booker and his co-conspirators paid the recruiters a kickback from UYCS’s NC Medicaid reimbursement on the drug testing. It is also alleged that Booker and Jordan executed a conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the kickback and health care fraud conspiracy in order to conceal and disguise the nature and source of UYCS’s illegal kickback payments for drug testing referrals.
Booker and Jordan have been arrested by the FBI.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
Twin Brothers Facing Federal Charges for Allegedly Obtaining over $1 Million in Covid-19 Loans and Unemployment Insurance BenefitsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Jerry Phillips, age 24, of Temple Hills, Maryland, for the federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft; and Jaleel Phillips, age 24, of Temple Hills, Maryland, for wire fraud, in relation to an alleged scheme to unlawfully obtain COVID-19 relief loans and unemployment benefits.
Jerry and Jaleel Phillips made their initial appearances today at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; respectively, in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge Quenton Sallows, of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG); Acting Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, of the Washington Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge Darrell J. Waldon of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to the criminal complaint, IP addresses linked to Jaleel and Jerry Phillips were used to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster loan applications (EIDL), and unemployment insurance claims resulting in $1 million in received funds.
As stated in the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, the Phillips brothers allegedly created fictitious aliases, used the personal identifying information of real people, and used out of business or fake corporate entities to apply for EIDL and PPP loans, and unemployment benefits.
Further, the complaint alleges that the brothers created several financial and email accounts under aliases, including “Kenneth Williams,” “Allen Gator,” and “Jamal Hopkins.” The aliases were supported by fake Maryland driver’s licenses, social security numbers, and birth dates. The complaint further alleges that after receiving the fraudulently obtained funds, the defendants used the funds to purchase a 2020 Camaro, furniture, home improvement items and services, and made many other purchases. Significant funds were also transferred between the various financial accounts established in the aliases’ names. Additionally, the criminal complaint alleges that the defendants used several fraudulent Maryland driver’s licenses to create multiple accounts in popular digital currency exchange platforms.
If convicted, Jerry Phillips and Jaleel Phillips face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud. Jerry Phillips faces an additional two years in federal prison consecutive to any other sentence imposed for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
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.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DOL-OIG, SBA-OIG, IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG, and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Gruber, who is prosecuting the federal case. He also thanked the Office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch-Public Integrity Division, for its assistance.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Three Men Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Elderly and Vulnerable Victims of More Than $5 MillionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, and J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found three men guilty of offenses related to their participation in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.
Yesterday, after a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill, FAROUQ FASASI, 27, RODNEY THOMAS, JR., 31, and RALPH PIERRE, 32, all formerly of New Haven, were convicted of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering offenses.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, in a lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or by mail, that they have won the lottery. The victims are then told that in order to collect the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing. Often, once a victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with a promise of more winnings. The victims never receive winnings. In a romance scam, scammers take advantage of people looking for companionship by pretending to be prospective companions. Scammers typically create fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details such as the death of a spouse, or military service, to lure victims to trust them. Once they have gained the trust of victims, scammers will ask victims for money, falsely claiming to need money for medical or business emergencies, for travel to see the victim, or other purposes.
Between approximately August 2015 and March 2020, Fasasi, Thomas and others used lottery scams, romance scams and other fraudulent means to induce elderly victims to provide them with money, gifts and personal details. Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut, and also wired or deposited money into bank accounts in Connecticut controlled by conspiracy members and their associates.
Fasasi, Thomas, Pierre and other co-conspirators lived together for a time at a residence on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, where many packages containing cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered. To help launder the money obtained from fraud victims, Pierre formed a fake charity, called “Global Protection Foundation,” and opened four bank accounts in the fake charity’s name.
The investigation revealed that these scams defrauded more than 200 victims across the U.S. of more than $5 million. Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings. One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million.
The jury found Fasasi and Thomas guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of mail fraud. Fasasi was also found guilty of three counts of money laundering. Pierre was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 10.
Three other individuals have been charged and convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme.
“The Justice Department is committed to rooting out and prosecuting those who steal from seniors and other vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Boyle. “These verdicts will help to heal the many individuals who gave thousands of dollars to these predators. I encourage all to resist falling victim to these schemes and not send any money to anyone you haven’t met in person. Instead, call your local police department, or 833-FRAUD-11, for assistance and to report these crimes.”
“The verdicts exemplify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s dedication to protecting those who have been victimized by scams that utilize the U. S. Mail to perpetuate fraud,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “The financial loss suffered by some of our most vulnerable population is devastating, often unrecoverable. The teamwork exhibited between multiple federal law enforcement agencies ensured the success of this investigation.”
The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). For more information, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Stephanie T. Levick
Texarkana Men Sentenced for Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana father and son have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Kelvin Lorenzo Harris, also known as Fifth Ward, 57, pleaded guilty on Sep. 7, 2021 to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Harris was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on Feb. 15, 2022. Markelvin Renard McHenry, also known as Black, 33, pleaded guilty to the same charges on Sep. 1, 2021, and was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison today by Judge Schroeder.
According to information presented in court, Harris and McHenry conspired to sell methamphetamine and a short-barreled shotgun in Texarkana. Specifically, Harris displayed the sawed-off shotgun during a methamphetamine transaction in October 2020. Several weeks later, Harris was arrested on unrelated charges. After his arrest, Harris directed his son, McHenry, to go get the short-barreled shotgun. McHenry then sold methamphetamine and his father's shotgun, disposing of the money from the shotgun as Harris directed. Both Harris and McHenry have been convicted of multiple felonies, including burglary of a habitation, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and theft of a firearm. As convicted felons, they are prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
Harris and McHenry were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 22, 2021, and charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms violations.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Texarkana, Texas Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.
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Tennessee Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Series of Church ArsonsRead the Press Release
A Tennessee man was sentenced today for the arson of four Nashville area churches.
Alan Douglas Fox, 29, of Nashville, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He had previously been charged by criminal information on Aug. 25, 2021, and had previously pleaded guilty to all counts on Oct. 20, 2021.
According to court documents and statements made during the plea and sentencing hearings, Fox intentionally set fire to the Crievewood United Methodist Church on June 17, 2019; the Crievewood Baptist Church on June 25, 2019; the Saint Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church on June 25, 2019; and the Priest Lake Community Baptist Church on June 26, 2019, all because of their religious character. Fox also carried and used a handgun to break into the Crievewood Baptist Church to facilitate the arson. The fires resulted in significant damage to all four churches.
“This defendant has now been held accountable for his dangerous arson spree that caused damage to a Catholic church, a Methodist church and two Baptist churches, all pillars of the Nashville community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Attacks on houses of worship are attacks on people of faith that undermine the fundamental right to practice one’s religion free from fear or violence. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously enforce federal laws that protect all houses of worship, regardless of denomination.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Fire Department. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Schiferle.
Tallahassee Man Indicted for Conspiracy to Produce, Distribute, Possess, and Receive Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Mark Robert Clow, 54, of Tallahassee, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distributing, receiving, and possessing material constituting child pornography. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Clow made his initial appearance in federal court to face the charges this afternoon.
The indictment alleges that, between June 2017, and September 2021, Clow distributed, received, and possessed material containing child pornography. The pornographic material allegedly found in Clow’s possession involved a minor under the age of 12.
Trial for Clow is set for April 25, 2022, at 8:15 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before the Honorable United States Chief District Judge Mark E. Walker.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Life of Walter E. Dellinger IIIRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland released today the following statement on the passing of Walter E. Dellinger III:
“The passing of Walter Dellinger is an enormous loss for those of us at the Justice Department who worked alongside and learned from him, for his family who cherished him, and for our nation, which was made better because of him.
“It is difficult to know where to begin in remembering someone who lived as fully and gave of himself as generously as Walter did. Throughout his life, Walter created communities of friends, students, and mentees who shared his passion for the law and his devotion to the pursuit of justice.
“I first had the privilege to work alongside Walter at the Justice Department when he came to Washington, D.C. from Duke Law with his beloved wife, Anne, and served as a professor in residence in the Appellate Section of the Civil Division. I worked with him again when he served as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel, and then as Acting Solicitor General. His exuberance and passion for life and the law were palpable in everything he did.
“Walter approached the law not as a career, but as a calling. He believed it was his privilege to be able to use the law to make our democracy work better for everyone. He was a tireless advocate on behalf of those with whom he worked, and on behalf of the American people for whom he worked. He did not hesitate to lend his voice in service of lifting up the voices of others. His work had an enormous impact on all of us at the Justice Department, and on the lives of millions of people he would never know.
“For Walter, tackling the most urgent, complex, and important questions of law was not exclusive of living a life filled with joy. He filled his life — and the lives of those of us lucky enough to have known him — with light.
“All of us at the Department extend our deepest condolences to his loving family. We join them in mourning Walter’s passing, and in expressing our gratitude for his extraordinary legacy.”
St. Mary’s County Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges for Distribution of Fentanyl and for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – DeAundre Tyrique Keys, a/k/a “Dre,” age 35, of Lexington Park, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of distribution of fentanyl and to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans.
According to Keys’ guilty plea, on March 1, 2021, three individuals traveled to St. Mary’s County, Maryland to purchase narcotics from Keys. One of the individuals met with Keys at Keys’ apartment complex in Lexington Park and purchased fentanyl from Keys, who was on pretrial release for pending charges in St. Mary’s County, and was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the drug transaction.
As detailed in the plea agreement, after buying fentanyl from Keys, the three individuals returned to Calvert County, where two of the individuals ingested the fentanyl purchased from Keys. One of the individuals became unresponsive and the other two individuals administered Narcan, attempted CPR, and called 9-1-1. Before first responders could arrive, the individual who had purchased the fentanyl from Keys discarded the remaining fentanyl in the woods. Arriving first responders attempted life saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for Maryland concluded that the victim’s cause of death was fentanyl and alcohol intoxication.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Keys’ apartment on March 12, 2021. Keys was the sole occupant of the apartment when officers arrived and was wearing his GPS ankle monitor. Law enforcement recovered a plastic baggie containing 30.07 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, acetylfentanyl, heroin, acetaminophen, and 06-Monoacetylmorphine; drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale with fentanyl residue, a cutting agent, and plastic glassine baggies used for narcotics packaging and distribution; a Polymer 9mm handgun with a 30-round magazine containing 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition; one round of 9mm ammunition on the floor; two .40 magazines—one empty and the other containing 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition; an empty 30 round magazine; and $7,080 in cash, which were proceeds of Keys’ drug sales.
The seized firearm is a ghost gun—privately made with parts manufactured outside Maryland, which has no serial number and is not a registered firearm. The gun was tested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and was found to be a fully functioning firearm. Keys knew that he had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition.
Keys and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Keys will be sentenced to between 10 and 12 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for May 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the ATF and the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Collins, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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St. Joseph Man Sentenced to 15 Years for $4 Million Meth Conspiracy, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a $4 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine over three years.
Christapher Dean Parton, also known as “Big Baby,” 32, was sentenced by United States District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On April 16, 2021, Parton pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2017, to July 21, 2020, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
For approximately a year and a half, Parton was regularly provided one to two kilograms of methamphetamine each week by a drug trafficking organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. Parton, who transported the methamphetamine from Kansas City to the St. Joseph area for distribution, was found by the court to be involved in approximately 91 kilograms of methamphetamine. Additionally, Parton admitted he traded at least 50 guns, that he received through his drug distribution activities, for methamphetamine.
The entire drug trafficking organization received more than $4 million in exchange for the unlawful distribution of more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street price of $8,000 per kilogram of methamphetamine.
Parton is among 25 defendants charged in this case, and the first defendant to be sentenced.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
KC Metro Strike Force
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. 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.
St. Croix Man Sentenced for Fleeing from Park Rangers After Shots Were Fired on Buck IslandRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that a St. Croix man, Aneudis Acevedo, age 33, appeared before Judge Wilma A. Lewis, in District Court, and was sentenced today on the charge of Resisting or Impeding an Officer of the United States.
Judge Lewis sentenced Acevedo to three years of probation, six months of home detention with location monitoring, a fine of $10,000, and a $25 special assessment.
According to court documents, in the late afternoon of January 10, 2021, shots were fired on the Buck Island Reef National Monument after a fight occurred on the beach. Immediately after the shots were fired, Acevedo fled the scene in his boat at a high rate of speed while carrying several passengers. He fled from a National Park Service boat and officer, disobeying multiple orders directing him to stop. At one point during the pursuit, the boats physically came into contact, but Acevedo continued to flee. Acevedo forced the National Park Service boat to abandon the pursuit after he travelled into shallow channels by a reef. The United States Coast Guard assisted and approximately two hours later took the defendant into custody on the south side of the island of St. Croix. However, at the time of apprehension, boat passengers were no longer on the boat.
The National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. For more information on the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, please see: https://www.justice.gov/psn.
###South Texan who fled following girlfriend’s arrest sent to prisonRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 36-year-old Brownsville man has been ordered to prison for conspiracy to distribute 15 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Luis Alberto Gomez pleaded guilty Nov. 23, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve 108 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release.
On Jan. 27, 2021, authorities stopped Vanessa Lee Vasquez, Gomez’s girlfriend,
for a traffic violation. At that time, they searched her vehicle and found a secret compartment with 16 bundles of drugs. They contained 15.18 kilograms of meth with an approximate street value of $45,000.
Additional law enforcement at the scene observed Gomez in a grey BMW pass by the traffic scene and turn around. They followed him to a residence in Brownsville, from where he quickly departed. He attempted to flee the United States via the Veteran’s Bridge into Mexico. There, law enforcement conducted a search of his vehicle and discovered a compartment containing meth.
The investigation revealed Gomez and Vasquez crossed the port of entry from Matamoros, Taumalipas, Mexico, the day prior within two minutes of each other.
At the time of his plea, Gomez admitted he and his girlfriend had gone to Mexico to pick up the drugs. He said he saw law enforcement pull over his girlfriend, panicked and decided to flee to Mexico.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of prisons facility in the near future.
Vasquez was previously sentenced on Dec. 1, 2021, also to 108 months in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Salinas prosecuted the case.
Sidney meth dealer sentenced to more than 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Sidney man who admitted to selling methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years and 10 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jose Eduardo Garcia, 31, pleaded guilty in August 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on two occasions in 2020, Garcia sold meth from his residence during controlled buys. The transactions totaled slightly more than 50 grams.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Seafood broker pleads guilty to smuggling potentially tainted shellfishRead the Press Release
Seattle – A Burien, Washington, seafood broker pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to smuggling goods from the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Jeffrey Hallin Olsen, 52, owner of Absolute Seafoods LLC, admitted he falsified documents and lied to authorities about disposing of 46 cases of potentially tainted geoduck from Alaska. Olsen will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on May 17, 2022.
According to the information filed in court, on February 20 or 21, 2019, Olsen purchased geoduck from various Alaska divers. The geoduck were mixed together in crates for shipping, and were picked up at Sea-Tac Airport, to be trucked to Vancouver B.C and shipped to Hong Kong. Olsen obtained a U.S. Department of Commerce Export Health Certificate stating that the geoduck met health requirements.
One day after the purchase, one of the divers notified Alaska state officials that he had mistakenly harvested his geoduck from an area that had not been approved for harvest. The area had not been tested for paralytic shellfish poisoning. An Alaska Wildlife Trooper notified Olsen that he needed to destroy the shipment as it was unsafe to consume. Because the illegally harvested geoduck had been mixed in with the legal clams, Olsen was told the entire shipment had to be destroyed. Olsen told the trooper he would destroy the geoduck.
Instead of destroying the geoduck, Olsen told the shipping company to hold the truck in Marysville, Washington. Olsen had ten crates taken off the truck and brought back to his Burien home. He had the company transport the remaining 36 boxes on to Vancouver where they were illegally shipped to Hong Kong.
Olson took pictures of the 10 crates that were brought back to his home. Olsen prepared false shipping paperwork that identified the contents of the crates as “fresh Yelloweye,” then shipped the geoduck to a buyer in Oakland, California. Olsen used the pictures of those crates and a bill from the King County garbage transfer station to try to fool Alaska authorities into thinking he had in fact destroyed the clams.
No illness has been reported in connection with the geoduck.
Smuggling goods from the United States is punishable by up to ten years of imprisonment. The ultimate sentence is up to Judge Coughenour who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by NOAA Fisheries Enforcement, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police and the Alaska Department of Public Safety, with assistance from the California Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans – Canada.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.
Saratoga County Woman Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Elizabeth Doyle, age 49, of Burnt Hills, New York, was sentenced today to a year of probation, and to pay restitution in the amount of $94,522 and a $7,500 fine, following her conviction on two counts of filing false tax returns. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Doyle’s conviction related to business income she earned through a Saratoga County company that places home health care aides in patients’ homes. In pleading guilty, Doyle admitting to filing materially false tax returns in tax years 2016 and 2017 that underreported income totaling $647,263, resulting in a loss to the government of at least $94,522.
Betty Marriot, age 71, of Gansevoort, New York, sold the home health care company to Doyle in 2016. She also filed false tax returns, and was sentenced on October 21, 2021 to a year of probation and ordered to pay $280,413 in restitution and a $7,500 fine.
These cases were investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily C. Powers.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Naturalization FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Simarjeet Singh, age 50, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty today to naturalization fraud for providing false identification information during efforts to avoid deportation and become a United States citizen, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office.
As part of his guilty plea, Singh admitted to filing a 1995 asylum application using a false identity and to failing to disclose that he had previously filed for asylum in 1993. Singh also admitted that in 2010, when he sought U.S. citizenship, he failed to disclose his earlier efforts to obtain asylum.
Singh faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentencing is set for June 14, 2022, in Syracuse, before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
This case was investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily C. Powers.
Ravenna Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Andrew Wirth, 33, of Ravenna, Ohio, was sentenced on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to 14 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after Wirth pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor in December 2021.
“The defendant’s reckless and repeated attempts to pursue minors for sexual conduct show his blatant disregard for our laws and the wellbeing of our community’s children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Thanks to the cooperation between our federal, state and local partners, law enforcement in Northern Ohio remains a united front in the fight against human trafficking.”
“The arrest of Andrew Wirth must serve as a wake-up call to those who engage in the horrific crime of sex trafficking,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris III. “Wirth’s egregious actions show his willingness to exploit the vulnerable, and HSI and our law enforcement partners stand ready and committed to removing such individuals from society,” he added.
“This is a prime example that some people just need to be locked up and kept away from the rest of us—and our children,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “Thanks to our partners at the US DOJ, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and Cuyahoga Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, that’s what is going to happen here.’
According to court documents, in May 2019, Wirth was arrested after he used a social networking mobile application in an attempt to meet up with an undercover law enforcement officer, whom he believed was a minor at the time, with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. Wirth was charged at the state level and subsequently posted bond.
In November 2019, while on bond for his state charges, Wirth again used a social networking mobile application to contact a minor victim for the purposes of engaging in sexual activity. Wirth and the minor victim later met, and Wirth provided gifts and meals to the victim in return for sexual acts as payment.
While still on bond, Wirth used an online dating application to arrange a meeting with an adult victim. During their meeting, Wirth sexually assaulted the victim and later expressed his desire to engage in sexual activity with children as young as ten years old. Wirth then offered the victim a “finder’s fee” to find a minor to engage in sexual activity. The victim reported these acts to local police, and an undercover officer assumed the victim’s online identity.
The undercover officer later pretended to be a minor and began an online conversation with Wirth. Soon, Wirth began to express his desire to engage in sexual activity with the minor. On November 6, 2019, Wirth purchased a hotel room, alcohol and other items for the purposes of meeting the minor and engaging in sexual activity. Wirth was arrested that same day outside the hotel room.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Cuyahoga County Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and with assistance from the Mahoning and Columbiana Counties Sheriff’s Offices. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane.
Pharmacist Indicted for Tampering with a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a pharmacist with one count of tampering with a consumer product, one count of possession of Tramadol by deception and subterfuge, one count of possession of Zolpidem by deception and subterfuge, and one count of possession of Oxycodone Hydrochloride by deception and subterfuge.
According to court documents, from July 2020 to October 2020, Benjamin Dandurand, 34, of Shawnee Mission is accused of allegedly using his fingerprint at a pharmacy in Lenexa to remove Oxycodone Hydrochloride from a safe. He allegedly removed the controlled substance from the bottle and replaced it with an alternate liquid substance before returning the bottle to the safe. Dandurand also allegedly took Tramadol, Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and Zolpidem from the pharmacy between September 2020 and October 2020.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane 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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Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Obstruction ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Nathan Peachey, age 51, of Pennsylvania, convicted for his role in fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice conspiracies, was sentenced on Monday, February 14, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Nathan Peachey was sentenced to 300 months in custody, followed by three years of supervised release, nearly $11 million in restitution, and forfeiture of a residence in Norway, a luxury vehicle, approximately $4 million in silver coins, and a laptop. He was also ordered to pay $1,200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
“Mr. Nathan Peachey was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for preying on innocent victims. Peachey, along with his co-conspirators, ran a sophisticated scheme that robbed victims of their life savings, retirement income and other funds, for the sole purpose of enriching himself and his friends,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher. “The evidence shown during trial demonstrates that IRS Criminal Investigation special agents partnered with the FBI and the Department of Justice, are the best in the world at tracing ill-gotten funds to anywhere criminals spend or hide them. We will never give up on our relentless pursuit of justice.”
“The defendant’s fraud was built on nothing but empty promises to the victims that they were helping humanity, but in reality he was only helping himself with a new home, silver, and a luxury car in Norway. And for that fraud, he is paying a heavy price and will never be in a position to victimize anyone ever again,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to not only uncover the fraud and build the case that led to this sentencing, but also for their efforts in trying to recover as much money as they could to return to the victims of this scam.”
Defendants Nathan Peachey, John Rick Winer, and others were originally indicted by a federal grand jury on November 5, 2019. A Second Superseding Indictment was filed on October 6, 2020. Peachey and Winer proceeded to trial in November 2021, and the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against both defendants. Winer was also scheduled for sentencing on February 14, 2022, but he failed to appear.
According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, Peachey resided in and operated from the State of Pennsylvania and from a suburb of Oslo, Norway. Peachey aided in soliciting millions of dollars from investors in the United States, and he received funds from others who were involved in the fraud scheme. Funds obtained by and through Peachey were, in part, laundered through and into domestic and international bank accounts. After his receipt of funds, Peachey would transfer or wire funds to his co-conspirators, and he also would use funds on personal expenditures.
Winer resided and operated from the State of New Mexico, among other places. Winer recruited individuals from South Dakota and elsewhere to invest in various projects, and he solicited funds that were obtained through the fraud scheme. After his receipt of funds, Winer would transfer or wire funds to his co-conspirators and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, and he also would use funds on personal expenditures.
As to the scheme to defraud the victims across the country, Peachey and Winer, along with their co-conspirators, informed investors that the monies provided to one or more of the co-conspirators would be used for charitable or humanitarian projects, oftentimes using religion to entice and induce victims into investing money in the scheme. They also made promises that there would be a return on investments. Peachey and Winer informed investors that the monies provided to one or more of the co-conspirators would not be expended on personal expenses. Investor money was not used for charitable or for humanitarian projects, and investors never received a return on investments relating to the monies provided to Peachey, Winer, or their co-conspirators. The purpose of the conspiracy was to enrich the co-conspirators, all of whom amassed nearly $13 million, and then spent the fraud proceeds on a luxury residence located in a suburb of Oslo, Norway, renovation costs on the house, a Mercedes Benz, nearly $4 million in silver, travel, and personal expenses. This fraud scheme impacted victims from around the United States, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Peachey, Winer, and their co-conspirators utilized, independently or jointly, entities to perpetrate the fraud scheme, including, but not limited to: AG Enterprises, L.L.C.; House of Winer; Jacobs Provision Trust; The Joseph Project; Jericho Outreach; Jericho Outreach – Norway; Christian Charity Foundation; and G47 Initiative. These entities were fake and used to receive fraud proceeds and launder money.
Once Peachey and Winer learned about the investigation in South Dakota and elsewhere, they also conspired to obstruct justice. Peachey and Winer conspired to corruptly obstruct, influence, and impede the investigation of the below-listed agencies and various court proceedings.
This case was investigated by the following entities:
- Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation;
- Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- ØKOKRIM, the Norwegian National Authority for Prosecution and Investigation of Economic
and Environmental Crime, Oslo, Norway;
- Oslo, Norway, Police Department;
- Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; and
- South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy R. Jehangiri and Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Peachey was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence of imprisonment.
Peach Springs Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Monday, Marcus BlueCloud Querta, 39, of Peach Springs, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 48 months in prison. Querta previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer and admitted to violating the terms of his supervised release in a separate case. Judge Snow sentenced Querta to 37 months in prison for the assault and an additional 11 months for violating his supervised release.
On January 12, 2020, the victim, a law enforcement officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and another police officer were trying to detain Querta while he was on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Querta resisted arrest, kicked the victim, and bit the victim in the leg. At the time of the offense, Querta was on supervised release for another assault on a federal officer that he committed on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in 2016. Querta is an enrolled member of the Hualapai Tribe.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation in this case. Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-20-08024-PCT-GMS; CR-16-08297-PCT-CMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-013_Querta# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Parker Woman Sentenced to Prison for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kae Leen Nopah, 35, of Parker, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Nopah previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
On June 6, 2020, Nopah assaulted the victim in the victim’s home using a knife. Nopah slashed both of the victim’s hands with the knife causing the victim to suffer significant bodily injuries. Nopah and the victim are enrolled members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (“CRIT”). This assault occurred on the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the CRIT PD conducted the investigation in this case. Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-00318-PHX-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-012_Nopah# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Parent Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for College Admissions SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A private-equity investor and former senior Staples executive was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his participation in a conspiracy to use fraud and bribery to secure the admission of his three children to the University of Southern California (USC), Harvard University and Stanford University as purported Division I athletic recruits.
John Wilson, 62, of Lynnfield, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 15 months in prison, two years of supervised release, 400 hours of community service and a fine of $200,000. Wilson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $88,546 to the IRS. On Oct. 8, 2021, Wilson was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; three counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud; two counts of federal programs bribery; and one count of filing a false tax return.
In 2013, Wilson agreed to pay William “Rick” Singer $220,000 to facilitate his son’s admission to USC as a purported water polo recruit. The scheme involved presenting Wilson’s son to USC’s subcommittee on athletic admissions using a water polo profile that included fabricated credentials, awards and swim times. After Wilson’s son was accepted to USC, Wilson wired $100,000 to Singer’s sham charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation (KWF), $100,000 to Singer’s company, The Key, and $20,000 directly to Singer. Wilson paid the bribe from the corporate account of his private investment firm and falsely deducted part of it as a business expense and the remainder as a charitable contribution. Additionally, in 2018, Wilson agreed to pay Singer $1.5 million to secure the admission of his twin daughters to Harvard University and Stanford University as purported athletic recruits.
Singer previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
UPDATE: In May 2023, The First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated all but one of the defendant’s jury conviction. In June 2023, the Government moved to dismiss four of the five criminal charges against defendant John Wilson.
Omaha Woman Sentenced to 15 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin While in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Jessica Anzaldo, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Anzaldo to 10 years’ imprisonment on the drug charge and a consecutive 5 years on the gun charge. After completing her term of imprisonment, Anzaldo will be required to serve a 5-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system.
On September 10, 2019, Anzaldo sold an undercover officer more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine at an Omaha location. On September 13, 2019, Anzaldo again sold the undercover more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine in Omaha. Anzaldo was placed under arrest after the sale and a search warrant on her Omaha residence revealed a quarter pound of methamphetamine, approximately 10 grams of heroin, and a gun within a small safe located in her bedroom. During a post arrest interview, Anzaldo admitted to distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine during the past 5 or 6 months. While being booked into corrections, three additional baggies of heroin were found on her person with a total weight of approximately 25 grams.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 174 Months for MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Justin Smith, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 16, 2022, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Smith to 174 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Smith will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On January 6, 2020, Omaha Police officers observed Smith sell 2 grams of methamphetamine. At the time, Smith had two prior convictions for distributing methamphetamine. A search of his residence recovered 85 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Norteno Gang Member Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Custody After Possessing Bombs and Hiding in Washing MachineRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Senior U.S. District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson has sentenced Timothy Richard Ray Riggins, 33, of Moses Lake, Washington, to 70 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm and an improvised destructive device. Judge Peterson also ordered Riggins to serve three years on federal supervision after he is released from prison.
According to court records, in the early morning hours on November 3, 2019, the Moses Lake Police Department (“MLPD”) received a 911 call from a woman who reported that Riggins had just assaulted her, stolen her vehicle, and was in possession of a bomb. The woman explained that the bomb was in a fanny pack and that she was concerned for the safety of a friend. She also said that Riggins had threatened her with the bomb and had held a lighter next to the fuse, stating that she should not “mess with a guy like him.”
MLPD was familiar with Riggins, a documented Norteno criminal street gang member, and knew he had an active felony warrant for his arrest from the Washington State Department of Corrections. Officers located the woman’s vehicle and tracked Riggins to a nearby residence. While executing a search warrant at the residence, officers found Riggins hiding inside a top loading washing machine. Along Riggins’ path of travel from the stolen vehicle to the residence, officers recovered a fanny pack that contained a large, operable commercial firework with more than 20 nails taped to the outside, with a large fuse. The officers also found two additional improvised destructive devices near the fanny pack.
In imposing sentence, Judge Peterson noted the significant nature and seriousness of Riggins’ offense, highlighting the dangerous fact that if the devices had detonated, they could have seriously altered, or even destroyed, the victim’s life. Judge Peterson also considered Riggins’ longstanding gang membership and lengthy criminal history.
“Thanks to quick-thinking and responsive law enforcement, officers got to Mr. Riggins’ bombs before he could detonate them and harm innocent people,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “This case demonstrates the importance of the ‘see something, say something’ principle: we all have an obligation to look out for one another and ensure that our community in Eastern Washington remains safe and strong. I am grateful not only to the hard-working people of the Moses Lake Police Department and ATF, but to the responding witness, whose 911 call prevented what could have been a truly tragic outcome. Mr. Riggins and others who seek to endanger people in this community may seek to run, but they cannot hide—even in washing machines.”
“The 70-month sentence for Mr. Riggins is clearly justified for his illegal possession of both a firearm and an improvised destructive device – as well as for his use of a destructive device in a threatening manner,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “The streets of Moses Lake and Grant County will surely be safer with Mr. Riggins in federal prison.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Moses Lake Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Caitlin Baunsgard, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Online ScamsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Nigerian national residing in Dorchester pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in online romance scams targeting individuals in the United States.
Mike Oziegbe Amiegbe, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2022. Amiegbe was charged by criminal complaint in March 2021.
From approximately 2017 through at least 2020, Amiegbe and others participated in a series of romance scams designed to defraud victims into sending money to accounts controlled by them. Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. In furtherance of the scheme, Amiegbe deposited checks from victims into bank accounts opened under false identities. Amiegbe and, allegedly, co-conspirators then withdrew and passed a portion of the funds to co-conspirators. Amiegbe admitted that at least $550,000 in fraud proceeds was deposited into fraudulent bank accounts he controlled.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. 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; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and William Kalb, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Office of Investigations, New York Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
New Florence Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possessing Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of New Florence, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 60 months in prison followed by 4 years’ supervised release on his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Nicholas Beard, 28.
According to information presented to the court, on or about October 9, 2020, Beard did possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Ms. Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force, and the Indiana County Drug Task Force for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Beard.
New Castle Man Admits Distributing Crack Near Elementary SchoolRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - Melvin Dorsey-Pace pled guilty to distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Dorsey-Pace, age 29 of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing to occur on June 21, 2022, at 2:15 p.m.
As part of the factual basis for the guilty plea, the Court was informed that, on April 6, 2021, Dorsey-Pace distributed crack cocaine near St. Vitus Elementary School in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was on federal supervised release at that time. He was convicted in 2016 in this district for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and was released to supervised release in 2020.
The law provides for a sentence of at least one year and up to 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $4,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is to be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the conviction in this case.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Nashville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Series of Church ArsonsRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Alan Douglas Fox, 29, of Nashville, was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison for a series of church arsons which occurred in 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee. Fox was charged by criminal information on August 25, 2021, and pleaded guilty to all counts on October. 20, 2021.
According to court documents and statements made during the plea and sentencing hearings, Fox intentionally set fire to the Crievewood United Methodist Church on June 17, 2019; the Crievewood Baptist Church on June 25, 2019; the Saint Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church on June 25, 2019; and the Priest Lake Community Baptist Church on June 26, 2019, all because of their religious character. Fox also carried and used a handgun to break into the Crievewood Baptist Church to facilitate the arson. The fires resulted in significant damage to all four churches.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Schiferle and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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Minnesota man sentenced to six years in prison for trafficking oxycodone on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Minnesota man who admitted to making hundreds of thousands of dollars selling oxycodone pills while renting a house on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced today to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jason Tyrell Lee, 46, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and money laundering.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that for approximately six years, from 2014 through spring 2020, Lee and co-defendant, Kaycee Lynn Menz, were selling oxycodone pills from a house they rented in Poplar, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Lee, who resided primarily in Minnesota, supplied Menz with pills to sell on and around the reservation. Financial records showed that their operation generated large sums of cash in Montana and that they then moved the proceeds to accounts held in Lee’s name and in the name of his Minnesota business, Above Average Marketing. During the period of the drug operation, more than $700,000 was deposited into Above Average Marketing banks accounts. Meanwhile, despite the vast quantities of deposits, Lee was reporting little legitimate business income. One customer estimated spending $30,000 on pills from Menz, pills that had been supplied by Lee. In a May 2020 traffic stop of Lee, agents found approximately 410 pills containing oxycodone.
Menz previously was sentenced to 40 months in prison for her conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol.
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Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Leadership Role in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that David Stone III, 29, St. Paul, Minnesota was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for his leadership role in a heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine conspiracy. Stone pleaded guilty on November 17, 2021 to conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
David Stone was distributing heroin and methamphetamine in Northwestern Wisconsin in 2019 and 2020. In February 2020, he was incarcerated on an unrelated matter. Investigators listened to over 3,000 hours of phone calls Stone made from jail and learned that he was orchestrating a large-scale drug-trafficking operation while in custody.
Stone called his source in Minnesota to arrange for the sale of the drugs and then called his co-conspirators in Wisconsin to arrange for the pickup. Stone was very specific in the calls to his co-conspirators, directing them when to leave Wisconsin, how much to pay for the drugs, how to break them down into smaller quantities, and where to redistribute them. Stone controlled every aspect of the operation and was considered the leader for purposes of sentencing. Stone’s relevant conduct includes approximately 270 grams of methamphetamine and 75 grams of fentanyl.
Stone has an extensive criminal history that is largely drug and alcohol related, but with some crimes involving violence and weapons. Judge Conley remarked that the 10-year sentence was appropriate given Stone’s significant criminal history, flippant attitude towards supervision, and the scale of the drug-trafficking operation.
Stone is the second of the conspiracy to be sentenced. Marcie Leoso was sentenced on January 26, 2021 to 5 years in prison. The three other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to federal charges. Chai Vang is to be sentenced by Judge Conley on April 26, Aaron Guski on April 28, and Mala Persaud on May 4.
The charges against David Stone III were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Ashland Police Department, Washburn Police Department, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; Red Cliff Police Department; and Wisconsin State Patrol. The prosecution of the cases has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.
Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) was sentenced today on racketeering and drug charges.
Roberto Vargas, a/k/a “King Royalty,” 28, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2021, Vargas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
On Sept. 30, 2019, Vargas was one of multiple members of the Latin Kings who travelled to Ruth Street and McGurk Street in New Bedford in order to confront rival gang members. After “flagging” – brandishing a yellow and black Latin Kings bandanna – in the territory of the rival gang, the Latin Kings members approached one of the rival gang members, surrounded him, pointed a firearm at him and demanded his phone. During the robbery, the victim ran and a Latin Kings member chased the victim and fired one gunshot, hitting the victim in the back. The victim fell to the ground and was transported to the hospital, where he was treated and ultimately survived the incident.
Vargas also participated in the drug trafficking conspiracy that the Latin Kings operated in multi-unit apartment buildings controlled by the gang, known as trap houses, throughout New Bedford. Recordings generated during the case captured him distributing cocaine to other Latin Kings members, as well as in a trap house with a kilogram of cocaine that was being prepared to be “cooked” into cocaine base (crack cocaine).
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Vargas is the 45th defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Massachusetts Man Indicted for Obstructing Investigation into Fires at Jewish-Affiliated InstitutionsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed charging a Massachusetts man for allegedly obstructing an investigation into fires set at Jewish-affiliated institutions in Arlington, Needham and Chelsea, Mass. in May 2019.
Alexander Giannakakis, 35, formerly of Quincy, Mass., was arrested by Swedish authorities in a Stockholm suburb, at the request of the United States. Giannakakis was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for making false statements in a matter involving domestic terrorism; falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism by trick, scheme and device; concealing records in a federal investigation; tampering with documents and objects; and tampering with an official proceeding. The United States plans to seek his extradition to face charges in Boston.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins said, “Today’s arrest in Stockholm came about as a result of a close partnership with our state, local, federal and international law enforcement partners – specifically our Swedish counterparts. International cooperation is critical to our efforts to get justice and accountability for our victims here in Massachusetts.”
“On behalf of FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, I’d like to thank the Swedish Security Service for their assistance in helping us bring justice to the citizens who have been victimized,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI’s strong relationship and close coordination with them was critical to the success of this investigation.”
According to the indictment, in and around February 2020, Giannakakis’s younger brother became the prime suspect in an investigation into four fires that had been set at Jewish-related institutions in the Boston area: the first during the evening of May 11, 2019 at a Chabad Center in Arlington; the second at the same location during the evening of May 16, 2019; the third at a Chabad Center in Needham; and the fourth during the evening of May 26, 2019 at Jewish-affiliated business in Chelsea.
Giannakakis’s younger brother was hospitalized and in a coma since November 2019, approximately six months after the fourth fire. He remained in a coma until his death.
Investigators learned that Giannakakis had left the United States allegedly with his younger brother’s electronic devices and papers, and brought them to Sweden. In March 2020 Giannakakis re-entered the United States with his brother’s electronics. When Giannakakis was in Quincy, Mass., he was asked by investigators about his younger brother’s connection to the fires and whether the family had a storage unit. Giannakakis allegedly told investigators that his parents had a storage unit at a nearby storage facility, and later admitted that he maintained and controlled access to it. Following a search of the storage unit, Giannakakis was also asked where else his brother might have kept property. Giannakakis allegedly responded that there were no other locations.
The indictment further alleges that Giannakakis knew that these statements and actions were intentionally false and misleading, as the night before he had visited both the storage unit and a second storage unit at the same facility, which contained items belonging to his younger brother, including t-shirts with a swastika depicted on the front, a box with his brother’s name on it, his brother’s passport, a notebook with his brother’s name on it and a swastika drawn inside, and a black backpack containing a bottle of cyanide. Giannakakis had allegedly leased the second storage unit himself and listed his younger brother as an authorized user. It is alleged that Giannakakis deliberately lied about the second storage unit and concealed it from investigators to prevent them from seizing his brother’s property.
Finally, the indictment alleges that on March 22, 2020, Giannakakis went to the second storage unit and removed items belonging to his younger brother that were relevant and material to the ongoing arson investigation, including the backpack and the bottle of cyanide. Later that evening, Giannakakis departed the United States for Sweden and has not returned since.
The charges of making false statements in a matter involving domestic terrorism and falsifying, concealing, and covering up a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism by trick, scheme, and device each provide for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of concealing records in a federal investigation, tampering with documents and objects, and tampering with an official proceeding each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Chief Juliann Flaherty of the Arlington Police Department; Chief John Schlittler of the Needham Police Department; Chief Brian Kyes of the Chelsea Police Department; Chief Paul Keenan of the Quincy Police Department; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey made the announcement today. Substantial assistance was provided by the Swedish law enforcement authorities including the Swedish Security Service, as well as the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott L. Garland, Acting Chief of Rollins’ National Security Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and John McNeil, also with Rollins’ Criminal Division.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Pleads Guilty in Miami Federal Court to Acting as Russian AgentRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, 36, a Mexican citizen who had resided in Singapore, has pled guilty to acting within the United States on behalf of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General.
Fuentes is Mexican citizen who has spent significant time in Russia. According to court documents, since 2019, Fuentes acted under the direction and control of someone he believed to be a Russian government official. Instructed by this Russian official, Fuentes arranged for an intermediary to lease a unit in a residential building in Miami-Dade County where a U.S. person, who had previously provided information about the Russian government to the United States Government, resided.
Furthermore, at the direction of the same Russian official, Fuentes traveled to Miami in February 2020 to obtain the license plate number and parking location of the U.S. person’s car to provide this information to the Russian official upon his next trip to Russia.
Fuentes’s travel companion, at his request, took a photo of the U.S. person’s car. A WhatsApp message from Fuentes’s travel companion to Fuentes contained a close-up photograph of the specified U.S. person’s car. The manner in which Fuentes communicated with the Russian government official and his undertakings in this case are consistent with the tactics of the Russian intelligence services for spotting, assessing, recruiting, and handling intelligence assets and sources.
Fuentes had not notified the United States Attorney General, as required by law, that he was acting in the United States as an agent of the Russian government.
Fuentes’s sentencing is scheduled for May 17, in Miami, Florida in front of U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Vernon T. Foret, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
Assistant Attorney General Olsen and U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and CBP.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Thakur of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Matt McKenzie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
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 20-cr-20129.
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Louisiana man who came to Texas for drugs and firearm handed significant sentenceRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 41-year-old resident of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, has been ordered to prison for nearly 27 years following his convictions on drug and firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
A federal jury sitting in Houston convicted Travis Demois Wilson July 28, 2021, following a three-day trial for conspiracy to possess and possession of meth, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Today, U.S. District Judge Ellison handed Wilson a 262-month term of imprisonment for the drug possession. He also received 60 months for the firearms charge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. The total 322-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Wilson had a lengthy and varied criminal record stemming from 1999.
Judge Ellison commented on the disadvantages Wilson experienced in his life and that it was one of the more serious records he had ever contemplated. “However, the guidelines were the right metric for this defendant,” he said.
At trial, the jury heard Wilson drove from Louisiana to Houston to purchase meth and picked up a Sturm Ruger pistol that morning. Wilson used a contact to set up the drug deal from a Houston area pawn shop.
Further testimony showed that law enforcement had been monitoring the shop and had recordings of the calls setting up the deal. The jury heard about one in which Wilson’s voice can be heard confirming it was going to happen that day. Wilson planned to drive back that evening, but authorities were able to conduct a traffic stop, during which time they searched his vehicle and discovered the drugs and firearm in his personal bag.
Wilson attempted to convince the jury he was not in town to buy narcotics, and the meth belonged to someone else. The jury did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged.
Wilson has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI and conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Celia Moyer and Richard Bennett prosecuted the case.
Local man sentenced for $317 million N95 mask scamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 56-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for scheming to fraudulently sell 50 million non-existent N95 facemasks to the Australian government, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Arael Doolittle pleaded guilty July 27, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes ordered him to serve a 54-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Doolittle had stolen another person’s identity and forged their signature during the commission of the offense. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hughes noted even though there was no actual financial loss in this case, there are still costs associated with cases like this that victims of frauds suffer.
In early April 2020, Doolittle attempted to sell 50 million 3M N95 respirator masks to the government of Australia. However, he actually did not possess them.
The Australian government was supposed to pay over $317 million for the masks, but authorities disrupted the transaction before it was completed.
Doolittle was also charged and convicted in a separate case for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In that scheme, he solicited victims to invest in a petroleum trading company. However, Doolittle did not invest their money as promised. He actually used the funds to finance unrelated business and personal expenses. Doolittle defrauded the victims of this petroleum trading scheme out of a total of $1,935,613.95. He was previously ordered to serve a 54-month sentence.
The two sentences are ordered to be served consecutively, resulting in a total of 108 months in prison.
Doolittle has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Secret Service conducted the investigation of the fraudulent N95 masks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin R. Martin prosecuted the case. The FBI investigated the petroleum investment scheme.
On May 17, 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 - 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
Lewiston Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Rodney Crowley, 33, to four years in prison and five years of supervised release. Crowley pleaded guilty on August 31, 2021.
According to court records, in August 2019, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants for Crowley’s residence and person. HSI had obtained information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding child pornography activity involving users of an internet messaging application. In an interview with investigators, Crowley admitted being a member of chat groups in which child pornography images were exchanged. Investigators later found several images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a memory card in Crowley’s cell phone.
HSI and the RCMP investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt, or production of child pornography, file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678. Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, please call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
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