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Monday 1 November 2021
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WAYNE BROWN, age 35, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on October 28, 2021 before the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon to charges of violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the court records, BROWN conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2021. BROWN faces a penalty of at least 5 years up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.
New Kensington Man Sentenced for Misappropriating VA BenefitsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court following his guilty plea to a charge of misappropriation of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) beneficiary funds, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
United States District J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Andrew Ziacik, 57, to one day of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Ziacik was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine.
During the defendant’s plea hearing on June 2, 2021, the defendant admitted that between 2013 and 2017, he was the appointed Federal Fiduciary for a VA beneficiary—his older brother, who was a service-disabled veteran. In his role as a Fiduciary, the defendant was responsible for receiving his brother’s VA income and ensuring that all of his debts were paid. Between July 2013 and late 2017, the defendant admitted that he violated the terms of his Fiduciary Agreement by, among other things, misappropriating his brother’s VA funds for the defendant’s personal benefit, including by using VA funds to finance a Harley Davidson motorcycle, purchase a diamond ring, and buy a GMC Sierra truck The defendant also failed to maintain accurate records and receipts related to the disposition of his brother’s VA benefits, and he likewise failed to provide complete and accurate records in response to a formal accounting initiated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016.
As part of the defendant’s sentence, Judge Ranjan ordered that the defendant make restitution to his brother in the amount of $75,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation of the defendant.
New Jersey Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking in Connection with Largest Seizure of Methamphetamine in the History of DEA’s Philadelphia DivisionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 29, 2021, David Jusino Ramirez, age 65, a New Jersey resident, was convicted of drug trafficking offenses after a five-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the evidence presented at trial showed that Jusino Ramirez worked as a commercial truck driver who, in addition to legitimate cargo, transported illegal drugs from California to Pennsylvania as part of a drug trafficking organization that also involved Emmanual Roman-Figueroa, of Hazelton, and Julio Romero-Mancebo, of New Jersey. On October 8, 2020, Jusino Ramirez and Romero-Mancebo drove a tractor trailer carrying over 120 kilogram (approximately 264 pounds) of 100% pure crystal methamphetamine and 3 kilograms (approximately 6.6 pounds) of fentanyl from Montebello California to a truck stop near Hazelton, Pennsylvania. There they met with Roman-Figueroa and delivered the methamphetamine to him in exchange for $28,000 in cash. The three men were arrested by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration along with officers from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Hazelton Police Department, who had tracked the shipment and observed the exchange. Investigators seized the drugs and cash, as well as an additional $9,000 from Roman-Figueroa’s residence. Hazelton PD Officers, working in conjunction with DEA investigators, had previously seized $371,000 in drug proceeds from Roman-Figueroa in July 2020.
A DEA expert witness testified at trial that the street value of the drugs seized would be in excess of $2.2 million. If the 3 kilograms of fentanyl was sold in its pure form, it would yield over 100,000 individual doses. The DEA expert testified that methamphetamine is sold in weights varying from single grams to ounce quantities, and estimated that the methamphetamine alone would amount to over $2 million on the street.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty on both counts of the superseding indictment, finding Jusino Ramirez guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. His codefendants previously pled guilty to felony drug trafficking charges and are awaiting sentencing.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler lauded the efforts of the DEA, Pennsylvania State Police, and Hazelton Police Department in disrupting this major, nationwide drug trafficking organization. “We hope this sends a message to traffickers that we will prosecute to the full extent of the law anybody who brings these deadly and addictive substances into our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “We will work tirelessly to safeguard our communities from drugs like crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl. With overdose deaths at record highs, successful investigations that result in these kinds of seizures and convictions save lives.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, and Hazleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny Roberts and Sean A. Camoni are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Each count also carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. 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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Monongalia County man admits to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Raymond David Bates, of Morgantown West Virginia, has admitted to a child pornography charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Bates, 43, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Bates admitted to having child pornography depicting minors under the age of 12 in July and August of 2019 in Monongalia County.
Bates faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Midvale Man Sentenced for Arson of West Valley City Apartment BuildingRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Luis Fernando Bueso Romero, 23, of Midvale, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for the arson of a West Valley City apartment building yesterday in United States District Court.
In the plea agreement, Bueso-Romero admitted that on February 1, 2020, he set fire to the Overlook Point Apartments located at 4612 South and 2930 West in West Valley City, Utah. Bueso-Romero admitted that he poured gasoline on the building and then ignited the gasoline with fire, causing the building containing eight apartments to catch fire and become engulfed in flames, which caused several residents to flee their homes. In documents filed with the court, Bueso admitted that he set fire to the apartment buildings because of the sense of betrayal that he felt towards his ex-girlfriend who had recently left him, and who occupied one of the Overlook Point Apartments at the time the arson occurred.
In addition to the 60 months sentence in federal prison, Bueso-Romero has been ordered to pay $885,335.95 dollars in restitution to victims of his crime and to serve three years of supervised release if he is not deported to Honduras upon his release.
“Arson is a serious crime that endangers the lives of innocent victims living inside of the buildings as well as the safety of the firefighters who are responsible for responding to the fire,” said Acting United States Attorney Andrea T. Martinez. “Federal and local fire investigators are extremely skilled at uncovering the sources and persons responsible for these acts and our hope is that the five-year federal prison sentenced handed down in this case will deter future arsons in our community.”
“This arson posed an extreme danger to the many innocent lives at the West Valley City apartment building, first responders and neighboring communities,” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge David S. Booth. “Many lost their homes, treasured belongings, and sense of safety and security in their homes that day. We hope this sentencing brings a sense of justice, closure and peace to the many victims who are still recovering from this tragedy today.”
Assistant United States Attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted this matter along with Special Agents and Investigators from the ATF, Patrol Officers and Detectives from the West Valley City Police Department, and Investigators from the West Valley City Fire Department, who conducted the investigation. The West Valley City Fire Department and the Unified Fire Department responded to the fire and conducted the suppression operations.Maryland man admits to role in drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Karim Irvin Brooks, of Hagerstown, Maryland, has admitted to a drug charge, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced.
Brooks, 26, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.” Brooks admitted to working with others to sell heroin in February 2020 in Berkeley County.
Brooks faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime. Edward Sample, 37, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Washington Avenue in Huntington on April 7, 2021. Sample, along with other individuals, was located inside the house. Agents seized a loaded Taurus 9mm firearm, a dealer amount of heroin and fentanyl, and over $1,600 in cash during the search. Sample confessed to possessing the firearm to protect his money and drugs. Sample also admitted to using the same Taurus 9mm firearm two days earlier to shoot at a house in the Cross Lanes area in order to collect a $50 drug debt. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department investigated that incident.
Sample faces a minimum sentence of 25 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on January 31, 2022.
United States Attorney William S. Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force, the Huntington Police Department and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Greg McVey is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00058.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Adrian Hardin, 27, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 5, 2020, Manchester police officers responded to a domestic violence call and observed Hardin inside the residence. The caller advised police that Hardin possessed a firearm. While speaking with the caller, officers observed Hardin walking away from the residence. Officers followed Hardin and saw him run into a parking garage and exit moments later. A police dog went through the garage and located a handgun in the area of the garage where an officer had observed Hardin. After his arrest, Hardin agreed to speak to officers and admitted he possessed the firearm.
On March 18, 2021, Hardin was arrested by Merrimack police officers on a state warrant. At the time, Hardin was driving a stolen vehicle. After the vehicle was towed, an employee of the towing company located two loaded firearms in the center console. Hardin is forbidden from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous felony conviction in 2016.
Hardin is scheduled to be sentenced on February 7, 2022.
“To protect our community from violent crime, we must keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Despite being a convicted felon, this defendant nevertheless continued to arm himself with firearms. Such unlawful conduct cannot be tolerated. In our efforts to keep the Granite State safe, we will not hesitate to pursue federal prosecutions of criminals who endanger our community by possessing guns.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manchester Police Department, and the Merrimack Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M Walsh.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
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Man Indicted for Taking Controlled Substances from Kansas HospitalRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas returned an indictment charging an Overland Park man on two counts of tampering with a consumer product, one count of possession of fentanyl by deception and subterfuge, and one count of possession of hydromorphone by deception and subterfuge.
According to court documents, in March 2021, Alec Ramirez, 30, a registered nurse, is accused of removing vials of fentanyl and hydromorphone from an automated dispensing cabinet at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park and replacing the substances with an alternate liquid then returning the vials to the cabinet.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Trent Krug are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Man Illegally Living in Peoria Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Possession of a Sawed-Off ShotgunRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A man illegally living in Peoria, Illinois – Pedro Lozolla, 28, of the 2100 block of West Garden Street – was sentenced on October 29, 2021, to 37 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
The firearm recovered was a modified ERA 12-gauge shotgun, the barrel of which had been sawed off. The stock of the gun had been removed and replaced with an aluminum baseball bat. At sentencing, the government noted that Lozolla had admitted to police that he had been selling drugs for several months and possessed the firearm because he liked how it looked.
Lozolla pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2021 and agreed to forfeiture.
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien are no more than 10 years imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Legge represented the government in the prosecution.
Long-Time Civil Chief of Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office RetiresRead the Press Release
After serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Connecticut for 40 years, and as Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division for more than 30 years, John B. Hughes today retired from federal service.
Hughes, a resident of Branford, joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut as a Special Assistant in February 1980, and was appointed an AUSA in November 1981. In June 1989, he was named Chief of the Civil Division, and he held that position since that time. Hughes served under 14 U.S. Attorneys, and as Civil Chief under 12 of those U.S. Attorneys.
During his 41 years of service and, in particular, his time as Civil Division Chief, Hughes demonstrated the highest level of integrity and skill in all his duties. His rigorous attention to detail ensured that the Civil Division’s mission consistently reflected well on the District and the Justice Department. Under his management, the District of Connecticut created robust Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud programs, which produced hundreds of millions of dollars in civil recoveries. He oversaw the successful defense of numerous complex medical malpractice and tort cases, and he personally litigated tribal recognition cases involving voluminous records and discovery lasting several years. Also, Hughes was a founding member and the first chairperson of the Civil Chiefs Working Group.
In 2011, Hughes received the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director’s Executive Achievement Award, one of the Justice Department’s highest awards for employee performance.
“With his dedication, commitment, and solid grace, John Hughes has instilled all members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with a sense of reverence for our responsibilities and an appreciation for what it means to represent our fellow citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle. “Throughout his career, John has exemplified the highest traditions of the Department of Justice. He has been a dedicated advocate, a thoughtful and kind leader, and a steadfast friend. I know that everyone joins me in wishing John a long, healthy and happy retirement.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation. The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 54 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, please visit www.justice.gov/ct.
Local Man Sentenced for Firing Handgun into Federal CourthouseRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beavercreek, Oregon man was sentenced today for discharging a firearm into the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in Downtown Portland on January 8, 2021.
Cody Levi Melby, 40, was sentenced to five years’ federal probation.
“Cody Melby is a disabled combat veteran who, after becoming detached from his mental health support system, made an extraordinarily poor and dangerous decision to fire a gun at the Hatfield Courthouse. Fortunately, nobody was injured during this incident,” said Scott Erik Asphaug, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The sentence imposed today will ensure Mr. Melby receives the treatment he needs while also protecting the community.”
“We commend the work of our partners, the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Attorney's Office, in resolving this troubling incident. When appropriate, we are always looking for ways to divert people away from violence and direct them toward rehabilitation. In many cases this happens out of the public eye, but in a situation like this one we want to highlight that a holistic response is sometimes more effective,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
According to court documents, at approximately 7:35pm on January 8, Melby jumped over a security fence at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and fired several rounds into the building’s exterior with a 9mm handgun. Two courthouse security officers exited the building and approached Melby after observing him on a closed-circuit security camera. Melby told the officers he had a gun and the officers placed him in handcuffs without further incident.
Federal Protective Service officers dispatched to the scene located five spent 9mm bullet casings, three spent bullets, three bullet holes in plywood affixed to the building’s stone columns, and damage to the metal soffit above the building’s main entrance.
After his arrest, Melby was charged by criminal complaint with destruction of government property. Later, on January 21, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a one-count indictment charging Melby with possession of a firearm in a federal facility. On October 14, 2021, Melby pleaded guilty to the single charge.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Maloney.
Leaders of Violent Chicago Street Gang and Several Members and Associates Charged in Federal Racketeering IndictmentRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal indictment unsealed today charges 13 alleged leaders, members, and associates of the Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang with participating in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the West Side of Chicago.
The indictment alleges that the Wicked Town faction engaged in numerous acts of violence, including at least 19 murders, 19 attempted murders, several armed robberies, and assaults. The gang used threats and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement, the charges allege. Wicked Town members regularly promoted their violent enterprise on social media, posting comments, photos, and videos to proclaim membership in the gang, taunt rival gang members, and boast about murders and other acts of violence, the indictment states. The gang operated primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where members allegedly maintained “trap houses” to store firearms and illegal narcotics, including cocaine and heroin.
During the course of the multi-year probe, law enforcement seized 46 firearms, approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine, approximately seven kilograms of heroin, and approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine.
All 13 defendants are in law enforcement custody. Arraignments will be scheduled in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the Chicago office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago Field Office of the FBI, the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Mitchell and Jimmy L. Arce.
“In bringing this racketeering indictment, we are seeking to hold accountable those who played a central role in significant gang violence on the West Side of Chicago,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “These RICO charges are the result of many federal, state, and local law enforcement partners working together to fulfill a common mission – reducing gun violence and keeping the people of Chicago safe.”
“ATF remains committed to investigating those responsible for gun violence in Chicago,” said ATF SAC de Tineo. “The resulting indictment underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement in keeping the community safe from gun violence.”
Charged with racketeering conspiracy are Chicago residents DONALD LEE, 39; DESHAWN MORGAN, 39; MARQUEL RUSSELL, 44; DARIUS MURPHY, 22; TORANCE BENSON, 29; DAVION RUSSELL, 21; DESHON GEORGE, 28; NASHON JOHNSON, 42; DANTE DOCKETT, 43; DEMOND BROWN, 28; VICTOR TURNER, 30; WILLIE GARDLEY, 27; and DAVID ARRINGTON, 26.
The 21-count superseding indictment alleges that members and associates of the Wicked Town faction carried out the murders as part of the gang’s criminal enterprise, and that certain individual members committed some of the killings to maintain and increase their position in the gang. The murders charged in the indictment are as follows:
- Arrington allegedly murdered Ronald Boyd on Aug. 22, 2020, in Chicago.
- Turner allegedly murdered Sammy Hodges on March 10, 2019, in Chicago.
- Morgan, Murphy, and Brown allegedly murdered Donald Holmes, Jr. and Diane Taylor, on Jan. 31, 2018, in Chicago.
- Murphy, Brown, Gardley, and Arrington allegedly murdered Uriah Hughes on Jan. 11, 2018, in Chicago.
- Murphy, Brown, Lee, and Gardley allegedly murdered Kishaun Mobley on Dec. 23, 2017, in Chicago.
- Murphy allegedly murdered Alfred Stovall on April 28, 2017, in Chicago.
- Dockett and Davion Russell allegedly murdered Derrick Jones and Stephen Tucker on Dec. 23, 2016, in Chicago.
- Benson allegedly murdered Martel Howard on Jan. 21, 2016, in Chicago.
- Murphy and Brown allegedly murdered Dan Rance on Sept. 2, 2015, in Chicago.
- Murphy, Brown, and Lee allegedly murdered James Douthard on Aug. 23, 2015, in Chicago.
- Turner and Lee allegedly murdered Malcolm Willie on July 15, 2015, in Chicago.
- Gardley and Lee allegedly murdered Charlie Weathers on May 23, 2015, in Chicago.
- Brown allegedly murdered Abraham Cooper on Dec. 23, 2014, in Chicago.
- Brown and Benson allegedly murdered Ron Hernandez on Dec. 21, 2014, in Chicago.
- Lee allegedly murdered John Johnson on June 15, 2003, in Chicago.
- Lee and Johnson allegedly murdered Ernest Moore on Dec. 23, 2002, in Chicago.
- Lee allegedly murdered Lamont Ware on July 22, 2000, in Chicago.
The indictment also charges several of the defendants with federal firearm and drug trafficking violations.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Racketeering conspiracy generally carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, but a life sentence is possible for certain underlying charged activities. Several of the defendants also face a maximum of the death penalty if convicted of certain murders charged in the indictment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Laguna Pueblo man sentenced to 12 year in prison for sexually abusing childrenRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Floyd Emory Cheresposy, 58, of Laguna, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of Laguna Pueblo, was sentenced in federal court on Oct. 29 to 12 years in prison for abusive sexual contact in Indian Country. Cheresposy pleaded guilty on March 25.
In his plea agreement, Cheresposy admitted that between about Oct. 14, 2011, and Oct. 14, 2012, he engaged in sexual contact with Jane Doe 1, and that between about Dec. 8, 2011, and Dec. 8, 2012, he engaged in sexual contact with Jane Doe 2. Both victims were seven years old at the time of the abuse. The crimes occurred in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on the Laguna Pueblo.
Upon his release from prison, Cheresposy will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
The Laguna office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Pueblo Police Department.
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La Crosse Man Charged with Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – A La Crosse, Wisconsin man is charged with drug crimes involving methamphetamine in an indictment returned on October 13, 2021 by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison. The charges are announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.
The indictment charges Corey J. Stern, 35, with 3 counts of distributing methamphetamine and 1 count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed methamphetamine twice in August 2020, once in January 2021, and that he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on June 3, 2021.
The indictment was unsealed following Stern’s transfer to federal custody today. Stern made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison today. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled.
If convicted, Stern faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and maximum of 40 years on the charge of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse, Town of Campbell, and Mauston Police Departments; the Wisconsin State Patrol; the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Justice Department awards more than $6 million in grants to Montana tribes and state of Montana for victim servicesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — Five Montana Indian tribes and two Montana state agencies have been awarded Department of Justice grants totaling $6,631,190 to support services to victims. The funding is from the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC).
“These funds are focused on providing culturally-appropriate victim services in Indian Country communities, which experience far too much domestic and violent crime. The funds also will enhance State Victim Compensation payments to eligible crime victims. As we recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month, we need to support and highlight the work being done to help victims of violence, sexual assault and child abuse,” Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Individual tribes or organizations receiving funds for Fiscal Year 2021 from the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Grant Program: Victim Services Projects include:
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Cheyenne Nation - $472,469
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation - $371,289
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes- $422,694
Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Nation - $543,066
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - $422,695
OVC also awarded funds through the Victim of Crime Act, Victim Compensation Formula Grant program. The agencies are:
Montana Department of Justice - $609,000
Montana Department of Corrections - $3,789,977
More information on the grant funding is available from web resources here: Awards List | Funding | Office for Victims of Crime (ojp.gov).
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Justice Department Secures Settlement with Rite Aid Corporation to Make Its Online Covid-19 Vaccine Portal Accessible to Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Justice Department announced an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) settlement agreement with Rite Aid Corporation (Rite Aid) to ensure that people with disabilities can get information about COVID-19 vaccinations and book their vaccinations online. Rite Aid is a publicly owned national drug store chain with its headquarters located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, a department compliance review discovered that individuals with vision and mobility impairments could not access a portion of Rite Aid’s website known as the COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal, currently located at https://www.riteaid.com/covid-19. For example, those who use screen reader software and those who have difficulty using a mouse could not successfully select a date and time for their appointment and were unable to make some “yes” or “no” selections during the appointment registration process.
Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations like drugstores and grocery stores to provide individuals with disabilities with full and equal enjoyment of goods and services. The ADA also requires public accommodations to provide effective communication with people with disabilities, including through auxiliary aids and services like accessible technology.
Under the terms of this agreement, within 30 days, Rite Aid must conform its online COVID-19 vaccine content to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. WCAG is a set of industry guidelines for making information on websites accessible to users with disabilities. Rite Aid will also have to regularly test and quickly correct any issues with its COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal for the agreement’s 30-month duration.
“As technology increases, the internet is where people gain access to information about COVID-19 vaccines and schedule a vaccination appointment. Individuals with disabilities, including those with visual impairments and those who cannot use a mouse, must be given the same access to that information and the ease of scheduling appointments online,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “Since the beginning of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, private companies have partnered with the United States. Today, with the help of Rite Aid, we make great strides in that continuing partnership by ensuring individuals with disabilities have the ability to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination independently and privately.”
“Equal access to healthcare is at the heart of the rights guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the department’s Civil Rights Division. “As the nation continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic—through booster shots, vaccinations for children under 12, and ongoing outreach to those still in need of initial doses—people with disabilities must be able to schedule potentially lifesaving vaccine appointments as easily as people without disabilities can.”
The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to undertake investigations and periodic reviews of covered establishments. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
This case was handled jointly by Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Michael J. Butler, and attorneys for the Disability Rights Section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division Anne Langford and Joy Welan.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Rite Aid Corporation to Make Its Online COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal Accessible to Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania today announced a settlement agreement with Rite Aid Corporation that will help people with disabilities get information about COVID-19 vaccinations and book their vaccination appointments online.
Rite Aid’s COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal, currently located at https://www.riteaid.com/covid-19, was not accessible to some people with disabilities, including those who use screen reader software and those who have a hard time using a mouse. For instance, the calendar on Rite Aid’s website used for scheduling vaccine appointments did not show screen reader users any available appointment times, and people who use the tab key instead of a mouse could not make a choice on a consent form that they needed to fill out before scheduling their appointment.
“Equal access to healthcare is one of the most important rights guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “As the nation continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic — through booster shots, vaccinations for children under 12, and ongoing outreach to those still in need of initial doses — people with disabilities must be able to schedule potentially lifesaving vaccine appointments as easily as people without disabilities can.”
Under today’s settlement, Rite Aid has agreed to make content about the COVID-19 vaccine, including the forms for scheduling an appointment to get the vaccine, conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Version 2.1, Level AA. WCAG is a set of voluntary industry guidelines for making information on a website accessible to users with disabilities. Rite Aid also must regularly test the pages of its website about vaccine scheduling and information and quickly fix any problems that keep people with disabilities from being able to use these pages.
“As technology increases, the internet is where people gain access to information about COVID-19 vaccines and schedule a vaccination appointment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Individuals with disabilities, including those with visual impairments and those who cannot use a mouse, must be given the same access to that information and the ease of scheduling appointments online. Since the beginning of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, private companies have partnered with the United States. Today, with the help of Rite Aid, we make great strides in that continuing partnership by ensuring individuals with disabilities have the ability to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination independently and privately.”
This matter was handled jointly by the Disability Rights Section of the department’s Civil Rights Division and Civil Rights Coordinator Michael Butler of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations like drugstores and grocery stores to provide individuals with disabilities with full and equal enjoyment of goods and services, such as vaccines. The ADA also requires public accommodations to ensure effective communication with people with disabilities, including by using auxiliary aids and services like accessible technology.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
Jury Declares Miami Man Guilty of Armed Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida — An armed robber who spent a week in October 2019 holding up convenience stores in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties was found guilty last week by a federal jury on 10 counts of Hobbs Act robbery.
During the nine-day jury trial in Miami federal court, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Latta and Ajay Alexander proved that Jonathan Wayne Daniels, 39, from Miami, committed the robberies.
The evidence included testimony from victimized store employees, multiple positive identifications of Daniels, and video surveillance footage, among other things. In addition, the AUSAs presented evidence that during law enforcement’s investigation of the robberies, officers learned that the suspected robber was staying at a motel in Miami. When officers arrived at the suspect’s motel room door and announced themselves, Daniels — who was inside the room — jumped out a window, leapt over a fence, and began sprinting towards a nearby expressway. Officers caught Daniels mid-sprint and arrested him.
U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham, who sits in Miami, will sentence Daniels on January 14, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Daniels faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count of conviction.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge FBI Miami, announced the guilty verdict.
FBI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from Miami Dade Police Department, Miami Gardens Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Miramar Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Pembroke Pines Police Department.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated 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.
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 19-cr-20708.
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Inmate Sentenced for Possessing Weapon at FCI McDowellRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. - An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at McDowell was sentenced today for possessing a weapon at the correctional facility. Jorge Amador, 47, was sentenced to one year in prison to run consecutively to the sentence he currently is serving.
According to court documents, Amador possessed a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank” on August 13, 2020. During a search of Amador, a staff member from FCI McDowell found the shank, which was a piece of metal approximately 7 ½ inches in length, sharpened to a point at one end, with thread tied around the other end to form a handle. Amador admitted to staff members that he did possess the handcrafted weapon. Amador also admitted that the shank was designed and intended to be used as a weapon.
United States Attorney William S. Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-00082.
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Infectious Disease Clinic Agrees to Pay $325k to Resolve Fraud ClaimsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A civil settlement has been reached with Infectious Disease Consultants of Georgia (IDC), an infusion clinic with six out-patient locations in the greater Atlanta area.
IDC agreed to pay $325,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting bills to the Medicare program for infusion services provided by unlicensed or otherwise unapproved individuals. The settlement marks the end of a years-long investigation into IDC’s billing practices that began with a qui tam case filed in the Middle District of Georgia.
“We are committed to protecting the public trust and will carefully investigate allegations of fraud in pursuit of this mission,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “I want to thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their work investigating these allegations, and also want to thank IDC for cooperating fully during the investigation and resolution of these claims.”
“To ensure patients receive quality care and taxpayer-funded federal healthcare programs are properly billed, Medicare only pays for medical services provided by licensed, credentialed and approved professionals. Therefore, we will continue to investigate allegations of unapproved providers billing federal healthcare programs,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We are proud to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office staff to investigate this case and also acknowledge IDC for fully cooperating during the investigation and resolution of this matter.”
Federal health care programs, such as Medicare, allow infusion services to be provided and billed only when they are provided by certain licensed and approved providers. The alleged scheme in this case concerned IDC’s submission of claims to Medicare for infusion services improperly rendered by unlicensed or otherwise unapproved individuals. IDC fully cooperated during the investigation, after which the parties agreed to resolve the allegations described herein. The claims covered by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
The case was investigated by Special Agent Shawn McAleer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General and Investigator Shaketia Morgan, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. The Government’s civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bowen Reichert Shoemaker.
Indianapolis Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- George McKown, 70, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was convicted Friday, October 29, 2021, after a 5-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
According to documents in the case, McKown was charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud. George McKown and co-defendant, Richard Gearhart, sold securities to people who invested their traditional retirement accounts, pensions, annuities, and cash with the defendants’ company, Asset Preservation Specialists. McKown and Gearhart promised investors a six to eight percent return on their investment and ensured liquidity. McKown and Gearhart provided investors fraudulent monthly statement showing positive returns on their investments when, in reality, they were actually losing money. Without the investors’ knowledge or consent, McKown and Gearhart used investors’ money to fund various business ventures in which McKown, Gearhart, or both had an interest. The loss to the investors was over five million dollars.
In July 2021, Gearhart pled guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $5.3 million in restitution. McKown’s sentencing is scheduled for February 8, 2022. Any specific sentence to be imposed, will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case was the result of a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Toi D. Houston and Thomas M. McGrath.
Illinois Man Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Viewing Child Sex Abuse Images While Traveling on A Commercial AirplaneRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Donald Max Ingram (70, Illinois) to five years in federal prison for possessing and viewing images of children being sexually abused as he traveled onboard a commercial flight to Florida. The court also ordered Ingram to forfeit the electronic devices used in the commission of the offense, serve a lifetime term of supervised release, and register as a sex offender. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Ingram to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
Ingram had pleaded guilty on May 18, 2021.
According to court documents, on September 14, 2020, Ingram was on board a domestic flight to Florida when another passenger observed Ingram viewing child sex abuse material on his cellphone. The passenger alerted law enforcement when the plane landed at St. Pete – Clearwater International Airport. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the airport detained Ingram and requested assistance from the FBI. During an interview, Ingram admitted that he had used his cellphone to access and view child sex abuse images and consented to a search of his phone. A subsequent forensic analysis of Ingram’s cellphone revealed that he possessed 59 images depicting children being sexually abused. Some of the images depicted children younger than 12 years old.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
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.
Greenville Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Greenville man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.
According to court records, beginning in January 2019, Eugene Murray, 27, began communicating with an FBI undercover agent on Kik Messenger – a free instant messaging application. These communications took place in a Kik Messenger chat group that appeared to have an interest in children and child pornography. Murray subsequently posted a link to the chat group that contained images of child pornography. Based on this and other information, a search warrant was obtained for Murray’s home. During the execution of the search warrant, Murray was interviewed and admitted to viewing child pornography. A forensic examination of Murray’s phone revealed several links containing images of child pornography.
Murray faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Georgia woman sentenced for bribing former supervisor in the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s OfficeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Lesbia Lily Gonzalez Moreno has been sentenced for paying bribes to Gerald D. Harris, a former Supervisor in the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office, in exchange for Harris unlawfully registering vehicles.
“For months, Moreno paid bribes to illegally register vehicles without the necessary documentation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “This corruption betrayed the trust of our citizens in government and undermined public safety.”
“When citizens like Moreno pay bribes to public officials they are part of a crime that tarnishes every government official and betrays the trust of our citizens in those officials,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is hopeful the punishment she receives will help restore the public’s trust.”
“Ms. Moreno is rightfully being held accountable for her actions. It is our hope her sentence will deter others from engaging in corruption and schemes to defraud the government and betray public trust,” said. Sherry Boston, DeKalb County District Attorney.
“The Georgia Department of Revenue was proud to assist our federal partners in the course of this investigation. The Department’s Motor Vehicle Division is responsible for motor vehicle tag and title processing and registration statewide. Our duties include ensuring that there is integrity throughout this process and so we will continue to work diligently with both our federal and local partners to enforce the law and maintain the public trust,” said Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden, Georgia Department of Revenue.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office is an agency of DeKalb County, Georgia, responsible for billing and collecting property taxes, processing Homestead Exemptions, and collecting delinquent taxes. In addition, the Motor Vehicle Division of the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office handled all aspects of motor vehicle registrations, including: (a) managing the collection of motor vehicle taxes, (b) issuing vehicle tags and titles, and (c) processing vehicle registration renewals for citizens and businesses located in DeKalb County, Georgia.
From July 2017 to November 2019, Gerald D. Harris served as the Supervisor of Tax Tag Clerks for the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office. In that position, Harris oversaw the Tax Commissioner North Office’s clerks who processed motor vehicle registrations and renewals for customers. As a supervisor, Harris generally interacted with customers only if a dispute existed between clerks and customers. Similarly, based on his supervisory role, the Motor Vehicle Division did not issue Harris a cash drawer or a credit card terminal, nor was Harris responsible for processing transactions or payments with customers.
From at least May 2019 to November 12, 2019, Lesbia Lily Gonzalez Moreno repeatedly paid Harris bribe payments to register unlawfully vehicles for owners who did not present a valid Georgia driver’s license or identification card. Under state law, a vehicle owner cannot register a vehicle or receive a license plate unless they present a valid Georgia driver’s license or identification card at the time of application. Nevertheless, in exchange for bribe payments, typically $200 per vehicle, Harris unlawfully registered and obtained license plates for owners identified by Moreno. In many cases, Moreno paid bribes to register vehicles for people who presented only foreign identification documents. During this period, Moreno paid Harris more than $20,000 in bribe payments.
On July 14, 2020, Harris pleaded guilty to federal program bribery and blackmail, and was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release.
Lesbia Lily Gonzalez Moreno, 47, of Atlanta, Georgia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten to one year, one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after she pleaded guilty to the charge of honest services wire fraud on June 22, 2021.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, Georgia Department of Revenue, and DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Geisinger Community Health Services Agrees to $18 Million Civil SettlementRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Geisinger Community Health Services (GCHS) has agreed to pay $18,513,621.05 to resolve allegations of civil liability for submitting claims to Medicare for hospice and home health services that violated Medicare rules and regulations. GCHS voluntarily disclosed the violations.
According to the voluntary disclosures, between January 2012 and December 2017, through several affiliated entities, GCHS submitted claims to Medicare for hospice and home health services that violated Medicare rules and regulations regarding physician certifications of terminal illness, patient elections of hospice care, and physician face-to-face encounters with home health patients. After it discovered the problems, GCHS took corrective action and disclosed the matter to the United States Attorney’s Office.
“The $18 million payment in this matter reflects the priority healthcare providers should place on making sure they closely follow all Medicare rules and regulations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “Healthcare fraud remains a focus of the Department of Justice and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office. I commend GCHS for taking this seriously, voluntarily disclosing these issues to our office and working to address the problems that led to these violations.”
This matter was handled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG), the Justice Department’s Civil Division Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and AUSA Tamara Haken of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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Former U.S. Postal Employee in Hartford Admits Stealing Cash and Gift Cards from LettersRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL BONILLA, 32, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to theft of mail by a postal employee.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bonilla was a mail processing clerk at the U.S. Postal Service’s Process and Distribution Center (PDC) in Hartford. Between April 2020 and October 2020, Bonilla opened mail envelopes with a razor blade and removed cash and dozens of gift cards or prepaid debit cards for his own personal use.
In September 2020, a woman in New York mailed a letter containing a $500 Home Depot gift card to a family member in Torrington. The Torrington resident received the envelope, but it had been opened and the gift card had been removed. Bonilla was subsequently captured on Home Depot in-store surveillance footage using the gift card to buy merchandise.
On October 16, 2020, investigators confronted Bonilla as he was opening a letter with a razor blade. On that date, a search of his personal bag contained 44 gift cards that he had previously stolen while at work, and 37 opened envelopes at his workstation at the Hartford PDC.
Bonilla was arrested on November 20, 2020.
Bonilla is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on February 10, 2022, at which time Bonilla faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Bonilla is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft are encouraged to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.
Former Pain Management Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Dispensing Opioids, Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former physician has been sentenced in federal court to one day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, including 15 months home confinement and 300 hours community service, on his conviction of drug diversion, health care fraud and money laundering, associated with his suburban Pittsburgh holistic medical practice, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Andrzej Kazimierz Zielke, 66, of Allison Park, Pennsylvania 15101.
According to information presented to the court, Zielke owned and operated Medical Frontiers, LLC, a purported pain management practice, located in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. On or about October 3, 2017, May 25, 2017, October 3, 2017, and December 17, 2014, Zielke knowingly dispensed and distributed Schedule II drugs, including Oxycodone, Methadone, Hydrocodone and Oxymorphone, to four patients outside the course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Zielke committed health care fraud by causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicaid for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed drugs. Finally, Zielke violated federal money laundering statutes when he caused approximately $150,000 in proceeds obtained through his illegal drug distribution to be wired from a bank account to Kitco Metals, Inc., in Canada to purchase silver and collector coins.
In addition to the criminal penalties, Zielke agreed to forfeit $75,359 in U.S. currency and an unvalued amount of gold coins and bullion.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer F. Carroll prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (OFADU). The Western Pennsylvania OFADU, led by federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, combines the expertise and resources of federal and state law enforcement to address the role played by unethical medical professionals in the opioid epidemic.
The agencies which comprise the Western Pennsylvania OFADU include: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotic Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.
Former Nurse Found Guilty of Fraudulently Obtaining and Tampering with Opioid Pain Killer Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY- Nathan Pehrson, 41, of Sandy, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison in a United States District Court yesterday after being convicted at trial by a federal jury in the District of Utah of three counts related to fraudulently obtaining and tampering with the pain killing narcotic hydromorphone, a powerful schedule II opioid drug that is used to treat patients with moderate to severe pain. Upon his release from federal prison, Pehrson was also sentenced to an additional term of 36 months of federal supervised release.
A jury had previously found that during Pehrson’s employment as a nurse on a surgical and trauma ward, that he diverted hydromorphone from pre-loaded syringes for his personal use, and then replaced the pain medication with saline solution before they were placed back into circulation for medical use by other hospital staff on other patients. Pehrson was also convicted of making false statements to a special agent from the Food and Drug Administration about his illegal activity while under investigation for his crimes.
“We hope that this sentence of three years in federal prison deters every healthcare professional from using or diverting prescription narcotics,” said Acting United States Attorney Andrea T. Martinez. “We commend the work of the hospital staff who discovered and reported the illegal activity along with the work of our partners at the FDA for investigating this matter.”
“The FDA oversees the U.S. drug supply to ensure that it is safe and effective, and those who knowingly tamper with medicines put patients’ health at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to protect the public health and bring to justice health care professionals who take advantage of their unique position and compromise their patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”
Assistant United States Attorneys from the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case against Pehrson. Special Agents from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.
Former Dubuque School Principal Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
A former curriculum and technology director and principal who stole at least $250,000 from the private school system in which he worked pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Todd Charles Wessels, age 49, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of wire fraud. In a plea agreement, Wessels admitted he was the Curriculum and Technology Director for a private, religious, not-for-profit school district in Dubuque. Wessels was responsible for ensuring that the school district met the technology needs of approximately 1,800 students at its high school, middle school, and elementary schools. Before 2016, Wessels also served in a dual role as the principal of one of the elementary schools.
Beginning on an unknown date but no later than June 2011, Wessels devised and executed a scheme to make purchases for his own benefit with the school district’s funds. Wessels made purchases of pre-paid debit cards using the school district’s store credit cards at area businesses upon the false and fraudulent pretense that he needed funds for “apps” for students’ computers. Wessels then electronically transferred the balances of the pre-paid debit cards to another account that he controlled at PayPal, Inc., an electronic payment transfer system based in California. Wessels had, without the school district’s knowledge, falsely and fraudulent opened the PayPal account in the school district’s name but under the handle “WENWESS”. Finally, Wessels provided the school district receipts for the purchases of the pre-paid debit cards on the false and fraudulent pretense that the use of the store credit cards was for legitimate purchases. Wessels also sold the school district’s computer equipment on third-party Internet websites without its knowledge or permission.
In July 2019, a new chief administrator at the school district began looking into Wessels’s spending practices. Wessels repeatedly lied to administrators and submitted fraudulent invoices and receipts to them in order to conceal his scheme to defraud. At meetings in January and February 2020, Wessels provided hardcopy versions of false, fraudulent, and fictitious spreadsheets purporting to show the apps he had purchased.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Wessels remains free on bond pending sentencing. Wessels faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-1031.
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Former CEO of Illinois Computer Services Firm Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Orchestrating $9 Million Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The former Chief Executive Officer of an Illinois computer services company has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for orchestrating fraud schemes that bilked a global telecommunications provider and two financial companies out of a combined $9 million.
DAVID GODWIN, 59, of Germantown Hills, Ill., pleaded guilty in 2018 to a wire fraud charge. U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang imposed the prison sentence Thursday after a hearing in federal court in Chicago.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven J. Dollear and John D. Mitchell.
Godwin served as CEO of ContinuityX Solutions Inc., a computer-services company based in Metamora, Ill. From 2011 to 2013, Godwin orchestrated fraud schemes that bilked the global telecommunications provider out of more than $3 million and two financial companies out of $6 million.
In the first phase of the scheme, Godwin and ContinuityX’s Chief Financial Officer, ANTHONY ROTH, created false documentation to fraudulently inflate the financial condition of companies they had approached to purchase services from the global telecommunications provider, causing the global firm to approve the sales and pay ContinuityX millions in commissions for having procured new customers. To further the scheme, Godwin and a ContinuityX sales representative, JOHN COLETTI, arranged conference calls in which Coletti fraudulently posed as an employee of the global provider.
In the second phase of the scheme, Godwin worked with Coletti to fraudulently obtain $6 million from a factoring agreement with the two victim financing companies. Godwin secured the agreement after submitting false documentation claiming that a China-based company owed ContinuityX $8 million per month in receivables. Godwin and Coletti arranged conference calls in which Coletti fraudulently posed as an employee of the China-based company to falsely assure the two victim companies that the accounts receivables were legitimate and that payment of the receivables was forthcoming.
Roth, of Upton, Mass., pleaded guilty to wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 7, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.
Coletti, of Canyon Country, Calif., pleaded guilty to a false statement charge and was sentenced in 2019 to two and a half years in federal prison.
Foley Man Sentenced to Five Years in Firearm CaseRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Foley man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Remonto Maurice Johnson, 35, was arrested by Foley police on December 22, 2020 on domestic-violence charges. The previous day, while investigating a shooting that had occurred in a residential area of Foley, police recovered a Glock .40-caliber pistol from a driveway on South Pecan Street. Johnson had dropped the pistol while fleeing the area during the shooting, during which two individuals shot at Johnson allegedly in retaliation for the prior domestic-violence incident. At the time of the shooting, Johnson had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including assault and drug offenses. As part of his guilty plea, Johnson admitted that he possessed the Glock pistol, that he was a convicted felon, and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Johnson to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo testing and treatment for substance abuse. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Johnson to pay $100 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Foley Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Federal Jury Takes Less than an Hour to Convict Hazelwood Man on Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - After deliberating for less than an hour, a federal jury on Friday found James Weldon Johnson, aka “300 Blocc Knocc”, guilty on four counts of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Johnson, age 36, was tried before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Ross E. Lenhardt, who prosecuted the case, the evidence established that James Weldon Johnson distributed fentanyl December 30, 2016 in a transaction that was observed by a detective from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and that occurred directly outside of 330 Renova Street in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police followed up that observation with a search warrant for that residence on January 2, 2017.
The search led to the seizure of substantial quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a stolen and loaded .45 caliber handgun, two extended length magazines for the .45 handgun, and numerous items commonly used in drug trafficking such as electronic scales, body armor, inositol, cash and baking soda. The defendant was arrested at that location while in possession of two cellular telephones, over $900 more in cash, and the keys to the residence. After obtaining search warrants and extracting the contents of those cellphones, experts concluded that the messages in those phones indicated that one of the cellular telephones was used in the December 30, 2016 transaction and that Johnson was regularly using that cellular telephone to sell illegal narcotics.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for March 2, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4,500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court remanded the defendant back into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Acting United States Attorney, Stephen R. Kaufman commended the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for conducting the investigation and assisting in the prosecution and conviction of James Weldon Johnson.
Federal Jury Convicts Minneapolis Felon of Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury convicted a Minneapolis man for possessing a firearm as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.
Following a four-day trial before Judge Nancy E. Brasel, Gregory Lynn McCoy, 60, was convicted on one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Due to his multiple prior felony convictions, McCoy qualifies for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on October 23, 2019, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on McCoy’s Dodge Durango and found an MC 1911 .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol in the center console. The vehicle was registered to McCoy and McCoy’s DNA was found on one of the three magazines found adjacent to the gun. Law enforcement also found a box of MagTech .45 caliber ammunition in McCoy’s residence. Because McCoy has multiple prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. MacLaughlin and Joseph S. Teirab.
Federal Court Orders Tampa Pharmacy to Close in Case Alleging Unlawful Opioid DistributionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - A federal court in Florida ordered a Tampa-area pharmacy shut down and prohibited two of its employees from ever owning, managing or operating any business where controlled substances are dispensed.
Pursuant to an agreed consent judgment and permanent injunction filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the court enjoined WeCare Pharmacy, its pharmacist owner Qingping Zhang, pharmacy technician Li Yang and a related corporate entity, L&Y Holdings LLC, from ever owning, managing or operating any business where controlled substances are dispensed. The order also requires the permanent closure and dissolution of WeCare Pharmacy.
The
consent decree resolves a civil complaint the government filed earlier this year alleging that the defendants repeatedly dispensed opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleged that over a period of several years, the defendants dispensed highly addictive and highly abused prescription opioids while ignoring “red flags” — that is, obvious indications of drug diversion and drug-seeking behavior. U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven, who entered the order, previously granted the government’s request for a temporary restraining order shortly after the case was filed.“Pharmacists and those who own and operate pharmacies have a duty to ensure that controlled substances are distributed lawfully,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its partners to ensure that business owners and medical professionals handling controlled substances do not violate the Controlled Substances Act.”
“Failure to comply with professional standards and protocols while dispensing controlled substances places the public at risk of harm and is a violation of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Karin Hoppmann for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to enforce the law against those engaged in harmful practices, to keep our citizens safe.”
“Pharmacies have an obligation to ensure controlled substances are dispensed in accordance with the law," said Acting Special Agent in Charge La Verne Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division. “When they ignore that obligation, it contributes to the widespread misuse and abuse of prescription opioids that devastate our communities. The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the health and the safety of our communities.”
The investigation was conducted by the DEA.
The case was handled by Trial Attorneys Scott Dahlquist and Thomas Rosso of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Keefe for the Middle District of Florida.
Federal Court Orders Tampa Pharmacy to Close in Case Alleging Unlawful Opioid DistributionRead the Press Release
A federal court in Florida ordered a Tampa-area pharmacy shut down and prohibited two of its employees from ever owning, managing or operating any business where controlled substances are dispensed.
Pursuant to an agreed consent judgment and permanent injunction filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the court enjoined WeCare Pharmacy, its pharmacist owner Qingping Zhang, pharmacy technician Li Yang and a related corporate entity, L&Y Holdings LLC, from ever owning, managing or operating any business where controlled substances are dispensed. The order also requires the permanent closure and dissolution of WeCare Pharmacy.
The consent decree resolves a civil complaint the government filed earlier this year alleging that the defendants repeatedly dispensed opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleged that over a period of several years, the defendants dispensed highly addictive and highly abused prescription opioids while ignoring “red flags” — that is, obvious indications of drug diversion and drug-seeking behavior. U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven, who entered the order, previously granted the government’s request for a temporary restraining order shortly after the case was filed.
“Pharmacists and those who own and operate pharmacies have a duty to ensure that controlled substances are distributed lawfully,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with its partners to ensure that business owners and medical professionals handling controlled substances do not violate the Controlled Substances Act.”
“Failure to comply with professional standards and protocols while dispensing controlled substances places the public at risk of harm and is a violation of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Karin Hoppmann for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to enforce the law against those engaged in harmful practices, to keep our citizens safe.”
“Pharmacies have an obligation to ensure controlled substances are dispensed in accordance with the law," said Acting Special Agent in Charge La Verne Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division. “When they ignore that obligation, it contributes to the widespread misuse and abuse of prescription opioids that devastate our communities. The DEA Miami Field Division remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the health and the safety of our communities.”
The investigation was conducted by the DEA.
The case was handled by Trial Attorneys Scott Dahlquist and Thomas Rosso of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Keefe for the Middle District of Florida.
FDC Inmate Convicted of Smuggling Drugs and Contraband into Prison Through a Hole in a Jail Cell WindowRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Anthony Robinson, a/k/a Slick, 34, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted at trial of conspiring with others to smuggle contraband into the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia.
In April 2021, Robinson was indicted for conspiracy and possession of contraband in prison stemming from a 2020 incident caught on tape in the prison. In April 2020, staff at the FDC observed a man outside the prison, attaching items to a line. Security camera footage showed a rope being pulled up the side of the building facing Arch Street. Upon searching the cell from which the rope emanated, officers found two cellmates along with quantities of Suboxone, cocaine, tobacco, methamphetamine tablets, marijuana, a SIM card, and an inoperable cell phone. Both men were charged and convicted for possessing contraband in prison. Meanwhile, investigation revealed that they did not act alone. Specifically, investigation revealed that another FDC inmate, defendant Robinson, had aided them in their smuggling operation from his own cell by arranging, using a contraband cell phone, for the drugs to be brought to the FDC.
“Maintaining the secure environment of federal correctional facilities is paramount to the safety of staff and inmates and the pursuit of justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “In this case, even though this defendant had already committed an unrelated federal offense for which he was in prison awaiting trial, he couldn’t help himself and committed another crime by smuggling contraband into the facility. He will now face even more time behind bars after this trial conviction.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Damiani.
Erie, PA Man Pleads Guilty in Project Safe Childhood CaseRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Jordan Lee Perrin, 25, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Perrin received computer images and movies depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for March 3, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Perrin on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Erie County Detectives Bureau conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Perrin.
Elkview Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Joey Michael King, 41, of Elkview, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor. King was also ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment pursuant to the 2015 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
According to court documents and statements made in court, King previously admitted that in February 2019, he communicated via a social messaging application with a minor he believed to be a 15-year-old girl located in Bridgeport. In reality, the minor was a law enforcement officer with the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force who was operating online in an undercover capacity. Despite knowing the purported minor’s age, King repeatedly requested the girl to take sexually explicit photographs and to send him the photographs via text and email. King provided the girl with his personal cell phone number and his personal email, both of which matched the phone number and email that King provided to the West Virginia Sex Offender Registry in his January 2019 Sex Offender Registration Report.
King was also sentenced to lifetime on supervised release following his release from prison and is required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney William S. Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Nitro Police Department.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott handled the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-00301.
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El Paso Business Owner Indicted for FraudRead the Press Release
EL PASO – An El Paso man was arrested on Thursday on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in defrauding two federally funded correctional institutions (“the institutions”).
According to court documents, Jack McCager Kidd, 70, is a director and partner of a company that provided natural gas to the institutions. The allegations are that Kidd falsely invoiced the institutions for more natural gas than Kidd’s company had in fact delivered. Kidd also refused to provide requested information to the institutions concerning the amount of natural gas delivered and the calculations he used to determine the monthly invoice amounts.
Kidd is charged with 72 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Kidd faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. 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 Special Agent in Charge D. Nichole Fleming of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Fraud Detection Office made the announcement.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Fraud Detection Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Skillern and Sarah Valenzuela are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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East Moline Man Pleads Guilty to Gun, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – An East Moline, Illinois, man, Christian Matthew Lannan, 24, of the 3600 block of 8th Street Court, pleaded guilty on October 29, 2021, to the charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 21, 2022, at the federal courthouse in Peoria, Illinois, before United States District Judge James E. Shadid.
Lannan remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
For the offense of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, the statutory penalty is up to five years in prison; a term of supervised release of not less than two years and up to life; and a fine of up to $250,000. For the offense of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the statutory penalty is a minimum of five years in prison up to a maximum of life, to be served consecutively to any other sentence on any other count; a term of supervised release of not less than five years and up to life; and a fine of up to $250,000. For the offense of possessing a firearm as a felon, the statutory penalty is up to 10 years in prison; a term of supervised release of up to three years; and a fine of up to $250,000.
The charges were investigated by the Moline and East Moline Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mehochko is representing the government in the prosecution.
Durham Woman Sentenced for Lying to Investigators About Suspect in ShootingRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - A Durham resident was sentenced Friday in federal court for lying to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation asking questions about a drive-by shooting, announced Acting United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
CHAKERA ALEXANDRIA MANGUM, age 29, was charged with lying to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the location of evidence in a drive-by shooting, as well as the location of the suspect. She pled guilty on March 9, 2021.
MANGUM was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles, in Greensboro. MANGUM was sentenced to 2 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. One of MANGUM’s special conditions of supervised release prohibits her association with gang members.
According to publicly-filed court documents, on November 14, 2020, an off-duty deputy with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office was stopped at a stoplight on Highway 98 in Durham when another car pulled alongside him and the front passenger rolled down his window and opened fire. The suspect car then sped away. Investigators identified a suspect and located him that evening driving a Dodge Challenger belonging to MANGUM. When federal investigators questioned MANGUM that same evening and the next day, she made multiple false statements regarding the suspect’s location on November 14 and the location of her Dodge Challenger, which the suspect had been driving. MANGUM did so despite multiple warnings from federal investigators that lying to a federal agent during the course of an investigation is a federal crime.
“Here is a simple truth we all learned as children: lying is a bad decision with serious consequences,” said Acting United States Attorney Hairston. “Lying to federal law enforcement agents is a felony that can land you in jail, even if you had no part in the crime being investigated.”
“Chakera Mangum knowingly interfered with the capture of a dangerous fugitive. Despite being repeatedly warned she could face federal charges, she stuck to her story which delayed the FBI’s efforts to get the fugitive into custody. This should be a lesson for anyone who thinks protecting an accused shooter is more important than telling law enforcement the truth,” said Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Charlotte.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney JoAnna G. McFadden prosecuted the case.
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Colchester Man Sentenced to a Year of Imprisonment for Federal Migratory Bird Poaching Violations and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jeremiah Ruhl, 46, of Colchester, Vermont was sentenced today to twelve months and a day in prison by U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III. Ruhl had previously pled guilty to the unlawful killing of a crow and woodcock without a license and unlawful possession of a turkey vulture without a permit. All three of these birds are “migratory birds” and protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Ruhl also pled guilty to unlawfully possessing a Stevens .410 shotgun after having previously been convicted of a felony. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Sessions ordered Ruhl to serve two years on federal supervised release after he is released from prison.
Ruhl previously pled guilty to these offenses in September 2019 and was referred to participate in the Federal Drug Court program in Burlington. In July 2021, Ruhl’s participation in the Drug Court was terminated by the Court due to multiple violations of release conditions, including dishonesty and continued drug use. If Ruhl successfully completed Drug Court, he would have avoided additional incarceration.
The Government argued in its sentencing memorandum that a jail sentence was appropriate given the aggravating factors in the case, in particular the defendant’s long history of violating Vermont’s game laws, which stands in stark contrast to his professed affection for Vermont’s wildlife.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: “Federal firearm laws apply equally to all types of firearms, from handguns to hunting rifles. Those who are prohibited from possessing firearms and use them to engage in criminal conduct must be held accountable. I commend the thorough investigation of the State Game Wardens in the Law Enforcement Division of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the Colchester Police Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
Colonel Jason Batchelder of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department stated: “Thanks to our dedicated State Game Warden investigators, and federal agents and prosecutors working in concert, crimes against the natural resources of Vermont and migratory bird species we share with neighboring states, will see an appropriate response.”
Ruhl faced a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the possession of a firearm-by-a-felon violation. For the Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations, Ruhl faced a maximum of six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for each of the three counts.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Ruhl is represented by Steven Barth of the Federal Public Defenders Office.
Chicago Woman Sentenced for Obtaining Promethazine with Codeine by FraudRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Kia Latrice Booker, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on November 1, 2021 in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for obtaining promethazine with codeine by forging prescriptions. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Booker to 7 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
Law enforcement investigated 11 fraudulent prescriptions of promethazine with codeine starting on July 7, 2018. During follow up with each pharmacy, Nebraska State Patrol investigators were able to identify a female, later identified as Booker, who used her Illinois identification card when she picked up the prescriptions of promethazine. Promethazine is cough syrup with codeine, an often-sought-after drug illegally sold without a prescription.
On July 12, 2018, Nebraska State Patrol investigators received a call from the Ogallala Police Department involving promethazine with codeine. The individuals involved in the Ogallala case were Booker and Chyneice Richie. Richie pleaded guilty to obtaining promethazine with codeine by forging prescriptions and is scheduled for sentencing in December, 2021.
Both Booker and Richie were seen on surveillance video obtaining promethazine with codeine using fake IDs.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ogallala Police Department.
Chicago Resident Pleads to Conspiracy Count in ErieRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Shawn Ashley Pena, 39, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that during the period from March 2018 to May 2018, Pena and a co-defendant conspired to steal merchandise from business and retail establishments in multiple states and transport the stolen items across state lines.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for March 3, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pena.
Cedar Rapids Woman Who Sold $1,000 Worth of Heroin and Fentanyl Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A woman who sold fentanyl in Cedar Rapids pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Ladonna Cynthia Givens, age 32, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
In a plea agreement, Givens admitted that she agreed with another person to distribute heroin on multiple occasions in January 2021. Givens admitted that the other person would receive orders from drug customers, but that Givens would arrive at the meeting location and distribute the drugs. She also admitted that on two occasions in January 2021, Givens sold $500 worth of purported heroin, which was later determined to contain both heroin and fentanyl.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Givens was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Givens faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21‑CR‑00033‑CJW‑MAR.
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California Man Sentenced After Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ROT VAN NGUYEN (“NGUYEN”), age 59, of San Jose, California was sentenced on October 28, 2021 to thirty-three months in prison by Judge Barry Ashe for failing to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
According to court documents, NGUYEN was convicted in California in 2009 of a sex offense that required him to register as a sex offender for life. In addition to being sentenced to thirty-three (33) months in prison, NGUYEN was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.
California Man Charged with Assault and Interference with a Flight CrewRead the Press Release
DENVER – Brian Hsu, age 20, of Irvine, California, has been charged by criminal complaint with interference with a flight crew and assault within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. The charges stem from Mr. Hsu’s alleged assault of a flight attendant on October 27, 2021, aboard American Airlines Flight 976, which was diverted to Denver, Colorado. It is anticipated that Mr. Hsu will appear in the United States District Court for the Central District of California for an initial appearance later today.
The charges in the criminal complaint are allegations. The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brad Giles is in charge of the prosecution.
Case Number: 21-mj-00179
California Attorney Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DEREK JONES, an attorney currently suspended from practicing law in California, pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud. JONES is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2022, before United States District Judge Loretta A. Preska, who accepted today’s plea.
According to the allegations set forth in the Indictment and other documents filed in the case:
From at least 2012 through at least 2019, JONES solicited and obtained investments into various companies and investment funds he controlled, including purported real estate development and investment firms using variations of the names “BlueRidge,” “Living City,” and “Atiswin,” and the purported venture capital firm Realize Holdings (“Realize”).
In fraudulently inducing victims to invest in his funds, JONES routinely made materially false oral and written statements, including in glossy brochures and legal documents that contained lies about real estate purportedly owned or otherwise controlled by BlueRidge, Living City, and Atiswin. For example, JONES falsely told investors and prospective investors that BlueRidge was developing a “resort village” on land it controlled in Washington State, and separately that BlueRidge had purchased an existing hotel in that same location, when in fact neither BlueRidge nor JONES owned or controlled any of that property. In other cases, JONES falsely claimed that his companies were under contract to purchase a ranch in Colorado, and that his companies had leased various pieces of property slated for development. Instead, JONES misappropriated investors’ money, using much of it to make Ponzi-like payments to other investors to whom he owed money in connection with earlier transactions, and for personal and family expenses, including the private-school tuition of his children.
In executing his scheme, JONES also sent investors and others falsified and counterfeit documents. For example, on repeated occasions JONES provided doctored bank statements stating that he had millions of dollars in various corporate accounts, when in fact he had little or no money in such accounts. On other occasions, he provided counterfeit financial statements that falsely purported to be based on internal audits of companies that he controlled.
JONES defrauded investors—at least three of whom lived and/or transacted their banking in Manhattan—out of at least approximately $5.8 million. To prolong and conceal the fraud scheme, JONES regularly told lies designed to avoid meetings with or inquiries from victims. For example, in explaining his failure to respond promptly to questions or his reason for postponing meetings, JONES falsely told different investors, on different occasions, that one of his relatives was hospitalized and undergoing surgery. JONES also used the names of other individuals—without those individuals’ authorization or knowledge—to communicate via email with investors and thus foster the illusion that JONES’s businesses were viable operations with real employees.
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JONES, 47, of California, pled guilty today to a single count of wire fraud. That charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the sentencing judge.
Mr. Williams praised the excellent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Raymond Lewis, Michael C. McGinnis, and David M. Abramowicz are in charge of the prosecution.
COPS Office Announces Funding to Combat Illegal Opioids and MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced today $44.5 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin and prescription opioids.
“The Department of Justice is very pleased to provide these critical public safety resources and continue supporting law enforcement efforts to battle against the national crisis posed by the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin and prescription opioids,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “This funding will help to greatly reduce the availability of lethal drugs and maintain health and safety in our communities.”
Through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF), the COPS Office is awarding more than $31.1 million in grant funding to 13 state law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures. AHTF provides funding directly to state law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl or carfentanil, or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.
Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office will also award more than $13.3 million to nine state law enforcement agencies that have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories and laboratory dump seizures. This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories or methamphetamine traffickers.
The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2021AwardDocs/ahtf/Award_List.pdf
The complete list of COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2021AwardDocs/camp/Award_List.pdf
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers.