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Thursday 16 December 2021
Medical Equipment Company Owners Sentenced to More Than 12 Years for $27 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Texas woman and an Austrian national were sentenced yesterday to 151 months in prison for a $27 million Medicare kickback conspiracy.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Leah Hagen, 50, of Arlington, and Michael Hagen, 54, a citizen of Austria and Arlington resident, owned and operated two durable medical equipment (DME) companies, Metro DME Supply LLC and Ortho Pain Solutions LLC. From March 2016 to January 2019, the defendants paid kickbacks and bribes to their co-conspirator’s call center in the Philippines in exchange for signed doctors’ orders for DME that were used to submit false claims in excess of $59 million to Medicare. From those claims, Medicare paid the defendants more than $27 million. The defendants transferred millions of dollars overseas to, among other things, purchase a home in Spain.
To conceal the payments of kickbacks and bribes from the authorities, the defendants, through their DME companies, signed sham contracts that disguised payments as marketing and business process outsourcing. The DME claims submitted by the defendants to Medicare were for services that were medically unnecessary and not provided as represented. In some cases, beneficiaries were convinced to accept braces they did not need or want and were offered gift cards in exchange for accepting those braces.
On July 8, the Hagens were convicted following an eight-day trial on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks and conspiracy to launder money. The Hagens were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle of the Northern District of Texas, who also ordered them to pay $27,104,359 in restitution.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham of the Northern District of Texas; Special Agent in Charge Miranda Bennett of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; Acting Assistant Director Jay Greenberg of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and was brought as part of Operation Brace Yourself, a federal law enforcement action led by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of South Carolina, District of New Jersey, and the Middle District of Florida.
Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Frazior and Trial Attorneys Brynn Schiess and Catherine Wagner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Health Care Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Massachusetts Man Admits to Attempting to Entice a Minor, Traveling to Engage in Illicit Sex, Attempting to Transfer Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Massachusetts man faces between 10 years to life in federal prison when he is sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence after pleading guilty on Wednesday to an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Cody J. Hansen, 38, of Orange, MA., admitted that he posted an online classified advertisement seeking to connect with “someone that likes to play when the girl is passed out.” In May 2018, he engaged in a series of online communications with a person who responded to his posting; Hansen believed this person to be the father of 12 and 8-year-old girls living in Rhode Island. The father provided Hansen with an email address he could use to contact the 12-year-old girl. In actuality, Hansen was communicating with an undercover Rhode Island State Police (RISP) detective assigned to the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Hansen admitted to the court that he engaged in a series of email communications with someone whom he believed to be the 12-year-old girl, admitting that these email communications turned sexually graphic and included an obscene photo of his genitalia. Hansen then arranged with the RISP detective, still acting as the girl, to travel to Rhode Island on May 21, 2018, to engage in sex with the girl and her younger sister.
According to information presented to the court, on May 21, 2018, the RISP detective and Hansen spoke by telephone, during which time Hansen confirmed that he was traveling to Rhode Island the next day with the intention of having sex with his daughters. When he arrived at the agreed upon location, he parked his car next to the detective’s vehicle and got into the front passenger seat of the detective’s car. In conversation with the detective, Hansen confirmed that he knew the ages of the girls that he came to meet and to have sex with. He was immediately arrested by members of the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.
Hansen, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2022. Attempted enticement of a child is punishable by statutory penalties of a minimum of 10 years up to life in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. Attempted transfer of obscene material is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of federal supervised release. Travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
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Maryland woman admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Briya Nychelle Harrington, of Baltimore, Maryland, has admitted distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Harrington, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.” Harrington admitted to working with another to distribute fentanyl in March 2021 in Hampshire County.
Harrington faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Mansfield Man Sentenced to Prison for Sending Threats Through Facebook and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Bryan Shane Wolfe, 45, of Mansfield, Ohio, was sentenced today by Judge Donald C. Nugent to 46 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in August of 2021 to sending threatening communications to three individuals and possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
“This defendant deliberately chose to send threats to his victims due to their race, religion and ethnicity,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “These actions were targeted, occurred on more than one occasion and caused lasting harm. Today’s sentence illustrates that threats made online have real consequences and may result in real prison time.”
"The defendant will now serve significant time in prison as a result of his despicable conduct," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. "Social media threats of this magnitude will not be tolerated and are taken seriously. The FBI is committed to investigating threats such as these due to the severe impact they can have on victims."
According to court documents, on November 2, 2019, Wolfe, through his Facebook account, sent pictures and messages to victim T.J. (an African American individual) threatening to kidnap members of the victim’s family while also making racial slurs.
Again, on September 8, 2020, Wolfe, using his Facebook account, sent victim E.H. (an Arab American individual) messages threatening to burn a Quran in the victim’s yard and further sent the victim a picture of E.H.’s home and a bonfire. Wolfe also referred to E.H. using slurs and derogatory terms.
Finally, on September 13, 2020, Wolfe, again from his Facebook account, sent messages to victim J.M. threatening to kill the victim’s biracial children and included a picture of the victim’s children. Wolfe also referred to J.M. using slurs and derogatory terms.
On September 18, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Wolfe and recovered a pistol in plain sight. Wolfe is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to his prior conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence in Morrow County Municipal Court.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, Kentwood, Michigan Police Department and with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bryson N. Gillard.
Manchester Man Faces Additional Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Michael Francis, 34, of Manchester, was indicted on Monday by a federal grand jury and charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, cocaine; possession of over 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of over 400 grams of fentanyl and over 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements in court, Francis was arrested on September 1, 2021, for parole violations. At the time of his arrest, there was a holster under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Law enforcement agents later obtained a warrant to search Francis’ Manchester residence and recovered four loaded handguns, two of which were stolen. Law enforcement officers also recovered over 400 grams of suspected fentanyl and over 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The charges allege that Francis is prohibited from possessing firearms due to at least one prior felony conviction.
Francis was originally indicted on September 15, 2021, and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Francis has been detained pending trial.
“To protect public safety in Manchester, we are working closely with the Manchester Police Department and all our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute drug trafficking and firearms crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This case is an example of the close working partnership that we have with federal law enforcement agencies and the Manchester Police Department. This collaborative effort to protect Manchester residents from drug trafficking and gun-related crimes is an important priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“Shutting down the illegal gun and drug trade is key to reducing violent crime and saving lives. The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify individuals and criminal organizations that we believe pose threats to the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
“This proves how newly implemented crime reducing initiatives and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies has been successful,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “We hear the community concerns about safety, and we will continue to work hard to investigate, identify, and arrest those engaged in criminal activity.”
The charges in the superseding indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joachim Barth and Aaron Gingrande.
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Luzerne County Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Arless R. Leito, age 37, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted on December 14, 2021, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Leito possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl on November 17, 2021, in Wilkes-Barre. The indictment also alleges that Leito possessed a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic handgun during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities and after being previously convicted of a felony offense.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.”
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Luzerne County Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rasjon Walters, age 26, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted on December 15, 2021, by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Walters with multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm between June 2021 through December 2021, in Luzerne County.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent
crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under federal law, the drug trafficking offenses each carry a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The charge of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must be served consecutive to any other sentence, up to a maximum sentence of life. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Lumberton Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Carjacking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Lumberton man was sentenced today to 300 months in prison for carjacking and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to the offenses on October 1, 2021.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, Emanuel Lee McPherson, 32, was convicted for carjacking and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The evidence presented showed that on June 7, 2020, the Lumberton Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a seatbelt violation. Law enforcement contacted the driver and a passenger, Emanuel Lee McPherson, who provided the investigator with a fake name. While investigating the stop, law enforcement learned that McPherson was a convicted felon with active warrants for his arrest.
During the traffic stop, the vehicle suddenly fled the scene at a high rate of speed, and McPherson leaned out of the passenger vehicle, firing multiple rounds from a handgun in the direction of law enforcement. The vehicle traveled through Lumberton at a high rate of speed in excess of 100 mph, nearly colliding with other vehicles. McPherson eventually threw a firearm from the passenger window, and the gun was later recovered by law enforcement. McPherson was apprehended shortly thereafter. The evidence and witness testimony revealed that McPherson held the driver of the vehicle at gunpoint, threatening the driver’s life, if McPherson’s commands were not followed. McPherson has a significant criminal history and has been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a conviction for indecent liberties with a child.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Lumberton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Rhoades 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. 7:20-CR-123-BO.
Lubbock Man Sentenced for Creating Sexually Explicit Images of Georgia 14-Year-OldRead the Press Release
A middle-aged Lubbock man was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison for producing sexually explicit images of a 14-year-old girl he picked up in Georgia, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Robert David Fyke, 34, was arrested in June and pleaded guilty in August to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to plea papers and the evidence presented at sentencing, Mr. Fyke admitted he exchanged sexually explicit images with a 14-year-old child he met on Kik, a messaging app popular among teenagers. He then traveled to Georgia in an attempt to pick her up, but was initially unsuccessful and returned home. On May 15, he drove to Georgia a second time, picked her up, and brought her back to Lubbock.
On June 17, law enforcement tracked the child’s phone to Mr. Fyke’s Lubbock residence, but were unable to find the child or her abuser there. Eventually, they located the defendant at his place of employment, and he consented to an search of his phone and a forensic interview.
On the phone, law enforcement found sexually explicit images of the child. Mr. Fyke initially told agents he believed the girl in the photographs was 16 or 17, but later admitted he knew she was 14. He stated that the child left him for another adult male, who he believed lived in Pennsylvania or Connecticut. Fyke admitted to producing sexually explicit images of Doe after arriving in Lubbock.
That same day, law enforcement in Connecticut recovered the child and apprehended Wayne Marcell, 35, who has been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut with sexual exploitation of the child, among other crimes. Mr. Marcell, who was charged via criminal complaint, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency and the Lubbock Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, and the Danbury Police Department in Connecticut. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt is prosecuting the Northern District of Texas case against Mr. Fyke; Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford is prosecuting the District of Connecticut case against Mr. Marcell.
Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge for $8.3 Million Scam that Claimed Precious Metals Could Be Extracted from ‘Ancient Slag’Read the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A resident of the Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles pleaded guilty today to defrauding more than 100 investors out of approximately $8.3 million through a scheme that sold “ancient slag,” a mining waste byproduct that supposedly contained precious metals.
Michael Godfree, 80, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
According to his plea agreement, from 2011 to November 2017, Godfree schemed to defraud victim-purchasers of material he identified as “ancient slag and “gold ore.”
Godfree was co-founder of The Minerals Acquisition Company (TMAC), a Pasadena-based outfit that offered to sell slag to victims who were told the company would be able to extract precious metals from this slag, which was generated from copper mining. TMAC sold ton-quantities of the slag with promises of refining the material and recovering precious metals. TMAC provided victims with supposedly attorney-certified “Certificates of Title” that purported to transfer ownership of the slag to victims.
Godfree fraudulently induced the victims to buy the “ancient slag” by falsely representing and promising that the “ancient slag” TMAC was selling was valuable because it contained precious metals and a process would soon be finalized and available that could extract the precious metals supposedly in the slag.
In fact, Godfree and TMAC did not actually own most of the slag they sold, there was not a commercially viable process for extracting precious metals from the slag, and the business operation had not been endorsed by a lawyer.
Acting on Godfree’s false promises, victims sent the company money by mailing checks to the TMAC offices in Pasadena and by wiring money to accounts that Godfree controlled. Godfree used the funds to pay for his personal expenses.
In total, Godfree caused losses of approximately $8,336,965 to his victims.
TMAC was dissolved in 2015, but its operations were largely taken over by Precious Metals of North America Inc., another of Godfree’s companies.
United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt has scheduled a May 12, 2022 sentencing hearing, at which time Godfree will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph D. Axelrad of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Poonam G. Kumar of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
Leaders of a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Decades in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney to over 27 years in prison following his conviction at trial for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Eric Walker, 31, along with two other defendants, were convicted in June 2021 following a two-week jury trial. Walker’s codefendants, Clifford R. King, and Derrick Granger were previously sentenced by Judge Sweeney to each serve 30 years in prison.
King supplied between two and five pounds of methamphetamine per day to various customers in the Indianapolis area from the summer of 2019 until March 2020. King had previously been convicted in Marion County of robbery in 2014 and was sentenced to community corrections. King violated the terms of his community corrections on four occasions and returned to community corrections each time. Following his fourth violation, King absconded and became a fugitive in January 2018. While on fugitive status, King possessed a machine gun during the drug conspiracy and distributed his methamphetamine from a stolen vehicle.
Granger served as one of Kings methamphetamine suppliers. He obtained large quantities of methamphetamine and transported the drugs back to Indianapolis for distribution to King. Granger was interdicted at a hotel in Los Angeles in November 2019 with 59 pounds of methamphetamine that he intended to transport back to Indianapolis for distribution.
Walker served as an alternate supplier to King. In March 2021, Walker was convicted in a separate jury trial in Marion County for possession of cocaine, neglect of a dependent, and possession of a narcotic drug. He remained at liberty following his conviction in Marion County and continued to supply King with methamphetamine. A telephone conversation was intercepted between Walker and King in which they discussed the Marion County trial and their ongoing drug trafficking activity on the same evening that Marion County jury returned its verdict.
“Organized trafficking of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs contributes to the unacceptable level of violence in Indianapolis and throughout the country. Those who persist in engaging in dangerous criminal conduct despite determined efforts to dissuade them will be held accountable in our courts,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Dismantling drug trafficking organizations and taking guns out of the hands of previously convicted felons, is a critical part of our fight to reduce violent crime in our communities.”
“The sentencing of Mr. Walker, Mr. Granger and Mr. King sends a big message that drug traffickers will be held accountable,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “Any time we can remove large amounts of debilitating drugs such as methamphetamine, which in this case was at a 100% purity level, and illegally possessed firearms from the streets, it is a big win. DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state, local and federal partners to keep our communities safe. DEA commends the outstanding work by the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana, and all the agencies who participated in this investigation.”
Judge Sweeney has sentenced 21 other defendants in this case. The following are other noteworthy prison sentences:
- Steve Anderson,48, more than 21 years
- Eric Poore, 44, more than 17 years
- Jeremy Osman, 42, more than 15 years
- Troy Thornton, 49, 15 years
- Tyler Greenwalt, 37, more than 11 years
- Josh T. Unger, 38, more than 10 years
- Ayers Adams, 29, 10 years
- Dylan Williams, 42, 10 years
- James Swartz, 43, 10 years
- James Bacon, 53, 10 years
- Ryan Sawyers, 39, 10 years
This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Metro Drug Task Force, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Kathryn Olivier, who prosecuted this case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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.
Lancaster County Man Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Alvarez-Carrillo, age 65, of Columbia, Pennsylvania, was indicted on December 15, 2021 by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Alvarez-Carrillo with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. It alleged that the offenses took place in York County between April and May 2021.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses charged in the indictment is life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, and up to lifetime supervised release. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Kotzebue Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing a MinorRead the Press Release
FAIRBANKS – A Kotzebue man was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for charges relating to the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.
According to court documents, Wally Carter, 62, was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021 and pleaded guilty in July to one count of human trafficking. Carter became the subject of a federal investigation in December 2020 when the FBI received a tip alleging a minor had been sexually abused by Carter approximately 15 times between 2015 and 2017. The first instance of sexual abuse occurred when the victim was only 10 years old. As part of his plea, Carter admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim multiple times, giving her money after each instance and often giving her alcohol and marijuana before or after the sexual abuse. The sexual abuse happened in Carter’s home, his vehicle and on one occasion, Carter took her by boat to a cabin, where the victim tried to escape from him at least five times.
“The defendant’s actions are unconscionable and robbed his victim of her trust and innocence at a young age,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska. “This sentence sends a strong message that crimes against children in rural Alaska will not be tolerated and those who perpetrate such crimes will be held accountable.”
“Treating children as sexual commodities is appalling. The FBI will vigorously investigate these matters to protect the most vulnerable among us," said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This case exemplifies the ongoing efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking in both urban and rural Alaska, while using a victim-centered approach to vindicate the survivors impacted by these crimes.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) Task Force Officers investigated this case collectively as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers (AST) and Kotzebue Police Department (KPD).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Doty prosecuted the case.
The investigation is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines 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
Under the Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAAVEN), the U.S. Attorney’s Office is increasing engagement, coordination, and action on public safety in Alaska Native communities.
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Justice Department Announces Series of Cases to Combat Addiction Treatment Kickback Schemes in Southern CaliforniaRead the Press Release
Over the past 10 months, the Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against 10 defendants for kickback schemes at substance abuse treatment facilities in Orange County, California.
The defendants in these cases are substance abuse facility owners and patient recruiters who allegedly, among other things, provided kickback payments for the referral of patients to substance abuse treatment facilities, recovery homes or laboratories. These facility owners allegedly assigned a value to patients depending on the type of insurance the patients had and paid patient recruiters kickbacks for each patient the recruiters referred to their addiction treatment facilities. The recruiters allegedly received recurring payments for each month the patients continued to receive purported services from the facilities.
“These cases reflect the continued efforts of the Department of Justice to combat fraud by substance abuse treatment facilities and patient recruiters,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These schemes take advantage of vulnerable members of our society — addiction patients seeking help. These cases illustrate, the government’s commitment to protecting patients and prosecuting those who try to victimize them.”
“Driven by greed, dishonest operators of substance abuse treatment centers have invaded Southern California, but a coalition of law enforcement entities have responded forcefully,” said U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison for the Central District of California. “These corrupt individuals pay illegal kickbacks to obtain insured patients whose health plans pay generous benefits intended to cover legitimate treatments and tests. While many recovery facilities offer much-needed services to addicts, those targeted in this sweep take advantage of our nation’s opioid crisis by fueling a patient-selling network more interested in generating profits than giving help to vulnerable people.”
“The defendants in these cases were more interested in extracting profits and exploiting patients than helping those in need,” said Acting Assistant Director Jay Greenberg of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Kickback schemes undermine the integrity of our health care system by rewarding a focus on profits over patient care. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting America’s health care system and the citizens relying on it.”
“It is unconscionable when owners and operators of substance abuse facilities abuse the systems designed to help patients recover from addiction,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy K. Parker of the Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG). “We are extremely proud of our dedicated staff and federal law enforcement partner’s commitment to pursuing improper and illegal conduct that places vulnerable health care consumers at risk.”
“The suspects in this case specifically targeted vulnerable individuals in recovery and sold them as a commodity with no concern for their health or wellbeing,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Receiving kickbacks for patient referrals endangers lives and has no place in our health care system.”
Case Summaries
- According to court documents on Dec. 16, Nick Roshdieh, 51, of Aliso Viejo, California, and Vincent Bindi, 66, of Laguna Nigel, California, owned Crest Recovery LLC, dba Truvida Recovery (Truvida), and were arrested after being charged by indictment on Dec. 15 with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. Donald Vawter, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, was an employee of Truvida and was charged in the indictment with conspiring to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility and paying kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility. Michael Hislop, 56, of Boston, Massachusetts, a patient recruiter, was also charged in the indictment with conspiracy to offer and pay kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility and receiving kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility. If convicted, Roshdieh and Bindi face a maximum total penalty of 65 years in prison, and Vawter and Hislop face a maximum total penalty of 35 years in prison. The cases are being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alexandra Michael of the Los Angeles Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Kong of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
- Casey Mahoney, 45, of Los Angeles, and Joseph Parkinson, 32, formerly of Costa Mesa, California, were charged by indictment on Oct. 6 for a multimillion-dollar addiction treatment kickback scheme. According to court documents, Mahoney controlled Healing Path Detox LLC and Get Real Recovery Inc., addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, and allegedly paid approximately $2.7 million in kickbacks paid to Parkinson and other patient recruiters in exchange for addiction treatment patient referrals. Mahoney is charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, and money laundering for fraudulently transferring kickback funds to an account held in the name of a patient broker’s mother. Parkinson, a patient recruiter, was charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, currency structuring, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, Mahoney faces a maximum total penalty of 35 years in prison and Parkinson faces a maximum total penalty of 165 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
- Darius Moore, 28, formerly of Santa Ana, California, was charged by complaint on March 29, and later by indictment on April 28, with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Moore, a patient recruiter, referred patients to multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, in exchange for kickback payments from the facilities and was paid not less than $488,500 in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services. On Dec. 10, Moore pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of 15 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
- Adrian Gonzalez, 37, of Laguna Hills, California, was charged by information on June 25, with paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Gonzalez controlled Stone Ridge Recovery Inc. and Landmark Recovery LLC, addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, and paid at least $1,080,000 in kickbacks to patient recruiters for the referral of addiction treatment patients to Gonzalez’s facilities. On Aug. 6, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
- Dorian Ballough, 30, formerly of Costa Mesa, California, was charged by information on July 30 with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Ballough acted as a patient recruiter for multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, for which Ballough was paid at least $1.8 million in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services. On Nov. 12, Ballough pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 8, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of 15 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
- Kyle Reed, 29, formerly of Huntington Beach, California, was charged by information on July 30, with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, the charges relate to Reed’s role as a patient recruiter for multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, for which Reed was paid at least $604,474 in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services. On Nov.19, Reed pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of 15 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence for the defendants after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Sober Homes Initiative in Southern California is led by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Los Angeles Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and was coordinated by Assistant Chief Niall O’Donnell of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Benjamin Barron, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Santa Ana Branch Office.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office, OPM-OIG, and the California Department of Insurance are investigating the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Announces Series of Cases to Combat Addiction Treatment Kickback Schemes in Orange CountyRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Over the past 10 months, the Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against 10 defendants – four of whom were taken into custody today – for kickback schemes at substance abuse treatment facilities in Orange County.
The defendants in these cases charged as a result of The Sober Homes Initiative are substance abuse facility owners and patient recruiters who allegedly, among other things, provided kickback payments for the referral of patients to substance abuse treatment facilities, recovery homes or laboratories. These facility owners allegedly assigned a value to patients depending on the type of insurance the patients had, and then paid patient recruiters kickbacks for each patient the recruiters referred to their addiction treatment facilities. The recruiters allegedly received recurring payments for each month the patients continued to receive purported services from the facilities.
“Driven by greed, dishonest operators of substance abuse treatment centers have invaded Southern California, but a coalition of law enforcement entities have responded forcefully,” said U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. “These corrupt individuals pay illegal kickbacks to obtain insured patients whose health plans pay generous benefits intended to cover legitimate treatments and tests. While many recovery facilities offer much-needed services to addicts, those targeted in this sweep take advantage of our nation’s opioid crisis by fueling a patient-selling network more interested in generating profits than giving help to vulnerable people.”
“These cases reflect the continued efforts of the Department of Justice to combat fraud by substance abuse treatment facilities and patient recruiters,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These schemes take advantage of vulnerable members of our society – addiction patients seeking help. These cases illustrate, the government’s commitment to protecting patients and prosecuting those who try to victimize them.”
“Fraudulent kickbacks in the substance abuse treatment field create perverse incentives for patient recruiters that oftentimes leave addicts in a toxic cycle of drug use and treatment,” said Kristi K. Johnson, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is committed to fighting fraud in the healthcare system so that those struggling with addiction can find legitimate care and encourages patients and employees to report kickback schemes.”
“It is unconscionable when owners and operators of substance abuse facilities abuse the systems designed to help patients recover from addiction,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy K. Parker of the Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG). “We are extremely proud of our dedicated staff and federal law enforcement partner’s commitment to pursuing improper and illegal conduct that places vulnerable health care consumers at risk.”
“The suspects in this case specifically targeted vulnerable individuals in recovery and sold them as a commodity with no concern for their health or wellbeing,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Receiving kickbacks for patient referrals endangers lives and has no place in our health care system.”
Cases charged as a result of The Sober Homes Initiative
- Nick Roshdieh, 51, of Aliso Viejo, and Vincent Bindi, 66, of Laguna Nigel, who owned Crest Recovery LLC (dba Truvida Recovery), were arrested this morning on charges contained in an indictment that allege conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities.
- Donald Vawter, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita, an employee of Truvida, was also taken into custody today and was charged in the indictment with conspiring to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility and paying kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility.
- Michael Hislop, 56, of Boston, Massachusetts, a patient recruiter, also was taken into custody today pursuant to charges in the same indictment that allege conspiracy to offer and pay kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility and receiving kickbacks for referrals to a substance abuse treatment facility.
If convicted, Roshdieh and Bindi would face a maximum total penalty of 65 years in prison, and Vawter and Hislop would face a maximum total penalty of 35 years in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Kong of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Trial Attorney Alexandra Michael of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
- Casey Mahoney, 45, of Los Angeles, and Joseph Parkinson, 32, formerly of Costa Mesa, were indicted in October in a multimillion-dollar addiction treatment kickback scheme. According to court documents, Mahoney controlled Healing Path Detox LLC and Get Real Recovery Inc., addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, and allegedly paid approximately $2.7 million in kickbacks paid to Parkinson and other patient recruiters in exchange for addiction treatment patient referrals.
Mahoney is charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, and money laundering for fraudulently transferring kickback funds to an account held in the name of a patient broker’s mother. Parkinson, a patient recruiter, was charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities, currency structuring, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
If convicted, Mahoney would face a maximum total penalty of 35 years in prison, and Parkinson would face a maximum total penalty of 165 years in prison.
- Darius Moore, 28, formerly of Santa Ana, was charged by complaint on March 29, and later by indictment on April 28, with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Moore, a patient recruiter, referred patients to multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County in exchange for kickback payments from the facilities. Moore allegedly received not less than $488,500 in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services.
Moore pleaded guilty on December 10 to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2022, at which time he will face a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
- Adrian Gonzalez, 37, of Laguna Hills, was charged by information on June 25, with paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Gonzalez controlled Stone Ridge Recovery Inc. and Landmark Recovery LLC, addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, and paid at least $1,080,000 in kickbacks to patient recruiters for the referral of addiction treatment patients to Gonzalez’s facilities.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty on August 6 to paying kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2022, at which time he will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
- Dorian Ballough, 30, formerly of Costa Mesa, was charged by information on July 30 with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, Ballough acted as a patient recruiter for multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, for which Ballough was paid at least $1.8 million in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services.
Ballough pleaded guilty on November 12 to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 8, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of 15 years in prison.
- Kyle Reed, 29, formerly of Huntington Beach, was charged by information on July 30, with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. According to court documents, the charges relate to Reed’s role as a patient recruiter for multiple addiction treatment facilities in Orange County, for which Reed was paid at least $604,474 in kickbacks in exchange for his referral of patients for purported addiction treatment services.
Reed pleaded guilty on November 19 to one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities and one count of receiving kickbacks for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of 15 years in prison.
All of the cases, with the exception of the Truvida-related matter, are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, Chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, and Trial Attorney Justin Givens of the Los Angeles Strike Force.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence for the defendants after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Sober Homes Initiative in Southern California is led by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Los Angeles Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The initiative was coordinated by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Barron and Assistant Chief Niall O’Donnell of the Health Care Fraud Unit.
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, OPM-OIG, and the California Department of Insurance are investigating the cases announced today.
An indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Jury Convicts KC Man of Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man has been convicted by a federal trial jury of illegally possessing a firearm.
Jovell L. Swopes, 43, was found guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 15, of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Swopes sold 2.7 grams of marijuana to an undercover Kansas City, Mo., police officer on July 31, 2019. He was pulled over afterward and placed under arrest. Officers searched the vehicle Swopes was driving and found a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol on the front passenger seat. Officers found a Glock magazine that contained 21 .40-caliber rounds inside a fanny pack on the rear floorboard of the vehicle.
At the time of his arrest, Swopes was on supervised release after serving almost four years in federal prison for a conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. In addition to his prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Swopes has prior felony convictions for assault, armed criminal action, sale of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for five hours before returning a guilty verdict on this count to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, Dec. 13.
Under federal statutes, Swopes is subject to a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth W. Borgnino and David A. Barnes. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Jury Convicts Jefferson City Man for Illegally Possessing Firearm Used to Shoot Another PersonRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Missouri, man has been convicted by a federal jury of illegally possessing the firearm he used to shoot another person during an argument.
Dana Ray Day, Jr., 31, was found guilty at trial on Wednesday, Dec. 15, of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On Sept. 15, 2018, Day got into an argument with another man after hitting his car. Day pulled out a Taurus .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun and shot the other man, who was not armed, twice – in the chest and the groin. The shooting victim ran to a nearby apartment and the resident called 911 for him. Day fled from the scene of the shooting.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Day has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, domestic assault, assault, and resisting arrest.
The Taurus handgun, which had been purchased by another person and given to Day, was later recovered during a homicide investigation by the Chicago, Illinois, Police Department. The shell casing was entered into the NIBIN database, and matched the shell casing recovered from the scene of the Sept. 15, 2018, shooting in Jefferson City.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for an hour and 15 minutes before returning a guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, ending a two-day trial that began Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Under federal statutes, Swopes is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be held on May 19, 2022.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Johnstown Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years in prison and 6 years supervised release on his conviction of distributing crack cocaine. United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Clarence M. Cosby, 39.
According to information presented to the court, on or about July 15, 2017, Cosby distributed less than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Ms. Chung commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Cosby.
Jackson Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
According to court records, Cedric Kyle, 48, sold suspected heroin to an individual on May 7, 2020. The drugs were analyzed by the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory and confirmed to be 56.8 grams of fentanyl.
Kyle pled guilty on July 14, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. 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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Jackson Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keesha Middleton.
Hampton man pleads guilty to seeking fraudulent IRS COVID reliefRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Robert Ward, who filed a false Form 7200 with the IRS, has pleaded guilty to a charge of filing a false claim with the United States.
“Unfortunately, criminals continue to take advantage of the broad COVID relief measures available to assist in this time of crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We are committed to the prosecution of those who seek to enrich themselves by defrauding the government.”
“This COVID pandemic has brought out the best in some people, while bringing out the worst in others,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey. “This case is one of many examples of the pandemic bringing out the worst in people. IRS-CI remains committed to investigating and recommending prosecution of anyone attempting to exploit COVID relief programs.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Ward filed a fraudulent Form 7200 with the IRS claiming advance payment of employer credits of $627,326. He falsely claimed to have a business with 50 employees and to have paid over $450,000 in quarterly wages. In reality, his business was a sole proprietorship, and he was not entitled to the advance payment of credits.
When used legitimately, a Form 7200 allows an employer to request an advance payment of employer credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave related to COVID-19.
Robert Ward, 35, of Hampton, Georgia, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Guilty pleas entered and HISD official indicted in federal corruption probeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The former chief operating officer of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) has been indicted along with another individual, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Several other former HISD officials have also admitted their guilt in the same corruption case.
Law enforcement took former chief operating officer Brian Busby, 43, and HISD contract vendor Anthony Hutchison, 60, both of Houston, into custody today. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison at 2 p.m.
“This investigation and resulting indictments reflect my office’s commitment to rooting out public corruption in the Southern District of Texas,” said Lowery. “We will not stand idly by when there are people in positions of trust who are suspected of such wrongdoing. We will consider any matter our law enforcement partners bring us involving suspected fraud, waste and abuse of power by those in whom we have placed our faith and confidence and work to hold them accountable.”
A federal grand jury returned the indictment Dec. 14, which was unsealed today. Previously filed was a plea agreement former HISD Board of Education president Rhonda Skillern-Jones, 39, Houston, had entered as well as plea agreements by other former HISD officials. Those officials included Derrick Sanders, 50, Missouri City, officer of construction services; Alfred Hoskins, 58, Missouri City, general manager of facilities, maintenance and operations; Gerron Hall, 47, Missouri City, area manager for maintenance (south); and Luis Tovar, 39, Huffman, area manager for maintenance (north).
“Today's arrests and related charges are the result of a lengthy, multifaceted FBI Houston investigation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard A. Collodi.” Houston taxpayers and the thousands of HISD students, along with their teachers and staff, are the potential victims of this alleged multimillion-dollar public corruption scheme. The FBI will continue to work to hold accountable public officials who fail the citizens of their community by accepting bribes, and those who pay bribes.”
“The indictment of these two individuals alleges the misuse of their positions of trust within our education system,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI). “IRS-CI special agents are committed to protecting the integrity of our system of taxation by investigating individuals who violate the tax laws and related financial crimes.”
The 26-count indictment charges Busby and Hutchison with conspiring to engage in a bribery scheme. Busby allegedly helped award HISD construction and grounds maintenance contracts to Hutchison in return for cash bribes and hundreds of thousands of dollars in home remodeling.
According to the indictment, Hoskins, Sanders, Hall, Tovar and Skillern-Jones conspired with Busby and Hutchison to accept bribes from Hutchison for helping to award, or not interfering in the award of, HISD contracts to Hutchison.
Operating as Southwest Wholesale, Hutchison allegedly entered long-term contracts with HISD to provide grounds maintenance to schools. The indictment alleges that from 2011 to 2020, Hutchison systematically overbilled HISD and inflated bills for services, causing millions of dollars in loss to the school district. Hutchison paid a portion of his fraudulently boosted profits to Busby in the form of cash payments and free home remodeling, according to the charges.
According to the indictment, Hutchison also obtained purchase orders for construction, repair, landscaping and maintenance jobs at particular HISD schools. Hutchison obtained these jobs by paying cash bribes, mostly in the form of kickbacks, to HISD personnel who assisted him in obtaining business with HISD, according to the charges. Those allegedly included Busby, Sanders, Hoskins, Hall, Tovar and Skillern-Jones.
According to the indictment, once Busby and Hutchison learned of the federal criminal probe, they took steps to interfere in the investigation.
Sanders, Hoskins, Hall and Tovar have admitted they helped award, or refrained from interfering in the award of, HISD jobs to Hutchison, typically at Busby’s insistence. As part of her plea, Skillern-Jones admitted that, in return for bribe payments from Hutchison, she caused an expenditure of funds for school landscaping and construction projects to be placed on a 2017 HISD Board agenda and voted to approve it. They were eventually awarded to Hutchison. In her plea agreement, she admitted Busby personally delivered thousands of dollars in bribe payments to her from Hutchison.
During execution of search warrants in 2020 at the homes of Busby and Hutchison, authorities allegedly discovered over $186,000 in cash. The indictment gives notice of the government’s intent to forfeit these sums as proceeds of the charged crimes.
Busby and Hutchison are charged with conspiracy, bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and witness tampering. Hutchison is further charged with wire fraud. If convicted, they face up to five, 10 and 20 years, respectively, for the conspiracy, bribery and witness tampering charges. Hutchison also faces up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud.
Hoskins, Sanders, Hall, Tovar and Skillern-Jones have pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges. They face up to five years in prison.
All of the charges also carry a $250,000 maximum possible fine.
The FBI and the IRS - Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Robert S. Johnson is prosecuting the case. AUSA Kristine Rollinson is handling forfeiture matters.
Busby and Hutchison are presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
The FBI requests any information the public may have about this scheme or other public corruption crimes affecting the greater Houston community and surrounding areas. Anyone with such information may report it at [email protected] or may submit the information anonymously by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at Tips.FBI.gov.
Greensboro Drug Dealer Who Shot GCSO Deputy Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - A Greensboro resident was sentenced on December 14, 2021, in federal court in Winston-Salem for drug and firearm offenses, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
IVORY JOE TISDALE, age 59, pleaded guilty on June 14, 2021, to knowingly possessing with intent to distribute approximately 146 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, and to knowingly carrying and using, by discharging, a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber handgun during and in relation to the charged drug offense. A factual basis proffered at the change of plea hearing established that on December 10, 2019, shortly after 7:00 a.m., deputies from the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 1017 Moody Street in Greensboro, North Carolina. During the execution of that warrant TISDALE discharged a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber handgun through the front door of the home, striking a deputy in the hand and causing serious injury. Other deputies were able to render the scene safe for the subsequent execution of the warrant. From the home (and from the search of a related business at 3700 Spring Garden Street, Suite B, Greensboro, North Carolina) deputies recovered a total of approximately 146 grams of cocaine hydrochloride.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder sentenced TISDALE to a total of 200 months in federal prison. In addition to the prison time, TISDALE was ordered to serve concurrent three-year and five-year terms of supervised release and to pay a special assessment of $200.00. Restitution was also ordered to the deputy TISDALE shot.
The case was investigated by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Veronica L. Edmisten and Clifton T. Barrett.
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Government Obtains Settlement for Injunctive Relief and Millions in Consumer Redress from MyLife.com and CEO Jeffrey TinsleyRead the Press Release
Online background report company MyLife.com Inc. (MyLife) and its founder and chief executive officer, Jeffrey Tinsley, have agreed to pay $21 million in consumer redress and to injunctive relief that would require them to comply with the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in all current and future business activities. The agreement follows an order issued by a federal district court in the Central District of California on Oct. 19, awarding partial summary judgment to the government. That order found that MyLife violated the FTC Act, the TSR and ROSCA; that MyLife was liable for $33.9 million in consumer redress; and that injunctive relief would be appropriate to prevent further violations of these laws.
In the complaint filed on July 27, 2020, the government alleged that the defendants sold subscriptions to their website’s consumer background report service by implying, often falsely, that individuals had criminal records that could be viewed only by buying a subscription. According to the complaint, the defendants also misrepresented or failed to disclose material terms of those subscriptions, including that payment for multiple months was charged upfront, that subscriptions would automatically renew, and that the subscription or automatic renewal could be cancelled only by calling a customer service center that prevented or discouraged cancellations. The complaint also alleged that defendants were violating FCRA because they promoted use of their background reports, and knew consumers used the reports, for employment decisions, tenant screening or other prohibited purposes, but they lacked reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of their background reports or to determine who was using them and why. For all claims, the government sought civil penalties, consumer redress and injunctive relief from both MyLife and Tinsley.
“The Department of Justice and the FTC work hard to protect consumers from deceptive sales practices like those at issue here,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This is a win for consumers, who should not be subjected to misleading statements and marketing tactics.”
“MyLife lured consumers into hard-to-cancel negative-option subscriptions by preying on fears that MyLife’s reports would harm their reputations or ability to find jobs or housing,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “These extortionary tactics broke the law, and MyLife and its CEO have been banned from negative option marketing and ordered to clean up their practices.”
After filing the complaint, the government substantially prevailed on a motion for summary judgment. In particular, the court found that MyLife engaged in deceptive acts in violation of the FTC Act by misleading consumers with representations that millions of individuals have arrest or criminal records, even though MyLife lacked information to substantiate those claims. The court also found that MyLife violated the TSR by engaging in sales calls with consumers that failed to disclose material terms and conditions of a MyLife subscription, such as its automatic renewal feature. The court further found that MyLife violated ROSCA by failing to provide a simple cancellation mechanism for consumers whose subscriptions automatically renewed. The court also granted the government’s request for consumer redress, concluding that a total redress award of $33.9 million was appropriate for MyLife’s TSR and ROSCA violations.
Following the court’s summary judgment ruling, MyLife and Tinsley agreed to the stipulated order entered today by the court, which imposes significant prohibitions on them and any other present or future companies they own or control. The provisions bar MyLife and Tinsley from misrepresenting consumers’ legal backgrounds and expressly prohibit them from stating directly or by implication that a traffic citation is a criminal or arrest record. The order also bans MyLife and Tinsley from using a negative-option automatic renewal feature in their current and future business activities. The order includes 20-year compliance and reporting requirements.
The order also includes a $33.9 million total judgment against MyLife and Tinsley, representing the entire amount of consumer redress sought by the government and found appropriate by the court on summary judgment. Tinsley will personally pay $5 million of this sum, with MyLife liable for the remainder. The amount MyLife will pay will be suspended to $16 million, with the suspension to be lifted, if the court finds that either defendant materially misrepresented their financial status or if MyLife fails to make its required payments.
The case was handled by attorneys in the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, including Senior Litigation Counsel Patrick Runkle and Claude Scott, Trial Attorneys Zachary Dietert, Rachel Baron and Zachary Cowan, and Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao, in conjunction with Andrea Arias, Jamie Elliott Hine, Whitney Moore and Robert Schoshinski at the FTC Division of Privacy and Identity Protection.
Former West Hollywood Doctor and Company Associated with 1-800-GET-THIN Guilty of Massive Fraud Against Health InsurersRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former doctor and his company were found guilty today by a federal jury of scheming to defraud private insurance companies and the Tricare health care program for military service members by fraudulently submitting an estimated $355 million in claims related to the 1-800-GET-THIN Lap-Band surgery business.
Julian Omidi, 53, of West Hollywood, and an Omidi-controlled Beverly Hills-based company, Surgery Center Management LLC (SCM), were found guilty of 28 counts of wire fraud and three counts of mail fraud. Omidi also was found guilty of two counts of making false statements relating to health care matters, one count of aggravated identity theft and two counts of money laundering. Omidi and SCM were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to evidence presented at his three-month trial, Omidi, a physician whose license was revoked in 2009, controlled, in part, the GET THIN network of entities, including SCM, that focused on the promotion and performance of Lap-Band weight-loss surgeries. Omidi established procedures requiring prospective Lap-Band patients – even those with insurance plans he knew would never cover Lap-Band surgery – to have at least one sleep study, and employees were incentivized with commissions to make sure the studies occurred.
Omidi used the sleep studies to find a reason – the “co-morbidity” of obstructive sleep apnea – that GET THIN would use to convince the patient’s insurance company to pre-approve the Lap-Band procedure.
After patients underwent sleep studies – irrespective of whether any doctor had ever determined the study was medically necessary – GET THIN employees, acting at Omidi’s direction, often falsified the results. Omidi then used the falsified sleep study results in support of GET THIN’s pre-authorization requests for Lap-Band surgery.
Relying on the false sleep studies – as well as other false information, including patients’ weights – insurance companies authorized payment for some of the proposed Lap-Band surgeries. GET THIN received an estimated $41 million for the Lap-Band procedures.
Even if the insurance company did not authorize the surgery, GET THIN still was able to submit bills for approximately $15,000 for each sleep study, receiving an estimated $27 million in payments for these claims. The insurance payments were deposited into bank accounts associated with the GET THIN entities.
The victim health care benefit programs include Tricare, Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Health Net, Operating Engineers Health and Welfare Trust Fund, and others.
Prosecutors estimate Omidi’s total fraudulent billings at approximately $355 million.
United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee has scheduled an April 6, 2022 sentencing hearing, at which time Omidi will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering counts, as well as a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
In 2014, the government seized more than $110 million in funds and securities from accounts held by individuals and entities involved in the criminal scheme, including Omidi. The government is seeking forfeiture of some or all those funds in the criminal case, and intends to pursue civil forfeiture of some or all of the assets.
The criminal case against corporate defendant Independent Medical Services Inc., another company controlled in part by Omidi, has been severed from this litigation and stayed.
Co-defendant Dr. Mirali Zarrabi, 59, of Beverly Hills, was acquitted of all charges.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the FBI; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; IRS Criminal Investigation; and the California Department of Insurance investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen A. Williams, Ali Moghaddas, David H. Chao of the Major Frauds Section, David C. Lachman of the General Crimes Section, and James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture Section are prosecuting this case.
Former Teacher Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Recording Inappropriate Video of his StudentsRead the Press Release
A former Bixby High School teacher who was caught using his cell phone to illegally record underneath a female student’s skirt and later admitted to doing the same to multiple other unidentified students was sentenced Thursday in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. A fellow student saw Byrd filming the female student and immediately reported the crime.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Jason Scott Byrd, 46, of Jenks, to 60 months in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release. Byrd was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim and a $5,000 special assessment that will go to a victim assistance fund for child pornography and human trafficking victims.
The identified victim addressed both the Court and the defendant, describing the heavy mental toll the events had taken on her. She said that Byrd “did not have to physically touch me to hurt me… I was raised my entire life thinking school was a safe place where I could grow and prosper. He took away my love for school and my trust for people of higher authority.”
In addition to grappling with the betrayal of trust, she stated that she also had to deal with hurtful comments and speculation on social media shortly after Byrd was arrested. The victim said she felt very alone.
“Jason Byrd’s despicable crimes violated the trust of the Bixby community and the students he served,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Two young people are to be commended for their roles in helping to bring this defendant to justice- the young man who saw and reported the crime and the identified victim who bravely spoke at today’s sentencing. I am proud of their courage. They, along with law enforcement and federal prosecutor Chris Nassar, stopped Byrd from continuing his predatory acts against countless students at Bixby High.”
In August, Byrd pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography; video voyeurism in Indian Country; and obstruction of justice by corruptly destroying records, documents, or other objects.
On Aug. 25, 2020, Byrd was observed walking closely behind the victim holding his iPhone underneath the victim’s skirt for several seconds. The witness noticed the red recording square and timer on the screen, indicating the phone was actively recording. The video was taken in a stairwell as students were returning to class after a fire drill. The witness reported the incident to two Bixby Police Department school resource officers. The victim was unaware she was being recorded.
Following the reported incident, Byrd was brought to a school office and held until law enforcement could question him, but he was briefly left unattended with his phone. Byrd admitted that when he saw law enforcement, he began deleting photographs and video, making them unrecoverable.
When questioned, Byrd initially denied the allegations but then indicated he was sorry and that he had a problem. He admitted to taking the video of the victim, as well as taking several similar photos or videos of other students over the past year. He said those photos and videos were taken using the same cell phone.
In a plea agreement, Byrd admitted that between Aug. 1, 2019, and Aug. 25, 2020, he intentionally attempted to use a camera to record and receive images of the victim and other students’ pubic areas. He further admitted that he captured those private images without their consent and under circumstances in which the individuals had a reasonable expectation of privacy. He further stated that on Aug. 25, 2020, he knowingly destroyed evidence on his phone so it would be unusable in a trial.
The crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation reservation. Bryd, a Cherokee Nation citizen, started teaching at Bixby High School in 2008.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Bixby Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Mayor of Aguas Buenas Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes in Exchange for Ten Year Municipal ContractRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – The former mayor of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, Luis Arroyo- Chiqués, pleaded guilty today in Puerto Rico to engaging in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments in exchange for awarding a 10-year municipal contract for waste collection services.
Luis Arroyo-Chiqués, 56, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Aguas Buenas from 2005 until 2016. In 2016, Arroyo-Chiqués negotiated a waste collection contract for Company A. In exchange for the 10-year waste collection contract, Arroyo-Chiqués received a monthly $5,000 kickback payment. This payment was made in cash every month beginning in 2016 and continued even after Arroyo-Chiqués left office in December 2016. The last payment occurred in June of 2021.
Arroyo-Chiqués pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a bribery scheme. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon and Scott H. Anderson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico as well as the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.
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Former Long Island Doctor Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Causing the Overdose Deaths of Two Patients and Illegally Distributing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Michael Belfiore, a former medical doctor, was sentenced by United States Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco to 23 years in prison for the illegal distribution of oxycodone causing the deaths of two patients and the illegal distribution of oxycodone to those patients and to an undercover detective. In addition, Belfiore was ordered to forfeit $7,270 in illegal fees that he took from the two deceased patients and the undercover detective and to pay $17,000 in restitution based upon costs associated with the overdose deaths that he caused. Belfiore was convicted of the charges by a federal jury in May 2018 following a five-week trial. Belfiore’s medical license has lapsed and he is no longer practicing medicine.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Keith Kruskall, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the sentence.
“In violation of his oath to do no harm, Belfiore intentionally distributed highly addictive and potentially lethal opioids in dosages and quantities that resulted in the overdose deaths of two of his patients,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that this Office and its law enforcement partners will fight the opioid epidemic and seek serious punishment for medical professionals like Belfiore who betray their profession and use their prescription pads to further addiction, rather than as a tool to heal. I want to extend my sincere thanks to DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad, who tenaciously investigated this case.”
“During the midst of an opioid epidemic, the defendant chose to use his education and medical training to do harm, and at the expense of two of his patients’ lives,” stated DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kruskall. “DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to seek justice for the victims who have been betrayed and have suffered greatly at that hands of those who were trusted with their health and wellbeing.”
Belfiore, a former doctor of osteopathic medicine who primarily operated out of an office in Merrick, New York, illegally distributed oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Oxycodone is a powerful and highly addictive drug that is increasingly abused because of its potency when crushed into a powder and ingested. It is a controlled substance that may be dispensed by medical professionals only to patients suffering from significant pain that is documented through medical exams, diagnostic testing—such as x-rays and MRIs—and other objective proof. Although oxycodone is commonly prescribed in five milligram tablets, the trial evidence showed that Belfiore wrote thousands of 30 milligram prescriptions for oxycodone in quantities of up to 180 pills per month.
At trial, the evidence established that on February 28, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 120 30 mg oxycodone pills to 42-year-old Edward Martin. On March 5, Mr. Martin overdosed and died in his bed after snorting the oxycodone obtained from Belfiore’s prescription. On April 12, 2013, Belfiore gave an illegal prescription for 150 30 mg oxycodone pills to 32-year-old John Ubaghs. On April 13, 2013, Mr. Ubaghs was found unresponsive after overdosing on oxycodone prescribed by Belfiore, and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Between March 2013 and August 2013, Belfiore intentionally dispensed six prescriptions of oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose to an undercover detective with the NCPD’s Narcotics Vice Squad. Belfiore created fake medical charts to justify those prescriptions and during office meetings with the undercover detective, Belfiore’s “treatment” consisted of a discussion of the defendant’s trip to San Diego and his interest in helicopters, yachts and cigarette boats.
The case was investigated by the DEA’s Long Island Tactical Diversion Squad comprising agents and officers of the DEA, NCPD, Suffolk County Police Department, Port Washington Police Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles N. Rose and Bradley T. King are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
MICHAEL BELFIORE
Age: 58
Westbury, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-CR-242 (JFB)
Former Indian Health Service Doctor Sentenced to 120 Months of Imprisonment for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Wagner, South Dakota, man formerly employed as a physician at the Wagner Indian Health Service Clinic was sentenced on five counts of Abusive Sexual Contact on December 13, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Pedro Ibarra-Perocier, age 60, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $35,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $500.
Ibarra-Perocier was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 4, 2020. He pled guilty to five counts of Abusive Sexual Contact on August 26, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from several incidents that occurred between approximately February 2007 and August 2018, when Ibarra-Perocier was a licensed physician practicing at the Wagner Indian Health Service Clinic and sexually abused five Native American women who came to see him at the clinic for medical appointments. Ibarra-Perocier frequently locked the door to the examination room before he sexually abused those women. Ibarra-Perocier often touched and rubbed their breasts and genitals, either directly or through their clothing, without their consent and when there was no medical reason to do so. Ibarra-Perocier also forced some of his victims to touch his genitals, either directly or through his clothing. Ibarra-Perocier threatened or placed some of them in fear that they would not receive the medications or medical care they needed unless they complied with his sexual demands in the clinic examination rooms.
“Dr. Ibarra-Perocier abused his position of trust as a physician to sexually abuse five Native American women—his patients—all in the examination rooms at the Indian Health Service Clinic where he practiced,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Dennis Holmes. “Because these five women bravely came forward, this predator was held accountable for his actions.”
“Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant will not be in a position to harm his patients any longer, and women in the community can once again seek medical care without fear of becoming a victim,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “Every medical professional takes an oath to do no harm, and I want to thank the FBI agents and analysts who worked side by side with the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Inspector General to ensure that the defendant was held accountable for his actions and that his victims received the justice they deserved.”
“Dr. Ibarra-Perocier’s actions were unconscionable— he violated his position of trust to abuse vulnerable patients at an Indian Health Service clinic and threatened to withhold needed medical care if his victims did not comply. These illegal acts will never be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller of HHS Office of Inspector General. “We remain committed to aggressively investigating corrupt health professionals and protecting patients across the country.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Ibarra-Perocier has been allowed to self-surrender to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons by January 10, 2022.
Former Defense Contractor Arrested for Attempted EspionageRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams and Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division announced that John Murray Rowe, Jr., 63, of Lead, South Dakota, a former employee of multiple cleared defense contractors, was arrested in South Dakota for attempting to communicate classified national defense information to aid a foreign government.
The defendant was charged by a criminal complaint that was unsealed and made public today upon Rowe’s arrest in the District of South Dakota. According to the complaint, Rowe, who is originally from Massachusetts, was employed for nearly 40 years as a test engineer for multiple security cleared defense contractors. In connection with his employment, the defendant held various national security clearances from SECRET to TOP SECRET//SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) and worked on matters relating to the U.S. Air Force’s aerospace technology, among other things. After committing a number of security violations and revealing a fervent interest in Russian affairs, including asking whether he could obtain a security clearance from the Russian government, Rowe was identified as a potential insider threat and terminated from employment.
Based on his conduct, the FBI began an undercover operation to determine the defendant’s willingness to communicate classified information to a foreign government. In March 2020, Rowe met with an FBI employee operating in a covert capacity and posing as an agent of the Russian government. Over the course of the next eight months, Rowe exchanged over 300 emails with the purported Russian agent, confirming his willingness to work for the Russian government and discussing his knowledge of classified information relating to U.S. national security and military interests. In one email, Rowe explained, “If I can’t get a job here then I’ll go work for the other team.” In another email, Rowe disclosed national defense information classified as SECRET that concerned specific operating details of the electronic countermeasure systems used by U.S. military fighter jets.
Rowe will make his initial appearance in federal court on these charges in South Dakota tomorrow. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Wolfe and Justice Department Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lead Police Department in South Dakota, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, the U.S. Air Fore Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office and Rapid City Resident Agency.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Defense Contractor Arrested for Attempted EspionageRead the Press Release
A South Dakota man was arrested last night in Lead, South Dakota, on criminal charges related to his alleged espionage attempts.
According to court documents, John Murray Rowe Jr., 63, of Lead, attempted to provide classified national defense information to the Russian government. According to the complaint, Rowe, who is originally from Massachusetts, was employed for nearly 40 years as a test engineer for multiple cleared defense contractors. In connection with his employment, Rowe held various national security clearances from SECRET to TOP SECRET//SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) and worked on matters relating to the U.S. Air Force’s aerospace technology, among other things. After committing a number of security violations and revealing a fervent interest in Russian affairs, including whether he could obtain a security clearance from the Russian government, Rowe was identified as a potential insider threat and terminated from employment.
Based on his conduct, FBI began an undercover operation to determine Rowe’s willingness to communicate classified information to a foreign government. In March 2020, Rowe met with an undercover FBI employee who posed as an agent of the Russian government. Over the course of the next eight months, Rowe exchanged over 300 emails with the purported Russian agent, confirming his willingness to work for the Russian government and discussing his knowledge of classified information relating to U.S. national security and military interests. In one email, Rowe explained, “If I can’t get a job here then I’ll go work for the other team.” In another email, Rowe disclosed national defense information classified as SECRET that concerned specific operating details of the electronic countermeasure systems used by U.S. military fighter jets.
Rowe is charged with attempting to communicate national defense information to aid a foreign government and will make his initial court appearance in the District of South Dakota on Friday. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Williams for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Lead Police Department in South Dakota.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wolfe for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office and Rapid City Resident Agency.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Floyd County Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A Prestonsburg, Ky., man, James A. Newsome, 46, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to distribution of methamphetamine and a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to Newsome’s plea agreement, on October 20, 2020, he admitted to selling over six grams of methamphetamine and one gram of a fentanyl-laced heroin mixture, to a confidential informant, from his residence. During the transaction, Newsome removed a .45 caliber firearm, from under the pillow on his bed; he proceeded to remove the safety pin from the gun, to show the informant the gun; and he appeared to place a round in the chamber.
Newsome was indicted in August 2021.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Randy Woods, Prestonsburg Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Prestonsburg Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Rabold.
Newsome’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled. For the drug charge, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. For the firearm charge, he faces a minimum of five years, up to life, to run consecutively to the other charge. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Fairview felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of 47 firearmsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Fairview man who was convicted by a jury of being a felon in possession of firearms after law enforcement found 47 firearms at his residence was sentenced on Dec. 15 to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
A jury found Lonnie Burdette Porter, 60, guilty of felon in possession of firearms in July after a two-day trial.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Court documents filed by the government alleged that Porter was convicted of a felony in 2019 in Montana state district court in Richland County, was placed on probation and was prohibited from possessing firearms. In September 2020, Porter visited the Fairview Police Department to report that several guns had been stolen from the “vault” in his home while he was in Hawaii. Porter provided a list of 55 guns that had been in his home prior to him leaving for Hawaii. At that time, Porter acknowledged he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his probation. Later that day, two probation officers and a police officer searched Porter’s home. When officers approached Porter, he mentioned it was poor timing for a home visit because he had firearms in his possession. A hole in the floor under Porter’s dryer led law enforcement to his “vault,” which contained a significant number of firearms. Additional guns were located elsewhere in the house, including a loaded gun in the kitchen, and later recovered. In total, Porter possessed 47 firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich and Thomas K. Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fairview Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Everett Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Everett man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Andrew Lunn, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and four counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for April 27, 2022. Lunn was initially indicted in September 2020 and was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment on May 5, 2021 along with three co-conspirators.
According to the charging documents, in or about October 2019 through in or about September 2020, Lunn and others conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Everett and Boston areas.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years 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.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Erie Felon Indicted on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Djimon Dapree Johnson, 23, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about October 20, 2021, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute more than forty grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. In addition, Johnson possessed firearms while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm.
The law provides for a maximum total of 50 years in prison, a fine of $5,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Erie Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing Fentanyl and a FirearmRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Charles Richard Jones, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about May 5, 2021, Jones possessed with intent to distribute more than ten grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. In addition, Jones possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reductions 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 prevent and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The law provides for a maximum total of 50 years in prison, a fine of $5,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, and Erie Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eldridge, Iowa, Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – An Eldridge, Iowa, man, Marius Avant, 26, of the 0-100 block of Manor Drive, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on December 14, 2021, for possessing a firearm as a felon.
Avant had pleaded guilty to the offense on August 12, 2021. The government presented evidence at his sentencing establishing that authorities arrested Avant after he escaped from federal custody. Task force officers with the U.S. Marshals Service located Avant at a residence in Rock Island, Illinois, and boxed in his car as he and another individual attempted to flee. When investigators took Avant into custody, they found a stolen revolver on his car seat and multiple boxes of ammunition on the floorboard.
At Avant’s sentencing hearing, the government sought a sentence of 60 months (five years) – above Avant’s advisory guideline range under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines – based on Avant’s offense conduct and criminal history, which included a prior federal firearms conviction.
In imposing the five-year sentence, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sara Darrow stated that Avant had put himself in a volatile situation and posed “an absolute risk to the public.”
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a felon up to ten years in prison and no more than three years of supervised release.
The Rock Island Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Hodges and Alyssa Raya represented the government in the prosecution.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Yomelvin Abreu Bonilla, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2022. Bonilla was indicted on April 29, 2021.
In March 2021, agents encountered Bonilla in Bedford, Mass. and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Bonilla was previously deported in August 2016.
The charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released and a fine of up to $250,000. Bonilla will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for PCP Trafficking Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lamont Johnson, 45, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 35 years in prison on federal charges of conspiring to traffic in large quantities of Phencyclidine (PCP) and related narcotics and firearms offenses.
Johnson was found guilty by a jury in February 2020, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of the conspiracy charge, as well as charges of possessing with the intent to distribute large quantities of PCP, possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. He was sentenced on Dec. 15, 2021, by the Honorable Thomas F. Hogan.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the U.S. Park Police, Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), U.S. Marshal Lamont Ruffin, and Malik Aziz, Chief of the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police.
Johnson was arrested in October 2017 following an extensive law enforcement investigation into violence and drug trafficking in areas of Southeast Washington, including the 16th Street, W Street, and Good Hope Road area. He has been in custody ever since.
According to the government’s evidence, which included court-authorized wiretaps, search warrants, GPS trackers, and undercover purchases of narcotics, Johnson was the main supplier of PCP to a drug trafficking ring that was indicted in an eight-co-defendant, 55-count indictment. Johnson was supplied gallon-quantities of PCP from West Coast suppliers, and he redistributed the PCP to other wholesale-level PCP suppliers in the District of Columbia. The evidence established that Johnson used threats and intimidation in his PCP trafficking operation, including with an AR-15 assault rifle that was seized from him along with over a kilogram of PCP and related drug trafficking paraphernalia.
During the investigation, federal law enforcement officers seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of PCP; ¼ kilogram of heroin; ½ kilogram of cocaine; 50 grams of crack cocaine base; assorted drug trafficking paraphernalia; and firearms, including Johnson’s AR-15 assault rifle, laser scopes, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, the U.S. Park Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Eliopoulos and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Rommel Pachoca, Katie Thomas and Catherine O’Neal, and Legal Assistants Emma Atlas and Kate Abrey.
Delano Resident Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Christopher Howard, 33, a Delano resident, was sentenced Tuesday to 57 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in the evening of April 28, 2021, police officers encountered Howard in Delano while he was carrying a bag that contained a loaded 9mm caliber handgun and an additional loaded high-capacity magazine. Howard cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has sustained numerous felony convictions, including for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, escape, and twice for second degree burglary.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delano Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Baker prosecuted the case.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Credit Union Manager Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Wake Forest man was sentenced yesterday to 48 months in prison and five years of supervised release for embezzlement from a credit union. On June 24, 2020, Johnnie Earl Harrell, 49, pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, between 2008 and 2019, Harrell served as branch manager of a credit union located in Zebulon, NC. During this period, Harrell exploited his position as branch manager to steal and embezzle at least $631,838.36 in funds belonging to the credit union and its customers. Among Harrell’s victims were retirees who Harrell convinced to rollover existing retirement accounts into annuities. Harrell never purchased the annuities, but instead converted the victims’ funds to personal use. Harrell prepared fraudulent annuity account statements which were periodically presented to victims to preclude detection of the scheme.
Harrell will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Homeland Security Investigations, the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations, and the Zebulon Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan 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. 5:20-cr-00152-FL-1.
Conway Man Pleads Guilty to Importation and Possession of Illegally Taken WildlifeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A Conway man has pleaded guilty to importing and possessing illegally taken wildlife. Jackson Roe, 27, entered his guilty plea Wednesday afternoon before Chief United States District Judge D. Price Marshall, Junior.
In August 2015, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service received an anonymous tip about the illegal activity of a reptile hobbyist who sold and smuggled various animals into the United States. Through undercover conversations with this individual, located in China, agents learned that he was shipping rare and endangered animals to various buyers, including one individual in Arkansas named Jackson Roe. Wildlife inspectors intercepted a package addressed to Roe that contained two live Chinese giant salamanders—an endangered species, in plastic jars, with wet moss. There were no holes in the box for air and no documents in the package.
In August of 2017, a search warrant was executed by US Fish and Wildlife Service on the home of Roe’s parents. A consent search of Roe’s home was also performed. Roe admitted to investigators that he had illegally purchased several live amphibians and reptiles from a Chinese dealer he met on Facebook. He stated he paid $450 for each salamander, and that he knew they were protected and expected to become extinct in the next ten years. Roe admitted that he knew what he did was wrong. In total, Roe received seven packages shipped from Hong Kong, which included six Chinese giant salamanders, a Vietnamese leaf turtle, an Indian roofed turtle, and a Chinese big-headed turtle. Roe also informed agents that he owned a Nile crocodile, a Morelet’s crocodile, and an American alligator, all of which were seized later that day by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Approximately two years later, in October of 2019, the US Fish and Wildlife Service received information that Roe was again in possession of Chinese giant salamanders illegally smuggled into the United States from China. On November 14, 2019, USFWS executed a search warrant on Roe’s home and discovered, among other animals, two live Chinese giant salamanders and four deceased Chinese giant salamanders. Roe admitted to law enforcement that he had illegally purchased the six Chinese giant salamanders within the two previous years from China.
Judge Marshall will sentence Roe at a later date. Importation or Possession of Illegally Taken Wildlife is punishable by not more than five years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward O. Walker.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 7 Years Imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm, Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Dell Dickerson, 24, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on May 11, 2020, officers with the Memphis Police Department observed Dell Dickerson in the passenger seat of a vehicle. He was immediately placed into custody for outstanding felony warrants. Dickerson had a small handbag on the passenger side floorboard which contained a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol. Also recovered from the handbag, were a marijuana cigarette and a brown pill bottle with 56 multicolored pills. The marijuana cigarette tested positive for THC and the multicolored pills contained methamphetamine.
Dickerson is a prohibited person with a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault. As a result, he is prohibited by federal law from the possession of firearms or ammunition.
On September 9, 2021, the defendant pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On December 15, 2021, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Dickerson to 84 months in federal prison to be followed by four years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosected this case on behalf of the government.
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Claremore Man Sentenced to 70 months in Federal Prison for Domestic Violence AssaultRead the Press Release
A Claremore man who assaulted his girlfriend as she tried to escape from him at a Foyil gas station was sentenced Wednesday in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced William Frank Vanover, 47, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
“William Vanover was a habitual criminal with more than 18 prior convictions, including a history of domestic violence. Because of his actions, he will spend almost six years in prison for the harm he caused this victim,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Federal prosecutors and victim specialists strive to provide domestic violence survivors a voice. When survivors are empowered, they are better able to aid in the prosecution of their abuser and seek assistance to heal from the trauma they’ve endured.”
Vanover pleaded guilty Aug. 10, 2021, to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country.
On Dec. 30, 2020, at a Claremore motel, the victim tried to end a relationship with Vanover, who became enraged, held a knife to the victim, threatened her, and demanded she drive him to Chelsea. When stopping for gas at Foyil, the victim tried to escape. Vanover caught the victim and punched her in the face. She was eventually able to get away and run into the gas station where police were called.
At sentencing, the defense requested Vanover receive 63 months in federal prison. In her sentencing memorandum and in court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Childress argued that Vanover should receive a sentence at the highest end of the sentencing guidelines for the crime, 78 months in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Childress pointed to Vanover’s more than 18 previous convictions to include three for domestic violence. Childress argued that the sentence would protect the public and the victim but also provide Vanover with an opportunity to receive extensive mental health, drug, and domestic violence treatment while in a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The victim is a Cherokee Nation citizen, and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation.
Chester County Woman Sentenced to over One Year for Stealing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FundsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Emily Baier, 28, of West Chester, PA, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno for falsely claiming and taking approximately $47,000 in pandemic unemployment compensation authorized by the CARES Act. Her co-conspirator, Jacob Fulton, 33, of Coatesville, PA, was sentenced to one and a half years in prison for his role the scheme earlier this month.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES ACT was enacted and created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) program, to provide unemployment benefits to workers who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic and who were ineligible for other unemployment compensation. The defendant took advantage of and unlawfully profited from the PUA program by submitting and continuing to certify fraudulent PUA claims for herself and for inmates of Chester County Prison, including her co-conspirator, knowing that neither she nor these inmates were entitled to these benefits.
Specifically, in May 2020, the defendant filed a PUA claim for herself knowing that she was not eligible for such benefits because she was not unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baier continued to submit weekly submissions of certification that she and her co- conspirator—who was at that time an inmate of Chester County Prison—were eligible for these benefits, all while knowing that neither she nor her co-conspirator were eligible for these benefits. Then, between July and August 2020, the defendant schemed with her co-conspirator to file PUA claims on behalf of at least two other inmates and take a cut of the claim payments for themselves. In September 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud based on this conduct.
“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds are intended to help working Americans continue to pay their bills and make ends meet, even when hours and wages have dropped dramatically due to the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Thieves who attempt to take these funds unlawfully are taking advantage of others’ misfortune – ripping them off while also ripping off all taxpayers who fund the program. Baier fraudulently obtained thousands of dollars in funds that could have helped struggling individuals.”
“Those who think they can exploit the system by stealing from the PUA Program should take notice of the sentence Baier received,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “We will continue to use all resources at our disposal to investigate and hold accountable fraudsters like Baier.”
“Emily Baier engaged in a scheme with her co-defendant to defraud the Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program by obtaining personal information from inmates in Chester County Jail and submitting fraudulent claims for PUA benefits on behalf of those inmates even though they were incarcerated and not able and available to work. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and its partners, such as the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, will continue to work together to preserve the integrity of unemployment compensation benefit programs by vigorously pursuing those who commit this type of fraud,” stated Special Agent-In-Charge Syreeta Scott, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Syracuse Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Edward Mercado, age 34, of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty yesterday to traveling to New York from California for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 10-year-old child. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Mercado admitted that from May of 2021 through June of 2021 he engaged in numerous telephone conversations and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover officer posing as the mother of 10-year-old girl. In these telephone calls and text messages, Mercado expressed a desire to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child. Mercado further admitted that on June 3, 2021, he traveled from California to Syracuse, New York in order to meet with the child and engage in sexual conduct with her at a location in the Ithaca area. Mercado was arrested after arriving at the Syracuse airport and has been in custody since that date.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2022, in Utica, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Mercado faces up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Upon his release from prison Mercado will be required to register as a sex offender in any state where he resides, is employed, or is a student.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
California Man Operating Dark Web Vendor Account Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute NarcoticsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Hunter Daniel Secrest, 27, formerly of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Secrest and his co-conspirators operated the dark web vendor account TheCommission on the Empire marketplace. TheCommission joined Empire in April 2020; by June 2020, TheCommission had completed over 800 verified sales that law enforcement agents calculated to total over $200,000 worth of narcotics.
Over the course of the conspiracy, Secrest and his co-conspirators distributed and possessed with intent to distribute at least the following: 752 grams of heroin, 11 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 600 grams of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, 45 grams of morphine, 93 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 277 grams of valium, 285 grams of alprazolam, and 35 grams of Adderall.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, which includes agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The NCIDE Task Force is a federal task force focused on targeting all forms of illicit dark web and cryptocurrency activity in the Eastern District of California and beyond. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Hemesath and Sam Stefanki are prosecuting the case.
Secrest is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Mendez on March 22, 2022. Secrest faces a maximum statutory penalty of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
California Man Convicted of Federal Violations in Health Care Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Coronado, California, man has been found guilty of federal violations related to a health care kickback scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. attorney Brit Featherston today.
Vincent Marchetti, Jr., 57, was found guilty by a jury following a month-long trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III.
“Fraud on our health care system cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “The defendant convicted today, and the others prosecuted in this large conspiracy, will suffer their fate at the hands of our excellent justice system. All should know that an investigation and prosecution such as this takes thousands of hours of work by law enforcement and prosecutors. My hat goes off to them for their excellent work to protect the citizens of our communities.”
“Kickback schemes victimize patients seeking legitimate care and line the pockets of criminals who pay or receive them,” said Miranda L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Dallas Region. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal health care programs by exposing these harmful schemes and holding fraudsters accountable.”
“The defendant intentionally deceived the health care system to receive unlawful benefits and payments. Health care fraud causes billions of dollars in damages a year and affects patients by raising their premiums and taxes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “The FBI will continue working alongside our public and private sector partners to pursue individuals who attempt to profit off of patients and insurance holders.”
“Those involved in kickback schemes and fraudulent business enterprises will eventually face justice no matter where they operate,” said Christopher Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Dallas. “We remain relentless in our pursuit of those who violate the law through fraudulent practices for personal gain.”
According to information presented in court, Marchetti conspired with others to pay and receive kickbacks in exchange for the referral of, and arranging for, health care business, specifically pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests. Pharmacogenetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomic testing, is a type of genetic testing that identifies genetic variations that affect how an individual patient metabolizes certain drugs. The illegal arrangement concerned the referral of PGx tests to clinical laboratories in Fountain Valley, California; Irvine, California; and San Diego, California. More than $28 million in illegal kickback payments were exchanged by those involved in the conspiracy.
In December 2019, twelve individuals from three states were charged for their roles in the kickback conspiracy. A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned an indictment against Philip Lamb, 46, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Nicolas Arroyo, 40, of Tempe, Arizona; Vincent Marchetti, Jr.; William Flowers, 56, of Houston; Steven Donofrio; James J. Walker, Jr. a/k/a Jimmy Walker, 47, of Frisco; Timothy Armstrong, 64, of Frisco; Virginia Blake Herrin, 56, of Frisco; Patrick Ridgeway, 52, of Jackson, Mississippi; Chismere Mallard, 41, of McAllen; Dr. Ray W. Ng; and Ashley Kretzschmar, 36, of Aledo; for conspiring to commit illegal remunerations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Philip Lamb, Nicolas Arroyo, Jimmy Walker, Virginia Blake Herrin, Patrick Ridgeway, Chismere Mallard, and Ashley Kretzschmar pleaded guilty prior to trial.
Kimberly Willette, 59, of Friendswood, and Edwin Chad Isbell, 48, of McKinney, also pleaded guilty to related charges.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remunerations in exchange for the referral of or arranging for or recommending the ordering of items or services payable under federal health care programs. Under federal statutes, violations of the Anti-Kickback statute are punishable by up to five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the FBI Dallas – Frisco Resident Agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, Lucas Machicek, Adrian Garcia, Brent Andrus, and L. Frank Coan, Jr., with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan E. Oestreicher, Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel E.P. Simmons.
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Casper Man Charged with Possession and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that DANIEL HENDRICKS, 33, of Casper, Wyoming was indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of possession of child pornography and four counts of production of child pornography. Hendricks appeared for an arraignment hearing before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial has been set for January 31, 2022, and Hendricks was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
The indictment alleges that on or about October 15, 2021, Hendricks knowingly possessed material containing images of child pornography that and on or before May 30, 2021, knowingly used a minor on four occasions to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. If convicted on all counts, Hendricks faces 15 years to life imprisonment and five years to life of supervised release. He could also be ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment pursuant to the Victims of Sex Trafficking Act of 2015 and a $100 special assessment on each count. In addition, he could pay up to a $50,000 special assessment and mandatory restitution of not less that $3,000 per requesting victim pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
This crime is being investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Christyne M. Martens is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Case No. 21-cr-00133-SWS
Bloomfield Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL COPELAND, 58, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force began investigating a Hartford area narcotics trafficking operation that involved the use of the U.S. Mail to ship parcels of drugs and drug proceeds. Investigators determined that Israel Mendoza, also known as “D-Nice,” supplied Copeland with large quantities of cocaine, and that Copeland, at Mendoza’s direction, mailed parcels containing cash to individuals in California. In September and October, U.S. Postal Inspectors in California intercepted and seized two parcels, each containing approximately $13,000 in cash, that Copeland mailed in Connecticut to addresses in the Fresno area. Investigators analyzed postal records and identified dozens of additional parcels connected to this drug trafficking network that are suspected to have contained narcotics or drug proceeds.
In February 2019, investigators seized a parcel containing nearly 500 grams of cocaine that had been mailed from California to a Bloomfield residence that was connected to Copeland.
The investigation also revealed that Mendoza worked with others, including Danny Rhodes and Neliobet DeJesus, in the Hartford area to distribute heroin and cocaine.
Copeland was arrested on November 22, 2019. On May 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.
Copeland, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 16, 2022.
Rhodes, of Bloomfield, and DeJesus, now residing in Orlando, Florida, have pleaded guilty. On December 8, Judge Dooley sentenced to Rhodes to 87 months of imprisonment. DeJesus awaits sentencing.
Mendoza, last residing in Reading, Pennsylvania, is being sought by law enforcement. Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that, as to Mendoza, charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department assisted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Biloxi Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Three Employees of Hinds County BusinessRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Biloxi man pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during the commission of a robbery that killed three people, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
According to court documents, Joshua Michael Garcia, 42, and co-defendant Jamison Layne Townsend went to Bill’s Coin & Jewelry in Hinds County on December 17, 2016, to rob the business using a firearm. During the robbery, Garcia shot and killed three employees of the business.
Garcia pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm that resulted in the murder of three persons during the commission of a robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in Jackson. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department with assistance from Geary County, Kansas Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Gulfport Police Department, and the Biloxi Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.