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Friday 19 November 2021
Madison Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Armed Robbery of Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mekhi Moss, 20, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James Peterson to seven years in prison for robbing a convenience store and brandishing a firearm during the robbery. Moss pleaded guilty to these charges on July 7, 2021.
On January 21, 2020, Moss and another man robbed a Stop-N-Go in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Both were displaying handguns, and Moss had stolen his gun only days earlier. At the time of the robbery, Moss had eleven pending state cases and warrants for his arrest.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Moss has been a destructive force and the primary goal of sentencing was to protect the public. The judge noted that the armed robbery was very serious, and that Moss had a history of committing serious crimes. The prison term will be followed by four years of supervised release.
The charges against Moss were the result of an investigation conducted by the Sun Prairie Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Louisville Pharmacist Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Scheme Involving Pain Cream PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, KY – Louisville pharmacist Gary Green was sentenced to 9 months in prison, payment of a $4,000 fine, an order of restitution in the amount of $188,157.55, and forfeiture of $34,395 for his role in a health care fraud scheme involving fraudulent prescriptions for pain creams and regulatory violations relating to the storage of controlled substances.
According to court documents in the case, between November 2015 and December 2018, Green, 46, executed a scheme to obtain money from health care benefit programs by fraudulently billing those programs for pain cream prescriptions written for himself, his family, and his employees using the National Provider Identifier numbers of two physicians without their authority and authorization. Ultimately, Green deposited the proceeds from the fraudulently billed prescriptions into his business accounts and then transferred the proceeds to his personal bank accounts. Green collected $188,157.55 in proceeds from the fraudulent prescriptions.
In addition, from April 2014 and through January 2019, Green committed regulatory violations in that he intentionally omitted material information from a required report and filing when he failed to inform the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) when he transferred Schedule II-IV and III-IV controlled substances from closed pharmacies and stored the controlled substances in an unapproved commercial storage unit.
Michael A. Bennett, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tieke, Nicole Elver, and Joseph Ansari prosecuted the case. Bob Masterson, health care fraud investigator, assisted the prosecution team.
The case was investigated by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Department of Insurance, Department of Labor, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigation Service, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Loretto Woman Indicted in Embezzlement Scheme from Nashville BusinessRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A federal indictment unsealed yesterday charges a Loretto, Tennessee woman with three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, related to an embezzlement scheme which exceeded $200,000, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Kimberly Hodge, aka Kimberly Hughen, 51, of Loretto, Tennessee, surrendered to FBI agents yesterday.
According to the indictment, Hodge was the bookkeeper for Integrity Architectural Millwork (Integrity) and was responsible for, among other duties, making Quickbooks entries and recording payments to vendors. Between February 2019 and April 2020, Hodge fraudulently made deposits into her personal bank account from the operating account of Integrity and caused fraudulent payments to be made to her account from Integrity’s credit card.
The indictment also alleges that in February 2020, Hodge forged the name and signature of the owner of Integrity to apply for a loan from a financial institution in the amount of $150,000 to replenish the funds in the Integrity operating account to conceal the fraud. In the loan application, Hodge provided the owner’s personal information, including a photo of the owner’s driver’s license.
In April 2020, Integrity applied for and received a loan in the amount of $127,447 from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) of the Small Business Administration, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). These funds were intended to be used for employee salaries and business expenses of Integrity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment alleges that Hodge also transferred funds from the PPP account to the Integrity operating account to conceal her fraud. In May 2020, Integrity discovered the fraud and terminated Hodge’s employment, after which she continued to attempt to make fraudulent purchases using Integrity’s credit card.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation in which the government seeks a money judgement of at least $209,443.63, which represents the proceeds of the crimes committed.
If convicted, Hodge faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge and up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, and a fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Fraud Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn W. Booth is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Long Island Man Sentenced to 200 Months’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Provide Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Elvis Redzepagic was sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to 200 months’ imprisonment for attempting to provide material support and resources to the designated foreign terrorist organizations the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front. Redzepagic, a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2021.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“With the imposition of today’s lengthy sentence, Redzepagic pays a steep price for his misguided embrace of terrorism and his attempts to join ISIS and the al-Nusrah Front in order to wage violent jihad,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will remain vigilant in protecting the public from terrorist threats and in thwarting their violent attacks here and abroad.”
Mr. Peace thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché Office for Serbia, and the Government of Montenegro Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor’s Office, and Special Police Unit for their assistance in this case.
In early 2015, Redzepagic began communicating with an individual he believed to be both the commander of a battalion in Syria and a member of ISIS or the al-Nusrah Front, and made attempts to join that individual’s battalion to engage in violent jihad. In July 2015, Redzepagic traveled to Turkey and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to cross the border into Syria. Unable to enter Syria from Turkey, Redzepagic traveled to Jordan in August 2016, but was stopped and deported by Jordanian authorities.
In Facebook messages from October 2015, Redzepagic explained that “jihad” is when “you fight for the sake of God” and “die for the sake of Allah.” Redzepagic stated that he traveled to Turkey to “perform Jihad and join Jabhat Al-Nusra.” He predicted, “there will come a time where people will only know to say Allahu Akbar.”
A search of the defendant’s laptop yielded a variety of ISIS-specific extremist propaganda, including ISIS nasheeds, or Islamist hymns, including the “ISIS Anthem” in English. Redzepagic also repeatedly accessed the website “Put hilafeta,” or “Way to the Caliphate,” a Bosnian-language website for prospective foreign fighters from the Balkans who primarily sought to join ISIS and wage jihad in Syria.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and Artie McConnell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Stephanie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The Defendant:
ELVIS REDZEPAGIC
Age: 30
Commack, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-228 (DRH)
Licensed Attorney Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Medicaid in Scheme Involving Personal Care ServicesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Susan Engonwei Tingwei, 44, of Silver Spring, Md., a licensed attorney, pleaded guilty today to defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program out of more than $100,000 in a scheme involving false claims about personal care services.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division, Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General for the region that includes Washington, D.C., and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
Tingwei pleaded guilty to health care fraud, which carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and financial penalties. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Tingwei faces a likely recommended sentence of between 10 and 16 months in prison and potential financial penalties. She has agreed to pay $131,656.12 in restitution. The Honorable Carl J. Nichols scheduled sentencing for Feb. 22, 2022.
In court documents, Tingwei admitted that at various times between 2016 and 2018, she was employed by two different home health agencies in the District of Columbia. The home health agencies employed her to assist D.C. Medicaid beneficiaries in performing activities of daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, and eating.
Tingwei was supposed to document the care that she provided to Medicaid beneficiaries on timesheets and then submit the timesheets to the home health agencies, which would in turn bill Medicaid for the services that she rendered. As part of her guilty plea, Tingwei admitted that she submitted false timesheets claiming to provide services that she did not actually render.
Tingwei earned her Master of Laws degree from the University of Maryland in May 2017. She was admitted to the New York state bar in February 2018.
On 118 occasions between August 2016 and May 2017, Tingwei submitted timesheets claiming that she worked as a personal care aide in Washington, D.C., during the same hours when she either was scheduled to attend law school classes in Baltimore, or when she should have been traveling to or from Baltimore related to her law school program. For example, Tingwei submitted timesheets claiming that she provided services to two beneficiaries on April 13, 2017, one from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the other from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Records show Tingwei’s key card swiping in at the University of Maryland’s law school campus at 5:30 p.m. and swiping out at 9:29 p.m. Cell phone records also showed her cell phone being in Baltimore between 8:03 a.m. and 9:31 p.m. that day.
Tingwei admitted that her fraud scheme began no later than August 2016 and continued through September 2018. She acknowledged successfully defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program out of $131,656.
The FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who defraud the D.C. Medicaid program.
Tingwei is the eleventh former personal care aide since August 2018 to plead guilty to defrauding Medicaid in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Six of those aides were sentenced to 13 months in prison; a seventh was sentenced to serve 15 months.
The government urges the public to provide tips and assistance to stop health care fraud.
If you have information about individuals committing health care fraud, please call the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) HHS‑TIPS [(800) 447-8477] or the D.C. Office of the Inspector General at (800) 724-TIPS [(800) 274-8477].
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simmonds, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart and former Paralegal Specialists Angeline Thekkumthala and Brittany Phillips.
Laplace Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ELI JUAN MOORE, age 26, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 18, 2021 to 46 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing heroin (Count One), distributing a quantity of a mixture or substance containing heroin (Count Five), and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm (Count Seven). Additionally, MOORE was ordered to serve three (3) years of supervised release and pay $300 in mandatory special assessment fees. The sentences in each count are to run concurrently. No fines were imposed in this case.
According to court documents, in January 2019, MOORE sold heroin to a confidential informant. In May 2019, MOORE, who had previously been convicted of a felony, possessed an FM Hi-Power Model Detective, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol during a search of his residence.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Saint John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare prosecuted the matter.
Lafourche Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 18, 2021, MICHAEL LEWIS, age 33, a resident of Edgard, Louisiana, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). He faces a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, not more than three years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. LEWIS was charged in a one-count indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. LEWIS will be sentenced on January 27, 2022.
As part of his guilty plea, LEWIS, admitted to the following facts:
On Friday May 11, 2018 at approximately 11:45pm officers conducted a traffic stop on MICHAEL LEWIS for traffic violations (crossing the center lane and turning without a signal) in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The officers approached LEWIS and asked for his license. LEWIS did not have a driver’s license. Officers also observed an open beer and marijuana on the center console of the vehicle. As deputies conducted a pat down for their safety, LEWIS pushed one of the deputies and tried to run. LEWIS was then subdued by the officers after resisting arrest. A search of LEWIS revealed a loaded gun in his waistband. A criminal history check revealed that LEWIS had several prior felony convictions.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (A.T.F.). Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu is in charge of the prosecution.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Districts of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands were awarded funding totaling $1,451,527.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“Our office supports the efforts of Guam and CNMI law enforcement toward effective policing,” stated United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson. “The COPS Hiring Program will have a significant impact in our districts. We look forward to promoting additional partnerships as these opportunities arise.”
The following districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands received awards:
- Guam Police Department $ 778,800
- Department of Public Safety $ 672,727
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.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.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Kansas, Frontenac, Junction City, Olathe, and Rose Hill were awarded funding totaling $737,796.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“Manpower is an invaluable resource for local law enforcement agencies which have a lot of their plates like response, investigation, community engagement and other duties,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “These grants demonstrate the federal government is not only sensitive to the needs of police departments, but also invested in helping them to create safer communities for all citizens.”
The following cities/towns in USAO - Kansas District received awards:
- Frontenac $112,871
- Junction City $124,925
- Olathe $250,000
- Rose Hill $250,000
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.###
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Western District of Kentucky two cities and one county were awarded funding totaling $750,000.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“The citizens of the Western District are the ultimate beneficiaries of the Kentucky grants announced today,” stated United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. “The hiring of additional officers will result in safer communities for our residents. Congratulations to the grant recipients.”
The following cities and county in the Western District received awards:
- Bowling Green - $500,000
- Scottsville - $125,000
- Butler County - $125,000
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Department of Justice has awarded $139 million in grants to provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the District of Massachusetts, three communities were awarded funding totaling $750,000.
“Community policing is proven to protect the community by building trust and preventing crime,” said Acting United States Attorney, Nathaniel R. Mendell. “This funding will allow police departments to increase community policing, which his good news for the people of Massachusetts.”
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
The following communities in the District of Massachusetts received awards:
- City of Fitchburg – $250,000
- Town of Granby – $125,000
- Town of Plainville – $375,000
The Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is a competitive award program aimed at reducing crime and advancing public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2021AwardDocs/chp/Award_List.pdf
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Department of Justice announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Eastern District of Texas, San Augustine County, was awarded funding totaling $241,340.
“The U.S. Attorneys’ Office is proud to be a partner with the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “This supplement will help keep citizens of the county safer and it will improve officer safety for the department.”
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – The Department of Justice yesterday announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Western District of Virginia two localities were awarded funding totaling $$468,750.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“For more than 25 years, the Department’s COPS Program has supported local law enforcement to advance public safety in our communities. The money awarded under this year’s grant program will provide critical support to these local partners in our District in achieving their law enforcement mission,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today.
The following localities in the Western District of Virginia received awards:
- The City of Radford - $375,000
- The City of Buena Vista - $93,750
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
$250,000 Awarded to Law Enforcement Agencies
in the Southern District of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Southern District of West Virginia, two jurisdictions were awarded funding totaling $250,000.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
In the Southern District of West Virginia, the City of Fayetteville and Wood County both received awards of $125,000.
“This funding is much needed by our law enforcement partners, as cities and counties throughout the Southern District face unprecedented fiscal challenges,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “These additional federal resources most certainly will improve public safety in the communities of Fayetteville and Wood County by adding front-line community policing officers focused on preventing and solving crime.”
“We are very pleased to receive the CHP grant award,” said Fayetteville Police Chief David Kinzer. “The funding supports the hiring of an additional police officer and will enhance community policing efforts in our city.”
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537.0 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Northern District of Mississippi, the City of Starkville was awarded $276,209 in funding to hire three officers.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“We are pleased that the Northern District of Mississippi was included in the national grant award to advance community policing, and we know that the City of Starkville can effectively use this funding to benefit both law enforcement and the community at large,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement Hiring to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Middle District of Pennsylvania three municipalities were awarded funding totaling $834,200.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“Today’s awards will strengthen three police departments in the Middle District of Pennsylvania by funding the hiring of a total of five officers who will help protect and build trust with the public,” said United States Attorney John C. Gurganus. “These grants are in high demand by law enforcement agencies nationwide and there is a highly competitive award selection process. We are pleased to see awards granted to three of our municipalities.”
The following municipalities in the Middle District of Pennsylvania received awards:
- Borough of Steelton - $250,000
- Tobyhanna Township - $250,000
- City of York - $334,200
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS 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. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.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.
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Jury Finds Little Eagle Man Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Kimo Little Bird, Sr., age 40, of Little Eagle, South Dakota, was found guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Felony Sex Offense Against a Minor While Required to Register as a Sex Offender, and Tampering with a Witness, as a result of a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on November 18, 2021.
The convictions carry a maximum penalty of a mandatory minimum of 40 years, up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to life of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
Little Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020.
Little Bird was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in September 2006. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In 2016, Little Bird sexually abused an 11-year-old girl with whom he was residing. Prior to trial, Little Bird contacted multiple potential witnesses in an effort to manipulate and corruptly persuade the girl to recant her statement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay Miller and Troy Morley prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for May 23, 2022. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jury Convicts Harrisburg Bar Owner and A Restaurant Owner for Drug Trafficking and Weapons OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that two Harrisburg business owners, Saqueena “Queenie” Williams, age 46, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Nyree “Gram” or “Grannie” Letterlough, age 50, of Harrisburg, were convicted by a federal jury of selling cocaine and using their bar and a local business to conceal their drug trafficking. The jury trial was held this week before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, during the trial, the government presented evidence of a years-long investigation of the drug trafficking group, which culminated in the February 1, 2018 arrests and searches of locations under the control of Williams and Letterlough. During those sweeps, police recovered stolen guns, hundreds of grams of cocaine, crack, over $100,000 in cash, a white Bentley convertible, and other evidence.
Williams, the operator of Queenies Café, was convicted of running a drug trafficking conspiracy from 2012 to 2018. The jury also found that five kilograms of cocaine were distributed. Williams was also convicted of possessing guns in furtherance of her drug trafficking and possessing a stolen weapon. Williams also surrendered her interests in Queenies Café located in Harrisburg, as well as the liquor license and other properties.
Letterlough was also convicted of drug trafficking, possessing a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a stolen gun. These items were also seized during the February 1, 2018 sweep. Letterlough also surrendered her interests in Grams Grill located in Harrisburg, and other property.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Harrisburg Police Department and numerous other law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Consiglio and Samuel Dalke are prosecuting the case.
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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for some of the offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Judge sentences St. Louis man to life in prison for fatal carjackingRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – James Flannel, 37, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge E. Richard Webber on today’s date. Flannel was sentenced to life in prison for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a carjacking that resulted in the death of Boris Iouioukine, a Laclede Cab Company driver on June 25, 2018. Flannel previously pleaded guilty on August 2, 2019.
According to the plea agreement, Flannel was in the possession of a nine-millimeter firearm on June 25, 2018. Flannel called the Laclede Cab Company and ordered a taxi. A red minivan taxi being driven by victim Boris Iouioukine responded to Flannel’s request. Flannel got into the taxi armed with the nine-millimeter firearm. While inside the taxi, Flannel shot and killed Boris Iouioukine in 2500 block of East Dodier within the City of St. Louis. Boris Iouioukine’s body was left in the street by Flannel. Flannel drove the taxi after the shooting to the area of Castle Point in Saint Louis County, Missouri. Flannel parked the taxi at the driveway of a residence in the 10000 block of Duke Drive and fled.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received calls for help relative to a man down in the middle of the street. Police and the fire department responded and located Boris Iouioukine deceased at the scene. Victim Boris Iouioukine’s taxi was located by police on the morning of June 26, 2018. Among other things, a nine-millimeter shell casing was located and seized from the driver’s side floorboard. Other items were seized from inside the taxi, including a water bottle. Analysis of the water bottle located Flannel’s print on it. Flannel was charged by way of federal complaint on June 27, 2018.
On August 10, 2018, investigators initiated an investigation within Spanish Lake Park to locate and recover the nine-millimeter firearm utilized by Flannel during the armed carjacking and murder. A search within the park eventually located a Taurus make, Millennium G2 model, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol. The firearm was operable and loaded with 13 rounds. Subsequent ballistic analysis of the firearm confirmed that the shell casing recovered from the within taxi was fired from the nine-millimeter firearm located and seized from within Spanish Lake Park.
“This sentence is the product of the excellent, collaborative work of our law enforcement officers. Its severity should send a clear message: should you choose to commit such a senseless, violent crime in this region, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Sayler Fleming following the sentence. “The community is tired of this abhorrent nonsense. Mr. Iouioukine, a hardworking and valued member of society, left behind family, friends, and co-workers who loved him dearly. We can only hope that the resolution of this matter brings them some comfort and closure.”
“This case demonstrates the importance of using ballistic intelligence to identify those using firearms to commit violent crimes in our community” Fred Winston, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Field Division said. “The comprehensive use of ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) by our state and local law enforcement partners, provides ATF the unprecedented ability to link shootings and other crimes of gun violence based on forensic evidence alone. ATF will continue to use NIBIN and other crime gun intelligence tools, to identify trigger pullers in St. Louis and hold them accountable for their actions.”
This case was made possible, in part, by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
The St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments; United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Metro West Fire Protection District’s Dive/Rescue Response Team investigated this case.
Jefferson County man admits to government theftRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joseph Phillip Downes, of Ranson, West Virginia, has admitted to a theft charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Downes, 44, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Theft of Government Funds.” Downes was employed by CSX Transportation from July 2006 to April 2019. Downes collected unemployment benefits from June 2019 to August 2020, but admitted that he was, in fact, employed elsewhere during this time frame. Downes submitted 29 false claims to hide his employment, resulting in a theft of more than $18,000. Downes also received nearly $10,000 in CARES Act funds.
Downes also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $27,902.08 to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
Downes faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Jackson County man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing a sawed-off shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
According to court documents, on November 18, 2020, Shawn Wayne Ethridge, 38, sold methamphetamine to an individual along with a short-barreled shotgun.
The ATF and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner prosecuted the case.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Nov. 17 was:
Gloydean Lee Rider, 24, of Browning, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rider faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rider was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-64.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Nov. 18 was:
Chase Sterling Allen, 28, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Allen faces a mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug crime and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison consecutive to any other sentence on the firearms crime. Allen was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-93.
Anthony Jacob Johnson, 51, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana’s Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-85.
Eric Edward Mack, 42, of Lewistown, on charges bank fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mack faces a maximum 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Mack was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-86.
Appearing on Nov. 17 was:
Shane Edward Johnson, 53, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service and the FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-94.
Appearing on Nov. 15 was:
Stacie Marie Thein, 51, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Thein faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Thein was detained pending further proceedings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana’s Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-85.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indictments Unsealed in Athens-Atlanta FBI Safe Streets InvestigationRead the Press Release
ATHENS, Ga. – 13 individuals are federally charged resulting from an ongoing FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigation into an organization of alleged drug traffickers and violent offenders in Athens-Clarke County with ties to metro Atlanta. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal search warrants were executed in Athens on Thursday, Nov. 18, resulting from federal indictments unsealed yesterday charging the following individuals:
- Reginald Battle, Sr., 46, of Statham, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine;
- Quintavious Clark aka Tre Clark, 28, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and four counts of distribution of cocaine base and cocaine;
- TaMichael Darden aka T-Mike, 40, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, three counts of distribution of cocaine base and one count of distribution of cocaine;
- Mohamed Elnour, 33, of Atlanta, is charged with one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Daquan Faust aka Cocaine, 29, of Athens, is charged with one count each of illegal possession of a machine gun and one count of possession of a stolen firearm;
- Marqueze Johnson, 25, of Athens, is charged with one count of distribution of cocaine base;
- Tevondous Kinney, 29, of Athens, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of distribution of cocaine base;
- Corey Mitchell aka Murda, 37, of Athens, is charged with one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine;
- Hendrex Nicely aka Hen, 32, of Athens, is charged with two counts of distribution of heroin;
- Danny Sims aka Danny Boy, 57, of Hull, Georgia, is charged with one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base;
- Miller Sutton, 64, of Winder, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine;
- Darren Thrasher, 45, of Athens, is charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine base; and,
- Gregory Wade, Sr., 53, of Athens, is charged with one count of distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine.
Initial appearances for the defendants occurred on Thursday, Nov. 18., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles H. Weigle. Their detention hearings were continued until Monday, Nov. 22, in Macon, Georgia, federal court.
Four firearms, 6.9 pounds of marijuana, three ounces of cocaine, 2.3 ounces of heroin and $6,491 were seized during yesterday’s operation in Athens, bringing the total amount of items seized during the course of the investigation in Athens and metro Atlanta to the following (street value estimates of illegal drugs listed):
- 60 firearms
- $1,036,172
- a land mine
- 13.22 kilograms of powder cocaine (Street Value: $412,000)
- 1.32 kilograms of fentanyl (Street Value: $150,000)
- 12.57 lbs. of crystal methamphetamine (Street Value: $84,000)
- 1.39 kilos of crack cocaine (Street Value: $71,750)
- 25.35 lbs. of marijuana (Street Value: $62,500)
- 11.25 ounces of heroin (Street Value: $28,125)
- 198 dosages of controlled pharmaceuticals (Street Value: ($2,970)
- 113 THC cartridges (Street Value: $2,260)
- 81 packets of THC edibles (Street Value: $405)
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, comprised of members from the FBI, the GBI Gang Unit, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) in partnership with the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, the ACCPD Gang Unit, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (GDOC) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. In addition, the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Department of Revenue, the Atlanta Police Department, the Brookhaven Police Department, the DeKalb County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Police Department, the Henry County Police Department, the South Fulton Police Department, the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office are assisting in this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case.
- Reginald Battle, Sr., 46, of Statham, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine;
Hunter Army Airfield contractor admits lying to investigators about violent assaultRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A contractor at Hunter Army Airfield has admitted he lied to Army investigators when he claimed to have been assaulted on post.
Eric T. Nakamura, 49, of Beaufort, S.C., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of False Statement Made to a Department or Agency of the United States, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The plea subjects Nakamura to a possible statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison, along with substantial financial penalties and up to five years of supervised release following any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“At a time when there is heightened awareness in the United States regarding attacks on Asian-Americans, it is repulsive that Eric Nakamura would fake his own assault,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Army investigators did outstanding work in exposing his false claims and exonerating potential suspects.”
In pleading guilty, Nakamura admitted that he lied to a special agent from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) when he claimed that on July 20, 2020, he was stabbed with a knife and robbed by an unknown person in an Army uniform with the name tape “Brown” while in the lab in which he worked at Hunter Army Airfield. After he was confronted with video evidence from a building across the street from the lab, Nakamura admitted that he had stabbed himself with a kitchen knife.
“Deliberately lying to our agents about being attacked on this installation showed poor judgement,” said Supervisory Special Agent Michael David, of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Hunter Army Airfield CID Office. “Mr. Nakamura’s guilty plea demonstrates the level of commitment our CID agents have toward finding the truth.”
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Darron J. Hubbard.
Hanover Paving Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a commercial and residential paving business in Hanover pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with an income diversion scheme.
William E. Dyer, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2022. Dyer was charged on Oct. 26, 2021.
Dyer owned and operated Pilgrim Paving. From 2014 through 2018, Dyer diverted payments from Pilgrim Paving customers by directing customers to write checks to him and then cashing those checks. Dyer failed to report over $1.7 million in diverted receipts and additional business deposits on the tax returns that he filed or that he directed a tax preparer to file on his behalf. As a result of this conduct, Dyer underreported his personal income tax obligations, causing a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of nearly $600,000.
The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Guatemalan National Convicted After Nine-Day Federal Trial for Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Feliciano de Jesus Diaz-Martinez, a/k/a Alex, age 43, of Owings Mills, Maryland, yesterday for sex trafficking of a child, enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and distribution of a controlled substance. Diaz-Martinez has been in custody since his indictment on July 25, 2019.
The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
According to the evidence presented at his nine-day trial, from at least 2016 through May 2019, Diaz-Martinez, a Guatemalan national in the United States illegally, caused more than eight individuals, including minors, to engage in commercial sex acts for his own financial benefit by means of force, fraud, and coercion. Trial testimony confirmed that Diaz-Martinez knew that Victim 1 was 16 years old when he first caused her to engage in commercial sex acts. Victim 1 continued to work for Diaz-Martinez until she was approximately 18 years old. The evidence proved that nearly all of the victims that Diaz-Martinez caused to engage in commercial sex acts suffered from serious substance abuse disorders, including addictions to heroin, crack cocaine, and Xanax. Diaz-Martinez took half or all of the money earned by the victims working for him, and sold some of the victims narcotics, often at prices significantly higher than he paid to purchase the drugs.
As detailed in trial testimony, Diaz-Martinez maintained a network of friends and associates who paid to engage in commercial sex acts with the victims Diaz-Martinez advertised and made available to them. Diaz-Martinez sent his customers pictures of the victims available for commercial sex and set the prices that customers would pay to engage in sex acts with the victims he controlled. Diaz-Martinez then transported, or caused to be transported, victims to his customers’ homes, or to hotel rooms he rented, to engage in commercial sex acts. The evidence showed that Diaz-Martinez also invited customers to engage in commercial sex acts with victims in his apartment and in a storage unit that he rented.
Witnesses testified that Diaz-Martinez maintained several different accounts in alias names on a social media platform, which he used to recruit and communicate with the victims in order to entice them to work for him and engage in commercial sex acts, including many users he had never met. The jury found that Diaz-Martinez sometimes offered the users he communicated with heroin and crack cocaine, referred to as “boy” and “girl,” in exchange for engaging in commercial sex with his customers. Diaz-Martinez also directed the victims working for him to recruit their friends, many of whom were also addicted to narcotics, to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit.
Several victims testified that Diaz-Martinez frequently demanded that they engage in sex acts with him, free of charge, and that he retaliated against the victims if he was not personally satisfied with the sexual encounter. Diaz-Martinez also retaliated against victims who violated his rules, failed to earn sufficient money from commercial sex, or otherwise displeased him in a number of ways, including, abandoning them at customers’ homes and on roadsides without their belongings or transportation and withholding drugs from the victims whom he knew to be addicted.
Diaz-Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and for enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution; a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison for each of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for distribution of controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
This case was investigated by the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.
Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary W. Setzer and P. Michael Cunningham, who are prosecuting the case.
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Grand Jury indicts local business owner for tax evasionRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury indicted Jeffrey M. Bauza on November 17, 2021 with numerous counts of willful failure to collect or pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
The indictment charges Jeffrey M. Bauza willfully failed to collect, account for, and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service all the Federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld and due to the United States. Bauza owned and operated CDL Training Service & Consulting and CDL Training Services of Missouri.
The indictment alleges that beginning in 2015 through 2018, as owner and operator of CDL Training Service & Consulting and CDL Training Services of Missouri, Bauza withheld payroll taxes from his employees continuously, but he did not file the required quarterly Forms 941. In addition, Bauza failed to pay over any of the associated payroll taxes to the IRS.
Despite owing a substantial amount of money to the IRS and being aware of his employment tax obligations, Bauza maintained his lifestyle making substantial payments toward his primary residence, his Florida vacation home, a luxury vehicle, and private universities for his children’s education, among other things. Bauza even expanded his business, opening additional CDL schools and engaging in other business ventures which required him to put up substantial capital.
CDL Training Service & Consulting and CDL Training Services were operated and controlled by Bauza, and he was responsible for paying the companies’ taxes. He exercised financial control over the businesses’ financial affairs and was the only person who had the authority to file and pay the payroll taxes. Additionally, Bauza was the only person in the companies who had the authority to authorize payments and sign checks, and he alone decided which of the companies’ liabilities to pay.
In total, Bauza failed to pay over approximately $1,173,424 in employment taxes withheld from employee paychecks and due to the IRS.
“IRS Criminal Investigation is entrusted to enforce the nation’s tax laws. When taxpayers go to work they trust that their employers are following the law and paying their withheld taxes over to the IRS. When greedy employers keep these funds for their own personal use as shown in the indictment of Jeffrey Bauza, it can cause detrimental harm to employees. This indictment sends the message that IRS-CI will work tirelessly to detect non-compliance and protect innocent workers and the integrity of our nation’s tax system,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, St. Louis Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation.
Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation.
Georgia man who laundered millions from online frauds sentenced to 13 years in federal prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Nnamdi Marcellus MgBodile has been sentenced to prison for bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud after being convicted at trial. For years, MgBodile opened and directed others to open fraudulent business bank accounts that received millions of dollars from various online frauds. He and others then laundered these funds to other accounts, including dozens of accounts overseas.
“MgBodile and his co-conspirators are representative of the transnational fraudsters who have had had a devastating impact on U.S. residents and businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “The groups perpetrating these romance scams and business email compromise frauds target their victims indiscriminately and have caused billions of dollars of losses for victims in recent years.”
“As evidenced by the length of the prison sentence in this case, fraud is a heinous crime that can destroy people’s lives,” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent In Charge Steven R. Baisel. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and bring to justice those who prey on the vulnerable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: Nnamdi Marcellus MgBodile opened and directed others to open fraudulent bank accounts in Georgia, New York, and California for sham companies that did not have physical premises, earn legitimate income, or pay wages to employees. MgBodile recruited at least five other individuals to open the fraudulent business bank accounts, including a former bank employee who he bribed to continue to open accounts even after others have been closed for fraud.
MgBodile used these fraudulent accounts to launder the proceeds of various fraudulent schemes, including a romance scam that defrauded a Virginia woman out of more than $5 million, and business email compromise (“BEC”) scams in which MgBodile and others attempted to defraud a Georgia company of nearly $350,000, and an Alabama company of more than $800,000.
Romance scams are a type of online fraud in which victims are targeted by individuals posing as potential paramours. The fraudsters create fake online dating profiles (often with photographs of attractive men or women) and use these fake personas to express strong romantic interest in the victims in order to trick them into sending money to them or their co-conspirators under false pretenses. Romance scams frequently target vulnerable individuals who possess significant financial assets, such as retired widows or widowers.
The evidence at trial showed that at the end of November 2017 a Virginia woman, who signatory authority over a sizable trust that had been established for her children, met a person (“James Deere”) through an on-line dating service. She was soon convinced that she was in a romantic relationship with “Deere.” Over the next month, the victim communicated via email with Deere, whom she believed had fallen for her. Deere said he wanted to start a life with her and was excited to live with her, but first had to resolve an investment opportunity—an opportunity that was totally fraudulent and fictitious.
Deere told the victim that he was a fund manager and he was on the verge of receiving a sizeable commission (“the funds”) for services provided to an unnamed client. Deere explained to the victim that he needed her to be his “representative partner” and have the Funds deposited into the victim’s bank account to avoid an alleged conflict of interest.
In January and February 2018, after luring the victim, “Deere” and conspirators started requesting via email that she pay various “fees” and “taxes” so that the funds could be released. Between approximately January 2, 2018 and February 12, 2018, and in response to representations made by “Deere” and others regarding the Funds, the victim made approximately twenty-five wire transfers totaling more than $5 million from the trust account into various bank accounts, of which $1.35 million was wired to accounts controlled by MgBodile. After the fraudulent funds hit the accounts controlled by MgBodile, they were then wired to other accounts controlled by MgBodile or overseas accounts in China and the Middle East.
BEC scams commonly involve an employee of a company who has been fooled into responding with email messages that appear to be, but are not, legitimate (“spoof emails”). At trial, the evidence showed that in March 2019, MgBodile and others attempted to defraud a Georgia company out of nearly $350,000 after the Georgia company received emails from what it believed was Oxford Finance, a company that had provided financing to the victim company. The emails fraudulently represented that the victim needed to wire Oxford Finance a quarterly payment rather than being drawn via an automated clearing house, typically referred to as an ACH. None of the emails purporting to be sent from Oxford Finance was actually sent by Oxford Finance. Rather, these “spoof emails” were sent from a domain, “oxfordfiinance.com,” which appeared to be Oxford Finance’s, but was not. Oxford Finance’s actual domain is “oxfordfinance.com” (only one “i" in finance). The emails also appeared to come from Oxford Finance because the purported sender is an actual employee of Oxford Finance and the email’s signature line contained Oxford Finance’s correct physical address
Nnamdi Marcellus MgBodile, 37, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael Brown to 13 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was charged by a federal grand jury in November 2019 with twenty counts of bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. A federal jury convicted him of these charges on May 13, 2021 following an eight-day trial.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes. For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Gary Man Sentenced 35 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Terryante Flournoy, 23, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon following his guilty plea arising out of Hobbs Act robbery offenses, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Flournoy pled guilty to attempted robbery affecting commerce and conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce. Flournoy, who possessed a firearm during the attempted Hobbs Act robbery and who, at that time, had prior felony convictions for theft and battery by bodily waste, also pled guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Flournoy was sentenced to 420 months (35 years) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on November 24, 2019, in Gary, Indiana, Flournoy and his co-defendant planned the armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver by ordering a pizza to be delivered to a nearby abandoned house. When the delivery driver arrived Flournoy and his co-defendant approached his vehicle to commit the robbery. During the attempted robbery, Flournoy fired a shot from an AR-15 style rifle at the delivery man, striking and killing him. Flournoy and his co-defendant fled the crime scene without completing the planned robbery.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team, the Gary Police Department, and the Lake County Metropolitan Homicide Unit, with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Caitlin M. Padula.
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.
Gang Member Admits Role in Courthouse ShootingRead the Press Release
LAHEEM JONES, also known as “Heemie,” 27, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to racketeering and attempted murder offenses stemming from his participation in gang-related shootings, including a shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020.
Today’s announcement was made by Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Jones has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube. GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities. From approximately 2017 until August 2020, GHB/Hotz members were aligned with members of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.
In pleading guilty, Jones admitted that he was engaged in gang-related drug trafficking, and that he and others attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse on January 27, 2020. At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there. Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala. One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist. The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.
Jones and others attempted to destroy a vehicle used during the shooting by setting is on fire in Naugatuck after the shooting.
Jones also appears in YouTube videos and in social media posts, where firearms are present, promoting the gang.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute. Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 23, 2022, at which time Jones faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
Jones has been detained since August 6, 2020.
Jones, who pleaded guilty after a day of jury selection for his trial, is the last of eight defendants charged in this conspiracy to plead guilty.
This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Naugatuck Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale, Peter D. Markle, Karen L. Peck and Stephanie T. Levick.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
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.
Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Four Found Guilty this Week in the Northern DistrictRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced four separate guilty verdicts returned this week in criminal cases in the Northern District of Ohio. These are separate cases and are not related.
On Monday, November 15, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Defendant Quentin D. Watson, 35, of Akron, following a week-long trial before Judge Pamela A. Barker. Watson was found guilty of distributing a fentanyl substance that led to a fatal overdose, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2022. This case was investigated by the Akron Police Department, Akron Fire Department, Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron P. Howell and Christopher J. Joyce.
On Wednesday, November 17, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan returned guilty verdicts against Defendant Jay A. Schwartz, 55, of Northville, Michigan, following a three-day trial before Judge Robert H. Cleland in Port Huron. Schwartz was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and bribery involving federal programs.
Schwartz is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2022. This case was investigated by the Detroit Division of the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Michael Freeman out of the Northern District of Ohio.
On Thursday, November 18, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Defendant Damon Lamont Irby, 45, of Youngstown, following a two-day trial before Judge John R. Adams. Irby was found guilty of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person with a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.
Irby is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2022. This case was investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz.
On Thursday, November 18, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Defendant Leonard Walker, Jr., 44, of Elyria, following a five-day trial before Judge Solomon Oliver. Walker was found guilty of distribution of crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2022. This case was investigated by the Elyria Police Department and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Kolansky and Colleen M. Egan.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced for Theft of MailRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – George T. Oliver, Jr., 39 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to theft of mail, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Oliver was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in early 2021, Oliver was apprehended after a brief pursuit with law enforcement. At the time of his apprehension, law enforcement recovered 269 pieces of stolen mail from 236 different victims.
This case was investigated by the United Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of multiple local law enforcement agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brent Ecenbarger.
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Former Law Firm Partner Arrested for Cyberstalking Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging WILLIE DENNIS with cyberstalking partners of DENNIS’s former law firm. DENNIS, a U.S. citizen, was arrested this week in the Dominican Republic and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
From at least in or about 2018, up to and including in or about November 2020, WILLIE DENNIS, a former partner at a prominent national law firm (the “Firm”), engaged in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and threats against multiple individuals, including other partners, who worked at the Firm. As part of that campaign, DENNIS sent the victims thousands of harassing, threatening, and intimidating emails and text messages.
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DENNIS, 59, of New York, New York, is charged with four counts of cyberstalking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A(2)(b). Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Kushner is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Former Kay County Oklahoma Supervisory Corrections Officer Indicted for Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging a former Kay County Oklahoma supervisory corrections officer with federal civil rights violations.
The indictment alleges that on May 18, 2017, Matthew Ware, while acting in his official capacity as a supervisory corrections officer of the Kay County Detention Center (KCDC) in Newkirk, Oklahoma, was deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm to two pretrial detainees, identified in the indictment only as D.W. and M.M. According to the indictment, Ware ordered KCDC corrections officers to move D.W. and M.M. to a cell row housing inmates whom Ware knew posed a danger to D.W. and M.M., and then ordering corrections officers to unlock the jail cells of D.W., M.M. and those other inmates at the same time. Corrections officers followed Ware’s orders, and D.W. and M.M. were physically attacked by the other inmates. D.W. and M.M. sustained bodily injury as a result.
The indictment further alleges that on Jan. 31, 2018, Ware, while acting in his official capacity as a supervisory corrections officer of the KCDC, violated the constitutional rights of a pretrial detainee, identified in the indictment only as C.D., by ordering KCDC corrections officers to apply restraints to C.D. in an unreasonable manner. C.D. sustained bodily injury as a result.
If convicted, Ware faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 250,000 on each count.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Oklahoma City FBI Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry of the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Former Kay County Oklahoma Supervisory Corrections Officer Indicted for Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY—A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging a former Kay County Oklahoma supervisory corrections officer with federal civil rights violations, announced Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Troester of the Western District of Oklahoma.
The indictment alleges that on May 18, 2017, Matthew Ware, while acting in his official capacity as a supervisory corrections officer of the Kay County Detention Center (KCDC) in Newkirk, Oklahoma, was deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm to two pretrial detainees, identified in the indictment only as D.W. and M.M. According to the indictment, Ware ordered KCDC corrections officers to move D.W. and M.M. to a cell row housing inmates whom Ware knew posed a danger to D.W. and M.M., and then ordering corrections officers to unlock the jail cells of D.W., M.M., and those other inmates at the same time. Corrections officers followed Ware’s orders, and D.W. and M.M. were physically attacked by the other inmates. D.W. and M.M. sustained bodily injury as a result.
The indictment further alleges that on January 31, 2018, Ware, while acting in his official capacity as a supervisory corrections officer of the KCDC, violated the constitutional rights of a pretrial detainee, identified in the indictment only as C.D., by ordering KCDC corrections officers to apply restraints to C.D. in an unreasonable manner. C.D. sustained bodily injury as a result.
If convicted, Ware faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $ 250,000 on each count.
The case was investigated by the Oklahoma City FBI Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry of the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Former Football Coach Facing Federal Charges for Production of Child Pornography Involving Two Minor VictimsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Moshe Michael Imel, age 51, of Owings, Maryland, with five counts of production of child pornography involving two minor victims. The indictment was returned yesterday. Imel will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt at a later date. Imel remains detained on separate State charges.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey.
According to the five-count indictment, during two months in 2018, Imel persuaded, enticed and coerced Victim A to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce images documenting the sexually explicit conduct. Similarly, the indictment alleges that on three occasions during one month in 2020, Imel enticed and coerced Victim B to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce images documenting the sexually explicit conduct of Victim B.
Law enforcement believes there may be other victims. Please report suspected sexual abuse to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
If convicted, Imel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of production of child pornography. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the HSI, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Baldwin and Kristi N. O’Malley, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud in Relation to a Religious Institution Check Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Mateus Vaduva, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty on November 17, 2021 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to steal from the mail donation checks intended for religious institutions.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Postal Inspector in Charge Daniel A. Adame of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG); Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Toni Dezomits of the Cary, North Carolina, Police Department; and Sheriff Dusty Rhoades of the Williamson County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office.
According to his guilty plea, beginning in June 2018 to January 2021, Vaduva and his co-conspirators conspired to steal checks from the U.S. mail intended for religious institutions and deposit the illegally obtained funds into multiple fraudulent bank accounts at various victim financial institutions. Conspirators, including Vaduva, conducted the thefts by driving to roadside mailboxes of churches and other religious institutions and removing the mail, specifically targeting donation checks.
As part of the scheme to defraud, Vaduva and other co-conspirators fraudulently opened bank accounts at victim financial institutions under false identities. Conspiracy members often opened fictitious bank accounts with the aid of a conspiracy member that was an employee at one of the victim financial institutions. In addition, Vaduva and his co-conspirators used at least two extended family members who were minors to assist in the account openings.
Vaduva and co-conspirators then withdrew cash from the fraudulent bank accounts through ATMs and spent the illegally obtained proceeds using debit cards associated with the bank accounts.
Throughout the scheme to defraud, Vaduva personally deposited at least approximately 126 stolen checks totaling at least approximately $79,551.07. In total, co-conspirators deposited at least 3,067 stolen checks from Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and elsewhere, totaling in approximately $1,307,484.23.
As stated in his plea agreement, Vaduva and his co-conspirators will be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, which is at least $1,307,484.23.
Vaduva faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for February 18, 2022 at 2 p.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, HSI, the FDIC Office of Inspector General, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Cary (North Carolina) Police Department, and the Williamson County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Wright, who is prosecuting the case.
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Florida Counseling Center Owner and Provider Sentenced to Federal Prison for Medicaid Fraud, Conspiracy, False Statements, and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentencings of Stephanie Lynn Fleming, 43, and Helen Elizabeth Storey, 39, both of Waldorf, Maryland, and both formerly of Tallahassee, Florida. Fleming was sentenced to a total of three years and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Storey was sentenced to a total of two years and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants were ordered to pay $219,000 in restitution to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA).
Fleming’s and Storey’s sentences were the result of a 3-day federal bench trial resulting in guilty verdicts for most counts on April 6, 2021. Both defendants were found guilty of health care fraud conspiracy, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Fleming was also found guilty of making false statements in connection with health care matters.
“The sentences demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to aggressively and diligently prosecuting those who commit healthcare fraud,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “The concerted and cooperative effort of our federal and state law enforcement partners were critical to bringing these defendants to justice. We will continue to work toward our common goals of protecting our community members and preserving the integrity of our federally-funded healthcare programs.”
Storey owned and operated North Florida Mental Health (NFMH), a Tallahassee-based counseling center, and employed Fleming as a licensed mental health counselor. Evidence presented in court proved that between April 15, 2016 and December 31, 2017, Storey and Fleming improperly obtained, or attempted to obtain, more than $250,000 from Florida Medicaid by submitting fraudulent claims through NFMH.
“Convicted criminals Storey and Fleming fraudulently billed the Medicaid program, ignoring an exclusion from all federal health care programs while committing identity theft to boost their profits. They stole from this taxpayer-funded safety net program that is designed to provide health services to vulnerable patients,” said Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar. “These convictions should send a warning to others tempted to loot from federal health care programs: our agents will investigate such bad actors and hold them accountable.”
Fleming, who provided psychotherapy, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, and therapeutic behavioral services to patients of NFMH, agreed to a five-year debarment from participating in any state Medicaid program as a result of a 2016 felony conviction involving Medicaid fraud in the state of New Jersey. Evidence presented in court proved that Fleming falsely claimed on an application to become a Florida Medicaid provider that she had not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony. Additional evidence demonstrated that Storey knew of Fleming’s conviction and debarment, and that Fleming was therefore ineligible to participate as a Florida Medicaid provider.
At trial, evidence showed that Fleming caused to be submitted – and that Storey submitted – multiple fraudulent Medicare claims by means of aggravated identity theft. In doing so, some of the false Medicare claims reflected that another eligible and licensed NFMH therapist performed services that, in reality, were provided by Fleming during the period of time that she was under debarment from participation in any state Medicaid program. The court heard evidence of additional instances in which the names and personal identification information of NFMH patients, many of whom were children, were used to submit fictitious Medicare claims for services that were not performed at all.
Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case, which was jointly investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and the Florida Attorney General Office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
Florida Corporation and Executives Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Sell Anabolic Steroids and Unlawful Dietary SupplementsRead the Press Release
Blackstone Labs LLC (“Blackstone”) and two of its executives pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell illegal anabolic steroids and other unlawful products marketed as dietary supplements, the Justice Department announced.
According to court documents, Phillip “PJ” Braun, 40, of Boca Raton, Florida, and Aaron Singerman, 41, of Delray Beach, Florida, founded and operated Blackstone, a Boca Raton-based sports and dietary supplements retailer. Braun is Blackstone’s CEO and former President, and Singerman is the former CEO of Blackstone.
On Nov. 17, Braun and Singerman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(E), and 846, and to selling unapproved new drugs, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d), 355(a), and 333(a)(2). On Nov. 19, Blackstone Labs pleaded guilty to the same charges as Braun and Singerman, as well as to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to commit mail and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
In pleading guilty, Braun and Singerman admitted to leading a conspiracy to sell products through Blackstone that were labeled as dietary supplements but were actually controlled substances or drugs that were not approved by the FDA. Blackstone made the same admissions, and also admitted to having defrauded the FDA and consumers by selling illegal substances falsely labeled as dietary supplements.
The defendants specifically admitted that, from 2012 through 2017, they conspired to sell products that were unapproved new drugs and/or illegal controlled substances under the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act. The defendants admitted that they falsely characterized their products as safe and legal dietary supplements. In addition, they falsely represented that the products were made in “FDA approved” registered facilities that followed all required regulations, when in fact they were not. The defendants also admitted to controlling a supplement manufacturer that fraudulently imported raw ingredients for their products from China. Braun and Singerman both admitted to selling many other products in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including synthetic stimulants DMAA and DMBA, and the “nootropic” chemical picamilon. The defendants ignored injury complaints from consumers and did not notify the FDA of complaints, even when required by law. As part of their plea agreements, the defendants also agreed to forfeit all proceeds of these crimes, with Braun forfeiting $3 million, Singerman forfeiting $2.9 million and Blackstone forfeiting $1 million.
“Dietary supplements are regulated to protect the health of American consumers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will prosecute individuals and corporations who sell dangerous products while misrepresenting that they are safe and legal dietary supplements.”
“Consumers who use dietary supplements expect those products to be safe," said Assistant Commissioner Catherine A. Hermsen for FDA Criminal Investigations. "Products mislabeled as dietary supplements can pose a serious risk to the health of U.S. consumers. We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who jeopardize the public health.”
Braun and Singerman are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2022, in Ft. Lauderdale before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas of the Southern District of Florida. Both face a maximum penalty of 13 years in prison. Judge Dimitrouleas will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Blackstone is also scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2022.
Four other defendants previously charged by indictment in connection with a conspiracy to defraud the FDA, the distribution of unapproved new drugs, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances have pleaded guilty. One remaining defendant is set for trial on Nov. 23.
The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Alistair Reader and Steven Gripkey, Senior Litigation Counsel David Frank and Assistant Director John W. Burke of the Justice Department, Civil Division, Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the cases, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove for the Southern District of Florida.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Jury Convicts Wyandotte Man for Methamphetamine Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Wyandotte man Thursday for his role in a methamphetamine drug conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Adam Douglas Sherwood, 43, was found guilty of drug conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and three counts of unlawful use of a communication facility. Sherwood is scheduled to be sentenced on March 25, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan.
“A jury held Adam Sherwood accountable for conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Illicit drug operations too often result in violence and further economic depression in struggling neighborhoods. Thankfully, multi-agency law enforcement teams are working together, as they did in this case, to dismantle drug operations that endanger communities in northeastern Oklahoma.”
The jury found that Sherwood took part in the drug conspiracy from January 2018 through January 2021. He and his conspirators distributed and possessed with intent to distribute between 50 and 500 grams of methamphetamine. On May 23, 2020, Sherwood and coconspirator Kenneth Rosenburg aided and abetted one another to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Finally, from May 13, 2020, to May 23, 2020, Sherwood also used his cellphone on three different occasions to conduct drug deals.
Sherwood, Rosenberg, and others supplied methamphetamine to buyers in Northeast Oklahoma in exchange for payment.
In the early morning hours of May 23, 2020, Tulsa Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that matched a description of a suspect vehicle involved in a shots-fired call earlier the same evening. Adam Sherwood, driver Kenneth Rosenberg, and a third individual were in the vehicle. Officers noted Sherwood with a can of beer when they approached the vehicle and a gun holster located on the center console of the car.
Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located a Lorcin Engineering Company, Inc. .380 ACP caliber single-action pistol and a Sturm, Ruger & Co. 22 WMR caliber double-action revolver under the center console of the vehicle. They also found a green zippered pouch containing multiple empty baggies, one baggie containing methamphetamine residue, a digital scale, and containers often used to store drugs. Officers searched Sherwood and located a clear plastic baggie containing a clear, brownish crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers also located $226 in cash on Sherwood and approximately $1,300 on Rosenberg. Both were taken in to custody.
On Oct. 25, 2021, coconspirator Rosenberg was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The Tulsa Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Miami Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin G. Bish and Thomas E. Duncombe are prosecuting the case.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to 51 Months’ Imprisonment for Assault with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Brian Olson, age 42, originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced on November 5, 2021, to 51 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, on May 20, 2020, while Olson was an inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Allenwood, White Deer, Pennsylvania, he attacked a fellow inmate by hitting the inmate on the head with a metal object tied inside a sock. The victim needed three staples to close the laceration on his head.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
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Federal Inmate Sentenced to 12 Months’ Imprisonment for Smuggling Suboxone into PrisonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrone Wayne Meachem, age 40, was sentenced on November 17, 2021, to 12 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for possessing buprenorphine in prison.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, in April 2018, Meachem was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), in White Deer, Pennsylvania. On April 7, 2018, Jessika Ann Sanders visited Meachem at FCI Allenwood and gave him a sandwich with three balloons that held 68 Suboxone strips that contained buprenorphine, a controlled substance. Meachem admitted to police investigators that the balloons were hidden in his sandwich. Meachem had agreed to smuggle in the Suboxone to pay off a debt to another inmate.
Jessika Ann Sanders was charged on December 12, 2019, with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, and providing contraband in prison. Sanders is currently awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
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Federal Court Enjoins Maryland Physician Assistant from Prescribing Opioids and Other Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
A federal court in Maryland permanently enjoined a Baltimore-based physician assistant from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, the Department of Justice announced today.
Pursuant to an agreed consent judgment filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman enjoined Elizabeth J. Allen from dispensing, prescribing or administering any controlled substances. The consent decree resolves a civil complaint filed by the government alleging that Allen, while working at a Maryland pain clinic, repeatedly prescribed opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The government alleged that from 2014 to 2019, Allen issued hundreds of prescriptions that had no legitimate medical purpose and fell outside the usual course of professional medical practice. The injunction requires that Allen never again apply for or seek the reinstatement of her DEA registration, which is required for a medical professional to prescribe controlled substances.
“Anyone who prescribes opioids and other controlled substances must comply with professional standards and the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that medical providers abide by the Controlled Substances Act.”
“Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are subject to the Controlled Substances Act and cannot overprescribe opioids and hide behind their affiliations with physicians in an attempt to shield themselves from criminal and civil liability,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. “The court’s approval of this consent decree should remind all medical practitioners that the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to use all the tools at its disposal—both criminal and civil—to combat the opioid epidemic which continues to plague our State. We will hold responsible all medical professionals who contribute to Maryland’s opioid epidemic by overprescribing opioids, regardless of their title or the letters that follow their name.”
“The DEA continues to hold prescribers and all medical professionals accountable when they violate the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the DEA Washington Division. “Overprescribing controlled substance pharmaceuticals remains a key threat and can lead to overdoses. We will continue to investigate these prescribers in order to save lives.”
The government’s complaint alleged that Allen repeatedly prescribed dangerous and potentially lethal combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines. The complaint also alleged that Allen continued to prescribe patients opioids even after some tested positive for illicit or unprescribed substances in urine toxicology screens. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends that primary care clinicians avoid daily dosages of opioids over 90 morphine milligram equivalents (MME), the government alleged that Allen wrote prescriptions that could cause some patients to exceed 700 MME daily. The government alleged that prescriptions written by Allen were a contributing factor in the death of at least one Marylander. Allen denied the government’s allegations.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control, Washington Division, Baltimore District Office.
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan C. Lazerow and Trial Attorneys Donald Lorenzen and Thomas Rosso of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch.
Federal Consent Decree Permanently Bans Baltimore-Based Physician Assistant from Prescribing Opioids and Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman has approved a consent decree that permanently enjoins Elizabeth J. Allen, a Baltimore-based physician assistant, from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, resolving the United States’ civil allegations that Allen violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in illegally prescribing opioids. Under the consent decree, Allen agrees to never apply for or seek the reinstatement of her DEA registration—which is required for a medical professional to prescribe controlled substances, and which lapsed in 2020.
The approval of the consent decree was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; and Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division.
“Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are subject to the Controlled Substances Act and cannot overprescribe opioids and hide behind their affiliations with physicians in an attempt to shield themselves from criminal and civil liability,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron. “The Court’s approval of this consent decree should remind all medical practitioners that the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to use all the tools at its disposal—both criminal and civil—to combat the opioid epidemic which continues to plague our State. We will hold responsible all medical professionals who contribute to Maryland’s opioid epidemic by overprescribing opioids, regardless of their title or the letters that follow their name.”
“Anyone who prescribes opioids and other controlled substances must comply with professional standards and the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to ensure that medical providers abide by the Controlled Substances Act.”
“The DEA continues to hold prescribers and all medical professionals accountable when they violate the law,” stated Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division. “Overprescribing controlled substance pharmaceuticals remains a key threat and can lead to overdoses. We will continue to investigate these prescribers in order to save lives.”
The government alleged that from 2014 to 2019, Allen, who practiced medicine as a physician assistant at the Centers for Rehabilitation, Pain Management, and Wellness in Pikesville, Maryland, issued hundreds of prescriptions that had no legitimate medical purpose and fell outside the usual course of professional medical practice.
More specifically, the government’s complaint alleged that Allen repeatedly prescribed dangerous and potentially lethal combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines. The complaint also alleged that Allen continued to prescribe patients opioids even after some tested positive for illicit or unprescribed substances in urine toxicology screens. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends that primary care clinicians avoid daily dosages of opioids over 90 morphine milligram equivalents (MME), the government alleged that Allen wrote prescriptions that could cause some patients to exceed 700 MME daily. The government alleged that prescriptions written by Allen were a contributing factor in the death of at least one Marylander. Allen denied the government’s allegations.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron and Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton commended the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control, Washington Division, Baltimore District Office for its work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Barron and Acting Assistant Attorney General Boynton also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Alan C. Lazerow and Trial Attorneys Donald Lorenzen and Thomas S. Rosso of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, who handled the case.
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Federal Charges Filed following Record-breaking Seizure of Fentanyl and MethRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 19, 2021
SAN DIEGO – Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman announced federal drug charges today against Carlos Martin Quintana-Arias of Mexico, following the seizure yesterday of 17,584 pounds of methamphetamine and 388.93 pounds of fentanyl from a commercial trailer attempting entry at the Otay Mesa, California, Commercial Port of Entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that both drug seizures would be the largest in each drug category, for both this year and last year, in the entire United States.
The Complaint alleges that on November 18, 2021, at approximately 8:18 p.m., Quintana-Arias, a Mexican citizen, applied for entry into the U.S. as the driver and sole occupant of a 2009 Kenworth Tractor pulling a 1996 Stoug trailer. Quintana-Arias’ manifest reflected the trailer contained automotive body parts. However, according to the Complaint, an X-Ray machine detected anomalies inside the trailer and a drug detection dog alerted to the rear door of the trailer.
Further inspection of the trailer’s contents revealed a few automotive body parts among 6,266 packages of drugs. Of the total drug packages, 6,106 packages contained a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; these packages together weighed approximately 7,976.2 kilograms (17,584.33 pounds). The other 160 packages contained a substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed approximately176.42 kilograms (388.93 pounds).
“This is a staggering seizure that demonstrates the extent of our current fight against mass production of methamphetamine and fentanyl. But for the vigilance of our law enforcement partners, this record-breaking deluge of drugs would have caused incredible damage in our communities.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We commend our partner agencies for their tireless work and dedication to preventing these dangerous and deadly drugs from entering our country.”
“This record-breaking commercial seizure exemplifies the joint efforts of CBP and HSI employees, who work tirelessly each day to protect our Ports of Entry from the threats posed by drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Countless lives will be saved because of this historic seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl, but make no mistake: drug cartels strive to exploit our borders to further their criminal enterprises every day. The HSI Border Enforcement Security Task Force and the San Diego Imperial Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, in collaboration with CBP, remain vigilant in the mission to disrupt and dismantle every level of the cartels.”
“Customs and Border Protection is extremely fortunate to have CBP officers with phenomenal skills that enabled them to identify anomalies, leading to use of our technology to confirm and intercept the largest Methamphetamine and Fentanyl seizure nationally within the last two years” said Pete Flores, Director of Field Operations for the San Field Office. “Our vigilance is critical to our mission and we will continue to make our homeland and communities safer by making sure these dangerous drugs are intercepted.”
Quintana-Arias was arraigned today on the complaint alleging two violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952, and 960. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 23, 2021 at 2:15 p.m.
DEFENDANT Case Number 21-mj-4574-AHG
Carlos Martin Quintana-Arias Residence: Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960
Importation of a Controlled Substance
Maximum penalty: Life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison; and $10,000,000 fine
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eight More Merchant Mariners Charged in Test-Score Fixing SchemeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment on November 18, 2021 of the following eight current and former merchant mariners related to a test score-fixing scheme at a United States Coast Guard exam center: RANSFORD ACKAH, NATHANIEL DOMINICK, ODELL GRIGGS, DEVIN HEBERT, RAYNEL LEWIS, ADRIAN MACK, MAURICE PALMER, and DERRICK WARD.
The defendants are each charged with obtaining, and intending to use, officer-level licenses that were procured through falsified exam scores. The fraudulent scores were for examinations designed to test the mariners’ knowledge and training to safely operate under the authority of those licenses.
The allegations stem from an investigation that resulted in a previous indictment charging former Coast Guard credentialing specialist Dorothy Smith with accepting bribes in exchange for entering false passing examination scores. Twenty-eight current and former mariners were charged in that earlier indictment and have all pled guilty. Smith and two other former-Coast Guard employees are awaiting trial in that case.
If convicted, each defendant in this indictment faces a sentence of up to five (5) years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.
U.S Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the defendants’ guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.
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Easton Man Facing Federal Indictment for Possession and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Tyler Dean Fowler, age 29, of Easton, Maryland, with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on November 10, 2021. Fowler was arrested for these charges on November 18, 2021 in North Carolina.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police and Chief David A. Spencer of the Easton Police Department.
According to the four-count indictment, in October 2019 Fowler knowingly received several images of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity including an image of a minor male’s genitalia.
The indictment also alleges that Fowler’s cell phone and laptop contained one or more visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, Fowler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years for receipt of child pornography; and a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in in the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler ordered that Fowler be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Maryland State Police Department, the Easton Police Department, and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office of North Carolina for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abigail E. Ticse and Paul E. Budlow, who are prosecuting the federal case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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East Peoria Ice Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Fifteen Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. –Joshua A. Ward, 35, of East Peoria, Illinois, was sentenced on November 18, 2021, to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Ward, who pleaded guilty on March 25, 2021, admitted that he possessed and sold methamphetamine to others on several occasions from July to September 2020. Ward was also found with ice methamphetamine packaged for resale and digital scales at the time of his arrest in September 2020. Evidence presented in court at sentencing showed that Ward’s methamphetamine was the highly pure methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ice” methamphetamine.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid noted that Ward had a poor upbringing but that his criminal history placed Ward in the position he was in.
“Our ongoing focus to disrupt and deter ice methamphetamine dealers is working,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Douglas J. Quivey. “This case is an excellent example of how the Drug Enforcement Administration can enhance the efforts of our state and local departments to target those at the top.”
Ward has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his arrest in September 2020. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Pekin Police Department investigated this case, with assistance of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police’s West Central Illinois Task Force and Peoria Multi-County Enforcement Group. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Legge represented the government in the prosecution.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)’s National Methamphetamine Strategic Initiative, spearheaded locally out of the Pekin Police Department. The primary goal of this initiative is to address methamphetamine trafficking and its attendant consequences by using a coordinated, multi-agency approach targeting the highest levels of drug trafficking leadership. 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.
Drug User Who Illegally Possessed Guns Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
An unlawful drug user who possessed multiple firearms was sentenced on November 19, 2021, to more than four years in federal prison.
Joel Perea-Duenas, age 20, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 16, 2021, guilty plea to two counts of being a drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition. At the time Perea-Duenas possessed the guns and ammunition, he knew he was an unlawful user of cocaine and marijuana.
Evidence at Perea-Duenas’s, detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that on June 23, 2020, Perea-Duenas was asked to serve as the getaway driver for a shooting. He agreed, put on dark clothing, and joined three armed men in a waiting car. The attackers drove to the home of their intended victim, but seeing law enforcement in the area, aborted their attack. Later, at a secondary target, one of men repeatedly fired upon a Sioux City, Iowa home. Perea-Duenas admitted he knew about the intended shooting before agreeing to drive. He also admitted knowing there were people, including children, in the targeted home. Perea-Duenas wanted the shooting to occur to in retaliation against a resident of the home and his family.
Perea-Duenas was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Perea-Duenas was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $38,863.42 in restitution to the victims and an insurance company. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Perea-Duenas is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4071.
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Drug User Sentenced to over Two Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
A South Sioux City, Nebraska, man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced November 18, 2021, to more than two years in federal prison.
Joseph Haack, 23, from South Sioux City, Nebraska, received the prison term after a July 12, 2021, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.
Evidence presented by the United States at the detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed Haack was twice disarmed by Sioux City Police. On November 2, 2020, during a traffic stop, Haack was discovered in possession of a stolen rifle with an obliterated serial number. On November 2, 2020, he was discovered shoplifting while armed with a loaded handgun which was also stolen and had an obliterated serial number. During this time Haack was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Haack was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Haack was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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.
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4006.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.