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Tuesday 14 December 2021
Lexington Man Sentenced to 220 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Lexington man, Marcus Jones, 40, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C Reeves, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams of methamphetamine.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, beginning in December 2018 and continuing through April 2019, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine through Jones and DeAngelo Smith, 36, of Detroit. During the investigation, law enforcement were able to determine that Jones and Smith were working together and with others to distribute methamphetamine. The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Smith and Jones is at least 50 grams.
Smith, 36, was previously sentenced in April 2021 to 160 months for his role in the offenses.
Jones pleaded guilty in April 2021. Smith pleaded guilty in January 2021.
Under federal law, Jones and Smith must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon release from prison, Jones and Smith will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and Gateway Area High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HITDA) Task Force. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
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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Lansing-Based Research and Development Firm Pays $500,000 to Resolve Federal Contract Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
Metna Co. And Its President Voluntarily Agree To Two-Year Ban From Federal Contracting
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Metna Co., a Lansing-based research and development firm, paid $500,000 to resolve allegations that the company violated the federal False Claims Act by concealing its use of underpaid foreign graduate students—students, the government alleged, who were ineligible to work at Metna under their visa restrictions—to obtain Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) contracts from the United States Army. Metna and its president also voluntarily agreed to two-year, government-wide exclusions from federal contracting and financial assistance.
The SBIR program, administered through eleven participating agencies, encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federally-sponsored research and development with the potential for commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s research and development efforts, the SBIR program stimulates high-tech innovation and promotes entrepreneurialism to meet the government’s needs.
The Army’s SBIR contract proposal process requires applicants to declare any foreign nationals working on the project. Foreign national disclosures facilitate the Army’s review of foreign nationals’ visa work authorizations, their compliance with visa work restrictions, and any potential risks associated with providing access to innovative research and emerging technologies funded by the federal government.
This case involved F-1 student visas, which allow foreign nationals to enroll as full-time students at accredited academic institutions in the United States. F-1 students may engage in certain types of off-campus employment after their first academic year if, among other things, the sponsoring institution approves and the proposed employment is consistent with specific work-hour limitations during the academic year.
The government alleged that Metna falsely certified that it was not using foreign nationals in its SBIR proposals when, in fact, the company used foreign graduate students to work on the Army contracts. The government alleged that the graduate students were not eligible to work at Metna because, among other things, Metna provided false information to Michigan State University—including about the number of hours the students would work at Metna during the academic year—to secure the necessary F-1 visa work authorizations. Metna, the government alleged, also paid the graduate students substantially less than the hourly labor rate that Metna quoted to the Army in its contract budget proposals. The government also claimed that Metna did not use a number of third-party consultants that Metna included and budgeted for as part of its proposed project teams. Finally, the government alleged that Metna’s designated principal investigator (the individual responsible for the preparation, conduct, and administration of the Army contracts) did not actually serve in that role during performance of the projects.
U.S. Attorney Birge said, “The SBIR program involves intense competition for a limited pool of funds. Exploiting foreign students and then making misrepresentations to outcompete deserving and eligible small businesses are just the sort of allegations we should all care about. This settlement reflects my office’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer dollars spent through this critical economic program go to deserving and eligible small businesses.”
“This settlement demonstrates the Army’s dedication to protecting the interest of the SBIR program and holding companies accountable when the program is exploited. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command will continue to investigate allegations of fraud which threaten the small business procurement program,” said Special Agent in Charge Ray A. Rayos, Southwest Fraud Field Office of the Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit.
“Protecting research and development programs funded by the Department of Defense is a priority for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “The settlement agreement with Metna is the result of a joint investigative effort to protect Small Business Innovative Research contracts from fraud and abuse, and this case demonstrates the DCIS’s ongoing commitment to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute companies that defraud the SBIR programs.”
This case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam B. Townshend represented the United States.
The claims resolved by the civil settlement agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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KC Man Crashed Stolen Car into House, Sentenced for Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man who crashed a stolen car into a house after smoking methamphetamine was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.
William T. Bryand, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to six years in federal prison without parole.
On July 15, 2021, Bryand pleaded guilty to being a felon and an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.
On Feb. 7, 2020, Bryand crashed a stolen car into a house on McGee Street in Kansas City, Mo., ramming into the garage door. The owner of the house did not know Bryand, who told police officers that he had been smoking methamphetamine. When officers searched the vehicle Bryand was driving, a 2009 BMW, they found a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun stuffed between the driver’s seat and the center console. Officers also found drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residue in the vehicle.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who illegally uses controlled substances or has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bryand has five prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior felony convictions for robbery, two prior felony convictions for armed criminal actions, and prior felony convictions for receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Justice Department Secures Agreement to Improve Web Accessibility for Public Transportation Users with Disabilities in Champaign-Urbana, IllinoisRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) to resolve alleged violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the agreement, the MTD must make its website and mobile applications accessible for users with visual and manual impairments. Public transportation users rely on the MTD’s website and mobile applications to plan trips, check arrival times, and find fare information. The agreement requires the MTD to conform its website – www.mtd.org – and mobile applications to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. WCAG is a set of voluntary industry guidelines for making information on a website accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those with visual and manual impairments. Additionally, the MTD will invest a minimum of $100,000 to improve its services for passengers with disabilities.
“Equal access to public transit systems is critically important for the independence of people with disabilities and is required by law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement brings us one step closer to realizing the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity for all people regardless of disability status. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously enforce federal law to root out discrimination against people with disabilities.”
“This agreement reflects the MTD’s longtime commitment to serving individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois. “We appreciate the MTD’s cooperation throughout the investigation and its commitment to quickly make its website and related tools fully accessible. Roughly 30 years after being enacted, the ADA continues to be a very important law protecting the rights of all individuals living and working in our community and its provisions remain relevant as technology and the needs of individuals with disabilities evolve.”
This matter was handled jointly by the Disability Rights Section of the department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant of the Central District of Illinois. Title II of the ADA requires state and local governmental entities like public transportation providers to provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services, programs and activities.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint/. Individuals in the Central District of Illinois may also report civil rights violations to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois by calling 217-492-4450.
Justice Department Secures Agreement to Improve Web Accessibility for Public Transportation Users with Disabilities in Champaign-Urbana, IllinoisRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) to resolve alleged violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the agreement, the MTD must make its website and mobile applications accessible for users with visual and manual impairments. Public transportation users rely on the MTD’s website and mobile applications to plan trips, check arrival times, and find fare information. The agreement requires the MTD to conform its website – www.mtd.org – and mobile applications to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. WCAG is a set of voluntary industry guidelines for making information on a website accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those with visual and manual impairments. Additionally, the MTD will invest a minimum of $100,000 to improve its services for passengers with disabilities.
“Equal access to public transit systems is critically important for the independence of people with disabilities and is required by law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement brings us one step closer to realizing the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity for all people regardless of disability status. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously enforce federal law to root out discrimination against people with disabilities.”
“This agreement reflects the MTD’s longtime commitment to serving individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois. “We appreciate the MTD’s cooperation throughout the investigation and its commitment to quickly make its website and related tools fully accessible. Roughly 30 years after being enacted, the ADA continues to be a very important law protecting the rights of all individuals living and working in our community and its provisions remain relevant as technology and the needs of individuals with disabilities evolve.”
This matter was handled jointly by the Disability Rights Section of the department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant of the Central District of Illinois. Title II of the ADA requires state and local governmental entities like public transportation providers to provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services, programs and activities.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint/. Individuals in the Central District of Illinois may also report civil rights violations to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois by calling 217-492-4450.
Justice Department Obtains Settlement from Kentucky Landlords to Resolve Claims of Sexual Harassment Against Female TenantsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Chester Gordon Whitescarver and his wife, Betsy Whitescarver, who have owned and managed rental properties in and around Russellville, Kentucky, have agreed to pay $230,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The department’s lawsuit alleged that Gordon Whitescarver has sexually harassed female tenants since at least 2012 and that Betsy Whitescarver was on notice of sexual harassment allegations but took no action to stop his sexually harassing behavior.
Under the consent decree entered by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, the Whitescarvers must pay $220,000 to 11 women who are current or former tenants harmed by the Whitescarvers’ discriminatory conduct, and must pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The Whitescarvers must also take steps to dismiss any pending eviction actions against the victims, vacate any adverse judgments they obtained against the victims, and take steps to repair the credit of any affected victim. The consent decree also bars future discrimination, permanently bars the Whitescarvers from property management, mandates Fair Housing Act training, and requires monitoring and reporting regarding property management activities.
“We all deserve to feel safe in our own homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual harassment by housing providers deprives tenants of their right to be safe, secure and free from unlawful conduct. The Justice Department is committed to pursuing predatory landlords and will work resolutely to hold those landlords accountable and obtain relief for their victims.”
“I commend the attorneys and investigators assigned to this case for their outstanding work on behalf of the 11 victims,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “The Fair Housing Act prohibits sexual harassment of tenants. We will continue to aggressively pursue landlords who subject their tenants to such discriminatory conduct.”
The United States’ lawsuit alleged that Gordon Whitescarver subjected multiple female tenants to sexual harassment and retaliation. According to the complaint, he made repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, entered the homes of female tenants without their consent, touched female tenants without their consent, requested sexual acts, offered reduced or free rent in exchange for sexual acts, and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances. The United States’ complaint also alleged that Betsy Whitescarver threatened and retaliated against women who complained about her husband’s harassment.
The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The Department’s Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the Initiative, the department of Justice has filed 23 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $5.2 million for victims of such harassment.
If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, you may contact the Justice Department by submitting a report online or contacting the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky at (502) 582-5911.
Reports may also may be made by contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.
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Justice Department Obtains $4.5 Million Settlement from a New Jersey Landlord to Resolve Claims of Sexual Harassment of TenantsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Joseph Centanni, a landlord who has owned hundreds of rental units in and around Elizabeth, New Jersey, has agreed to pay $4.5 million in monetary damages and a civil penalty to resolve a Fair Housing Act (FHA) lawsuit concerning his sexual harassment of tenants and housing applicants for more than 15 years. This settlement, which still must be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, is the largest monetary settlement the department has ever obtained in a case alleging sexual harassment in housing.
The FHA prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Centanni focused his harassment on women, as well as men who are gay or bisexual. The monetary damages awarded under the proposed consent decree will compensate numerous women and men who were sexually harassed by Centanni.
“This lawsuit and historic settlement send a clear message that the Department will not stand by idly as landlords abuse their power to prey on vulnerable tenants,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual harassment of tenants is abhorrent and unlawful, and has devastating consequences on victims. The Justice Department stands as committed as ever to aggressively pursuing landlords and housing providers who engage in this violative and threatening conduct.”
“The need for housing is a basic human need,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig of the District of New Jersey. “Joseph Centanni exploited that need, and the important federal programs that attempt to meet it, by threatening to deny his victims a roof over their heads if they did not submit to his demands for sexual acts. This landmark settlement demonstrates our unyielding commitment to combat sexual harassment in housing and to ensure that no one is subject to discrimination because of their sex, including based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“No one deserves to be victimized and preyed upon in their own home,” said Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “HUD OIG is committed to investigating with our law enforcement partners to pursue predatory landlords and hold them accountable for this egregious behavior and seek relief for victims.”
The United States’ lawsuit alleged that Centanni’s harassment spanned a period of at least 15 years. According to the complaint, Centanni demanded sexual favors, like oral sex, to get or keep housing; offered housing benefits, such as reduced rent in exchange for sexual favors; touched tenants and applicants in a way that was sexual and unwelcome and made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to tenants and applicants. The complaint also alleged that Centanni initiated or threatened to initiate eviction actions against tenants who objected to or refused his sexual advances. According to the complaint, Centanni participated in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) and received approximately $102,000 each month in Housing Choice Voucher payments.
The United States’ complaint alleged that Centanni would take housing applicants and tenants to places on his properties like empty apartments, and empty laundry or storage rooms. There, he would do things like ask for massages, expose himself, demand oral sex and force people to touch him sexually. If people submitted to his demands, Centanni allowed them to move in, or keep their housing. If people did not submit, Centanni refused to rent to them, or evicted them.
Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, Centanni will pay $4,392,950 in monetary damages to tenants and prospective tenants harmed by his harassment, through a process established in the consent decree. Individuals who believe that they were subjected to sexual harassment by Centanni should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line toll free, at 1-833-591-0291, and select option number one to leave a message. Individuals can also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339. Individuals may also e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or submit a report online.
The proposed consent decree reflects that Centanni has sold all of his residential rental properties. Under the terms of the settlement, he is permanently enjoined from owning and managing residential rental properties in the future. Centanni will be required to dismiss housing court judgments obtained in proceedings deemed to be retaliatory and take steps to repair the credit of any affected tenants. He must also pay a $107,050 civil penalty to the United States, the maximum civil penalty allowed under the FHA.
There are separate, ongoing, criminal prosecutions against Centanni brought by the Office of the Union County, New Jersey, Prosecutor. To date, that office has charged Centanni with coercing 20 tenants into sexual acts in exchange for financial relief. Centanni is charged with 13 counts of second-degree sexual assault, 1 count of second-degree attempted sexual assault, and 21 counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Individuals may learn more about the criminal prosecution at https://ucnj.org/prosecutor/press-releases/prosecutor/2021/07/01/elizabeth-landlord-charged-with-sexual-crimes-against-7-additional-tenants-bringing-total-to-20/. Individuals with information about Centanni may reach the Union County Prosecutor’s Office by contacting Detective Joanne Son at (908) 477-1698.
Assistant Attorney General Clarke and Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credit the special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, for their partnership in this matter.
The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The department’s initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the Department of Justice has filed 23 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $9.5 million for victims of skuch harassment.
If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, or other forms of housing discrimination, you may contact the Justice Department by submitting a report online or contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey at (855) 281-3339 or by filing a complaint online.
Reports also may be made by contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.
Justice Department Obtains $4.5 Million Settlement from New Jersey Landlord to Resolve Claims of Sexual Harassment of TenantsRead the Press Release
NEWARK – The Justice Department announced today that Joseph Centanni, a landlord who has owned hundreds of rental units in and around Elizabeth, New Jersey, has agreed to pay $4.5 million in monetary damages and a civil penalty to resolve a Fair Housing Act (FHA) lawsuit concerning his sexual harassment of tenants and housing applicants for more than 15 years. This settlement, which still must be approved by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, is the largest monetary settlement the Department has ever obtained in a case alleging sexual harassment in housing.
The FHA prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Centanni focused his harassment on women and gay or bisexual men. The monetary damages awarded under the proposed consent decree will compensate the many women and men who were sexually harassed by Centanni.
“The need for housing is a basic human need,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig of the District of New Jersey said. “Joseph Centanni exploited that need, and the important federal programs that attempt to meet it, by threatening to deny his victims a roof over their heads if they did not submit to his demands for sexual acts. This landmark settlement demonstrates our unyielding commitment to combat sexual harassment in housing and to ensure that no one is subject to discrimination because of their sex, including based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“This lawsuit and settlement send a clear message that the Department will not stand for landlords who ruthlessly abuse their power to prey on vulnerable members of our society,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “Having recently marked the fourth anniversary of the launch of the Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, we stand as committed as ever to aggressively pursue those who engage in this abhorrent conduct.”
“No one deserves to be victimized and preyed upon in their own home,” Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis said. “HUD OIG is committed to investigating with our law enforcement partners to pursue predatory landlords and hold them accountable for this egregious behavior and seek relief for victims.”
The United States’ lawsuit alleged that Centanni’s harassment spanned a period of at least 15 years. According to the complaint, Centanni demanded sexual favors like oral sex, to get or keep housing; offered housing benefits, such as reduced rent in exchange for sexual favors; touched tenants and applicants in a way that was sexual and unwelcome; and made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to tenants and applicants. The complaint also alleged that Centanni initiated or threatened to initiate eviction actions against tenants who objected to or refused his sexual advances. According to the complaint, Centanni participates in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) and receives approximately $102,000 each month in Housing Choice Voucher payments.
Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, Centanni will pay $4.39 million in monetary damages to tenants and prospective tenants harmed by his harassment, through a process established in the consent decree. Individuals who believe that they were subjected to sexual harassment by Centanni should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line toll free, at 1-833-591-0291, and select option number one to leave a message. Individuals can also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339. Individuals may also e-mail the Justice Department at [email protected], or submit a report online.
The proposed consent decree reflects that Centanni has sold all of his residential rental properties. Under the terms of the settlement, he is permanently enjoined from owning and managing residential rental properties in the future. Centanni will be required to dismiss housing court judgments obtained in proceedings deemed to be retaliatory and take steps to repair the credit of any affected tenants. He must also pay a $107,050 civil penalty to the United States, the maximum civil penalty allowed under the FHA.
There are separate, ongoing, criminal prosecutions against Centanni brought by the Office of the Union County, New Jersey, Prosecutor. To date, that office has charged Centanni with coercing 20 tenants into sexual acts in exchange for financial relief. Centanni is charged with 13 counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree attempted sexual assault, and 21 counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Individuals may learn more about the criminal prosecution at https://ucnj.org/prosecutor/press-releases/prosecutor/2021/07/01/elizabeth-landlord-charged-with-sexual-crimes-against-7-additional-tenants-bringing-total-to-20/. Individuals with information about Centanni may reach the Union County Prosecutor’s Office by contacting Detective Joanne Son at (908) 477-1698.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig and Assistant Attorney General Clarke credit the special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, for their partnership in this matter.
The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The Department’s Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the Initiative, the Department of Justice has filed 23 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $9.5 million for victims of such harassment.
If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord, or other forms of housing discrimination, you may contact the Justice Department by submitting a report online or contacting the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey at (855) 281-3339 or by filing a complaint online.
Reports also may be made by contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.
The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Campion, Chief of the Civil Rights Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Millenky, Civil Rights Unit; Trial Attorney Erin Meehan Richmond, Sexual Harassment Counsel and Coordinator of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; and Katie Legomsky, Trial Attorney, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section.
Justice Department Awards More Than 17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, NY – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. The Rochester Institute of Technology was awarded $148,584 to administer PSN grant funds in the Western District of New York.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“Like many areas across the country, several communities in Western New York are experiencing an increase in violence, particularly gun violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “These Project Safe Neighborhood funds will allow us to continue working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners on proactive efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities.”
Grant funds will support the Crime Analysis Centers in Erie, Niagara, and Monroe Counties. The funding will be used to support crime analysts who will focus on efforts to identify and reduce violent disputes.
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
In addition to awarding PSN funding, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has also awarded to other organizations in the Western District of New York, including:
• The International Institute of Buffalo has been awarded $2,015,000 to combat human trafficking through collaboration between law enforcement and service providers, to provide housing assistance grants to victims of human trafficking, and to provide services for youth victims of labor trafficking.
• Compeer West, Inc. has been awarded $1,200,000 to support expansion of its multi-state mentoring program.
• Monroe County has been awarded $700,000 for its Swift, Certain, and Fair Program, which focuses on reducing recidivism of firearm offenders.
• The City of Rochester has been awarded $164,896 for violence prevention, crisis intervention services, and victims assistance.
• The City of Niagara Falls has been awarded $40,648 and the City of Buffalo has been awarded $257,047 to support criminal justice initiatives.
• The Seneca Nation of Indians has been awarded $422,695 to provide culturally appropriate victim services.
• The City of Jamestown has been awarded $18,150 to purchase portable radios for the Jamestown Police Department.
• The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. has been awarded $800,000 to provide legal services to victims of human trafficking.The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that The Department of Justice has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Locally, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency was awarded $282,428 to administer PSN grant funds in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This announcement and grant funding from the Department of Justice could not come at a better time for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and specifically for Philadelphia – a city that is experiencing an epidemic of gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “A great deal of ink has been spilled in the last few weeks by many as we all struggle to identify and combat the reasons behind the city’s record number of homicides this past year. In 2021, this Office has steadfastly pledged our support and partnership in myriad ways to the local agencies tasked with investigating and prosecuting violent criminals, including our ‘All Hands on Deck’ initiative and the recently announced DOJ-OJP Public Safety Partnership. While it may be the purview of others to debate the reasons why violence remains so intractable in Philadelphia, our job remains the same: prosecuting criminals and deterring future unlawful acts. With this grant from the Department, the PSN program in our District will continue to be an important tool in accomplishing that mission.”
Grant funds will support the PSN strategy within the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with the continuation of Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSA) handling firearms cases, with the goal of disrupting drug and firearm trafficking operations in and around Philadelphia. SAUSAs are cross-designated prosecutors from partner agencies at the state and local levels who focus on violent crime cases in specific geographic areas. More broadly, the PSN strategy also includes prosecution of all types of federal violent crime, including but not limited to, Hobbs Act robberies, car-jackings, murder-for-hire, armed robberies, and firearms trafficking.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
For a list of all grantees, please visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/FY21-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-Awards.pdf
Information about these and other FY 2021 grant awards from the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Grant Awards Page.
Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. The United Way of Northern Utah was awarded $155,210 to administer PSN grant funds in the District of Utah.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“We are proud of all that we have accomplished in and around the City of Ogden through our participation in the Project Safe Neighborhoods program,” said Acting United States Attorney Andrea T. Martinez. “We remain committed to keeping our cities safe from violent criminals who victimize neighborhoods and erode the quality of life within our cities.”
These grant funds will continue to be used to reduce violent crime in Utah, and with approval from BJA, the Fiscal Agent will begin the process of making subawards for PSN grant projects.
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
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The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Justice Department Announces Funding Opportunities to Support Public Safety in Tribal CommunitiesRead the Press Release
The U.S. Department of Justice today announced the opening of the FY 2022 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation period. Also known as CTAS, the funding under this initiative is available to assist American Indian and Alaska Native communities in the areas of crime prevention, victim services and coordinated community responses to violence against native women.
The solicitation, at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations, contains details about available grants and describes how federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments and tribal consortia can apply for funding. CTAS is administered by the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
The funding from OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Office for Victims of Crime, and the department’s COPS Office, can be used for a variety of public safety and justice-related projects and services. Funds can be used to support tribal law enforcement; bolster adult and juvenile justice systems; support youth; serve native victims of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse; and support other efforts to combat crime.
“Supporting public safety efforts in Indian country is a solemn responsibility and a top priority of the Department of Justice, and it is a duty that we are working hard to fulfill,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon of OJP. “We have heard from tribal leaders about their biggest challenges and have responded by improving access to federal resources and ensuring that our investments are responsive to the needs of their communities and the people they serve.”
“The COPS Office is excited to once again partner in this extremely important initiative to help our colleagues in Indian country,” said Acting Director Robert Chapman of the COPS Office. “Any opportunity we have to provide officers, equipment, training and other tools to these communities is an opportunity we are excited to offer and we look forward to eligible applicants taking advantage of this funding.”
Last year, the Department of Justice made 137 awards, totaling almost $74 million, to 85 tribes. The department has incorporated feedback from tribal meetings, listening sessions, consultations, assessments and other methods into this year’s solicitation and as a result has streamlined the solicitation as well as the application process to reduce the burden on applicants.
For information about how to apply, including details about the seven CTAS purpose areas and an overview of changes from last year’s solicitation, please view the FY 2022 Fact Sheet: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations. The Grants.gov application deadline for CTAS is 8:59 p.m. EST, on March 10, 2022, and the JustGrants deadline is 8:59 p.m. EST, on March 15, 2022.
Fact sheets detailing each of the individual purpose areas can be found online at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations. The department will also facilitate a series of webinars to guide applicants through the application process. Details, including how to register for these webinars, will be made available online in coming weeks at https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations.
Tribes and tribal consortia may also be eligible for non-tribal specific federal grant programs and are encouraged to explore other funding opportunities, which may be found at the department’s Tribal Justice and Safety website: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/open-solicitations or the www.grants.gov website.
Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers.
Jury Convicts KC Man of Illegally Possessing, Selling FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man who was involved in the illegal sale of 15 firearms (four of which were stolen) to a confidential source working with federal agents, has been convicted by a trial jury of illegally possessing and selling firearms and robbery.
Mickael N. Oliver, 27, was found guilty on Friday, Dec. 10, of one count of selling stolen firearms, one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms, one count of unlicensed firearm sales, one count of robbery of federal property with a deadly weapon, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon.
Oliver was arrested on Oct. 18, 2017, after he attempted to rob a confidential source assisting in an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The confidential source, who had purchased a dozen firearms from Oliver and associates in prior months, had arranged to purchase three more firearms from Oliver for $1,500. When the confidential source arrived at Oliver’s residence, Oliver was holding a Zastava 5.56-caliber pistol, loaded with 36 rounds. When the confidential source walked into the living room, Oliver handed him a Glock .40-caliber pistol, loaded with 16 rounds, which the source had agreed to purchase. Oliver told him the other two firearms were in his pockets. Holding the pistol tucked under his arm, the confidential source began counting out the payment for the firearms. Oliver suggested he put the pistol down, since he was having trouble holding it while counting the money. The confidential source placed the pistol on the couch and continued counting out the money. Oliver picked up the pistol from the couch. When the confidential source handed over the money for the purchase of the three firearms, Oliver pointed both the Glock and the Zastava pistols directly at his face and said, “Now get … out.”
Law enforcement officers immediately surrounded Oliver’s residence and took him into custody. Officers searched his residence and found the two pistols as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. This armed robbery is the basis for the convictions of robbery of federal property with a deadly weapon and possessing firearms in furtherance of a violent crime.
Between June 12 and Oct. 12, 2017, Oliver sold eight firearms to the confidential source during an undercover investigation by the ATF. Three of those firearms had been reported as stolen. Oliver was armed on at least four of those occasions. The confidential source also purchased four firearms (one stolen) from Oliver’s associates.
On June 12, 2017, the confidential source purchased a Keltec 9mm pistol and a Norinco 7.62-caliber rifle from Oliver and an associate. On June 20, 2017, the confidential source purchased a stolen Glock .40-caliber pistol and a stolen Glock 9mm pistol from Oliver and an associate. On June 22, 2017, the confidential source purchased a stolen Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol from Oliver and an associate.
On Aug. 24, 2017, the confidential source purchased a Glock 9mm pistol and a Maverick Arms 12-gauge shotgun from Oliver. On Sept. 14, 2017, the confidential source purchased a Ruger 9mm pistol from Oliver and a second firearm from an associate. On Sept. 27, 2017, the confidential source purchased three firearms (one stolen) from an associate of Oliver’s. On Oct. 12, 2017, the confidential source attempted to purchase up to four firearms from Oliver, but Oliver did not have the firearms.
The confidential source is a convicted felon, and informed Oliver of such status, which is the basis for Oliver’s conviction of illegally selling firearms to a felon.
Some of the firearms purchased from Oliver have been connected to shootings in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Those investigations are ongoing, but no charges have been filed.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a three-day trial that began Wednesday, Dec. 8.
Under federal statutes, Oliver is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole for possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, which must be served consecutively to any sentences (up to 60 years) in federal prison, without parole, he receives for the other convictions. 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.
Co-defendant Isiah D. Clinton, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on March 8, 2021, to six years in federal prison without parole.
Co-defendant Jamonn M. Jackson, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced on Aug. 9, 2021, to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.
Co-defendant Richard H. Hampton, 30, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2021, to possessing stolen firearms and unlicensed firearm sales and awaits sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Robert M. Smith. 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 3 Participants in a Prison Drug-Smuggling OperationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Noah Landfried, Michel Cercone, and Anthony Smith were convicted at the conclusion of a six-day jury trial of conspiring to distribute Schedule I and II controlled substances between 2017 and 2019, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today. Landfried and Cercone were also convicted of conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds between 2017 and 2019. In addition, Landfried was convicted of distributing at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl on June 18, 2018.
Landfried, age 37 of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Cercone, age 48 of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and Smith, age 30 of Homestead, Pennsylvania, will be sentenced by United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan on dates to be determined. In reaching its verdict, the jury determined that Landfried was responsible for at least 5 kilograms of cocaine, at least 100 grams of heroin, and at least 40 grams of fentanyl, and Cercone was responsible for at least 500 grams of cocaine. Both Landfried and Smith were on federal supervised release for prior drug trafficking convictions when they committed the additional drug trafficking crimes between 2017 and 2019.
“The United States proved that Noah Landfried, the leader of this illicit operation, and his co-conspirators conducted a wide-ranging drug conspiracy which involved the sale of Schedule I and II drugs within the federal prison system,” said U.S. Attorney Chung. “Inmate accounts were used to collect and make payments for the drugs. Landfried and Cercone were also convicted of laundering the drug proceeds.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Craig W. Haller are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General led the multi-agency investigation that also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Munhall Police Department, the Robinson Township Police Department, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Etna Police Department, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Judge sentences St. Louis man on drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Denzel Houston of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Audrey G. Fleissig yesterday afternoon and was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. Houston previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in November 2021.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, on July 25, 2019, St. Louis Metropolitan Police were on patrol in the Clinton Peabody Housing Complex, when officers saw a silver Nissan Maxima that had bullet holes in its hood. Police observed Houston flee the Nissan upon seeing their police vehicle. Houston was briefly detained by police, determined to be the sole occupant of the vehicle and released. An in-depth search of the Nissan, subsequent to Houston’s release, revealed a pistol and methamphetamine in excess of 335 grams.
On September 10, 2019, in the 8500 block of Katherine Avenue, in St. Louis County, ATF agents, along with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers, observed Houston enter a parked Lexus. As officers approached, Houston struck the patrol vehicle with the Lexus. Houston was taken into custody and a subsequent search of the Katherine Avenue residence revealed a .40 caliber pistol, additional methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia related to the distribution of illegal narcotics.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Illegal Possession of Firearm Lands Man in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Christopher D. Smith, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 71 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on January 27, 2021 charging Smith with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of stolen firearm. He pleaded guilty on August 16, 2021 to illegal possession of the firearm. On August 19, 2019, while on parole for state criminal charges and under the supervision of the Louisiana State Probation and Parole, Smith was found to have a loaded firearm in his possession. State parole officers conducted a standard and lawful search of Smith’s residence and located a firearm with a blue bandana wrapped around the magazine in a bedroom of Smith’s residence. The firearm was loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition and was in Smith’s bedroom where men’s clothing and mail addressed to him was found. In addition, Smith’s DNA was found on the bandana and the firearm. The firearm was determined to have been reported as stolen back in 2019.
Smith has prior felony convictions for attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2017 and simple robbery in 2016 and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Henderson Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Sex Trafficking and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nevada, resident was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for engaging in sexually explicit conversations over Facebook with three girls, requesting nude photos from them, and sexually assaulting two of the girls after purchasing airline tickets for them to travel to Las Vegas from New York City.
According to court documents, beginning in September 2018, Robert Marcellus Jones Jr. (55) used Facebook and phone calls to communicate with three victims in New York City. He coerced and enticed the girls to send sexually explicit images of themselves to him. Jones promised to pay them a weekly allowance in return for sexual attention and nude photographs and videos.
On November 2, 2018, Jones purchased two airline tickets to fly two of the girls to Las Vegas. After picking them up at the airport, Jones sexually assaulted both girls at his home. On November 5, the National Human Trafficking hotline received a tip that Jones was enticing three victims over Facebook. Law enforcement arrested him on November 8. A forensic review of Jones’ cellphones revealed sexually explicit images of the girls.
Jones was charged in a superseding indictment in April 2019. He pleaded guilty in November 2019 to one count each of distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, transportation of minors for prostitution or other illegal sexual activity, and coercion and enticement.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson sentenced Jones to 15 years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Brian Whang prosecuted the case.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Gregory K. Harris Is Sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of IllinoisRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gregory K. Harris was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois by Chief United States District Judge Sara Darrow on December 13, 2021, at the federal courthouse in Davenport, Iowa.
U.S. Attorney Harris was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on October 27, 2021, and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on December 7, 2021, for the Central District of Illinois United States Attorney position. President Biden signed Harris’s commission on December 10, 2021.
“It is an honor to serve as the United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois,” Harris said. “This Office has a long history of excellence and integrity and has demonstrated its strong commitment to community safety. I look forward to leading this group of talented and dedicated attorneys and support staff. We will continue to partner with law enforcement to address current and future challenges in the Central District and to pursue equal justice under the law. I also look forward to working closely with defense counsel and the court. I am eager to get to work.”
Harris is an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois, where he has served since 2001. He has held various leadership positions in the office, including Chief of the Criminal Division. From 1988 to 2001, Harris was a partner at the law firm Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. in Illinois. Harris served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois from 1980 to 1988. From 1978 to 1980, Harris was Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Manpower and Human Development and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Development. Harris served as an Assistant Appellate Defender in the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender from 1976 until 1978.
Harris received his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly known as The John Marshall Law School) in 1976 and his B.A. from Howard University in 1971.The swearing-in occurred in the Davenport courthouse because the Rock Island, Illinois, federal courthouse has been closed; construction is set to begin shortly on a new federal courthouse in that city.
Georgia meth trafficker sentenced to prison for drug dealing in BillingsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS —A Georgia man who admitted to a methamphetamine trafficking crime after law enforcement found four pounds of the drug in his Billings motel room was sentenced today to 70 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Josue Mikael Nunez, 21, of Carrollton, Georgia, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth as charged in a superseding information.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Nunez brought pounds of meth to Billings to sell as part of a large transnational drug trafficking organization. In April, agents with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began working with a confidential informant to identify members of the drug trafficking organization. The confidential informant, using a social media messenger app, set up a controlled drug transaction for two ounces of meth. The confidential informant was directed to an address on Overland Avenue, where Nunez delivered two ounces of meth in exchange for cash. Agents monitored the deal, and the meth was recovered. Surveillance on Nunez led to a Billings motel. Agents executed a search warrant on Nunez’s room and found four pounds of meth, two cell phones, $1,780 and other items. Four pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 14,496 doses. Nunez was seen leaving the motel as agents were preparing to execute the warrant and he was detained without incident.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force.
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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Gary Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay over $1 Million in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Dorian L. Hall, 47, of Gary, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon today following his June 2021 guilty plea for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and filing a false tax return, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Hall was sentenced to 39 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,053,549.95 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to court documents, Hall operated a tax return preparation business from 2014-2016. He prepared tax returns for clients in which he fabricated income numbers to maximize the Earned Income Tax Credit and provided false information to obtain a refundable education credit. By falsifying returns in this manner, Hall’s clients received tax refunds from the IRS in excess of what they were entitled to receive. Hall charged a fee for preparing each return, typically around $1,000.
During the 2014-2016 timeframe, Hall filed over 300 fraudulent tax returns, including his own. He received hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees for the returns he filed and he also did not declare that income to the IRS. Hall’s conduct caused a loss to U.S. taxpayers of over $1,000,000.
Hall had previously pled guilty to criminal tax charges in November 2015 and was sentenced in April 2016. After learning that he was under investigation by the IRS, he opened 15 new bank accounts to support his tax preparation activities while claiming to have ceased his operations. After being sent to prison, the IRS uncovered his additional tax preparation activities, resulting in the new charges and the sentence imposed today.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra McTague.
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Fort Wayne, Indiana Man Sentenced to 211 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Antonio Armour, 34 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Armour was sentenced to 211 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on June 15, 2021, law enforcement served a federal search warrant at Armour’s Fort Wayne residence, from which he had sold narcotics on multiple occasions. During the search, officers found over 100 grams of methamphetamine and over 300 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and an analogue of fentanyl. Officers located several loaded firearms in the residence, including multiple 9 mm handguns, an AK-style pistol and an AR-15 rifle. Officers located other items consistent with drug dealing activity, including plastic baggies, multiple digital scales, a cutting agent, several cell phones and $75,000 in U.S. currency.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police and Allen County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Sarah Nokes.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Fort Smith Woman Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal Prison for Pandemic Benefits Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – A Fort Smith woman was sentenced on December 8, 2021 to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $120,978.00 in restitution following her guilty plea to one count of Wire Fraud. The Honorable Judge P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court documents, Fort Smith Police encountered Jasmin Molina, 26, in possession of identity documents and banking information belonging to unwitting victims. Molina used the documents to file for pandemic related unemployment benefits from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) and directed benefits payments to bank accounts under her control. Using login information from the ADWS web portal, law enforcement was able to connect Molina to numerous benefits applications she made using others’ identities.
These benefits, called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) are authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020, and are intended for those have become unemployed for reasons related to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Fort Smith Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations Fort Smith Division, U.S. Department of Labor and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Bridges prosecuted the case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Fort Dodge Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
A Fort Dodge man who failed to register as a sex offender pled guilty December 14, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Understanding Born Marshall age 38, from Fort Dodge, Iowa was convicted of failure to register as a sex offender.
In a plea agreement, Marshall admitted that he was residing in Webster County, Iowa and failed to update his address and registration information as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Marshall was previously convicted of two counts of second-degree rape in North Carolina in 2002.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Marshall remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Marshall faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years up to life on supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-3032.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Former Netflix Executive Sentenced to 30 Months for Bribes and Kickbacks from Netflix VendorsRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE –Michael Kail, the former Vice President of IT Operations at Netflix, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for his convictions for honest services wire, mail fraud, and money laundering, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, Federal Bureau of Investigation Craig D. Fair, and IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Pearson. Kail was also ordered to forfeit $700,000, pay a $50,000 fine, and serve a three term of supervision upon release from prison. The sentence was handed down by the United States District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.
Kail was indicted April 26, 2018, and charged with nineteen counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and seven counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 (wire fraud), 1341 (mail fraud), 1346 (honest services fraud), and 1957 (money laundering).
On April 30, 2021, after a three-week trial, a jury returned guilty verdicts on 28 of the 29 counts charged. The jury also made findings to support the forfeiture of property Kail had purchased with the proceeds of his fraud.
“Bribery and kickbacks are pernicious crimes that stifle Silicon Valley’s culture of competitive innovation,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds. “Michael Kail used his highly compensated Netflix position to siphon cash and valuable stock options from his tech vendors, the same vendors whose Netflix contracts he signed and whose technologies he pushed his teams to use. Such crimes come with a cost, as reflected by the prison sentence that Kail will now serve.”
“As alleged in the indictment, Mr. Kail chose which IT contracts were awarded by Netflix according to how he was able to bribe those companies to provide him with financial compensation, rather than choosing them on their merit,” said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. "Mr. Kail not only defrauded Netflix, but he also allowed for a ‘pay-to-play’ scheme, which he concocted, to take precedence over the free and fair competitive business environment that drives our economy."
“Mr. Kail’s greed to enrich himself cost Netflix and its shareholders money and property by agreeing to contracts for goods and services beyond what the company needed or would have paid for,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Pearson. “Mr. Kail abused a position of trust and facilitated a scheme that benefited himself. IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to uncovering these heinous acts of greed and prosecute such malevolent crimes.”
Kail, 52, of Los Gatos, was employed at Netflix as the Vice President in charge of IT Operations from 2011 until July 2014. Netflix policies prohibited conflicts of interest by its employees by its Code of Ethics and its “Culture Deck,” which required the disclosure of actual or apparent conflicts of interest and the reporting of gifts from entities seeking to sell products or services to the company.
Kail, as Netflix’s Vice President of IT Operations, approved the contracts to purchase IT products and services from smaller outside vendor companies and authorized payments to them. Evidence produced at trial proved that Kail solicited and received bribes and ‘kickbacks’ from nine tech companies providing products or services to Netflix. In exchange, Kail approved millions of dollars in contracts for goods and services provided by them to Netflix. Kail received over $500,000 and stock options from the outside companies. He used his kickback payments in multiple ways, including to pay his personal expenses and to buy a home in Los Gatos, California.
Kail facilitated the payments, the evidence at trial showed, by creating and controlling a limited liability corporation called Unix Mercenary, LLC. The LLC was created on February 7, 2012, and it had no employees and no business location. Kail was the sole signatory to its accounts.
Two days before Unix Mercenary was registered with the California Secretary of State, Kail signed a Sales Representative Agreement to receive cash payments from Netenrich, Inc., amounting to 12% of any billings from Netenrich to Netflix for staffing and IT services. Later in 2012, Kail’s Unix Mercenary began to receive 15% of all billing payments that VistaraIT, LLC, a wholly owned company of Netenrich, received from Netflix. From 2012 to 2014, Netenrich paid Unix Mercenary approximately $269,986, and VistaraIT paid Unix Mercenary approximately $177,863.
These payments stopped in late 2014, after Kail left Netflix.
Evidence at trial showed that several more companies paid Kail. Neither Netenrich, Vistara, nor any of the other companies were charged with criminal conduct. Only Kail was charged with devising the criminal scheme that defrauded Netflix.
In 2013, the trial evidence showed, Platfora, Inc. sought to do business with Netflix. In June 2013 – at a time Kail was seeking to buy his expensive Los Gatos residence – he met with Platfora employees and signed an evaluation agreement for Netflix engineers to test Platfora’s product, a data analytics software program. On July 13, 2013, Kail met with Platfora’s CEO for drinks and later thanked him in an email saying, “I look forward to helping you in both a Netflix and Advisory capacity.” Two days later, Kail signed an “advisory” agreement with Platfora that provided him with the right to purchase up to 75,000 options, approximately .25% of the company. Shortly thereafter, Kail provided Platfora with Netflix’s internal information about Platfora’s competitors’ prices. In September 2013, while he was a compensated “advisor” to Platfora, Kail signed, on behalf of Netflix, a multi-stage $250,000 per year contract with Platfora. Internally, Kail urged his Netflix employees to use the product, despite their satisfaction with a competing product for which Netflix was already paying. When an inquiry from the Netflix CEO ensued, Kail falsely denied that he was formally working with Platfora. Kail resigned from his advisory position at Platfora the following week.
Additional evidence showed that Kail received payments or compensation from other companies doing business with Netflix. In June 2012, he became an “advisor” to and received options for shares from the company Sumo Logic, Inc. The next month, Kail authorized and signed, on behalf of Netflix, a vendor agreement between Netflix and Sumo Logic. The agreement led to over $300,000 in payments by Netflix, approved by Kail, to Sumo Logic. Kail then approved a further $800,000 two-year contract with Sumo Logic.
Similarly, trial evidence showed Kail received $5,000 per month consulting for Netskope, Inc., and also received options to purchase 106,000 shares of Netskope stock options. Kail authorized Netflix to enter a $112,500 contract with Netskope just weeks before Kail resigned from Netflix. Kail also purchased, on behalf of Netflix, a small amount of storage from Maginatics, Inc., and then became an “advisor” to Maginatics, allowing him to purchase up to 30,000 shares. Kail thereafter increased Netflix’s purchase of storage from Maginatics by tenfold. Kail made approximately $120,000 when Maginatics was sold the next year. Kail also was promised stock options in the company ElasticBox, Inc., and thereafter signed a June 2013 Netflix order for a $600,000, 3-year subscription to ElasticBox’s cloud services. Later that year, he signed an additional $850,000 contract for more cloud services. Kail also accepted an “advisor” position with Numerify, Inc. in February 2014 that provided him an early option to purchase 36,000 shares. Three months later Kail, on behalf of Netflix, signed an $85,000 subscription agreement for Numerify’s software. Also in February 2014, Kail signed a $120,000 contract with Docurated, Inc., which had previously compensated him with two rounds of options, some of which Kail had already exercised.
The evidence at trial further showed that Netflix IT employees involved with testing some of these products did not know that many of the startups’ software was being paid for by Netflix; rather, they assumed many of the products were unpaid “pilots” of untested software, a routine practice in the tech industry. The employees further did not know that Kail was being paid by the companies.
United States District Judge Beth Labson Freeman further ordered Kail to surrender on March 8, 2022, to begin serving his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Sampson, Kyle Waldinger, Christopher Kaltsas, and Daniel Kaleba (former) prosecuted the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Former Louisiana Police Chief and Current City Councilmember Indicted for Alleged Vote Buying SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – An indictment issued by a federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana, was unsealed charging former Amite City Police Chief Jerry Trabona and current Amite City Councilmember Kristian Hart with criminally violating federal election laws as part of a scheme to pay for votes in a federal election.
According to the indictment, Trabona, 73, of Amite City, and Hart, 49, of Amite City, conspired to and did unlawfully pay voters to cast their ballots for certain candidates during the 2016 Open Primary Election and the 2016 Open General Election in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. The indictment alleges that, in furtherance of the scheme, the conspirators solicited and hired individuals to identify potential voters, transported those voters to the polls where they were provided with the names and candidate numbers of candidates, and paid the voters to cast their ballots for candidates.
Trabona and Hart are each charged with conspiracy to buy votes and multiple counts of buying votes. The defendants are scheduled for their initial court appearance on Dec. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each count. The Department of Justice also announced the guilty pleas of two additional Tangipahoa Parish residents for their involvement in vote buying in Tangipahoa Parish during the 2016 election period: Sidney Smith, 68, of Amite City, and Calvin Batiste, 64, of Independence. Smith and Batiste each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to buy votes during the 2016 election. Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk on Nov. 29, and Batiste pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman on Dec. 8. Smith and Batiste both face 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 and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Rosaleen O’Gara and Michael N. Lang of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene M. González of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Louisiana Police Chief and Current City Councilmember Indicted for Alleged Vote Buying SchemeRead the Press Release
An indictment issued by a federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana, was unsealed charging former Amite City Police Chief Jerry Trabona and current Amite City Councilmember Kristian Hart with criminally violating federal election laws as part of a scheme to pay for votes in a federal election.
According to the indictment, Trabona, 73, of Amite City, and Hart, 49, of Amite City, conspired to and did unlawfully pay voters to cast their ballots for certain candidates during the 2016 Open Primary Election and the 2016 Open General Election in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. The indictment alleges that, in furtherance of the scheme, the conspirators solicited and hired individuals to identify potential voters, transported those voters to the polls where they were provided with the names and candidate numbers of candidates, and paid the voters to cast their ballots for candidates.
Trabona and Hart are each charged with conspiracy to buy votes and multiple counts of buying votes. The defendants are scheduled for their initial court appearance on Dec. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each count. The Department of Justice also announced the guilty pleas of two additional Tangipahoa Parish residents for their involvement in vote buying in Tangipahoa Parish during the 2016 election period: Sidney Smith, 68, of Amite City, and Calvin Batiste, 64, of Independence. Smith and Batiste each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to buy votes during the 2016 election. Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk on Nov. 29, and Batiste pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman on Dec. 8. Smith and Batiste both face 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 and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Rosaleen O’Gara and Michael N. Lang of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene M. González of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Hamilton County Deputy sentenced to 42 months in prison for using excessive forceRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A former Hamilton County jail deputy was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 42 months in prison for using unreasonable force while acting under color of law. The former law enforcement officer shoved a suspect in a holding cell with such force that the victim left his feet and collided headfirst with a concrete wall, losing consciousness, splitting open his head, and breaking his leg.
Jason Mize, 35, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in January 2021 to the willful violation of the victim’s Constitutional right to be free from excessive force.
Court documents detail that on August 20, 2016, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 61-year-old individual and brought him to the Hamilton County Justice Center for processing.
While the victim was in medical intake, Mize approached the victim from behind and told the individual to stand. Mize then pushed the victim towards a holding cell, shoving the victim with such force that the victim collided headfirst with a concrete wall. Mize left the victim, who was bleeding from the head, on the floor.
When asked by a supervisor if there was a use of force or anybody was hurt, Mize said no. Mize eventually returned to the cell to raise a curtain on the door to cover the cell’s window. The supervisor then checked the cell and called for the nurse. While the nurse administered first aid, Mize stood outside the cell and drank a soda.
The victim – who was later acquitted of the crime for which he had been arrested – stayed in the hospital for two weeks and suffered a scalp hematoma with lacerations and a leg fracture.
The United States argued at sentencing that Mize’s crime was part of a history of violence as a law enforcement officer. According to court documents, Mize began working as a deputy in 2007 and was laid off in 2008. He was rehired in 2011 and served until his resignation in 2016. During his time as a deputy, Mize was disciplined more than nine times. At least three of those times were for excessive force. At the time of this offense, Mize had been given a counseling letter on two occasions and suspended without pay at least once.
In April 2017, after his resignation from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Mize stated on Facebook Messenger: “I miss choking people.”
Over the course of the investigation into Mize’s conduct, the defendant lied repeatedly and pressured witnesses not to come forward.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Ebunoluwa Taiwo are representing the United States in this case.
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Former Employee of Norman Based Oil and Gas Company Pleads Guilty to Forging Company Checks Resulting in a Loss to the Company of More Than $830,000Read the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, RONALD DAVID KIRKPATRICK II, age 51, of Norman, pleaded guilty to uttering forged securities, in connection with his taking over $830,000 from a Norman based oil and gas exploration company, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On July 7, 2020, Kirkpatrick was charged by Indictment of 10 counts of bank fraud, 10 counts of uttering forged securities, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Public records reflect that from 2007 through October 2018, Kirkpatrick worked at a Norman based oil and gas exploration company as an accountant.
Today, Kirkpatrick pleaded guilty to writing a forged check from his company’s bank account made payable to himself, in the amount of $7,275, in August 2018. At today’s change of plea hearing, Kirkpatrick admitted that he used this method of forging checks to take money from his former employer from 2015 through 2018, and he stipulated that the total loss to the company resulting from his conduct was $831,372.82. Public records allege Kirkpatrick used the proceeds from the forged checks to pay for vacations, car purchases, and to buy inventory for a business he planned to open. He admitted today he used the proceeds from his scheme for personal gain.
At sentencing, Kirkpatrick faces up to 10 years in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, Kirkpatrick agreed to pay restitution to the oil and gas company in the amount of $831,372.82. Kirkpatrick will be sentenced in approximately 90 days.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly.
Reference is made to the information and other public filings for further information.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a three-count indictment on December 10, 2021 charging a New Orleans man for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.
According to court documents, KENDALE ADAMS, a/k/a, “Kendral Adams,” a/k/a “Kendall Adams,” age 39, is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). In Count 2, ADAMS is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). In Count 3, ADAMS is charged with carrying a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).
If convicted of Count 1, ADAMS faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. If convicted of Count 2, ADAMS faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. If convicted of Count 3, ADAMS faces a mandatory consecutive 5 years imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher.
Enrolled member of the Acoma Pueblo sentenced to five years in federal prison for sexual abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Estevan Antonio, 26, of Acoma, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Acoma Pueblo, was sentenced in federal court on Dec. 9 to five years and three months in prison for sexual abuse in Indian Country.
Antonio pleaded guilty on June 28, 2019. According to the plea agreement, on the night of July 5, 2017, and into the morning of July 6, 2017, Antonio sexually abused the victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe. Antonio sexually abused the victim knowing she was incapable of declining to participate. The offense took place on the Acoma Pueblo in Cibola County, New Mexico.
Upon his release from prison, Antonio will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
The Southern Pueblos of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) investigated this case with assistance from the Acoma Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle prosecuted the case as part of the Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. Individuals with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse are encouraged to contact the Children’s Advocacy Center tipline at (575) 526-3437.
Eight Men Arrested in Jet Ski Transfer of 26 Kilos of CocaineRead the Press Release
ST. THOMAS, USVI – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today that eight men were arrested December 11, 2021, in St. Thomas, USVI for smuggling 26 kilograms of cocaine. On December 11, 2021 Wilfredo Vazquez Lopez, Jonathan Fernandez Montesino, Esteban Borrome Diaz, Smarling Villilo De Los Santo, Emmanuel Rodriguez Rodriguez, Jose Martes Gozalez, Guillermo Morales and Ben Carrasquillosanto, had their initial appearances before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge George Cannon, Jr. on criminal charges related to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on December 11, 2021 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) air patrol detected four jet skis traveling from Culebra, PR towards St. Thomas, USVI. CBP-AMO air patrol surveilled the jet skis, each operated by a sole occupant, as they approached the west side of St. Thomas. Air patrol watched as the skis made way to the beach at Mermaid’s Chair where they were met by four individuals in a red Jeep Wrangler. CBP-AMO officers saw duffle bags being loaded on to the skis, and the skis quickly leaving towards Culebra, PR. CBP-AMO law enforcement vessels pursued the four jet skis towards Culebra, PR.
One driver drove his ski on to a Culebra, PR beach and fled on foot. He escaped capture. A duffle bag was recovered near the abandoned ski. Inside the duffle bag, officers recovered 26 packages which contained a substance that field-tested positive for the presence of cocaine. A third suspect was able to evade capture by splitting off in a different direction from the other skis. Two other operators, Gozalez and Carrasquillosanto, were apprehended. Gozales, a former Puerto Rican Police officer, was followed by CBP-AMO air patrol. His position was relayed to CBP-AMO officers on the water who detained Gozalez while still on a ski. Carrasquillosanto was seen by Puerto Rican Police Forces loading a black and purple jet ski onto a trailer at a nearby marina. He was shown a picture taken by CBP-AMO air patrol which depicted the operator of the purple and black jet ski wearing the same clothes as Carrasquillosanto. Carrasquillosanto admitted to being one of the operators of a ski that was seen at Mermaid’s Chair in St. Thomas.
DEA, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents stopped the red Jeep Wrangler that loaded the duffle bags on to the jet skis as it was leaving Botany Bay Preserve. Esteban Rafael Borrome Diaz (the driver), Wilfredo Ricardo Vazquez Lopez, Jonathan Fernandez Montesino, Smarling Villilo De Los Santo, Emmanuel Rodriguez Rodriguez, and Guillermo Morales were all detained. A Glock pistol was seen in plain view inside the rear pocket of the driver’s seat where Vazquez Lopez was seated. Another Glock pistol without a serial number was located in the center console.
On December 13, 2021, all eight defendants appeared before Judge Cannon via videoconference for their initial appearances.
All eight men are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance under 21 U.S.C §§ 841(b)(1)(B) and 846. If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
CBP-AMO and HSI are investigating the case, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of the Virgin Islands is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Eagle Pass Police Detective Charged with Harboring ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – Hazel Eileen Diaz, aka Sandra, 51, a detective with the Eagle Pass Police Department was arrested in Eagle Pass today on criminal charges related to her alleged participation in a conspiracy to harbor undocumented noncitizens.
On December 8, 2021, Diaz; Tomas Alejandro Mendez, 26; and Paola Nikole Cazares, 20, were all charged by superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, pursuant to Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Mendez and Cazares, both from Eagle Pass, were previously arrested and remain in federal custody since their arrest on August 26, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs made the announcement.
The FBI, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kam is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Decatur Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Decatur, Illinois, man, Tyler D. Jeffrey, 29, of the 2100 block of East Roosevelt Ave., was sentenced on December 13, 2021, to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography.
At Jeffrey’s sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Mihm found that Jeffrey faced enhanced penalties based on his prior 2011 conviction for criminal sexual abuse in Macon County.
In August 2020, Jeffrey entered a plea of guilty to the indictment, which charged him with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, both on November 28, 2019. Jeffrey has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his arrest in July 2020.
Following Jeffrey’s release from prison, he will be on federal supervised release for eight years and will be required to register as a sex offender.
“The investigation and prosecution in this case was the culmination of the collective hard work of several state and federal law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “This is another example of the success that can be achieved from this effort.”
The charges were investigated by Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Decatur Police Department; and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led by the Illinois Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly Peirson represented the government in the prosecution.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Cumberland County Attorney Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Cumberland County, New Jersey-based attorney was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for evading more than $250,000 in federal taxes on income generated from his law firm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Douglas M. Long, 55, of Upper Deerfield, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Noel. L Hillman to an information charging him with one count of federal income tax evasion. Judge Hillman imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2012 through 2015, Long, managing partner of the Woodbury, New Jersey, law firm Long & Marmero LLP, exercised primary control over the firm’s finances and supervised the firm’s bookkeeper. Many of Long’s personal expenses, including school tuition for his children, utilities and service fees for his personal residences, student loan payments for Long and his spouse, and other expenses, repeatedly were paid out of the law firm’s bank accounts. Long directed the bookkeeper to falsely classify these payments as law firm business expenses to avoid his tax obligations. He also falsely declared, under penalty of perjury, that his personal tax returns for tax years 2012 through 2015 were true and accurate when they were not. Long ultimately concealed over $800,000 in personal income and evaded payment of over $250,000 in taxes owed to the IRS during tax years 2012 through 2015, including $368,000 in income and $120,000 in taxes for tax year 2014.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hillman sentenced Long to three years of supervised release, fined him $10,000 and ordered him to pay restitution of $269,736.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez , and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce P. Keller of Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
Convicted Felon Guilty on Gun Charge, Captured by K-9 Following PursuitRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A federal jury convicted a Middle Georgia resident with a violent criminal history of illegally possessing a firearm after he was captured following a high-speed and foot chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, helicopter support and a K-9 unit.
Angel D. Feliciano, 36, of Warner Robins, was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon late this afternoon following a two-day trial that began on Monday, Dec. 13. Feliciano is facing a maximum ten years in prison to be followed by a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III on March 8. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Feliciano endangered innocent lives when he chose to flee law enforcement in a stolen vehicle, driving wildly in a Macon residential area while striking several cars before taking off on foot,” said Peter D. Leary, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Due to his long and violent criminal history, Feliciano is now facing a lengthy prison sentence for illegally possessing a dangerous weapon. Our office will seek federal prosecution for repeat and violent offenders with guns. I want to thank the law enforcement teams that worked this case, especially those who helped to safely capture Feliciano.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, law enforcement were alerted to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle on June 15, 2020. A GSP trooper monitoring traffic on I-75 spotted the vehicle in the southbound lane at mile marker 190, driven by Feliciano, and attempted to pull him over. Instead of stopping, Feliciano accelerated, and a high-speed chase ensued. Multiple officers from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and GSP joined the effort to pull Feliciano over as he became increasingly reckless, exiting the highway and racing through residential areas, striking several vehicles, all of which was captured on dash cam. A successful PIT maneuver was executed, stopping Feliciano’s vehicle. Feliciano then fled on foot. A GSP helicopter provided air support during the search. Feliciano was eventually found by a Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) K-9 and was taken into custody. A 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition and a stolen .32 caliber semiautomatic pistol were found in the car. Feliciano has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for aggravated assault, fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joy Odom and Shanelle Booker are prosecuting the case.
Construction company owner sentenced to prison for mail fraud involving worker safety and embezzlement from company 401(k) programRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – The owner of a Cincinnati-based construction company was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 18 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining employee safety training certificates and embezzling from the company’s pension benefit program.
Ron Craig Estes, owner of R&R Steel, LLC, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black in January 2020 to mail fraud and theft from an employee benefit plan.
According to court documents, Estes devised a scheme in 2015 to skirt Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements by buying fake employee training certifications in order to compete for a contract to provide steel installation and other work for the 8th and Sycamore project in Cincinnati. Estes paid $800 for 10 fake training certificates to avoid the costs and time associated with ensuring that all of the company’s employees had completed appropriate safety training. R&R received the $450,000 contract to do the work.
Court documents also say Estes embezzled between $15,000 and $40,000 from the company’s 401(k) retirement benefit plan established for the workers. Estes completed distribution forms for workers who had left the company and forged the participant’s signature on the distribution checks in order to cash the checks for his own benefit and use.
At sentencing, the United States argued that many of the victims in this case were particularly vulnerable due to being limited English proficient, migrant workers who feared reporting Estes’ criminal activities. According to court records, the Ohio Department of Commerce found that the company had violated the prevailing wage laws for the 8th & Sycamore project and ordered R&R Steel, LLC to pay $292,276.33, including $150,789.09 in past wages due and $141,487.24 in penalties associated with these violations.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, commended the investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa Taiwo is representing the United States in this case.
If you believe you are a victim of this fraud, please contact the Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272.
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Chinese Citizen Charged with Massive Anabolic Steroid and Fentanyl Precursor Chemical Distribution SchemeRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has filed federal charges against one of the world’s largest alleged anabolic steroid producers, U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham announced today.
Chuen Fat Yip, a 68-year-old citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) also known as Ye Chuan Fa, was charged in September 2018 with five drug crimes, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl precursor, conspiracy to import anabolic steroids, and manufacturing anabolic steroids and fentanyl precursor with the knowledge that they will be unlawfully imported. The indictment against Yip and two coconspirators was unsealed on March 11, 2021. On Nov. 18, 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office obtained a seizure warrant for more than 49.1 bitcoin – currently worth approximately $2.3 million – from a crypto wallet that traced back to Yip.
“We cannot allow foreign nationals to flood the United States with dangerous drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. “This defendant allegedly made millions manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids and fentanyl precursors to American customers. The Justice Department will pursue drug defendants to the furthest reaches of the globe if that’s what it takes to stem the tide of the drug epidemic.”
“Transnational criminal organizations seek to threaten our health and safety by importing dangerous drugs and chemicals, such as fentanyl. DEA’s mission to seek justice must be worldwide when combatting this threat,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez. “The YC Group allegedly utilized global logistics for personal gain while profiting from those individuals vulnerable to the dangers of drug abuse. Mr. Yip’s alleged criminal activities have caught up with him and DEA Fort Worth will use every tool, every law enforcement partner, and every community resource to ensure he and his conspirators are held accountable.”
According to court documents, Yip – who is believed to reside in Wuhan City, Hubei Provence, PRC – allegedly owned and operated the Yuancheng (YC) Group, a chemical manufacturing company responsible for producing and distributing approximately $280 million worth of anabolic steroids, including $55 million worth of anabolic steroids shipped to the United States over a five-year period.
The YC Group allegedly advertised the sale of illegal controlled substances at trade shows and on a variety of websites, including sellsteroids.com, steroidsmart.com, and pharmade.com. In October 2015, Yip allegedly attended a trade show in the United States, bringing his company vice president and a sales manager with him. His underlings allegedly met with customers and negotiated transactions involving more than 100 kilograms. During those meetings, they acknowledged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s efforts to stem the flow of anabolic steroids and outlined steps the customers needed to avoid detection.
Following production of the steroids and other controlled substances, the YC Group allegedly shipped the contraband out of Shanghai or Hong Kong to locations around the globe, including 84 foreign counties and all 50 U.S. states. They shipped parcels weighing less than 50 kilograms via commercial air carries, including the U.S. Postal Service, and used cargo vessels to transport shipments weighing more than 50 kilograms. Shipments were typically disguised in packaging intended to resemble other products, such as food.
On one occasion, the YC Group allegedly agreed to ship approximately 24 kilograms of 4-ANPP, a precursor for fentanyl, from the PRC to the United States. The conspirators also allegedly agreed that the precursor would then be smuggled from the United States to Mexico, where it would be combined with other chemicals to produce fentanyl, then smuggled back into the United States, where it would be distributed to dealers and end-users.
The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Chuen Fat Yip, aka “Chuan Fa Ye,” or for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of Yip’s alleged transnational organized crime group, the Yuancheng (YC) Group. If you have information, please contact the DEA at +1-972-591-1326 via text/WhatsApp/Telegram/ Signal, or by email at [email protected]. If in the United States, please contact the local DEA office in your city.
The DEA’s Dallas Field Division - Fort Worth District Office conducted the investigation. Essential support and coordination was provided by the Department of Justice’s multi-agency Special Operations Division in coordination with DEA’s Denver Field Division, Cyber Support Section, and Near East Region, including assigned attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section’s Digital Currency Initiative provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chicago Consultant Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Chicago consultant pleaded guilty today to a federal tax offense for willfully attempting to evade and defeat the assessment of income taxes.
EDWARD ACEVEDO, 58, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly. The conviction is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Judge Kennelly set sentencing for March 9, 2022.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Sarah E. Streicker, Timothy J. Chapman, Michelle Kramer, and Julia Schwartz.
Acevedo worked as a self-employed consultant. He admitted in a plea agreement that he willfully failed to file an individual income tax return for the calendar years 2015 through 2018, causing a loss to the IRS of at least approximately $37,380. Acevedo further admitted that he attempted to evade taxes by handling his affairs in a manner so as to avoid the creation and maintenance of customary business and accounting records.
After discovering that he was under investigation by the IRS, Acevedo provided incomplete information to his accountant concerning the sources of Acevedo’s income and expenses for 2017 and 2018, causing the accountant to prepare incomplete federal tax returns for those years, the plea agreement states.
Charleroi Postal Worker Charged with Mail TheftRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - One resident of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal Postal laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Matthew Bellay, age 31, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on October 29, 2020, Bellay engaged in theft of mail matter while employed for the United States Postal Service.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 5 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, or a combination thereof. 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 Brian W. Castello is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General 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.
Carnegie Man Sentenced for Obstructing Pittsburgh Police during May 30, 2020 Pittsburgh ProtestRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on a charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Andrew Augustyniak-Duncan, 31, was sentenced to 41 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
The court was previously advised that on May 30, 2020, Augustyniak-Duncan did knowingly and willfully throw projectiles, including pieces of concrete and a pipe, at several police officers, causing the obstruction, impediment and interference of law enforcement officers engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties. Two officers were struck in the head and suffered concussions.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
Canadian Citizen Sentenced to 68 Months in Prison for Aiding and Abetting Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Minneapolis – A Canadian man was sentenced to 68 months in prison for aiding and abetting unlawful possession of firearms, announced Acting United States Attorney Charles J. Kovats.
According to court documents, on January 10, 2021, Muzamil Aden Addow, 30, and co-defendant Dayne Adrian Sitladeen, 29, were stopped by a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper near Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The defendants were traveling between 95-100 miles per hour in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with Texas license plates. When the Trooper approached the vehicle, Muzamil Aden Addow, the driver, provided an Ontario, Canada, driver’s license with a false name.
According to court documents, after detecting the odor of marijuana in the vehicle and receiving suspicious and inconsistent statements from Addow and Sitladeen, the Trooper searched the vehicle. As a result of the search, law enforcement officers recovered a total of 67 firearms and numerous pistol magazines, including 15 high-capacity pistol magazines, from four bags in the truck—one pistol magazine was partially loaded with live ammunition rounds.
Addow, who pleaded guilty on July 27, 2021, to one count of aiding and abetting firearm possession by aliens unlawfully in the United States, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel. On December 8, 2021, his co-defendant Dayne Adrian Sitladeen was sentenced to 78 months in prison.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Minnesota State Patrol.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Bates.
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Camden County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in the city of Camden, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Jose Agron, 28, of Oaklyn, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
During his sentencing hearing, Agron agreed that the amount of heroin jointly attributable to him, as a member of the conspiracy, was one to three kilograms. He also acknowledged his role, as a member of the conspiracy, with respect to the distribution of cocaine and cocaine base.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
A total of nineteen defendants were arrested in late 2018 on drug-trafficking charges based on the FBI’s investigation of a drug-trafficking organization that ran the open-air narcotics trade on the 400-500 block of Pine Street in Camden for several months in 2018. The investigation used various investigative tactics including video surveillance, confidential informants, consensual recordings, controlled drug purchases, and several court-authorized wiretaps to uncover the inner workings of the drug-trafficking organization. The organization included street-level sellers like Agron, who worked various shifts selling drugs to customers and collecting drug proceeds. These street-level sellers were supervised by different layers of managers who, in turn, supplied the drug set with pre-packaged heroin, some of which was mixed with fentanyl, as well as cocaine and crack cocaine. The FBI and other law enforcement officers recovered multiple firearms from different locations connected to the drug organization at the time of the 2018 arrests.
Seventeen of these defendants already have entered guilty pleas on drug conspiracy charges. Two defendants are awaiting trial, on a date to be set by the Court. The charges and allegations against those two defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Agron to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay; the Camden County Sherriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert L. Wilson; the Cherry Hill Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief of Police Larry Robb; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. She also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Department of Homeland Security for their assistance.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Aliabadi and Patrick C. Askin of the U. S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
CEO of Shreveport Federal Credit Union Pleads Guilty to Charges in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Helen Godfrey-Smith, 72, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to making and using a false document.
Godfrey-Smith was employed by the Shreveport Federal Credit Union (SFCU) from 1983 to 2017 and during much of that time was employed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SFCU. The SFCU was a Shreveport, Louisiana based financial institution under the regulation of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
In October 2016, the SFCU, through Godfrey-Smith, entered into an agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury to buy back certain securities that were part of the Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). As part of that process, on December 27, 2016, Godfrey-Smith signed and submitted to the United States Department of the Treasury an Officer’s Certificate which certified that all conditions precedent to the closing had been satisfied.
In reality, SFCU had not met all conditions precedent to closing and had suffered a material adverse effect. Unbeknownst to the United States Department of the Treasury and the NCUA, SFCU was in a financial crisis. From 2015 through 2017, another individual who was the Chief Financial Officer of SFCU (Individual 1), had been falsifying call reports to the NCUA which included millions of dollars in fictitious fee income. In addition, she was creating fictitious entries in the banks records to support the false call reports. This created the illusion that SFCU was profitable when, in fact, the bank was failing. In addition, Individual 1, embezzled approximately $1.5 million from the credit union.
By the time Godfrey-Smith signed the Officer's Statement, she had become aware of deficiencies at the credit union. Specifically, she had recently investigated and discovered that there were millions of dollars of fictitious entries on SFCU's general ledger, and the credit union's books were not balanced. However, she failed to disclose this information to the United States Department of the Treasury and signed the false Officer’s Statement.
In the Spring of 2017, the institution failed. It was taken over by regulators from the NCUA and placed into a conservatorship. An investigation by the NCUA revealed that SFCU had amassed in excess of $10 million in losses by December 2016.
Godfrey-Smith faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for April 5, 2022.
The FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Department of Treasury–Office of Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.
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Brush guide sentenced after abandoning people during freezeRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 27-year-old Harlingen man has been ordered to prison for two separate smuggling attempts, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Eduardo Javier Jimenez pleaded guilty to each respective crime on May 4 and June 22.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered he serve a total of 85 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release.
In February, authorities had found Jimenez on the side of the road asking for a ride. They observed his pants being wet and suspected he had been acting as a brush guide. However, at the time, they could not verify their suspicions and released him.
Later, law enforcement apprehended a group of 12 individuals after they had circumvented the Sarita checkpoint. The investigation revealed their guide had abandoned them, leaving them in below freezing temperatures for more than 15 hours. Some in the group claimed their brush guide told them he needed to use the restroom and to go ahead, and he would catch up. However, the guide had left them and disappeared. One person succumbed to hypothermia and died of dehydration.
One week later, Jimenez was found working as a brush guide for another group. At that time, he admitted he had done the same for the other group the week of the hard freeze.
He claimed the group had actually abandoned him. He later admitted this information was not true and eventually pleaded guilty to his role in both smuggling attempts.
Jimenez has been and will remain in custody spending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Pena prosecuted the case.
Browning man sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning who admitted to soliciting and receiving nude images of a minor girl was sentenced today to five years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Sean Henry White Bremner, aka Sean Bremz, 26, pleaded guilty in August to receipt of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in 2017, the FBI investigated allegations that adult men on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation were engaging in sexual conduct with juvenile females in exchange for methamphetamine. Investigators executed search warrants on Facebook accounts, including an account that belonged to a juvenile female, identified as JF1. A review of the account found several conversations with Facebook user “Sean.Bremnz” indicating that the user had engaged in a sexual relationship with JF1. The FBI subsequently identified “Sean.Bremnz” as the defendant. In July 2019, the FBI served a search warrant on Bremner’s Facebook account and found that Bremner had solicited and received nude photographs from a juvenile female, identified as JF2, who was 15 years old at the time though her Facebook account falsely listed her age as being 17 years old. JF2 admitted to the FBI that she sent nude images of herself to Bremner.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Browning man sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping minor children on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to repeatedly raping two children on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 15 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jonathan Cadotte, 60, pleaded guilty in August to a superseding information charging him with aggravated sexual abuse and to aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The parties agreed in a plea agreement that a specific sentence of 15 years in prison was appropriate in the case.
In court documents, the government alleged that Cadotte is a child predator who repeatedly sexually assaulted small children in the Browning area, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Beginning in September 2019 and continuing for about a year, Cadotte engaged in a sexual act by force against a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1. And from 1993 to about 1998, also in the Browning area, Cadotte engaged in a sexual act with another child victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, who had not yet reached 12 years of age.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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Bronx Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Lying to Federal Agents Which Led to the Shooting of Two Deputy United States MarshalsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that GRANT GRANDISON was sentenced to 24 months in prison for making false statements to federal agents, which led to the shooting of two Deputy U.S. Marshals on December 4, 2020. GRANDISON pled guilty on June 28, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra A. Freeman. U.S. District Court Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Grant Grandison lied when a team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, NYPD officers, and Massachusetts state troopers came to his apartment early on the morning of December 4, 2020 to arrest Andre Sterling, who was a fugitive from law enforcement. After Grandison lied to them, two federal agents were shot and injured that fateful morning, and several other agents were placed in serious danger. Grandison will now serve a meaningful sentence in prison to account for his crimes. This Office stands firmly behind all of our law enforcement partners, and especially the U.S. Marshals Service, as they work to enforce the laws and keep all New Yorkers safe.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:
On or about November 20, 2020, Andre Sterling allegedly shot a Massachusetts State Trooper during a traffic stop in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Sterling fled from Massachusetts and was deemed a fugitive. On or about November 24, 2020, a federal warrant was issued for Sterling’s arrest.
On the morning of December 4, 2020, several Deputy United States Marshals (the “Marshals”), along with officers from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and state troopers from the Massachusetts State Police, traveled to GRANDISON’s apartment in the Bronx (the “Apartment”), where they believed that Sterling was located, in order to arrest Sterling. The Marshals announced themselves as “U.S. Marshals” and encountered GRANDISON at the door. The Marshals asked GRANDISON, in sum and substance, if anyone else was in the Apartment, and GRANDISON replied, in sum and substance, that no one else was in the Apartment. At the time of GRANDISON’s statements to the Marshals, GRANDISON knew that Sterling was a fugitive, and that Sterling was hiding in a bedroom in the Apartment.
The Marshals proceeded into the Apartment, at which point Sterling came out from a bedroom in the Apartment and began firing at the Marshals, striking and injuring two Marshals. The Marshals returned fire, and Sterling was killed in the exchange. Law enforcement agents recovered a firearm from near Sterling.
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In addition to his prison sentence, GRANDISON was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $80,775 in restitution.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Marshals Service, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the New York City Police Department’s 47 Precinct Detective Squad, and the Massachusetts State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra N. Rothman is in charge of the prosecution.
Baltimore Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Related to a Fentanyl DeathRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Khalil Shaheed, age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees.
According to his guilty plea, after the investigation of a fatal overdose victim in Harford County, Maryland, investigators examined the victim’s cell phone activity and noted that the victim purchased heroin from a contact labeled “T” on at least seven occasions. The last date the victim purchased heroin from “T” was on October 14, 2017, three days before the victim’s death. In the last conversation, “T” directed the victim to meet them in a Baltimore, Maryland grocery store bathroom.
As result of an investigation into the overdose, investigators began to conduct physical surveillance on Shaheed. On November 9, 2017, investigators watched Shaheed depart from his Baltimore, Maryland residence and travel to a gas station. Before parking the vehicle, Shaheed circled the parking lot, stopped at a gas pump, and then parked directly in front of the gas station store. Upon parking, Shaheed stood outside his vehicle, stood next to his car while appearing to look for someone. Minutes later, Shaheed entered the gas station and went directly to the bathroom while a detective followed him. As the detective entered the bathroom, Shaheed quickly exited the bathroom with another male subject. Shaheed proceeded to exit the store without making any purchases.
Believing that a drug deal had just occurred, law enforcement obtained a court order to install a GPS device on Shaheed’s vehicle.
As stated in his plea agreement, on November 16, 2017, investigators executed a search warrant on Shaheed’s residence and vehicle. As a result of the search warrants, officers discovered a .9mm handgun, cocaine, and heroin packaged for distribution in his vehicle. In his residence, officers found a .25 caliber handgun, $12,452.36 in cash, ammunition, and additional drugs. In total, law enforcement seized approximately 82 grams of cocaine, 55 grams of heroin and 7 grams of fentanyl. Additionally, officers seized Shaheed’s cell phone that indicated his phone number was the same number as the contact saved as “T” in the victim’s cell phone.
On November 6, 2019, a federal grand jury indited Shaheed on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl to the deceased victim, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in November 2017, and possession of the firearms. An arrest warrant was issued based on these charges.
On November 20, 2019, federal investigators located Shaheed at his last residence and observed activity indicative of drug trafficking activity in plain view. Shaheed was arrested while officers executed a search warrant that resulted in the discovery of six bags of cocaine and a .25 caliber handgun.
Shaheed and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Shaheed will be sentenced to between eight years and twelve years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled the sentencing hearing for March 18, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
Mr. Barron commended the DEA, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Oldham and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Hann, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney, who are prosecuting this case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Avis Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Avis, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years in prison and 4 years supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Robert Morgret Jr., 58.
According to information presented to the court, on or about July 2019, to on or about June 2020, Morgret conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Ms. Chung commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Morgret. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Anaconda man admits attempted coercion, enticement of minor for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – An Anaconda man today admitted charges that he attempted to coerce and entice a girl he believed to be a minor into engaging in sexual activity during an undercover investigation, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Terry Joseph Jette, 56, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement as charged in an indictment. Jette faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for March 30, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jette was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 21, Jette initiated a conversation on Instagram with a 13-year-old user girl who was actually an undercover FBI special agent. At the start of the online chatting, Jette was told that the girl was 13 years old. Jette continued online communication with the girl until his arrest on July 9. During the communications, Jette sent the girl an image of his penis and requested nude images of the purported child. Jette initiated sexually explicit conversation with the girl, suggested a meeting and discussed bringing methamphetamine and condoms to the meeting. On July 8, Jette traveled from Anaconda to Missoula to meet the girl and asked her to sneak out of her house. When the girl was unable to meet that day, Jette suggested a meeting the next day in East Missoula. Jette made explicit statements about engaging in sexual intercourse and said he had meth. On July 9, Jette was arrested at the predetermined meeting location. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement found a condom, meth, Viagra and candy that the girl had told Jette she liked during their online communications.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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