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16 December 2021
Everett Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Everett man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Andrew Lunn, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and four counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for April 27, 2022. Lunn was initially indicted in September 2020 and was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment on May 5, 2021 along with three co-conspirators.
According to the charging documents, in or about October 2019 through in or about September 2020, Lunn and others conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Everett and Boston areas.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Erie Felon Indicted on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Djimon Dapree Johnson, 23, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about October 20, 2021, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute more than forty grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. In addition, Johnson possessed firearms while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm.
The law provides for a maximum total of 50 years in prison, a fine of $5,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Erie Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing Fentanyl and a FirearmRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Charles Richard Jones, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about May 5, 2021, Jones possessed with intent to distribute more than ten grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. In addition, Jones possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reductions efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevent and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The law provides for a maximum total of 50 years in prison, a fine of $5,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, and Erie Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eldridge, Iowa, Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – An Eldridge, Iowa, man, Marius Avant, 26, of the 0-100 block of Manor Drive, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on December 14, 2021, for possessing a firearm as a felon.
Avant had pleaded guilty to the offense on August 12, 2021. The government presented evidence at his sentencing establishing that authorities arrested Avant after he escaped from federal custody. Task force officers with the U.S. Marshals Service located Avant at a residence in Rock Island, Illinois, and boxed in his car as he and another individual attempted to flee. When investigators took Avant into custody, they found a stolen revolver on his car seat and multiple boxes of ammunition on the floorboard.
At Avant’s sentencing hearing, the government sought a sentence of 60 months (five years) – above Avant’s advisory guideline range under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines – based on Avant’s offense conduct and criminal history, which included a prior federal firearms conviction.
In imposing the five-year sentence, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sara Darrow stated that Avant had put himself in a volatile situation and posed “an absolute risk to the public.”
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a felon up to ten years in prison and no more than three years of supervised release.
The Rock Island Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Hodges and Alyssa Raya represented the government in the prosecution.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Yomelvin Abreu Bonilla, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2022. Bonilla was indicted on April 29, 2021.
In March 2021, agents encountered Bonilla in Bedford, Mass. and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Bonilla was previously deported in August 2016.
The charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised released and a fine of up to $250,000. Bonilla will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for PCP Trafficking Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Lamont Johnson, 45, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 35 years in prison on federal charges of conspiring to traffic in large quantities of Phencyclidine (PCP) and related narcotics and firearms offenses.
Johnson was found guilty by a jury in February 2020, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of the conspiracy charge, as well as charges of possessing with the intent to distribute large quantities of PCP, possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. He was sentenced on Dec. 15, 2021, by the Honorable Thomas F. Hogan.
The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the U.S. Park Police, Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), U.S. Marshal Lamont Ruffin, and Malik Aziz, Chief of the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police.
Johnson was arrested in October 2017 following an extensive law enforcement investigation into violence and drug trafficking in areas of Southeast Washington, including the 16th Street, W Street, and Good Hope Road area. He has been in custody ever since.
According to the government’s evidence, which included court-authorized wiretaps, search warrants, GPS trackers, and undercover purchases of narcotics, Johnson was the main supplier of PCP to a drug trafficking ring that was indicted in an eight-co-defendant, 55-count indictment. Johnson was supplied gallon-quantities of PCP from West Coast suppliers, and he redistributed the PCP to other wholesale-level PCP suppliers in the District of Columbia. The evidence established that Johnson used threats and intimidation in his PCP trafficking operation, including with an AR-15 assault rifle that was seized from him along with over a kilogram of PCP and related drug trafficking paraphernalia.
During the investigation, federal law enforcement officers seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of PCP; ¼ kilogram of heroin; ½ kilogram of cocaine; 50 grams of crack cocaine base; assorted drug trafficking paraphernalia; and firearms, including Johnson’s AR-15 assault rifle, laser scopes, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the ATF’s Washington Field Division, the U.S. Park Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Eliopoulos and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Rommel Pachoca, Katie Thomas and Catherine O’Neal, and Legal Assistants Emma Atlas and Kate Abrey.
Delano Resident Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Christopher Howard, 33, a Delano resident, was sentenced Tuesday to 57 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in the evening of April 28, 2021, police officers encountered Howard in Delano while he was carrying a bag that contained a loaded 9mm caliber handgun and an additional loaded high-capacity magazine. Howard cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has sustained numerous felony convictions, including for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, escape, and twice for second degree burglary.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Delano Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Baker prosecuted the case.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Credit Union Manager Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Wake Forest man was sentenced yesterday to 48 months in prison and five years of supervised release for embezzlement from a credit union. On June 24, 2020, Johnnie Earl Harrell, 49, pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, between 2008 and 2019, Harrell served as branch manager of a credit union located in Zebulon, NC. During this period, Harrell exploited his position as branch manager to steal and embezzle at least $631,838.36 in funds belonging to the credit union and its customers. Among Harrell’s victims were retirees who Harrell convinced to rollover existing retirement accounts into annuities. Harrell never purchased the annuities, but instead converted the victims’ funds to personal use. Harrell prepared fraudulent annuity account statements which were periodically presented to victims to preclude detection of the scheme.
Harrell will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Homeland Security Investigations, the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations, and the Zebulon Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00152-FL-1.
Conway Man Pleads Guilty to Importation and Possession of Illegally Taken WildlifeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—A Conway man has pleaded guilty to importing and possessing illegally taken wildlife. Jackson Roe, 27, entered his guilty plea Wednesday afternoon before Chief United States District Judge D. Price Marshall, Junior.
In August 2015, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service received an anonymous tip about the illegal activity of a reptile hobbyist who sold and smuggled various animals into the United States. Through undercover conversations with this individual, located in China, agents learned that he was shipping rare and endangered animals to various buyers, including one individual in Arkansas named Jackson Roe. Wildlife inspectors intercepted a package addressed to Roe that contained two live Chinese giant salamanders—an endangered species, in plastic jars, with wet moss. There were no holes in the box for air and no documents in the package.
In August of 2017, a search warrant was executed by US Fish and Wildlife Service on the home of Roe’s parents. A consent search of Roe’s home was also performed. Roe admitted to investigators that he had illegally purchased several live amphibians and reptiles from a Chinese dealer he met on Facebook. He stated he paid $450 for each salamander, and that he knew they were protected and expected to become extinct in the next ten years. Roe admitted that he knew what he did was wrong. In total, Roe received seven packages shipped from Hong Kong, which included six Chinese giant salamanders, a Vietnamese leaf turtle, an Indian roofed turtle, and a Chinese big-headed turtle. Roe also informed agents that he owned a Nile crocodile, a Morelet’s crocodile, and an American alligator, all of which were seized later that day by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Approximately two years later, in October of 2019, the US Fish and Wildlife Service received information that Roe was again in possession of Chinese giant salamanders illegally smuggled into the United States from China. On November 14, 2019, USFWS executed a search warrant on Roe’s home and discovered, among other animals, two live Chinese giant salamanders and four deceased Chinese giant salamanders. Roe admitted to law enforcement that he had illegally purchased the six Chinese giant salamanders within the two previous years from China.
Judge Marshall will sentence Roe at a later date. Importation or Possession of Illegally Taken Wildlife is punishable by not more than five years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, and not more than three years supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward O. Walker.
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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
Twitter:
@EDARNEWS
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 7 Years Imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm, Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Dell Dickerson, 24, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on May 11, 2020, officers with the Memphis Police Department observed Dell Dickerson in the passenger seat of a vehicle. He was immediately placed into custody for outstanding felony warrants. Dickerson had a small handbag on the passenger side floorboard which contained a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol. Also recovered from the handbag, were a marijuana cigarette and a brown pill bottle with 56 multicolored pills. The marijuana cigarette tested positive for THC and the multicolored pills contained methamphetamine.
Dickerson is a prohibited person with a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault. As a result, he is prohibited by federal law from the possession of firearms or ammunition.
On September 9, 2021, the defendant pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On December 15, 2021, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Dickerson to 84 months in federal prison to be followed by four years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo prosected this case on behalf of the government.
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Claremore Man Sentenced to 70 months in Federal Prison for Domestic Violence AssaultRead the Press Release
A Claremore man who assaulted his girlfriend as she tried to escape from him at a Foyil gas station was sentenced Wednesday in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced William Frank Vanover, 47, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
“William Vanover was a habitual criminal with more than 18 prior convictions, including a history of domestic violence. Because of his actions, he will spend almost six years in prison for the harm he caused this victim,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Federal prosecutors and victim specialists strive to provide domestic violence survivors a voice. When survivors are empowered, they are better able to aid in the prosecution of their abuser and seek assistance to heal from the trauma they’ve endured.”
Vanover pleaded guilty Aug. 10, 2021, to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country.
On Dec. 30, 2020, at a Claremore motel, the victim tried to end a relationship with Vanover, who became enraged, held a knife to the victim, threatened her, and demanded she drive him to Chelsea. When stopping for gas at Foyil, the victim tried to escape. Vanover caught the victim and punched her in the face. She was eventually able to get away and run into the gas station where police were called.
At sentencing, the defense requested Vanover receive 63 months in federal prison. In her sentencing memorandum and in court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Childress argued that Vanover should receive a sentence at the highest end of the sentencing guidelines for the crime, 78 months in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Childress pointed to Vanover’s more than 18 previous convictions to include three for domestic violence. Childress argued that the sentence would protect the public and the victim but also provide Vanover with an opportunity to receive extensive mental health, drug, and domestic violence treatment while in a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The victim is a Cherokee Nation citizen, and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation.
Chester County Woman Sentenced to over One Year for Stealing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FundsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Emily Baier, 28, of West Chester, PA, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno for falsely claiming and taking approximately $47,000 in pandemic unemployment compensation authorized by the CARES Act. Her co-conspirator, Jacob Fulton, 33, of Coatesville, PA, was sentenced to one and a half years in prison for his role the scheme earlier this month.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES ACT was enacted and created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) program, to provide unemployment benefits to workers who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic and who were ineligible for other unemployment compensation. The defendant took advantage of and unlawfully profited from the PUA program by submitting and continuing to certify fraudulent PUA claims for herself and for inmates of Chester County Prison, including her co-conspirator, knowing that neither she nor these inmates were entitled to these benefits.
Specifically, in May 2020, the defendant filed a PUA claim for herself knowing that she was not eligible for such benefits because she was not unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baier continued to submit weekly submissions of certification that she and her co- conspirator—who was at that time an inmate of Chester County Prison—were eligible for these benefits, all while knowing that neither she nor her co-conspirator were eligible for these benefits. Then, between July and August 2020, the defendant schemed with her co-conspirator to file PUA claims on behalf of at least two other inmates and take a cut of the claim payments for themselves. In September 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud based on this conduct.
“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds are intended to help working Americans continue to pay their bills and make ends meet, even when hours and wages have dropped dramatically due to the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Thieves who attempt to take these funds unlawfully are taking advantage of others’ misfortune – ripping them off while also ripping off all taxpayers who fund the program. Baier fraudulently obtained thousands of dollars in funds that could have helped struggling individuals.”
“Those who think they can exploit the system by stealing from the PUA Program should take notice of the sentence Baier received,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “We will continue to use all resources at our disposal to investigate and hold accountable fraudsters like Baier.”
“Emily Baier engaged in a scheme with her co-defendant to defraud the Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program by obtaining personal information from inmates in Chester County Jail and submitting fraudulent claims for PUA benefits on behalf of those inmates even though they were incarcerated and not able and available to work. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and its partners, such as the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, will continue to work together to preserve the integrity of unemployment compensation benefit programs by vigorously pursuing those who commit this type of fraud,” stated Special Agent-In-Charge Syreeta Scott, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Syracuse Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Edward Mercado, age 34, of Los Angeles, California, pled guilty yesterday to traveling to New York from California for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 10-year-old child. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Mercado admitted that from May of 2021 through June of 2021 he engaged in numerous telephone conversations and exchanged sexually explicit text messages with an undercover officer posing as the mother of 10-year-old girl. In these telephone calls and text messages, Mercado expressed a desire to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child. Mercado further admitted that on June 3, 2021, he traveled from California to Syracuse, New York in order to meet with the child and engage in sexual conduct with her at a location in the Ithaca area. Mercado was arrested after arriving at the Syracuse airport and has been in custody since that date.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2022, in Utica, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Mercado faces up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Upon his release from prison Mercado will be required to register as a sex offender in any state where he resides, is employed, or is a student.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
California Man Operating Dark Web Vendor Account Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute NarcoticsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Hunter Daniel Secrest, 27, formerly of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Secrest and his co-conspirators operated the dark web vendor account TheCommission on the Empire marketplace. TheCommission joined Empire in April 2020; by June 2020, TheCommission had completed over 800 verified sales that law enforcement agents calculated to total over $200,000 worth of narcotics.
Over the course of the conspiracy, Secrest and his co-conspirators distributed and possessed with intent to distribute at least the following: 752 grams of heroin, 11 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 600 grams of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, 45 grams of morphine, 93 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 277 grams of valium, 285 grams of alprazolam, and 35 grams of Adderall.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, which includes agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The NCIDE Task Force is a federal task force focused on targeting all forms of illicit dark web and cryptocurrency activity in the Eastern District of California and beyond. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Hemesath and Sam Stefanki are prosecuting the case.
Secrest is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Court Judge John A. Mendez on March 22, 2022. Secrest faces a maximum statutory penalty of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
California Man Convicted of Federal Violations in Health Care Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Coronado, California, man has been found guilty of federal violations related to a health care kickback scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. attorney Brit Featherston today.
Vincent Marchetti, Jr., 57, was found guilty by a jury following a month-long trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III.
“Fraud on our health care system cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “The defendant convicted today, and the others prosecuted in this large conspiracy, will suffer their fate at the hands of our excellent justice system. All should know that an investigation and prosecution such as this takes thousands of hours of work by law enforcement and prosecutors. My hat goes off to them for their excellent work to protect the citizens of our communities.”
“Kickback schemes victimize patients seeking legitimate care and line the pockets of criminals who pay or receive them,” said Miranda L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Dallas Region. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal health care programs by exposing these harmful schemes and holding fraudsters accountable.”
“The defendant intentionally deceived the health care system to receive unlawful benefits and payments. Health care fraud causes billions of dollars in damages a year and affects patients by raising their premiums and taxes,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “The FBI will continue working alongside our public and private sector partners to pursue individuals who attempt to profit off of patients and insurance holders.”
“Those involved in kickback schemes and fraudulent business enterprises will eventually face justice no matter where they operate,” said Christopher Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Dallas. “We remain relentless in our pursuit of those who violate the law through fraudulent practices for personal gain.”
According to information presented in court, Marchetti conspired with others to pay and receive kickbacks in exchange for the referral of, and arranging for, health care business, specifically pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests. Pharmacogenetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomic testing, is a type of genetic testing that identifies genetic variations that affect how an individual patient metabolizes certain drugs. The illegal arrangement concerned the referral of PGx tests to clinical laboratories in Fountain Valley, California; Irvine, California; and San Diego, California. More than $28 million in illegal kickback payments were exchanged by those involved in the conspiracy.
In December 2019, twelve individuals from three states were charged for their roles in the kickback conspiracy. A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned an indictment against Philip Lamb, 46, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Nicolas Arroyo, 40, of Tempe, Arizona; Vincent Marchetti, Jr.; William Flowers, 56, of Houston; Steven Donofrio; James J. Walker, Jr. a/k/a Jimmy Walker, 47, of Frisco; Timothy Armstrong, 64, of Frisco; Virginia Blake Herrin, 56, of Frisco; Patrick Ridgeway, 52, of Jackson, Mississippi; Chismere Mallard, 41, of McAllen; Dr. Ray W. Ng; and Ashley Kretzschmar, 36, of Aledo; for conspiring to commit illegal remunerations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Philip Lamb, Nicolas Arroyo, Jimmy Walker, Virginia Blake Herrin, Patrick Ridgeway, Chismere Mallard, and Ashley Kretzschmar pleaded guilty prior to trial.
Kimberly Willette, 59, of Friendswood, and Edwin Chad Isbell, 48, of McKinney, also pleaded guilty to related charges.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remunerations in exchange for the referral of or arranging for or recommending the ordering of items or services payable under federal health care programs. Under federal statutes, violations of the Anti-Kickback statute are punishable by up to five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the FBI Dallas – Frisco Resident Agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, Lucas Machicek, Adrian Garcia, Brent Andrus, and L. Frank Coan, Jr., with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan E. Oestreicher, Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel E.P. Simmons.
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Casper Man Charged with Possession and Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that DANIEL HENDRICKS, 33, of Casper, Wyoming was indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of possession of child pornography and four counts of production of child pornography. Hendricks appeared for an arraignment hearing before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin and pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial has been set for January 31, 2022, and Hendricks was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
The indictment alleges that on or about October 15, 2021, Hendricks knowingly possessed material containing images of child pornography that and on or before May 30, 2021, knowingly used a minor on four occasions to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. If convicted on all counts, Hendricks faces 15 years to life imprisonment and five years to life of supervised release. He could also be ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment pursuant to the Victims of Sex Trafficking Act of 2015 and a $100 special assessment on each count. In addition, he could pay up to a $50,000 special assessment and mandatory restitution of not less that $3,000 per requesting victim pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
This crime is being investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Christyne M. Martens is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Case No. 21-cr-00133-SWS
Bloomfield Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL COPELAND, 58, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force began investigating a Hartford area narcotics trafficking operation that involved the use of the U.S. Mail to ship parcels of drugs and drug proceeds. Investigators determined that Israel Mendoza, also known as “D-Nice,” supplied Copeland with large quantities of cocaine, and that Copeland, at Mendoza’s direction, mailed parcels containing cash to individuals in California. In September and October, U.S. Postal Inspectors in California intercepted and seized two parcels, each containing approximately $13,000 in cash, that Copeland mailed in Connecticut to addresses in the Fresno area. Investigators analyzed postal records and identified dozens of additional parcels connected to this drug trafficking network that are suspected to have contained narcotics or drug proceeds.
In February 2019, investigators seized a parcel containing nearly 500 grams of cocaine that had been mailed from California to a Bloomfield residence that was connected to Copeland.
The investigation also revealed that Mendoza worked with others, including Danny Rhodes and Neliobet DeJesus, in the Hartford area to distribute heroin and cocaine.
Copeland was arrested on November 22, 2019. On May 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.
Copeland, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 16, 2022.
Rhodes, of Bloomfield, and DeJesus, now residing in Orlando, Florida, have pleaded guilty. On December 8, Judge Dooley sentenced to Rhodes to 87 months of imprisonment. DeJesus awaits sentencing.
Mendoza, last residing in Reading, Pennsylvania, is being sought by law enforcement. Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that, as to Mendoza, charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department assisted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Biloxi Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Three Employees of Hinds County BusinessRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Biloxi man pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during the commission of a robbery that killed three people, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
According to court documents, Joshua Michael Garcia, 42, and co-defendant Jamison Layne Townsend went to Bill’s Coin & Jewelry in Hinds County on December 17, 2016, to rob the business using a firearm. During the robbery, Garcia shot and killed three employees of the business.
Garcia pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm that resulted in the murder of three persons during the commission of a robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in Jackson. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department with assistance from Geary County, Kansas Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Gulfport Police Department, and the Biloxi Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Billings felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings felon who admitted to illegally possessing a firearm after he pointed a loaded gun at an individual was sentenced today to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Christian Mikal David Bramley, 22, pleaded guilty in August to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
Court documents filed by the government alleged that on Dec. 2, 2020 in Billings, Bramley pointed a loaded pistol at a man who told his neighbors to quiet down. Bramley fled the scene but was pulled over by Billings police officers. At the time, Bramley was on state probation for a 2019 felony criminal endangerment conviction in Yellowstone County and prohibited from possessing firearms. State probation officers authorized a search of the car and located a pistol in a backpack belonging to Bramley. Bramley admitted to possessing the pistol and threatening the victim.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Beaver County Dad Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County resident has been sentenced in federal court to four months’ incarceration followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of theft of government funds and social security fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Gerald Black, 47, of Aliquippa, PA.
According to information presented to the court, Black received and converted approximately $19,743.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which he knew he was not entitled. Additionally, Black concealed and failed to disclose changes to his minor child’s living arrangements with the intent to deceive the Social Security Administration (SSA) as well as knowingly and willfully making a false statement material to his minor child’s right to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. As a result of Black’s false statements, the SSA distributed 31 checks to Black for his daughter, none of which he was entitled to because his daughter was in Allegheny County’s Office of Children, Youth and Families’ custody.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that a sentence of imprisonment of four months is appropriate when taking a holistic view of the case. The court rejected Black’s request to be sentenced to probation, stating that Black “defrauded the government by using [his] daughter.” The Court expressed that in imposing a sentence of incarceration it considered deterrence to be a primary sentencing factor, coupled with Black’s lengthy criminal history and the serious nature of the offense.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Black.
Bank Robber Back in Prison for EscapeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Clairton in Allegheny County and Hermitage in Mercer County has been sentenced in federal court to two years in prison followed by three years of supervision by the United States Probation Office on his conviction of Escape, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Raymond A. Zwibel, age 50.
According to information presented to the court, Zwibel was previously sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for two separate bank robberies. He was released, on July 7, 2020, to the Renewal Center to serve the remainder of that sentence. While at the Renewal Center, the defendant was stopped for several traffic violations and provided a false name. On January 8, 2021, the defendant signed out of the Renewal Center to go to work at his construction job and never returned. A warrant was issued for his arrest and the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Unit immediately began a fugitive investigation. Those efforts resulted in Zwibel’s arrest on February 19, 2021.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Schwab determined that the 24-month sentence was necessary given Zwibel’s long-term drug addiction and his numerous prior convictions.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Chung commended the United States Marshal Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Zwibel.
Aryan Brotherhood Member Pleads Guilty to Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Billings, Missouri, man who belongs to the Aryan Brotherhood pleaded guilty in federal court today to methamphetamine trafficking.
Jimmy Jack Pinkley, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
By pleading guilty today, Pinkley admitted that he was in possession of methamphetamine when he was stopped by a Christian County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy on Jan. 17, 2021. Pinkley was driving a Dodge Charger, which was later identified as a stolen vehicle, in the area of Evergreen Circle, driving down multiple roads of the trailer park and stopping briefly at multiple houses. When the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, Pinkley pulled into a driveway and got out of the vehicle. The deputy ordered Pinkley to show his hands, but he reached with both his hands to his rear waistband. The deputy removed his firearm and again ordered Pinkley to show him his hands. After a brief pause, Pinkley lifted his hands above his head. The deputy handcuffed Pinkley and frisked him for weapons.
Pinkley appeared to be very nervous, sweating and breathing heavily. The deputy searched the vehicle and found a brown leather bag on the front passenger seat that contained approximately 195 grams of methamphetamine in multiple individually wrapped clear plastic baggies.
Pinkley told investigators the methamphetamine was what he had left from the 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine he had obtained from his supplier in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the previous day for $2,200. Pinkley, who said he had been selling methamphetamine for approximately six months, told investigators he received approximately one pound of methamphetamine during each trip to Oklahoma City.
Pinkley also told investigators that he is a member of the Aryan Brotherhood and that he joined the gang during his first stint in state prison. He showed them his patch to the gang.
Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Pinkley’s residence, where they found a loaded Maverick 12-gauge shotgun leaning against a safe in the metal shop located on the property behind Pinkley’s trailer. Inside the safe, officers found a small baggie of methamphetamine and a set of digital scales.
Today’s plea agreement also refers to an earlier traffic stop on Oct. 29, 2020. Law enforcement officers stopped a Pontiac Grand Prix in which Pinkley was a passenger. Officers found a brown nylon case under the front passenger’s seat that contained 11.48 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Under federal statutes, Pinkley is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron A. Beaver. It was investigated by Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
15 December 2021
Winnebago Man Convicted of ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that a federal jury in the District of Nebraska found Jonathan D. Rooney, of Winnebago, Nebraska, guilty of manslaughter and destruction of evidence. Rooney, 27, killed Kozee Decorah, 22, and then burned her body and other evidence at an abandoned cabin on the Winnebago Indian Reservation.
On May 16, 2020, Decorah called the Winnebago Police Department to report that the vehicle that she, Rooney, and their infant son were using was stuck in the mud in a remote area of the Winnebago Reservation. When Winnebago Conservation Officers located the vehicle, they were unable to locate Decorah, Rooney, or their baby. The officers noticed a fire near midnight in the outhouse of a remote cabin. Rooney was found in the cabin naked in a bed with his clothes missing. The baby was with him. Blood droplets were observed in the cabin. Human remains in the form of a skull were found in the fire. Decorah was identified through dental records.
Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. ordered a presentence investigation report. Rooney will be sentenced on March 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Winnebago Police Department, the Winnebago Conservation Office, Winnebago Volunteer Firefighters, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal.
Vero Beach Woman Sentenced to over 10 Years for Possessing More Than 500 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Orlando Florida –U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced
Amanda Gailene Paul (38, Vero Beach) to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Paul had pleaded guilty on September 14, 2021.
According to the plea agreement, on or about November 3, 2020, at the direction of federal agents, a confidential source contacted Paul to purchase three pounds of methamphetamine. Prior to the delivery, investigators located Paul in her vehicle. A subsequent search of Paul’s vehicle revealed three individually packaged plastic bags containing approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Palm Bay Police Department, the City of Cocoa Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
United States and Australia Enter CLOUD Act Agreement to Facilitate Investigations of Serious CrimeRead the Press Release
The United States and Australia today signed a landmark agreement that will facilitate access to electronic data for investigations of serious crime, including terrorism and child sexual abuse.
The agreement is authorized by the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, a bill Congress passed in 2018.
The CLOUD Act Agreement will help ensure Australian and U.S. law enforcement agencies are able to timely access electronic data to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute serious crime, including child sexual abuse, ransomware attacks, terrorism and the sabotage of critical infrastructure over the internet.
The CLOUD Act Agreement enables authorities in each country to obtain certain electronic data more efficiently from communications service providers operating in the other’s jurisdiction, thereby significantly reducing the time taken to obtain information relevant to ongoing investigations. The agreement also includes strong protections for the rule of law, privacy and civil liberties.
“This Agreement paves the way for more efficient cross-border transfers of data between the United States and Australia so that our governments can more effectively counter serious crime, including terrorism, while adhering to the privacy and civil liberties values that we both share,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
U.S. Attorney General Garland and Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the agreement would enhance law enforcement cooperation and help keep communities in both countries safe, while protecting the values, principles and sovereignty of the United States and Australia.
“As we saw in Operation Ironside – known in the United States as Operation Trojan Shield – the Australian Federal Police and the FBI are already capable of smashing serious, organized crime networks using sophisticated digital techniques,” said Minister Andrews. “By strengthening both nations’ ability to fight crime, and giving our law enforcement agencies more efficient access to evidence, we’re ensuring the safety, security and prosperity of our citizens.”
The CLOUD Act Agreement will now undergo Parliamentary and Congressional review processes in both countries.
For more information on the CLOUD Act, please visit: and https://www.justice.gov/dag/cloudact.
U.S. Coast Guard Honors Former U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer with Distinguished Public Service AwardRead the Press Release
News Release Summary – December 15, 2021
San Diego – United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz has awarded former U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr. with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the agency’s highest public recognition, other than the gold and silver lifesaving medals. Today, on behalf of the Commandant, Rear Admiral Brian Penoyer, the agency’s District Eleven Commander, presented the award, which was bestowed in recognition of Brewer’s “outstanding advancement of the Coast Guard's law enforcement mission as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California from 2019 to 2021.”
The award recognizes that under Brewer’s leadership, the Southern District of California “strengthened its comprehensive maritime counter-narcotics program to significantly disrupt the flow of narcotics and human smuggling in the California Coastal Region and the Eastern Pacific,” noting that on April 1st, 2020, the United States Southern Command began enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western hemisphere to disrupt the increasing flow of drugs. The award credits Brewer with spearheading the prosecution of many cases resulting from these interdictions and promoting the safety and security of the United States” through “the conviction of six defendants in two jury trials, the prosecution of twenty low profile and go fast vessels, and the arrest of key land-side organizers in Central and South America,” which “effectively stymied the flow of maritime smuggling and delivered a major setback to numerous drug trafficking organizations.”
The award notes that Brewer was responsible for leveraging “long-term proactive maritime investigations and inter-agency partnerships to launch a concerted effort to target and dismantle maritime Transnational Criminal Organizations,” using Coast Guard Eastern Pacific interdictions as the cornerstone of an innovative legal approach to pursue and eradicate these organizations. It asserts that “Brewer’s commitment to securing resources was vital for indicting 125 high level narcotics targets, seizing 45 metric tons of cocaine and $4.5M of bulk cash, and dismantling major Transnational Criminal Organizations in Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Grossman opened today’s ceremony by thanking the U.S. Coast Guard, which has become an increasingly important law enforcement partner in the Southern District’s ongoing fight against drug and human smuggling. “This is a truly fitting award for Bob, who has devoted so much of his life to public service in many ways – as an Army Ranger and war hero, as a Deputy District Attorney, then as an Assistant United States Attorney, and ultimately a United States Attorney,” Grossman said. “Bob prioritized our partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, expanded our prosecutions of the agency’s drug interdictions, and effectively focused resources on proactive investigations designed to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”
At the ceremony, Brewer relayed his deep respect for the work of the U.S. Coast Guard, stating that his work with the agency “was a true highlight of my tenure as U.S. Attorney.” Brewer described the moving christening of the 32nd fast response cutter (FRC), Benjamin Bottoms and the offloading of massive major narcotics interdictions as significant moments reflecting the agencies’ strong partnership. “I am tremendously honored and grateful to be recognized by the Commandant,” Brewer said. “This very special award is really a reflection on the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. It is a tribute to the hard work of the dedicated and innovative team that made these prosecutions possible.”
Former Chief Judge Irma Gonzalez (retired), Mr. Brewer’s spouse, attended the ceremony, accompanied by current Chief District Court Judge Dana Sabraw, Magistrate Judge Andy Schopler, Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, several USAO supervisors and U.S. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Barelli, the Commander of Sector San Diego.
Two Minneapolis Felons Sentenced Respectively to 70 and 82 Months in Prison for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
St. Paul, Minn. – Two Minneapolis felons were sentenced today for possessing a handgun with a large capacity magazine that could hold 50 rounds of ammunition, announced Acting United States Attorney Charles J. Kovats.
According to court records, between April 30 and May 5, 2020, Travon Lavelle Blackman, 24, and Michael Eugene Hunter, 23, were in joint possession of a Glock, model 22, .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, with an attached 50-round drum magazine. Both men videotaped themselves and posted several of the recordings on social media of their brandishing the firearm (as well as other firearms) while making threatening gestures and statements. Because Blackman and Hunter both have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
U.S. District Court Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright sentenced Blackman to 70 months in prison and Hunter to 82 months in prison. Both men were sentenced to three years of supervised release that will begin upon their release from prison.
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 the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.
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Two Men Convicted of Conspiring to Smuggle Wildlife into the United States from AustraliaRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Two men pled guilty to willfully and knowingly conspiring to acquire, sell, transport, and import three species of spiny-tailed skinks into the United States from Australia in violation of federal regulations.
Jose Francesco Munoz Di Rocco, of Miami, Florida, and Francisco Manuel Rodriguez, of Medford, Oregon, pled guilty to the charge in Miami. In connection with their guilty plea, Munoz and Rodriguez admitted that they traveled from their respective hometowns in the United States and met up in Broome, Western Australia for the purpose of capturing spiny-tailed skinks in their native habitat and importing them into the United States for resale. Once in Western Australia, Munoz and Rodriguez captured various species of spiny-tailed skinks and prepared them for shipping to the United States, knowing it was illegal to export the wildlife from Australia. While in Australia, Munoz mailed two packages containing a total of 33 spiny-tailed skinks, one to Miami, Florida and the other to Medford, Oregon. In order to conceal the illegally imported wildlife, Munoz packaged the spiny-tailed skinks within gift-wrapped containers with other souvenirs and neither Rodriguez nor Munoz declared them on the Customs Declaration forms attached to the shipping boxes or via a Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish and Wildlife (Form 3-177) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Australian law prohibits the exportation of its native wildlife.
Rodriguez’s sentencing has been set on February 4, 2022 at 3 p.m. and Munoz’s sentencing has been set on February 23, 2022 at 2 p.m. before District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams. Rodriguez and Munoz face a possible prison sentence of up to five years in jail, a term of supervised release thereafter of up to three years, and a criminal fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez of the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Southeast Region made the announcement.
USFWS investigated the case with assistance of the Australian Border Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marty Fulgueira Elfenbein of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20361.
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Twenty-One Charged in Connection with Multistate Cocaine and Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Twenty-one individuals have been charged in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine, fentanyl and other controlled substances with activity that spanned across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Puerto Rico.
According to the charging documents, in May 2020, law enforcement began investigating a Lawrence-based drug trafficking organization (DTO). Since December 2020, intercepted communications between members of the DTO and their associates revealed that the defendants allegedly distributed fentanyl and cocaine in and around the Lawrence area.
The following defendants were arrested today and charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances:
- Joseph Correa, 31, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Jose Martinez, a/k/a “Bebo,” 28, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Luis Martinez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass. and Manchester, N.H.;
- Alberto Marrero, a/k/a “Gordo,” 40, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Madeline Correa-Dones, 50, of Caguas, P.R.;
- Mavi Rosario, 30, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Sonvi Rosario, 31, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Fauris Guerrero Valdez, a/k/a “Duro,” 25, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Luis Perez Frias, 20, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Freddy Reyes Concepcion, a/k/a Franchve Gonzalez Irizarry, 49, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Alex Rafael Hernandez Mercedes, 36, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Felipe Martinez, 59, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Elvis DeJesus, 30, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- William Rivadeneira, 28, of Haverhill, Mass.;
- Gregorit Sanchez, 27, of Haverhill, Mass.;
- Jeremy Eaton, 25, of Lunenburg, Mass.;
- Nestor Emilio Olaverria Fuster, a/k/a Pablo Pizarro-Rosa, a/k/a “Chiquitin,” 58, of Lawrence, Mass.;
- Othoniel Lara Gonzalez, a/k/a “Jose Ramirez,” a/k/a “Anibal Pena,” a/k/a “Chirpa,” 52, of Lawrence, Mass.; and
- Zacharia Mohamed, 26, of South Portland, Maine.
Victor Ramon Melendez, 33, of Norwich, Conn. remains at large.
Pablo Rosario Pablo a/k/a “Angel Ayala Roque” a/k/a “Cuco,” 56, of Methuen, Mass., was also arrested today and charged in a separate criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
It is alleged that the DTO is headed by Correa, who sold drugs in both wholesale and retail quantities and employed couriers and stash house operators to store and distribute drugs, including the mother of his children and her sister. Correa allegedly obtained fentanyl locally and obtained cocaine from suppliers in Puerto Rico. Specifically, it is alleged that Correa, Jose Martinez and Luis Martinez are half-brothers and regularly travelled to Puerto Rico to purchase kilograms of cocaine. They and Correa-Dones, their mother, would then mail the drugs in packages to addresses in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Over the course of the investigation, approximately 7.5 kilograms of cocaine was seized from packages mailed from Puerto Rico to the defendants. In total, over 10.5 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 650 grams of suspected fentanyl and approximately $201,681 in drug proceeds were seized over the course of the investigation.
According to the charging documents, Sanchez was a Correctional Officer with the Middleton House of Correction in Middleton, Mass. Sanchez allegedly helped DeJesus obtain a contraband cellphone while DeJesus was being held in the Middleton House of Correction after being arrested on state firearms charges. It is further alleged that on Nov. 11, 2021, Sanchez attempted to smuggle a package containing fentanyl, cocaine and Suboxone into the Middleton House of Correction for DeJesus. The package was seized as Sanchez was arriving for work.
Rivadeneira was allegedly employed by DeJesus and Martinez to assist with distribution of fentanyl and cocaine. According to the charging documents, DeJesus scolded Rivadeneira on an intercepted call for not wearing a mask when working with fentanyl, and warned Rivadeneira, “[Y]ou can get an overdose.”
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $100. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office, made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson, Acting Chief of Mendell’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tupelo Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Oxford, MS – A federal jury has convicted a Tupelo, Mississippi man of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Samuel Wilson, III, 32, conspired with multiple individuals who were identified as part of a larger drug trafficking organization to sell and distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. The jury also found Wilson guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of two firearms.
Wilson was one of nine defendants charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, drug distribution, and firearms offenses as part of a drug trafficking organization led by Jeremy K. Mairidith. Eight of the defendants charged, including Mairidith, pled guilty prior to trial. The drug trafficking organization was comprised of defendants from California, Georgia, Illinois and Mississippi and was responsible for distributing methamphetamine and marijuana in the Northern District of Mississippi and elsewhere. The investigation of this drug trafficking organization and its participants spanned multiple years.
Individuals who have been charged and convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in this case include: Jeremy K. Mairidith; Fernando Gonzalez; Kennoris Hughey; Stefanie K. Johnson; Eiko T. Jones; Dimitri R. Kimble; Desmonya Lewis; and Andraea Stovall.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of the Northern District of Mississippi made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and FBI Jackson Division’s Oxford Resident Agency investigated the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods programs in partnership with state and local law enforcement. Agencies assisting with the investigation included the Tupelo Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Corinth Police Department, Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, North Mississippi Narcotics Unit, DEA, United States Postal Inspection Service, Mississippi Department of Corrections and the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad M. Doleac prosecuted the case with assistance from AUSAs Jay Hale and Scott Leary.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Three Indicted for Armed Hobbs Act Robbery and ShootingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A federal grand jury in Charlottesville returned an indictment today charging three local men in connection with a September 2021 shooting and attempted armed robbery of an Albemarle County man who they believe possessed marijuana.
The grand jury today charged Madison Wonne Zelee, 26, Tyrel Anthony Dowell, 22, and Tyreek Saquan Ragland, 24, all of Charlottesville, each with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of committing Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of discharge of a firearm in commission of a Hobbs Act Robbery. In addition, Dowell and Zelee were each charged with an additional count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
“The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to respond to the spike in violent crimes across the Charlottesville-Albemarle County region by bringing federal charges when appropriate,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “Partnering with law enforcement agencies across our community is a key component to achieving our shared goal of protecting our communities from gun violence.”
“The FBI is committed to leveraging our investigative resources to assist our law enforcement partners in addressing these violent crimes,” Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division said today. “We encourage anyone who has witnessed or is a victim of a violent crime to report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.”
According to the indictment, on September 30, 2021, Zelee, Dowell, and Ragland conspired to steal cash and other goods against their victim’s will through the use of force and fear of injury while brandishing and discharging a firearm.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Albemarle County Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald M. Huber is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Kidnapping A Postal CarrierRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Mark Rogers, 38, Joseph Way a/k/a Gus, 36, and Tashara Levans, 37, all of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to the kidnapping of a federal employee. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that on November 16, 2019, in the area of Second Street and Central Park in Rochester, the defendants kidnapped a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier while she was delivering mail. Rogers and Way confronted the mail carrier about a package she delivered to them. The package did not contain cocaine, which Rogers and Way were expecting, and the two men accused the mail carrier of taking the narcotics. Rogers and Way directed the mail carrier to a vehicle driven by Rogers’ girlfriend Tashara Levans. Over the next two hours, Levans drove Rogers and Way as they threatened to shoot and kill the mail carrier and her children if she did not provide either the cocaine, they believed she had stolen, or $70,000, which was the street value of the cocaine. Eventually, the mail carrier was released unharmed.
The conviction is the result of an investigation by U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief David Smith.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2022, before Judge Geraci.
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Three Companies Face Charges of Negligent Conduct During Offshore Oil Leak that Damaged Southern California CoastlineRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury today accused three companies with illegally discharging oil during a pipeline break in early October by acting negligently in at least six ways, including failing to properly respond to eight separate leak alarms over the span of more than 13 hours and improperly restarting the pipeline that had been shut down following the leak alarms.
An indictment filed this afternoon charges the companies that own and operate the 17-mile-long San Pedro Bay Pipeline with one misdemeanor count of negligent discharge of oil. The charged defendants are Amplify Energy Corp.; Beta Operating Co. LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Amplify doing business as Beta Offshore); and San Pedro Bay Pipeline Co. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Amplify).
The pipeline, which was used to transfer crude oil from several offshore facilities to a processing plant in Long Beach, began leaking on the afternoon of October 1, but the defendants allegedly continued to operate the damaged pipeline, on and off, until the next morning. As a result of the allegedly negligent conduct, what is estimated to be about 25,000 gallons of crude oil were discharged from a point approximately 4.7 miles west of Huntington Beach from a crack in the 16-inch pipeline.
The indictment alleges that the defendants acted negligently by:
- Failing to properly respond to eight alarms from an automated leak detection system that were activated between 4:10 p.m. on October 1 until the final alarm at 5:28 a.m. the following day;
- Shutting down and then restarting the pipeline five times after the first five alarms were triggered on October 1, resulting in oil flowing through the damaged pipeline for a cumulative period of more than three hours;
- Despite the sixth and seventh alarms, pumping oil for three additional hours late on October 1 into the early morning hours of October 2 while a manual leak test was performed;
- Despite the eighth alarm, operating the pipeline for nearly one hour in the predawn hours of October 2 after a boat they contacted failed to see discharged oil in the middle of the night;
- Operating the pipeline with crewmembers who had not been sufficiently trained on the automated leak detection system; and
- Operating the pipeline with an understaffed and fatigued crew.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
For a corporate defendant, the charge of negligently discharging oil carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years of probation, as well as fines that potentially could total millions of dollars.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service; the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division; and the FBI are investigating the oil leak.
Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew O’Brien and Brian Faerstein of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Third Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to 1989 MurderRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LUIS MERCED pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to charges relating to his involvement in the murder of Efren Cardenas on February 10, 1989, in Brooklyn, New York. William Skinner and Dorian Brooks, a/k/a “Kool-Aid,” also pled guilty, on December 8, 2021, to charges relating to their involvement in the murder of Efren Cardenas.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Luis Merced, William Skinner, and Dorian Brooks were responsible for the murder of Efren Cardenas in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in February 1989. Today’s guilty plea shows that we will never lose resolve in our pursuit of justice. I commend the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who worked tirelessly to investigate Efren Cardenas’s murder.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment, and other filings and statements made in court:
On February 10, 1989, MERCED, Skinner, and Brooks participated in a plot to shoot and kill Efren Cardenas, 30, in the vicinity of 280 Herkimer Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. MERCED arranged for Cardenas to deliver multiple kilograms of cocaine to an apartment building in Brooklyn, where he had recruited Skinner and Brooks to gun down Cardenas and steal the cocaine. When Cardenas arrived at the scene, Skinner and Brooks shot him over 20 times. MERCED, Skinner, and Brooks committed the murder in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
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MERCED, 50, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. During his guilty plea, MERCED admitted to his role in the murder of Efren Cardenas. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
MERCED is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ramos on March 24, 2022.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York City Police Department’s Cold Case Homicide Squad.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, Adam S. Hobson, and Frank J. Balsamello are in charge of the prosecution.
Texas man admits to role in drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeffrey Howard, of Houston, Texas, has admitted to his role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin drug distribution operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Howard, age 24, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Howard admitted to having methamphetamine in Monongalia County in Septemmber 2019.
Bradley faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/25-people-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-spanned-several-states
Texan sentenced for attempting to export weaponsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas - A 64-year-old Dallas resident been ordered to federal prison for attempting to export firearms, firearm magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition to Mexico, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for five hours before convicting Jose Rafael Vasquez July 1, following a two-day trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana, who presided over the trial and sentencing, ordered Vasquez to serve 63 months in federal prison immediately followed by a three-year term of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information, including the fact that the firearms bore decorative handles and were quite expensive, which criminal organizations highly prized in Mexico.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Saldana noted Vasquez had also previously purchased a semi-automatic rifle in Garland in 2017 which was later found in Durango, Mexico, after a shootout between Mexican law enforcement and armed criminal groups. Authorities directly traced the rifle to Vasquez as the last known legal purchaser.
On Oct. 15, 2020, Vasquez attempted to exit the United States into Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry. During initial inspection, law enforcement discovered suspicious bundles zip-tied to the undercarriage of the vehicle. They appeared to contain ammunition.
Further inspection revealed three AK-47 rifles, eight semi-automatic handguns of various calibers, 16 handgun magazines and approximately 4,714 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition hidden inside his vehicle.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Vasquez did not know about the items inside the vehicle. They did not believe his claims and found him guilty as charged.
Vasquez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Rodriguez and David Fawcett prosecuted the case.
Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico gang member sentenced to life in prison for murderRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –Angel DeLeon, 43, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court to life in prison for murder. A federal jury convicted DeLeon on Sept. 16.
According to court records, DeLeon, along with Joe Lawrence Gallegos, 52, and Edward Troup, 50, killed another inmate, identified as “FC,” in the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility (“SNMCF”) in Doña Ana County, New Mexico on March 26, 2001, by using a cord from a laundry bag to strangle him. Another inmate, identified in court records as “RG,” was also killed by strangulation at SNMCF on that same date. The killings were carried out on the orders of Billy “Wild Bill” Garcia, 66, of Albuquerque, acting in his capacity as a leader of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (SNM) prison gang.
Garcia, Troup and Gallegos were found guilty on May 25, 2018. Garcia was sentenced to life in prison on June 11, 2019. Troup was sentenced to life in prison on Nov. 6, 2018. Gallegos was sentenced to life in prison on April 21, 2020.
DeLeon, a Mexican national, was arrested on Oct. 4, 2019, after being extradited from Mexico to the United States for trial.
The SNM is an ultra-violent criminal organization whose members, prospects and associates engage in acts of violence and other criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute narcotics. Members have admitted in court that the organization engages in racketeering activity.
The FBI, the New Mexico State Police, the New Mexico Corrections Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing DeLeon’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. Assistant United States Attorneys from the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico prosecuted the case.
State College Man Charged with Failure to Pay TaxesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 14, 2021, Scott Lykens, age 44, of State College, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information for failure to pay federal income and payroll taxes.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lykens was the owner and operator of a medical billing company, Keystone Medical Management Solutions, Inc. (KMMS, Inc.) doing business in Centre County, Pennsylvania. The information alleges that KMMS, Inc. withheld taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes, Medicare and Social Security taxes (referred herein as payroll taxes) and was required to make deposits of the payroll taxes to the IRS on a periodic basis and file Employer’s Quarterly Federal Income Tax Returns. KMMS, Inc. as an employer was required to pay the employer’s share of Social Security and Medicare taxes on behalf of its employees. It is alleged that between 2015 and 2019, Lykens failed to pay over to the IRS taxes that he had withheld from the employees of KMMS, Inc. The total unpaid tax liability was $1,044,796.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of 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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San Francisco CEO Sentenced to Three Years for Scamming Banks and Investors Out of $8 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Andrew James Chapin was sentenced in federal court today to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud, and securities fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. Chapin was also ordered to pay over $8 million in restitution to his victims. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Maxine M. Chesney.
Andrew James Chapin, 33, of San Francisco, started a company in Boston and in 2016 moved it to San Francisco and renamed it Benja Inc. He was Benja’s CEO. As a digital advertising company, Benja provided “shoppable media” by placing digital advertisements for a company’s overstocked goods that allowed shoppers to purchase products in the advertisement itself without being redirected to another website.
From June 2019 through September 2020 Chapin was looking for additional investors and lines of credit for Benja. He told creditors and prospective investors that Benja generated $6,200,000 and $13,200,000 in revenue in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and had signed large contracts with numerous well-known national sportswear companies to place advertisements for their excess inventory.
Chapin admitted in his plea agreement that these statements were false. He further admitted that he had no contracts with these companies and that he falsified Benja’s revenue. On a Benja investor call, Chapin admitted he arranged for people to impersonate employees from the well-known national corporations to bolster Chapin’s false representations of business relationships with the companies.
Chapin detailed in his plea agreement that he repeatedly submitted false information about Benja to a victim bank to obtain a credit line totaling $5,000,000. Chapin took advances on the line of credit for his company and used the money to pay off creditors and personal credit cards and to put money into his personal cryptocurrency exchange account.
Chapin also admitted his misrepresentations induced investors to fund Benja. His false statements produced investments of $1,000,000 from one venture capital firm and $1,800,000 from a SAFE (simple agreement for future equity) fundraising round involving multiple individual investors. To obtain these investments, Chapin created documents showing that Benja had millions in revenue and account receivables from companies that had never contracted with Benja.
In one example outlined in his plea agreement, on March 23, 2020, Chapin directed a New York venture capital firm to Benja’s virtual data room that displayed a spreadsheet showing Benja’s total 2019 revenue exceeded $13,000,000 and also listed contracts with national sportswear companies that provided over $7,000,000 of Benja’s total 2019 income. Benja, however, had no contracts with the sportswear companies. Chapin fabricated the spreadsheet. Chapin also admitted that in a reference call he paid a Benja employee to impersonate a national running shoe company’s representative and arranged for another individual to impersonate a national sportswear company’s representative. The venture capital firm relied on these misrepresentations and invested $1,000,000 in Benja. Chapin used the money to pay off a creditor.
Chapin admitted defrauding individual investors too. In his plea agreement Chapin admitted that in November 2018 he emailed false financial statements to an individual investor that reflected Benja had revenue of more than $4,000,000 in 2018. Chapin told the individual that a St. Louis, Missouri, venture capital firm was considering a $1,500,000 investment in Benja, although Chapin knew the firm had already declined to invest in Benja. Chapin also arranged for a person to impersonate the St. Louis venture capital firm’s manager during a reference call with the investor. The impersonator told the individual investor that a third party had verified Benja’s financials and had made customer reference calls about Benja that produced positive results. Chapin then provided false contact information for the St. Louis venture capital firm’s manager which allowed Chapin – not the venture capital firm’s manager – to respond to the individual’s questions about Chapin’s shareholder agreement. As a result, the individual investor signed the shareholder’s agreement and purchased 1,278 shares of common stock in Benja for $100,000. Chapin used the money to pay personal credit card bills and to fund his personal cryptocurrency accounts.
In a memo filed for sentencing, the government tallied the losses from Chapin’s bank fraud, his fraud upon a venture capital firm, and his fraud upon 11 individual investors. The loss amount from Chapin’s frauds totaled $8,069,900. Of that amount, at least $1.8 million came from defrauding the individual private investors.
Chapin was originally charged by federal complaint on November 23, 2020, and later by information on May 27, 2021. He pleaded guilty on June 16, 2021, to bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344, wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and securities fraud in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) and 78ff, and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5.
The case is prosecuted by the Corporate Fraud Strike Force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which conducted a parallel investigation.
San Antonio Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzling 1.1M from Johnson CityRead the Press Release
AUSTIN – Today a San Antonio man pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling over $1.1 million from the City of Johnson City, Texas.
According to court documents, starting in 2015 and continuing until around September 2020, Anthony Michael Holland, 36, embezzled at least $1,175,866.96 from city accounts. Holland used the money for his personal benefit, including purchasing a residence in San Antonio.
According to court documents, Holland was a Johnson City employee when he carried out the embezzlement. At various times, he held the offices of City Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer. Holland concealed the embezzlement by falsifying city financial records and other documents.
Holland pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a state or local government that receives federal program funds. A sentencing date has not been set. Holland faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs made the announcement.
The FBI, with invaluable assistance from the Johnson City Police Department, is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan M. Buie and Robert Almonte are prosecuting the case.
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Rigby Man Sentenced to 45 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – A Rigby man was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child pornography.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the investigation began in September 2019, after an individual reported finding videos of a nude minor on an iPhone belonging to Tel James Boam, 39, of Rigby. A detective with the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for Boam’s iCloud account. An agent with Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls searched Boam’s iCloud account and found that Boam had attempted to produce, by surreptitious recording, 36 sexually explicit videos of a fourteen-year-old child, and that Boam had possessed those videos. Testimony provided that the videos were produced with a spy camera that Boam purchased using his credit card.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Boam to a lifetime of supervised release, which will commence upon completing his prison sentence. Boam will also be required to register as a sex offender. A restitution hearing will be set at a later date to determine any restitution owed to the victim by Boam. Boam was convicted by a federal jury sitting in Pocatello on September 20, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., commended the cooperative efforts of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, and the Rexburg Police Department, which led to charges. “This type of investigative work is not easy, but our collective efforts – to protect children in need and at risk, to support juvenile victims, and to safeguard our young people from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking – have never been more urgent,” said Gonzalez. “I thank our federal and local partners for all that they did in this case, and I look forward to working with each of them to further develop and execute our child safety strategy.”
“This sentence highlights the important collaborative role HSI, our law enforcement partners, and public citizens play in protecting the community from child predators,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Those that seek to exploit the most vulnerable of us, our children, have no place to hide.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Rhode Island Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation Nationally RecognizedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation that brought together thirty-six federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and culminated in federal charges being brought against twenty-three individuals and the seizure of thirteen kilograms of fentanyl, eleven kilograms of cocaine, eleven kilograms of marijuana, and two kilograms of psilocyn mushrooms, was recognized today with a national Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDEFT) award.
All twenty-three individuals have been adjudged guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence and sentenced to federal prison.
The eight-month investigation, dubbed “Operation Panamera,” relied on the combined expertise of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, the DEA Cape Cod Drug Task Force, and the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force whose joint work dismantled a drug trafficking organization that imported hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico and Puerto Rico and redistributed them to drug dealers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont.
In addition to the dozens of kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms, law enforcement also seized $60,000 in cash, ten vehicles, and a handgun.
“This award is a testament to two things: the results that flow from effective coordination among our law enforcement partners, and the commitment of those agencies to dismantle and disrupt significant drug trafficking in our state and region,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “I am pleased to see the team deservedly recognized with this award.”
“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling International Drug Trafficking Organizations at the highest levels. Drug trafficking and the violence associated with it poses a serious threat to the communities across New England” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s New England Field Division. “This investigation is a shining example of DEA and our Federal, State and Local counterparts coming together to bring those who commit these crimes to justice. I’m proud of the work done in this investigation, not only by members of the DEA, but by all involved from each of our partner agencies.”
“I’m proud of the work our Troopers do every day to keep illegal narcotics out of our neighborhoods,” said Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “Today I am especially pleased that their efforts – along with those of thirty-five other law enforcement partners – were recognized with an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces award. Congratulations to our Troopers and the others involved in Operation Panamera who dismantled a major drug trafficking operation and made our state safer as a result.”
RI DEA, Cape Cod DEA and HIDTA Task Force agents and officers honored today during an OCDEFT New England Advisory Council Meeting held virtually include:
Richard Atwood United States. Postal Inspection Service
James Burns Pembroke, Mass. Police Department
Mario Cerullo Rhode Island State Police (HIDTA)
Kristopher Dees Middleboro, Mass. Police Department
Daniel Hernandez Rhode Island State Police (HIDTA)
Alexander Koumanelis Drug Enforcement Administration
Sam Masiello Drug Enforcement Administration
Andrea Metz Drug Enforcement Administration
Michael Rusciano Drug Enforcement Administration (Posthumously)
Lindsay Beltzer Legal Assistant, U.S. Attorney’s Office
Defendants charged in this case were prosecuted iby Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr., with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah and Stacey P. Veroni.
The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program 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.
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Resident of Hong Kong Who Smuggled Glass Eels from the United States is SentencedRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that KING SHEUNG CHAN, also known as “Nelson,” 30, a permanent resident of Hong Kong of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to approximately eight months of imprisonment, time already served, for smuggling glass eels from the United States.
According to court documents and statements made in court, there is strong foreign demand for the export of live juvenile American glass eels, commonly called “glass eels” or “elvers,” to large “eel farms” in mainland China where the baby eels are raised to adult size for human consumption. Along the Atlantic Coast, the commercial harvest of glass eels is legal only in South Carolina and Maine, with Maine using a heavily regulated quota system. In recent years, the legal price for glass eels has generally fluctuated between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilogram.
The illegal harvest and sale of glass eels to overseas buyers have damaged American eel populations and their long-term vitality. Since 2014, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed the American eel as “Endangered.”
Chan worked for Asia Aquatic Company, Ltd., based in Hong Kong, and a Canadian company named Laknock Trading. Chan’s job was to procure glass eels from countries in North America and Europe, and to have them shipped via overnight air to Hong Kong.
In 2017, Chan illegally smuggled 103 kilograms of glass eels, valued at approximately $340,000, from the U.S. to Hong Kong. Some of those glass eels had been illegally harvested in Connecticut.
On April 7, 2021, Chan packed 19.3 kilograms of live glass eels worth approximately $86,000 that had been stored at a Connecticut facility. Chan was told by undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officers who were posing as fisherman that these glass eels had been unlawfully harvested from Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts. After packing the glass eels in oxygenated bags, he paid $29,500 to the undercover officers and drove the live cargo to JFK Airport.
Later that afternoon, Chan met the freight forwarder near JFK Airport that was handling the in-transit shipment of 10 boxes shipped by Laknock Trading from Canada. Chan had arranged for the shipment of the boxes, which contained bags of dead glass eels with a few live ones mixed in. Chan opened the boxes, took out the bags of dead glass eels, and replaced them with the bags of live glass eels packed a few hours before in Connecticut. Chan resealed the boxes and returned them to the freight forwarder, which transported the shipment to the airline cargo area for export to Hong Kong. Shortly thereafter, FWS officers arrested Chan and seized the glass eels from the airline cargo area. FWS later released the glass eels into the wild.
Chan has been detained since his arrest. He pleaded guilty on July 1, 2021.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Raleigh Man Convicted of Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Raleigh man Tuesday on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Mohamed Magi Abusnena, 24, was indicted on July 21, 2021, for having been previously convicted of a felony and being in possession of a 9 mm, Glock, semi-automatic pistol, and ammunition.
Evidence presented at the trial revealed that on April 19, 2020, patrol officers from the Raleigh Police Department were in the vicinity of Durant Road Elementary School, when officers heard approximately eight-to-twelve-gun shots fired very rapidly. Officers began to canvas the nearby neighborhoods and streets where they believed to have heard the gun shots.
While canvasing the area, officers heard two more-gun shots coming from the main entrance of Abbotts Creek Elementary. Officers observed a vehicle make a rapid U-turn at the entrance of the school and drive away towards Durant Road. Officers caught up with the vehicle as it pulled into the driveway of Abusnena’s residence.
Officers were able to detain Abusnena after an argument. Abusnena was searched incident to arrest and a loaded Glock magazine was located in his right front pocket. Officers located several spent 9mm shell casing inside the vehicle on the front floor-board and rear floorboard. A Glock 19 semiautomatic firearm was found underneath the front passenger floorboard. The firearm was loaded with 9mm ammunition.
In a unanimous decision the jury found Abusnena guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Abusnena faces maximum penalties of ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, when scheduled for sentencing for the term of court commencing on March 22, 2022.
Michael F. Easley, Jr, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the verdict. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Raleigh Police Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori B. Warlick, and Deputy Criminal Chief Jason Kellhofer prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:20-CR-00301-1M
Philadelphia Attorney Charged with Pandemic Relief FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 13, 2021, Jonathan Olivetti, age 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information with wire fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain COVID-19 pandemic relief money he was not entitled to receive.
According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that between June 18, 2020 and February 2021, Olivetti, a licensed attorney, applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and two Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) on behalf of Olivetti Law, LLC. Both loan programs were authorized or expanded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act -- a federal law enacted in March 2020 that provided emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering financial difficulties from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With respect to the PPP loans, Olivetti allegedly made materially false representations by inflating the payroll of Olivetti Law, LLC in the on-line applications and received $41,600 based upon those false representations. In addition, Olivetti made application for two two Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) which were to provide low-interest financing (including forgivable $10,000 advances) to small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Olivetti’s EIDL loan applications each sought approximately $62,500 on behalf of Olivetti Law, LLC. The applications contained inflated gross receipts of Olivetti Law and ultimately were not approved by the SBA.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of 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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Peoria Man Charged with Burglarizing a Bloomington Gun Store and Possessing Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Dajuan Edwards-Melton, 20, of the 2100 block of Antoinette Street, appeared in federal court today in relation to a criminal complaint that charged him with burglarizing a gun store and possessing stolen firearms on December 13, 2021.
The complaint alleges that in the early morning hours of December 12, 2021, Bloomington Police Officers were dispatched to “Smiley’s Sports Shop”, a federal firearms licensee located at 2049 Ireland Grove Road, in Bloomington, Illinois, for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, the officers observed evidence of forced entry to the business and shattered glass firearm display cases. It was later determined that 25 firearms were stolen during the burglary.
The complaint further alleges that additional investigation led officers to Edwards-Melton, who was found in possession of a firearm stolen from Smiley’s. He was arrested on December 13, 2021. Today in court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Hawley ordered him temporarily detained pending a detention hearing on December 17, 2021, at 1 p.m.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for the alleged crimes charged are up to ten years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco & Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; and the Bloomington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Peekskill Man Who Identifies as an “Incel” or “Involuntary Celibate” Pleads Guilty to Stalking Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Dermot Shea, Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), and Kevin P. Bruen, Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced today the guilty plea of DAVID KAUFMAN, a/k/a “David Khalifa,” a/k/a “John Morray,” a/k/a “Big Man,” to stalking multiple victims between October 2019 and August 2020. KAUFMAN pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, to whom the case is assigned.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court, David Kaufman is an adherent of the ‘Incels’ who stalked and terrorized two victims, not only harassing them by impersonating them online, but also graphically threatening to murder them. Thanks to the FBI, the NYPD, the State Police, and other law enforcement partners, Kaufman is in custody and awaiting sentencing for his admitted crime.”
FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Kaufman’s overt hatred of women and sickening threats to harm potential victims caught the eye of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York. We know acts of violence among those in the Incel community have increased in recent years. As Kaufman’s guilty plea brings this topic closer to the forefront, we want the public to know the law enforcement community is aware of the threat and working together to confront it.”
NYSP Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said: “I applaud the hard, difficult work done by law enforcement in this case, which has led to this plea and ensures the defendant will be held accountable for his crimes. We have zero tolerance for anyone who creates fear online, terrorizing victims because of their gender. Together, we will continue to seek justice for those who have been victimized and protect those vulnerable to these types of crimes.”
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “The abhorrent acts carried out by David Kaufman are not just isolated offenses but representative of a larger pattern of criminality that tears at the very fabric of our society. I commend our NYPD detectives, our law enforcement partners, those in the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York for their hard work in ensuring a measure of justice was achieved today."
According to the allegations in the Complaint and the Indictment, as well as statements made in White Plains federal court:
Background on “Incels”
KAUFMAN self-identifies as a member of the “Incels,” or the “Involuntary Celibate,” which refers to a group of individuals, typically heterosexual, white males, who adhere to a violent and misogynist ideology of male supremacy. Incels believe they are entitled to sex with women and to women’s bodies, and they blame women for refusing to have sex with them. Incels have an active online community and over the last seven years, Incels also have committed acts of violence against women across the world, including in the United States. For example, in 2014, a self-proclaimed Incel named Elliot Rodger declared a “War on Women” and killed six people and injured 14 others near a college campus in California. Prior to these attacks, Rodger posted a video manifesto online, in which he explained that he planned his attack to punish women for rejecting him and for depriving him of sex, and to punish sexually active men because he envied them.
KAUFMAN Harasses and Threatens Victim-1 and Victim-2
Beginning in or about October 2019, KAUFMAN sent two victims (“Victim-1” and “Victim-2”), among others, violent and threatening messages using various social media accounts. In these messages, KAUFMAN self-identified as an Incel and expressed his hatred of women. For example:
- On or about June 24, 2020, KAUFMAN sent the following message to Victim-1: “Hey wanna hear a joke? What’s worse than 10 Stacy’s nailed to one tree? One Stacy nailed to ten trees [laughing crying face emoji].” “Stacy” is an Incel term that refers to an attractive female who rejects or refuses to have sex with an Incel, is hated by Incels, and is targeted by Incels for harassment, vitriol, humiliation, and violence.
- On or about June 29, 2020, KAUFMAN sent a series of messages to Victim-2. These messages included an image of one of Elliot Rodger’s victims, a deceased female who had been stabbed to death, accompanied by the following message: “This is what happened when a woman said ‘no’ to Elliot Rodger . . . . Hopefully [Victim-1] never said no to someone just like Elliot Rodger.”
- In or about July 2020, KAUFMAN posted the following messages: “Don’t piss off BIG MAN” and “When [Victim-1] and I are dead, we’ll be in heaven together forever.”
- On or about July 11, 2020, KAUFMAN sent the following message to Victim-1: “Women have done nothing but spit in my face. Soon I’ll be getting a gun.”
- On or about July 12, 2020, KAUFMAN posted the following messages: “A beautiful environment is the darkest hell, if you have to experience it all alone . . . –Elliot Rodger” and “I don’t think [Victim-1] will be laughing too much later on.”
KAUFMAN also created social media accounts using the first and last names of Victim-1 and Victim-2, respectively, and impersonated Victim-1 and Victim-2 online.
In the summer of 2020, law enforcement officers approached KAUFMAN and told him to stop harassing Victim-1 and Victim-2. On or about July 14, 2020, an order of protection was issued in Westchester County ordering KAUFMAN to, among other things, refrain from communication or any other contact with Victim-1 or Victim-2.
Notwithstanding the order of protection and warnings by law enforcement, KAUFMAN continued to send harassing and threatening messages to Victim-1 and Victim-2 through in or about August 2020. On or about August 16, 2020, KAUFMAN posted a picture of himself licking a photograph of Victim-1. KAUFMAN also conducted online surveillance of Victim-1’s residence and researched how to illegally purchase a gun and assemble a semi-automatic rifle.
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KAUFMAN, 27, of Peekskill, New York, pled guilty to one count of stalking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A(2)(a) and 2261(b)(6), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. KAUFMAN is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Román on March 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, as well as the NYSP. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Cortlandt County Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, the Peekskill Police Department, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and cooperation.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Kim is in charge of the prosecution.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Sexually Exploiting Children via the InternetRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Todd Engles (33, Orlando) to 50 years in federal prison for producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The Court also ordered Engles to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and forfeit his smartphone.
Engles had pleaded guilty on September 8, 2021.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the sentencing hearing, Engles posed as a 15-year-old boy and contacted multiple young girls (usually between the ages of 9 and 13) on social media applications. Using this persona, Engles persuaded and enticed the child victims to engage in sexual conduct via live video stream and video recordings. Engles also participated in chat rooms dedicated to the sharing of child sexual abuse material and rape, where he often bragged about and instructed others on how to exploit young girls via the internet. During these chats, Engles distributed numerous videos and images of children, as young as infants, being sexually abused, and expressed in detail his desire to drug and rape children. Authorities conducted a forensic review of his smartphone and discovered more than 455 images and 148 videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants, toddlers, and prepubescent and pubescent children.
This case was investigated by the Orlando Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.
This is another case 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 Attorneys’ 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.
Organizer of online child pornography groups sentenced to federal prisonRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Michael Stephen Autry has been sentenced for his role in organizing online groups where men posted child pornography. Autry created a group on an internet site that encouraged participants to “share pictures and videos of all things taboo,” including incest.
“It shocks the conscience when someone finds pleasure in looking at photos and videos showing children being sexually abused,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “It is even more disturbing when someone like Autry gathers men together in online groups for the purpose of sharing these horrific images. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that these persons receive their full measure of justice.”
“The victimization of a child doesn’t end when that child’s pornographic images are recorded. Every time an individual like Autry possesses and shares those images amongst the group he created, those children are victimized over, and over,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will always make it a top priority to protect our most vulnerable citizens and put away anyone who would seek to bring them harm.”
According to U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: in early June 2017, Autry created a group on Kik, an internet site where persons can communicate and post photographs and videos. He named the group “Taboo Train 2.0,” and he wrote that the purpose of the group was to gather together people so that they could “share pics and videos of all things taboo…. incest, young, your own family members, etc. to discuss taboo fantasies and real life stories.”
Autry invited an FBI agent who was posing in an undercover capacity to become a member, which allowed the FBI to record all the communications and postings and to identify the members of the group. In all, more than 50 persons were members of Taboo Train 2.0 at some point, although the majority did not post any photos or videos. Many of the members also lived outside the United States.
After a few weeks, the members of Taboo Train 2.0 began to show a greater sexual interest in boys than girls. So, on June 24, 2017, Autry created a new Kik group that he named “The Common Interest.” He invited the undercover FBI agent to be a member along with dozens of other persons. He posted an introductory message where he wrote that “the subject matter is all things taboo… specifically incest, teens, and taboo relationships (young/old, teacher/student, etc.).” He encouraged members to “share your stories, pics, videos, fantasies, etc!” More than 60 persons were members at various times.
On November 5, 2017, and again on December 7, 2017, Autry was added to two other Kik groups where the members shared countless images and videos of children being sexually abused. In both instances, he invited the undercover FBI agent to become a member of the group.
Michael Stephen Autry, 42, of Brownwood, Texas, was sentenced to 12 years, six months in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release. Autry was convicted on these charges on June 29, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography. To date, 11 other persons have been charged with child pornography offenses because of their membership in these Kik groups.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul R. Jones and L. Skye Davis prosecuted the case.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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.
Oregon Dentist Faces Federal Charges for Stealing Nearly $8 Million in COVID-Relief Program FundsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal criminal complaint was unsealed today charging an Oregon dentist with fraudulently converting to his personal use nearly $8 million in loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salwan Adjaj, 43, a former dentist residing in West Linn, Oregon, has been charged with aggravated identity theft and wire fraud.
According to court documents, in and around March 2021, Adjaj allegedly submitted dozens of fraudulent loan applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in an attempt to obtain funds through the Economic Impact Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The EIDL program was one of several economic relief programs originally authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). It enabled SBA to issue low-interest loans to small businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic and associated mitigation measures.
Adjaj used the names and employer identification numbers (EIN) of fictitious business entities on the fraudulent EIDL applications. He further provided false information about the business start dates, number of employees, and locations, and the identities of the purported applicants and business owners. Most of the fraudulent applications were submitted in other peoples’ names, but with Adjaj’s personal residence as the business mailing address. All of the applications were submitted online from an internet protocol (IP) address associated with Adjaj’s dental practice.
After SBA rejected most of Adjaj’s EIDL applications, he shifted his sights to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), a pandemic economic relief program aimed at supporting restaurants, bars, and other food- and drink-related businesses. The RRF program was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in March 2021. Adjaj had substantially greater success stealing RRF funds than he did EIDL. In May 2021, Adjaj submitted three RRF applications for restaurants allegedly located Sarasota, Miami, and Daytona Beach, Florida. Like his fraudulent EIDL applications, Adjaj’s RRF applications contained false business information and all listed his personal residence as the business mailing address. Together, Adjaj’s RRF applications generated nearly $8 million in fraudulent loan payouts.
Adjaj was arrested yesterday following alleged pretrial release violations. Today, he was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the SBA Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan W. Bounds is prosecuting the case.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.