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Thursday 23 September 2021
Box Elder man admits distributing fentanyl on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man admitted today to dealing fentanyl pills on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Timothy Michael Koop, 61, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. Koop faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Jan. 20,2022. Koop was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that the FBI learned from interviews that Koop was a local distributor of fentanyl and other illegal pills on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and worked with out-of-state suppliers. In May and June, law enforcement used confidential sources to make controlled purchases of fentanyl from Koop or arranged to obtain the pills through Koop. Co-defendant Kelli Lamere has pleaded not guilty to charges. Officers obtained a search warrant for the Koop and Lamere residence based on information that an out-of-state supplier was present. When the warrant was executed, officer found Lamere and an individual from Michigan. Koop was located elsewhere and brought back to the residence. Koop told law enforcement that the Michigan individual was distributing fentanyl and claimed the person was paying him and Lamere in pills to stay at the residence. Officers found an Aleve brand pill bottle in the residence. An analysis determined the bottle contained 179 tablets, imprinted with “Aleve,” one of which was tested and determine to contain no controlled substance. The bottle also contained 258 greenish-yellow tablets imprinted with an “M” on one side and a “30” on the other. One of those tablets was tested and determined to contain fentanyl and two other substances.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Tri Agency Task Force, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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Boston Man Sentenced for Transporting Women to Texas to Work in Sex TradeRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A Boston, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to federal prison for human trafficking related violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Daniel Bennett, 38, pleaded guilty on January 28, 2021 to the transportation of an individual in interstate commerce, knowing they would engage in illegal sex. Bennett was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.
“We know human trafficking is basically modern-day slavery and the victims often feel they have no way out,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Thanks to the great work of law enforcement, Bennett’s victims can now hopefully build a better, safer life. As we have stated before, there is no safe harbor in the Eastern District for human traffickers.”
According to information presented in court, on October 27, 2019, Bennett drove two women from Boston, Massachusetts to Texas for the purpose of having the women engage in commercial sex. The three stayed at hotels in the Eastern District of Texas and the women engaged in illegal sex work around the north Texas metroplex area. Bennett came to the attention of law enforcement on November 2, 2019, when one of the women approached an officer with the Dallas Police Department seeking assistance. Bennett admitted to knowing prostitution and commercial sex are illegal in the State of Texas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bennett with federal violations on November 13, 2019.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Dallas Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.
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Binghamton Sex Offender Sentenced for Failing to Register his Change of AddressRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Timmy Rifenburg, age 45, of Binghamton, New York, was sentenced today to serve a total of 40 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for violating the terms of his supervised release and failing to register as a sex offender after he moved from Binghamton to Johnson City, New York, without updating his sex offender registration.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and United States Marshal David L. McNulty.
On May 19, 2021, Rifenburg pled guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender. As part of his guilty plea, Rifenburg admitted that due to his 2008 federal conviction for possession of child pornography, he was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) and keep that registration current. Rifenburg admitted that after he moved, he failed to register his change of address with New York State within 3 business days after his move.
Rifenburg also admitted to three violations of his supervised release conditions. Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy sentenced Rifenburg to 24 months in prison for those violations, to run consecutive to a 16-month sentence for the SORNA offense.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
Berkeley County man admits to role in firearms conspiracyRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Detrick Lee Foston, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a firearms trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Foston, 25, pleaded guilty today to one count of “False Statement During Purchase of Firearms.” Foston admitted to making false statements o a firearms dealer to purchase a .40 caliber pistol and a 9mm pistol in March 2020 in Berkeley County.
Foston faces up to 10 years of incarceration and 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Beaver Falls Man Indicted on Cocaine Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned on July 14 and unsealed today, named Jamar Kenya Turner, age 46, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about October 9, 2020, Turner possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. The Indictment further alleges that, on or about January 4, 2021, Turner unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Altoona, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Pictures and Videos Depicting Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Altoona, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Matthew Michael Walter., 34, formerly of Altoona, PA, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on or August 21, 2019 and August 22, 2019, Walter received images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further, on another occasion,
Walter knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. All computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2022. The law provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Walter.
Wednesday 22 September 2021
Wilmington Man Who Fled Traffic Stop with Stolen Firearm Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Isaiah Council, a 27-year-old Wilmington resident, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison for illegally possessing a stolen 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly pronounced the sentence.
According to court documents and statements in open court, Council was on probation for both a 2017 armed robbery conviction in Wilmington and a 2012 shooting conviction in New York City. Because Council had been convicted of multiple gun-related offenses, he was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
On July 28, 2020, Wilmington Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Council was seated as a passenger. As the vehicle started to pull over, Council fled the car, tripping in the process. When Council tripped, he dropped a black satchel that contained his debit card, 1.4 grams of cocaine, and a tan 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun. Further investigation revealed that the handgun had been stolen from a burglary of a gun shop in Newark.
U.S. Attorney Weiss commented on the sentence, “Amidst a scourge of gun violence in Delaware, this defendant decided to arm himself with a stolen handgun. Worse, he had only been released from prison three months earlier following a 2017 conviction for armed robbery. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who break the law by trafficking in illegal guns.”
“Any stolen firearm is a threat to communities, but couple that with being in the possession of convicted felons who intend to commit crime and the danger increases,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones. “We are proud of the strong partnerships we have with the Wilmington Police Department and our shared commitment to stopping gun violence in Wilmington. ATF is committed to relentlessly investigating these cases alongside our partners in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Wilmington Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 20-cr-83-CFC.
Waterloo Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Buying Gun for BoyfriendRead the Press Release
A Waterloo woman who purchased a gun for her boyfriend and attempted to purchase at least one other gun for him and a friend was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison.
Ashley Nichole Lies, age 26, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison sentence after an April 12, 2021 guilty plea to making a false statement during purchase of a firearm.
Information disclosed at sentencing and at her plea hearing showed that, in July 2020, Lies purchased a 9mm pistol from a business in Cedar Falls, Iowa. During the purchase, Lies represented to the business that she was purchasing the gun for herself. Lies was actually buying the gun for her boyfriend at the time, who was prohibited from possessing guns because he had a prior conviction for domestic abuse. The gun was seized from Lies’ boyfriend a few weeks after she purchased it. Investigators also determined that Lies attempted to purchase at least one other guns for Lies’ boyfriend and another friend but was denied.
Lies was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Lies was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Lies will have to pay $100 to the special assessment fund.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Cedar Falls Police Department, the Waterloo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-02061.
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Washington Man Sentenced to 97 Months’ Imprisonment for His Role in Health Care Fraud Scheme Against TricareRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A Washington man was sentenced yesterday to over eight years in federal prison for defrauding Tricare of approximately $19.4 million through a South Florida compounding pharmacy fraud scheme. Tricare is the health care benefit program for the United States Department of Defense.
Jonah Miller, 48, of Shoreline, Washington, pleaded guilty on July 15, to one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. Miller recruited Tricare beneficiaries to order expensive, medically unnecessary compound drugs from a Broward pharmacy. In furtherance of the scheme, Miller paid doctors to approve pre-printed prescriptions for excessive amounts of the expensive drugs without regard to the beneficiaries’ actual medical needs. Investigation revealed that the drugs were formulated to maximize profit without legitimate therapeutic value. Miller’s fraudulent referrals caused an actual loss to the Tricare program of approximately $19.4 million. In exchange for the referrals, Miller personally received over $4.9 million from the pharmacy. In addition to the prison sentence, the Court imposed restitution in the amount of approximately $19.4 million and a forfeiture judgment of approximately $4.9 million.
Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez of the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce, Southeast Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI Miami made the announcement.
The DCIS and FBI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Juenger prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling the asset forfeiture component of the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Two Tampa Men Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Related to COVID Unemployment Insurance BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Kary Stevenson (47) and Corey Quinn (35), both of Tampa, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and a consecutive two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity count.
According to the plea agreements, from approximately May 2020 and continuing until August 12, 2020, Stevenson and Quinn obtained the personal identifying information of others and used that information to submit, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims to various state workforce agencies to obtain UI benefits. These UI benefits were then transferred to bank accounts or loaded onto debits cards issued in the names of other persons. Stevenson and Quinn then used, and attempted to use, the fraudulently obtained debit cards to withdraw money from ATMs and to purchase items from retail establishments. The U.S. Department of Labor calculated the total intended loss from Stevenson and Quinn’s fraudulent UI claims was approximately $1,010,353.
In March 2020, the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which expanded states’ ability to provide UI for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who were not ordinarily eligible for benefits.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Pizzo and John Cannizzaro.
Two Men Indicted on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 21, 2021, Walter Pruitt, age 34, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Michael Cox, age 38, of Brooklyn, New York were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on August 5, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Pruitt and Cox conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement 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 enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Individuals Charged in Hawaii Tax ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Honolulu, Hawaii, returned a 15-count indictment charging two individuals with conspiring to defraud the United States, filing false tax returns and money laundering.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2019, Hannah Heart, Sook Young Jung and another individual allegedly conspired to defraud the United States by seeking fraudulent refunds from the IRS based on false claims that they had paid sizeable tax withholdings. The conspirators allegedly filed a false 2014 amended individual income tax return that claimed a refund of $464,904 and a false 2015 individual income tax return that claimed a refund of $1,134,902. The indictment further alleges that the conspirators took steps to prevent the IRS from recovering the fraudulently obtained refunds, and that Heart and Jung laundered the fraudulently obtained refunds through a series of financial transactions.
Jung was arrested on Sept. 4 and made her initial court appearance on Sept. 7 before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kate Vaughan of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Jung’s matter was ordered transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
Heart was arrested on Sept. 18 and made her initial court appearance on Sept. 21 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
If convicted, Heart and Jung each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering. Heart and Jung each face a maximum sentence of three years for filing a false tax return and a maximum sentence of five years for conspiracy to defraud the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Judith A. Philips for the District of Hawaii made the announcement.
The IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Sarah A. Kiewlicz and Valerie G. Preiss of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii 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.
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christina Covey, age 34, formerly of Drums, Pennsylvania, and Fredy Mendoza, age 33, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with fraudulently obtaining pandemic unemployment benefits between July and October 2020.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Covey and Mendoza conspired to file false PUA applications on behalf of Mendoza and another inmate, seeking unemployment benefits for both of them by claiming that they were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and available to work, despite their incarceration on underlying federal drug trafficking charges. The conspirators subsequently filed false weekly certifications required to continue receiving PUA benefits, ultimately securing tens of thousands of dollars, which were mailed in debit cards to Covey, prior to her own incarceration in the underlying federal drug trafficking case. Covey also is charged with lying to federal agents about filing PUA applications for Mendoza and another inmate.
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance programs,” stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”
The case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Criminal Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Two Dominican Nationals Plead Guilty to Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Dominican nationals previously residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute hundreds of grams of fentanyl in Lawrence.
Jose Manuel Carmona-Mercedes, 32, and Gabriel Carmona-Pimentel, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2022. The brothers were indicted in December 2020.
In late 2019, law enforcement identified Carmona-Mercedes and Carmona-Pimentel as large-scale fentanyl dealers operating in Lawrence. On four occasions in January and February 2020, an undercover officer ordered fentanyl from Carmona-Mercedes. After the undercover officer ordered a quantity of fentanyl and negotiated the price, Carmona-Pimentel or Carmona-Mercedes, or both, would deliver the fentanyl to the undercover officer from a base of operations on Lexington Street in Lawrence. On Feb. 25, 2020, after Carmona-Pimentel delivered 220 grams of fentanyl to the undercover officer, Carmona-Mercedes and Carmona-Pimentel were arrested. A search of the Lexington Street location resulted in the seizure of 850 grams of fentanyl, 300 grams of cutting agents, documents in Carmona-Mercedes and Carmona-Pimentel’s names, plastic baggies commonly used to package drugs for street-level sales, blenders, suspected cut and digital scales.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque; and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Two Brockton Men Plead Guilty to Wide-Ranging Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Brockton men pleaded guilty to their roles in a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Cape Cod.
Cody Goncalves, 28, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana; being a felon in possession of ammunition; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 2, 2022.
Jermaine Gonsalves, 34, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana. Judge Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 3, 2022.
According to court documents, in the fall of 2018, law enforcement began investigating a violent Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves, Cody Goncalves’s brother. The investigation revealed that the Goncalves brothers worked with others, including Jermaine Gonsalves, to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations on Addison Avenue in Brockton. The investigation also targeted several Boston-based drug suppliers to the Goncalves brothers. Agents seized large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cash and a loaded firearm from Cody Goncalves, who had previously been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and who had distributed drugs while on pre-trial release from a state drug charge. In addition, a loaded firearm and drugs were seized from a residence tied to Jermaine Gonsalves, who had previously been convicted in U.S. District Court in Boston of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
In December 2018, Cody Goncalves and Jermaine Gonsalves were indicted along with 15 others as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Of the 17 defendants charged in the indictment, nine have been sentenced. Cody Goncalves and Jermaine Gonsalves are the 12th and 13th defendants to plead guilty in the case, respectively.
The charges of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory sentence of five years to be served consecutively to the sentence for the drug trafficking offense and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea E. Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The detailed contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tulsa “Peeping Tom” Pleads Guilty to Numerous Sex Crimes, Including Those Targeting Minor VictimsRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man who broke into three homes, attempted to sexually assault two victims, and later solicited a 16-year old for child pornography, pleaded guilty today in federal court.
”Jesse Moore roamed Tulsa’s neighborhoods and terrorized his victims. He peered inside windows, broke into homes, and targeted at least two victims for sexual assault. Then while awaiting trial, he coerced a minor into sending him sexually explicit photographs and videos,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This dangerous criminal no longer poses a threat to our community thanks to dedicated work of Tulsa Police Detectives and federal prosecutor Joel-lyn McCormick.”
“The acts this person committed against the citizens of Tulsa are horrific and incomprehensible. Had intervention not occurred, this criminal behavior would have only worsened. I am very proud of the work done by Tulsa Police Officers involved with bringing this predator to justice, and thankful for the efforts of the United States Attorney's Office for prosecuting Moore,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “While this arrest will not eliminate the trauma these families endured, I hope that putting this man behind bars provides them with a bit of closure.”
In a blind plea, Jesse Thomas Moore, 19, admitted to the following charges: lewd acts with a child under 16 in Indian Country; three counts of burglary in the first degree in Indian Country; attempted sexual abuse by threat in Indian Country; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Attempted Production of Child Pornography; and Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27, 2021.
On May 5, 2020, Moore broke into a home on South Florence Avenue where a child was sleeping. Once inside, Moore entered the victim’s room and started to masturbate. He then tried to get the minor to go to the bathroom with him. When the victim resisted, he slung ejaculate toward the victim then left the residence.
On Nov. 8, 2020, he broke into a home on South Urbana Place with intent to commit a lewd act with a child. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., he entered the backyard of the residence and entered the home through the back door. When the child saw Moore, he screamed. Moore then fled the home. The mother of the child told investigators Moore had been in her back yard and looked into her windows at other times starting in October 2020.
On Dec. 13, 2020, Moore also broke into a home on South Evanston Avenue. Once inside, he discovered the victim and a male sleeping in a bedroom. He began touching the victim, causing her to awaken. He then threatened the victim by stating, “Get the f*** up and don’t say anything or I’ll f***ing kill you.” Moore forced the woman to the living room where he attempted to rape her. As Moore covered her mouth, the victim bit his right hand, causing him to let go and flee the scene.
Video obtained by officers showed Moore stepping onto the front porch, unscrewing the porch light then entering the South Evanston residence at 6:36 a.m. Then video showed Moore exiting the residence at 7:18 a.m., after the attempted rape. The crime occurred after multiple Peeping Tom incidents earlier in the week at the same residence by Moore.
The defendant was eventually arrested and charged for the crimes.
While in custody awaiting trial for charges related to the “Peeping Tom” incidents, Moore began accessing the program JailATM by means of a stationary kiosk or portable smart pad in order to video chat or message with a 16-year-old female whom he referred to as his girlfriend.
During conversations that occurred from Aug. 1, 2021, to Aug. 19, 2021, Moore repeatedly pressured the minor for sexually explicit video and images of herself and to engage in sexually explicit behavior while the two video chatted. The minor attempted to send some pre-recorded videos. Moore received at least one video while others were auto rejected by the system. Moore repeatedly told the minor to figure out how to send the videos differently, like she did before, so they would not be rejected. During one video chat, Moore was able to convince the minor to engage in sexually explicit behavior.
Moore is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
The Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick is prosecuting the case.
Three Men Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that three men have been charged with federal drug trafficking crimes.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Scranton indicted Erwin Montes Deoca, age 27, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on charges alleging that he distributed cocaine and fentanyl in March and April 2021. Additionally, federal criminal complaints were filed today alleging that Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca, age 27, and Jonathan Fontanez, age 36, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Law enforcement officers arrested the three individuals today and they appeared before United States Magistrate Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for their initial hearings on the charges.
The arrests, in part, are the result of federal search warrants executed this morning at residences in Wilkes-Barre which resulted the following seizures:
- 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; over 3,000 pills of fentanyl; two handguns; tens of thousands of dollars;
- 10 Minden Place, Wilkes-Barre – approximately 100 grams of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; approximately 1,000 pills of fentanyl;
- 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; thousands of fentanyl pills.
Law enforcement agents arrested (1) Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca at 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; (2) Jonathan Orlando Fontanez at 10 Minden Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and (3) Erwin Montes Deoca at 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in connection with the service of the federal search warrants.
"The allegations against these defendants, and the substantial amount of illegal drugs, cash, and guns that were recovered from the search warrants this morning, are indicative of the threat that drug-traffickers pose to our communities," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. "I want to thank our partners at the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for our collaboration on this case. Working partnerships like these are what lead to successful investigations."
“The investigation is the result of the cooperative effort of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working within the Wilkes-Barre City and Luzerne County targeting drug trafficking and violent crime,” stated Chief Joseph Coffay, Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. “I personally appreciate the cooperation and effort from all of the investigators involved.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement 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 enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.
Indictments and Criminal Complaints are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses against Erwin Montes Deoca and Jonathan Fontanez is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses against Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Takedown Dismantles Drug Trafficking Organization Based in ParkersburgRead the Press Release
Four Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaints; Eleven Arrested on State Criminal Complaints
Six Federal Search Warrants Executed
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today the arrests of four individuals for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana in Parkersburg and elsewhere. The takedown is the result of a nearly year-long investigation, dubbed “Long Time Coming,” led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Parkersburg Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force (PNTF).
Four individuals were arrested on federal criminal complaints, 11 individuals were arrested on state criminal complaints, and six federal search warrants were executed in Parkersburg during today’s takedown.
Charged in three separate federal criminal complaints with conspiracy to distribute quantities of methamphetamine are: Carlo Ramsey, 56; Robert Sanders, Jr., 29; and Ambera Roberts, 34, all of Parkersburg. Charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine and fentanyl is Floyd D. Ramsey, 41, of Chicago, Illinois. The defendants have been detained pending their upcoming detention hearings in federal court.
“Drug trafficking organizations put our communities in harm’s way,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I applaud the diligent work of our law enforcement partners whose efforts put long-standing drug dealers in Parkersburg out of business. The arrest of these individuals demonstrates our commitment to keeping highly addictive and dangerous drugs from destroying lives.”
“The individuals arrested today have been slinging poison in this community for too long,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Erek Davodowich, from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. The dedicated men and women of DEA, working alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts, remain committed to pursuing those who threaten the health and safety of our communities with violence and dangerous drugs, and bringing them to justice.”
“It is our hope that today's arrests will significantly impact the distribution of illegal drugs in the Wood County area,” said Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Lefebure. “This investigation and the subsequent arrests resulted from a collaborative effort between federal and State law enforcement agencies. The Wood County Prosecutor's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia remain committed to prosecuting those individuals who bring and sell illegal drugs into our communities."
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the PNTF, the Parkersburg Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Vienna Police Department, the Williamstown Police Department, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Boyd County (KY) Sheriff’s Department, the Russell (KY) Police Department and the Raceland (KY) Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
Please note: A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 Nos. 2:21-mj-00175, 2:21-mj-00177, 2:21-mj-00178, and 2:21-mj-00179.
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South Florida Phony IRS Tax Debt Negotiator Headed to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A Vero Beach woman who stole money from clients she was supposed to be helping resolve federal tax debt was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Miami to 63 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $867,593.11 in restitution to her victims.
Between 2013 and 2020, Jocelyn Antonia Lynch, 40, held herself out as a person who could help clients settle outstanding tax debt owed to the Internal Revenue Service. After claiming she negotiated agreements with the IRS, she instructed client taxpayers to deposit payments into her personal bank account based on the false representation that she would forward the money to the IRS. Bank records showed that numerous deposits from the client taxpayers were used to pay her personal expenses, not the client taxpayers’ tax liabilities. To hide her fraudulent behavior, she lied to clients about having made payments and provided multiple clients with fraudulent payment receipts. A total of 16 victims were defrauded.
On April 28, 2021, Lynch pled guilty to eight counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez imposed the sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Morini, Jr. for the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Southern Field Division, announced the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Funk prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-14004.
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Rosebud Man Sentenced for Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter was sentenced on September 20, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Robert Stands And Looks Back, a/k/a Robert Stands, Jr., age 45, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Stands And Looks Back was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 14, 2020. He pled guilty on June 29, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred in Todd County, South Dakota, on August 25, 2020. On that date, Stands And Looks Back had been consuming alcohol, and was driving a vehicle on BIA Highway 1 south of Rosebud. Stands And Looks Back was driving southbound when he crossed over into the northbound lane of traffic and struck and killed a man who was lying in the roadway.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Stands And Looks Back was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty to Possessing Images Depicting Sexual Abuse of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT J. MOSLEY, 54, formerly of Bridgeport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, Mosley was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of possession of child pornography in the second degree. He was sentenced for that offense to 10 years in jail, execution suspended after six years, and 20 years of probation. Mosley was released on parole in November 2018.
On January 28, 2020, Connecticut parole officers and Connecticut state troopers conducted a home visit at Mosley’s residence. During the visit, Mosley was found in possession of an unapproved smart phone, and an approved mobile phone that contained suspected child pornography. Investigators seized both phones and Mosley was remanded to custody. Subsequent analysis of the seized phones and a cloud storage account maintained by Mosley revealed thousands of images and hundreds of video depicting the sexual abuse of children, primarily boys between the ages of 2 and 14. In addition, analysis of Mosley’s e-mail account revealed that he sent numerous e-mails soliciting child pornography, sent images of child pornography to others, and sent links to his cloud storage account.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 22, 2021, at which time Mosley faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The penalties in this case are enhanced based on Mosley’s criminal history.
Mosley has been detained since January 28, 2020.
This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Red Scaffold Man Sentenced for BurglaryRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Red Scaffold, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Burglary was sentenced on September 20, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
William Collins, age 43, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Collins was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2019. He pled guilty on May 27, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 23, 2019, in Red Scaffold. On that date, Collins unlawfully entered a residence with the intent to assault a woman therein.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Collins was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pukwana Woman Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Pukwana, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, Opposing, and Impeding a Federal Officer was sentenced on September 20, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Casey Harrison, age 30, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Harrison was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 10, 2020. She pled guilty on September 20, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 24, 2020, in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, in which officers responded to a report of an intoxicated and aggressive individual. Upon arrival, officers attempted to arrest Harrison, who assaulted a law enforcement officer by kicking him, squeezing his genitalia, and spitting on him.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Harrison was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Philadelphia Man Admits Orchestrating $2 Million PPE Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Philadelphia man today admitted orchestrating a $2 million PPE fraud scheme, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Guaravjit Singh, 26, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Beginning in May 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singh engaged in a scheme to enrich himself by fraudulently inducing 10 victims to send him over $2 million to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE). He stole the money, spending it on personal expenses, and he did not provide the promised PPE to the victims.
For instance, Singh induced victims to enter into an agreement pursuant to which Singh would be paid approximately $7.1 million in exchange for approximately 1.5 million medical gowns, which ultimately were to be sourced to the City of New York. Under the terms of the agreement, the victims wired Singh, though his company GJS Solutions LLC, approximately $712,500, representing a 10 percent deposit for the medical gowns. After receiving these funds from the victims, Singh made additional misrepresentations and excuses to the victims, ensuring them that they would receive the medical gowns. Instead of purchasing and delivering medical gowns, Singh used the funds for personal expenses, including transferring funds to his brokerage account and using the funds for online gaming and other personal expenditures.
The count of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and intelligence analysts of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Pain Doctor Convicted of over $100 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted a Michigan doctor today for his role in masterminding and executing a complex scheme to defraud Medicare and other health insurance programs by administering medically unnecessary spinal injections in exchange for prescriptions of high doses of opioids to patients.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Francisco Patino, 66, of Wayne County, excessively prescribed highly addictive opioids to his patients at his medical clinic in Livonia. In exchange for opioids, these patients would receive (or be billed as if they had received) facet joint or nerve block injections, both lucrative spinal injections. Although these spinal injections were purportedly intended to treat chronic pain, evidence at trial demonstrated that Patino injected patients without regard to medical necessity. Evidence also revealed that if patients refused to accept the injections, Patino would withhold their prescriptions for opioids. From January 2012 through July 2017, Patino billed Medicare for more of these injections than any provider in the country. The evidence at trial also showed that in 2016 and 2017, Patino prescribed more 30-milligram Oxycodone pills than every other provider in the state of Michigan.
Patino also developed illegal kickback relationships with at least one diagnostic laboratory, under which he was paid in exchange for referring his patients’ samples to that lab. The evidence showed that the labs funneled money into bank accounts held by others, who then distributed the money to Patino or spent it on his behalf. Patino also spent funds he derived from these various schemes on jewelry, cars, and vacations. A sizable portion of Patino’s fraud proceeds were devoted toward the promotion of Patino’s specialized diet program and lifestyle and wellness book. Patino paid Ultimate Fighting Championship and other mixed martial arts fighters to promote the Patino Diet.
Patino was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, two counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 20, 2022, and faces a maximum total penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI’s Detroit Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Steven Scott and Kathleen Cooperstein of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Orangeburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that Abrian Dayquan Sabb, 26, of Orangeburg, pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding and abetting the making of a false statement to a federal firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on the morning of April 10, 2019, Abrian Sabb, while armed with a loaded AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity magazine, entered the emergency room of The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg and began shooting in the hallway. A nurse was struck by a bullet to the chest, causing serious bodily injuries. Law enforcement responded and arrested Abrian Sabb at the scene, charging him with various state charges.
The investigation revealed that the day before, April 9, 2019, Abrian Sabb had been involved in a domestic argument at his residence, which resulted in law enforcement responding and confiscating his handgun. Later that day, Abrian Sabb asked his brother, Darius Bernard Sabb, to go with him to a local firearms dealer to purchase him another firearm. Abrian Sabb provided his brother money and requested that he buy an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with a 100 round magazine and two boxes of ammunition for him. Darius Sabb falsely filled out the ATF 4473 form attesting that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm and bought it. Immediately upon leaving the firearms dealer’s store, Darius Sabb turned the items over to Abrian Sabb as they had planned. Later that day, Abrian Sabb’s girlfriend called Darius Sabb and complained about him purchasing the firearm for Abrian Sabb. Darius Sabb then retrieved the rifle and hid it at another person’s home. However, Abrian Sabb found out where the firearm was located and retrieved it.
Abrian Sabb faces of maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. Co-defendant Darius Sabb, 23, of Orangeburg, earlier plead guilty to conspiracy to make a false statement to a federal firearms dealer during the purchase of a firearm and is currently awaiting sentencing. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted both guilty pleas and will sentence them both after receiving and reviewing sentencing reports prepared by the United States Probation Office.
The firearm charges were the result of an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.
Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.
State court charges related to the shooting remain pending, and the defendant is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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North Dakota Man Sentenced for Possession of Firearm as Drug UserRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mandan, North Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on September 20, 2021, by District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, U.S. District Court.
Joel Kraft, Jr., age 34, was sentenced to two years of probation, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of a firearm and ammunition.
Kraft was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 8, 2020. He pled guilty on June 21, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from a traffic stop that occurred on May 25, 2020, on U.S. Highway 12 in Walworth County, South Dakota. Kraft, then knowingly being an unlawful user of marijuana, knowingly possessed a loaded revolver, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 76 Months Imprisonment for Violations of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced that on September 21, 2021, the Honorable Greg G. Guidry sentenced JUAN ARMSTEAD (“ARMSTEAD”), age 34, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, to 76 months imprisonment for violations of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud (Count 1) and the Federal Gun Control Act (Count 2), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344, 1349, and 922(g)(1).
According to court documents, law enforcement identified ARMSTEAD as a member of a group of individuals who recruited homeless people and others to cash counterfeit checks at various financial institutions, primarily in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The checking account information was derived from checks stolen from United States Postal Service mail, primarily in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. ARMSTEAD and his co-conspirators convinced the homeless people to submit counterfeit and forged checks at the financial institutions. The homeless people were allowed to keep a portion of the negotiated check proceeds for themselves.
On January 31, 2019, federal law enforcement officers arrested ARMSTEAD pursuant to a federal search warrant. During their search, law enforcement located a Palmetto State Armory rifle Model PA-15. In April 2015, the federal government convicted ARMSTEAD of a felony offense and he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
For Counts 1 and 2, the Court sentenced ARMSTEAD to 76 months imprisonment for each count to be served concurrently. Upon his release from federal prison, ARMSTEAD faces supervised release terms of 3 years to be served concurrently. ARMSTEAD must also pay $200 in mandatory special assessment fees. While the Court did not impose any fines, ARMSTEAD must pay $80,132.32 in restitution.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana praised the work of the United States Secret Service, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for their work in investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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New London Man Who Received Cocaine Mailed from Puerto Rico Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that RAUL ROBLES, 38, of New London, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a narcotics trafficking offense stemming from his role in a conspiracy in which cocaine was mailed through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to southeastern Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force in Connecticut intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for a location in Puerto Rico. A court-authorized search of the package revealed $158,900 in cash. Investigators established a connection between Robles and the seized package, and learned that Robles’ New London residence had received approximately 25 parcels from Puerto Rico since September 2019.
Investigators continued to monitor USPS deliveries of parcels mailed from Puerto Rico to Robles’ residence, including multiple parcels addressed to names of individuals who did not reside there. A court-authorized search of one parcel that had been mailed to a fictitious individual at Robles’ residence revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
Robles was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 9, 2021.
Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2021, at which time Robles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
Robles is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the New London and Town of Groton Police Departments. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.
NJ, NY, CA Defendants Indicted for Nationwide Copyrighted IPTV Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. announced that Bill Omar Carrasquillo, 35, of Swedesboro, NJ; Jesse Gonzales, 42, of Pico Rivera, CA; and Michael Barone, 36, of Richmond Hill, NY, were charged by Indictment with crimes arising out of a wide-ranging and lucrative copyright infringement scheme.
According to the Indictment, from about March 2016 until at least November 2019, the defendants operated a large-scale internet protocol television (IPTV) theft scheme in which they fraudulently obtained cable television accounts and then resold copyrighted content to thousands of their own subscribers, who could then stream or playback content. The defendants also allegedly made fraudulent misrepresentations to banks and merchant processors in an effort to obtain merchant processing accounts. During the period of their scheme, the defendants earned more than $30 million. Carrasquillo, in particular, allegedly converted a large portion of his profits into homes and dozens of vehicles, including high-end sports cars. When agents attempted to seize those items pursuant to judicially-authorized warrants, Carrasquillo made false statements about and attempted to hide some of those vehicles, including a Freightliner recreational vehicle and a McLaren sports vehicle.
A detailed listing of charges against individual defendants is as follows:
Bill Omar Carrasquillo is charged with: one count of conspiracy; one count of violating the Digital Millenium Copyright Act; one count of reproduction of a protected work; 19 counts of public performance of a protected work; four counts of access device fraud; six counts of wire fraud; three counts of making false statements to a bank; nineteen counts of money laundering; two counts of making false statements to law enforcement officers; two counts of removal of property to prevent seizure; and four counts of tax evasion.
In total and if convicted, Mr. Carrasquillo faces a maximum possible sentence of 514 years in prison, as well as supervised release, fines, restitution, and asset forfeiture.
Jesse Gonzales is charged with: one count of conspiracy; one count of violating the Digital Millenium Copyright Act; one count of reproduction of a protected work; 19 counts of public performance of a protected work; four counts of access device fraud; five counts of wire fraud; two counts of making false statements to a bank; and one count of money laundering.
In total and if convicted, Mr. Gonzales faces a maximum possible sentence of 244 years in prisonm, as well as supervised release, fines, restitution, and and asset forfeiture.
Michael Barone is charged with: one count of conspiracy; one count of violating the Digital Millenium Copyright Act; two counts of access device fraud; and five counts of wire fraud.
In total and if convicted, Mr. Barone faces a maximum possible sentence of 130 years in prison, as well as supervised release, fines, restitution, and asset forefeiture.
“These defendants are charged with engaging in a massive, years-long scheme to steal copyrighted content, which is a very serious federal crime” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “As this prosecution shows, protecting intellectual property rights is an important priority of our Office and the entire Department of Justice.”
“We will investigate and take seriously schemes for profit that infringe upon copyrights,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The charges announced today should leave no doubt about the department’s continuing commitment to protect copyright holders from theft.”
“You can’t just go and monetize someone else’s copyrighted content with impunity,” said Bradley S. Benavides, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “That’s the whole point of securing a copyright. Theft is theft, and if you’re going to willfully steal another party’s intellectual property, the FBI stands ready to step in and shut you down.”
“All income is taxable, including income derived from illegal means,” said Yury Kruty, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office for IRS-Criminal Investigation. “In addition, it is a crime to knowingly engage in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000 that is derived from a specified unlawful activity, such as wire fraud. IRS-CI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring charges against individuals who choose to participate in illegal schemes such as this.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher J. Mannion and Matthew T. Newcomer, and DOJ CCIPS Trial Attorney Jeff Pearlman.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Multiple Defendants Indicted in Alleged Intellectual Property Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed yesterday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania charging a New Jersey man, a California man, and a New York man with federal crimes arising out of a wide-ranging and lucrative copyright infringement scheme.
According to court documents, Bill Omar Carrasquillo, 35, of Swedesboro, New Jersey; Jesse Gonzales, 42, of Pico Rivera, California; and Michael Barone, 36, of Richmond Hill, New York, operated a large-scale cable theft scheme between at least March 2016 and at least November 2019, in which they fraudulently obtained cable television accounts and then resold copyrighted content to thousands of their own subscribers. According to the indictment, the defendants also made fraudulent misrepresentations to banks and merchant processors in an effort to obtain merchant processing accounts. The defendants allegedly earned more than $30 million from the scheme.
As alleged, Carrasquillo converted a large portion of his profits into homes and dozens of vehicles, including high-end sports cars. When agents attempted to seize those items pursuant to judicially-authorized warrants, Carrasquillo made false statements about and attempted to hide some of those vehicles, including a Freightliner recreational vehicle and a McLaren sports vehicle.
“We take seriously schemes for profit that infringe upon copyrights,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The charges announced today demonstrate the department’s continuing commitment to protect copyright holders from theft.”
“These defendants are charged with engaging in a massive, years-long scheme to steal copyrighted content, which is a serious federal crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “As this prosecution shows, protecting intellectual property rights is an important priority of our office and the entire Department of Justice.”
“You can’t just go and monetize someone else’s copyrighted content with impunity,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley S. Benavides of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “That’s the whole point of securing a copyright. Theft is theft, and if you’re going to willfully steal another party’s intellectual property, the FBI stands ready to step in and shut you down.”
“All income is taxable, including income derived from illegal means,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty of the Philadelphia Field Office for IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “In addition, it is a crime to knowingly engage in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000 that is derived from a specified unlawful activity, such as wire fraud. IRS-CI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring charges against individuals who choose to participate in illegal schemes such as that alleged here.”
Carrasquillo was arrested on Sept. 21. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and related offenses; one count of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; one count of reproduction of a protected work; 19 counts of public performance of a protected work; four counts of access device fraud; six counts of wire fraud; three counts of making false statements to a bank; 19 counts of money laundering; two counts of making false statements to law enforcement officers; two counts of removal of property to prevent seizure; and four counts of tax evasion. In total, if convicted of all counts, Carrasquillo faces up to 514 years’ imprisonment.
Gonzalez was arrested on Sept. 21. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and related offenses; one count of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; one count of reproduction of a protected work; 19 counts of public performance of a protected work; four counts of access device fraud; five counts of wire fraud; two counts of making false statements to a bank; and one count of money laundering. In total, if convicted of all counts, Gonzales faces up to 244 years’ imprisonment.
A summons to appear in court was issued to Barone, and he is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and related offenses; one count of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; two counts of access device fraud; and five counts of wire fraud. In total, if convicted of all counts, Barone faces up to 130 years’ imprisonment.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Jeff Pearlman of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Mannion and Matthew T. Newcomer of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 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.
Mounds Man Found Guilty of First Degree Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A jury today convicted a 31-year-old Mounds man for shooting and killing an acquaintance the day the two rekindled an old friendship.
“A federal jury evaluated compelling evidence presented by federal prosecutors and found Kyle Sago guilty of murdering Daniel Morgan. I am thankful for exemplary performance by Assistant U.S Attorneys Ross Lenhardt and Aaron Jolly during the three-day trial,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “As evidenced by two murder convictions in two trials this week, my office and our partners at the FBI and Tulsa Police Department have demonstrated we will uphold the law and fight for justice on behalf of victims of gun violence and their families.”
Kyle Quentin Sago, 31, was found guilty of first degree murder in Indian Country, two counts of felon in possession of ammunition; and causing death by using and discharging a firearm in the commission of first degree murder.
On July 25, 2020, Officers from the Tulsa Police Department were notified of a shooting that occurred within the Muscogee Nation reservation. A witness, victim Daniel Morgan’s girlfriend, identified Kyle Sago as having fired the shots that killed the victim.
At trial, Morgan’s girlfriend explained that she woke up at about 3:30 pm the day of the crime and saw Sago visiting with the victim. Morgan introduced Sago as a good friend. She noticed burns on Sago’s arms. Morgan explained that he had saved Sago years ago from a fire at a meth lab. She said the two continued to exchange stories and visited.
After Sago left, the victim lay down for a nap because he had been working the night prior. Morgan’s girlfriend then heard multiple Facebook Messenger calls to the victim’s phone while he was asleep. She noted that Kyle Sago initiated the calls.
The witness stated that Sago soon returned to the residence in a white sedan When she stepped outside, he demanded to speak with Morgan about "business" and she should wake him.
When Morgan walked outside, the witness stated that she heard multiple gunshots. She moved to the door and witnessed Sago shoot at Morgan approximately four more times from the white sedan as the victim retreated around to the side of the house.
Other witnesses called 911 and ran to assist. Morgan’s girlfriend also assisted and called the victim’s mother. She further cooperated with authorities in identifying Sago as the shooter. Daniel Morgan sustained 4 gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
Several witnesses who saw the crime occur confirmed the suspect shot from the same white sedan and continued to drive and fire at the victim as he ran for cover.
Law enforcement testified that during their investigation, they recovered three spent 9mm shell cases from the street near where Sago was located when he shot Morgan. Officers later discovered two spent 9mm shell cases inside Sago’s white sedan and located nine spent 9mm shell cases in the backyard of Sago’s home. The Tulsa Police Department’s crime lab verified the cases found in the victim’s car and at his home matched the 3 shell cases found at the scene of the crime.
After the United States rested its case, Sago took the stand and testified that he and Morgan had been friends since Sago was 15 and he had previously lived with Morgan for one year. He noted that he had reached out to Morgan approximately two months prior to the crime and the two had exchanged messages, agreeing to meet. The day of the murder, Sago admitted that after the initial meeting, he had tried to contact Morgan via Messenger multiple times and told Morgan’s girlfriend to have the victim come outside. He stated that Morgan looked angry, threw down his cell phone, and started walking to the car. He stated that he felt threatened as Morgan approached and fired at the victim to protect himself.
In closing, lead federal prosecutor Ross Lenhardt thanked the jury for their service to the community and to the family and friends who had attended the trial. He then debunked the defendant’s claim of self defense by reviewing the evidence. He reminded the jury that Sago took time to get gas before the shooting, continuously checked up on the victim via Messenger, took his firearm with him when he returned to the home, confirmed his target was present, asked for the victim to come out of the house, and hid his firearm until Morgan got close enough to fire at him. Sago paused… then continued firing at the victim as he ran for cover with his back exposed and hunched over. Sago shot again, and again, and again and again. Sago then hid the gun, his phone, and his car to hinder the investigation. Lenhardt stated the evidence showed that Sago acted with premeditation, and therefore, the jury must find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury deliberated for two hours then returned guilty verdicts on all counts.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross E. Lenhardt and Aaron M. Jolly prosecuted the case. Mr. Lenhardt is a prosecutor from the Western District of Pennsylvania. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
Monroe Prior Sex Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that EDUARDO TALENTINO was sentenced to 10 years in prison by United States District Judge Vincent Briccetti for possessing, and accessing with intent to view, images of child pornography, possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, and failing to register as a sex offender. The sentencing today followed TALENTINO’s guilty plea on May 27, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “This case underscores the urgent need for law enforcement to continue to use every available tool to prosecute and punish those who sexually exploit children.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
On May 27, 2021, TALENTINO pled guilty to a three-count Information. Count One charged him with possessing, and accessing with intent to view, images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children and minors who had not attained the age of 12, on a phone in Orange County, New York, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(b) and (b)(2). Count Two charged that TALENTINO, after having been convicted of a felony, possessed a Colt Pocket Positive .32 caliber revolver. Count Three charged that TALENTINO, while required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), failed to register as a sex offender.
In August 1997, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk Superior Court, TALENTINO was convicted of two counts of Rape of a Child, one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Rape, two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14, one count on Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person 14 and Over, and two counts of Disseminate Matter Harmful to Minors. For these offenses, TALENTINO was sentenced to a term of four years and a day in prison.
On November 7, 2019, TALENTINO pled guilty in Orange County Court to Unauthorized Practice of Profession, and on February 13, 2020, he was sentenced to one to three years in prison.
In or about December 2017, TALENTINO became the guardian of a 16-year-old minor (“Victim-1”). While acting as Victim-1’s guardian, TALENTINO sexually abused Victim-1.
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In addition to the prison term, TALENTINO, 56, of Monroe, New York, was sentenced to lifetime supervised release.
Ms. Strauss praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the Orange County Child Sexual Abuse Task Force, Orange County Child Protective Services, and the Orange County Sherriff’s Office in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Monongalia County woman sentenced for role in drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ashley Johnson, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 18 months of incarceration for her role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin drug distribution operation, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Johnson, age 34, pled guilty in April 2021 to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Facility.” Johnson admitted to using a phone to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base, also known as “crack,” cocaine hydrochloride, also known as “coke,” fentanyl, and heroin in April 2020 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Mohamed Haji Sentenced to 130 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to IsisRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Chief United States District Judge Robert J. Jonker sentenced Mohamed Salat Haji, age 28, of Lansing, Michigan to serve 130 months in federal prison for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Mohamud Muse was also ordered to serve 12 years of supervision by the court, following his release from prison. The government sought a sentence of 240 months in prison consistent with the sentence recommended by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
On January 21, 2019, special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of its Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Haji at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after Haji had helped his cousin, Muse Muse, check in for a flight to the first of a series of destinations on his way to Mogadishu, Somalia, with the goal of joining ISIS. Their relative, Mohamud Muse, also was arrested for conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
According to court documents, between December 2018 and January 2019, Muse Muse coordinated with an individual he believed to be a Somali ISIS fighter to wire funds to be used to purchase airline tickets for travel to Mogadishu, Somalia, where he believed he would meet an ISIS representative. All three defendants picked up money to provide Muse Muse the funds to travel to join ISIS, all three defendants pledged allegiance to ISIS in recorded videos, and all three submitted their videos to individuals they believed were associated with ISIS. Additionally, records provided to the Court at sentencing demonstrated that throughout the conspiracy, which began in January 2017, all three defendants participated in numerous conversations during which they discussed traveling overseas to join ISIS and even adopted fighter aliases by which they would be known when fighting for ISIS.
In June 2021, Haji pled guilty to the charge, admitting that he: (1) agreed with one or more individuals to provide material support or resources (which includes personnel) to ISIS, a foreign terrorist organization; (2) knew that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization or had engaged or engages in terrorist activity or terrorism; and (3) is a U.S. national and that part of the offense occurred in the United States. He further admitted that the individuals he conspired with were his relatives and co-defendants, Muse Muse and Mohamud Muse.
In August 2021, Muse Muse was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison and Mohamud Muse was sentenced to serve 98 months in prison for their respective roles in the offense. This is the third and final defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the investigation and was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State University Police Department, Lansing Police Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, Gerald R. Ford Airport Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshals, and Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant United States Attorneys Clay M. West and Christopher O’Connor prosecuted the case with assistance from the National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.
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Middlesex County Man Admits Selling Carvings Made of Sperm Whale IvoryRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man today admitted the interstate sale of carvings made of sperm whale ivory, Acting U.S Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Richard Gontarek, 55, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court to an information, charging him with two counts of violating the Lacey Act, by selling to a buyer in Pennsylvania carvings made of sperm whale ivory that Gontarek should have known were possessed in violation of New Jersey State law.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Jan. 3, 2018, and on Dec. 6, 2018, Gontarek shipped a package containing a carving made from the tooth of a sperm whale to a buyer in Etter, Pennsylvania, in exchange for payment. Sperm whales are listed in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The Lacey Act makes it a crime to sell in interstate commerce wildlife possessed in violation of any state law when in the exercise of due care the seller should have known that the wildlife was possessed in violation of the state law. New Jersey state law makes it unlawful for any person to possess with intent to sell ivory or any item that contains or is made from ivory.
As part of his plea agreement, Gontarek has agreed to pay a fine of $2,800 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lacey Act Reward Fund.
Each of the charges to which Gontarek pleaded guilty carries with it a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Sean Mann, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen P. O’Leary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
Member of Paterson Drug Ring Admits Drug Conspiracy and Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man today admitted participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Shamir Williams, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin and distribution of fentanyl.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From May 2020 through Aug. 13, 2020, Shamir Williams, 26, conspired with others to distribute heroin and fentanyl. On June 11, 2020, Williams negotiated the sale of approximately 12,500 glassines of heroin, and then arranged for the delivery of the heroin, from the District of New Jersey to the District of Vermont.
The drug conspiracy charged in count one of the information carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a fine of at least $5 million. Distribution of fentanyl, as charged in count two of the information, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of at least $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers with the DEA in New Jersey and New England, under the direction of Special Agents in Charge Susan A. Gibson and Brian D. Boyle, respectively, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
This investigation was conducted as part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Paterson. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit.
Melbourne Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sex Abuse Videos and Distributing Them over the InternetRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Lisa Vaughn (23, Melbourne) to 15 years in federal prison for producing and distributing videos depicting the sexual abuse of a child. Vaughn was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender.
Vaughn had pleaded guilty on June 21, 2021.
According to court documents, on or about May 29, 2016, Person One contacted Vaughn through an online social media application. At the time, Vaughn was 18 years old and resided in Melbourne, Florida. Person One portrayed himself as a 19-year-old male living in Florida named “David Brown.” The two began, what Vaughn believed to be, an online romance that continued through 2017. Person One, in reality, was approximately 41 years old and lived in Oregon. Throughout the conversations between Person One and Vaughn, Person One requested that Vaughn engage in sexual acts with a particular minor child (the “Child”) and Vaughn agreed. In total, Vaughn produced and distributed to Person One approximately 8 videos and 5 images of child sexual abuse material depicting Vaughn as she sexually abused the pre-teen Child.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.
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 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.
Man who shot bank teller in the head gets life…and moreRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 28-year-old Harlingen man has been ordered to federal prison for life for robbing a bank with a dangerous weapon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Muhamed Pathe Bah pleaded guilty June 28 on the eve of trial.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve the maximum – receiving life in prison for the robbery as well as another 25 years for the use of the firearm during a crime of violence to run consecutively. Bah must also pay restitution to his victim. At the hearing, the court heard about the viciousness of his crime and the extreme emotional impact on the victims.
in shooting the bank teller in the head within five seconds of interacting with him,
On June 26, 2020, at approximately 9:45 a.m., Bah entered a Texas Regional Bank on Sunshine Strip in Harlingen and made his way to a bank teller. Within five seconds, Bah pulled a pistol from a bag and shot the teller in the head. Bah then robbed the bank and fled the area with the stolen money.
Law enforcement saw a man matching his description who was riding a bicycle. It was Bah. Authorities then took him into custody.
During the arrest, he had a pistol with a spent shell casing in its cylinder on him as well as a large amount of money in a bag he was carrying. He was also in possession of a mask that matched the description witnesses had given.
The FBI conducted the investigation along with the Harlingen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Lindenmuth and Nicole Piquette prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced for Attempted Robbery of an ATMRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TYRIK SCOTT, age 21, a resident of Violet, Louisiana, was sentenced on September 21. 2021 by the Honorable Susie Morgan, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. SCOTT was sentenced to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The defendant was also ordered to pay $39,324 in restitution.
According to court records, on or about February 5, 2020, SCOTT and others attempted to break into an ATM located in the drive-through of a Capital One Bank using sledgehammers, crowbars, chains, and a truck. Just prior to this robbery attempt, SCOTT and others were observed in the same truck attempting to break into an ATM at Hancock Whitney Bank.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.
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Mountain Home Man Sentenced to 63 Months for Obtaining Coronavirus Relief Funds by FraudRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – James Read, 45, of Mountain Home was sentenced on September 20, 2021 to 63 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for charges stemming from his abuse of various COVID-19 related economic relief programs. According to court documents, Read falsified documents to apply for Small Business Administration loans intended for businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read also filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, on behalf of himself and others, in multiple states despite being ineligible for the funds. The Court further ordered Read to pay $277,827.00 in restitution for the fraudulently obtained funds.
“Our office will continue to vigorously pursue criminals such as Mr. Read and Mrs. Payne,” stated Acting United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes. “This couple executed a scheme to steal money that was intended to help those who were truly in need. This sort of fraud is reprehensible and will not be tolerated in the Western District of Arkansas. It is our sincere hope that this sentence sends a clear message to all those who would endeavor to steal money that is intended for the less fortunate: that we will continue to investigate and prosecute these crimes to the very best of our ability and that we will seek sentences that will deter this kind of criminal conduct in the future.”
“Our agents will continue to pursue fake business owners such as Mr. Read aka ‘Snowbird Bob’, who chose to steal funds intended for small business owners crippled by this global pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Artemis, of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
“In a time of national turmoil and uncertainty, Mr. Read flagrantly defrauded programs intended to assist Americans and their businesses,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James Dawson. “Mr. Read’s total disregard for his fellow citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed his true colors as a fraudster. The FBI will continue to work with its partners to bring criminals who defraud SBA and PUA programs to justice.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who endeavor to defraud programs afforded to the American people under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” said J. Russell George, of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners in this effort.”
Read’s wife, Crystal Payne, 43, was sentenced on September 20, 2021 to five years of probation, a $5,000 fine, and $59,130.00 in restitution for her role in the offense.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Hunter Bridges prosecuted the case for the United States.
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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter was sentenced on September 20, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Eugene Skunk, age 43, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Skunk was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9, 2020. He pled guilty on June 28, 2021.
On July 26, 2020, in Lower Brule, Skunk struck a man while operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Skunk returned to the scene of the incident and self-reported himself as the driver of the vehicle which struck the victim.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Skunk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Local High School Janitor Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison for Secretly Filming Students in Girls’ BathroomRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Derremy Jerrell Walker (31, Sanford) to 60 years in federal prison for two counts of using, or attempting to use, children to produce sexually explicit videos. A federal jury had found Walker guilty of the offenses on June 29, 2021. Walker was also ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.
According to evidence admitted during the trial and at sentencing, Walker was a contracted janitor at Oviedo High School in November 2019 when two 15-year-old female students discovered an actively recording cellphone hidden under the sink in a student bathroom stall. The girls took the phone to school administrators, who contacted the Oviedo Police Department.
Forensic analysis of the cellphone revealed that Walker had placed the phone in the same location on two prior dates in November 2019, each time creating a one-hour video of students in that stall. On the date the girls found the phone, it had been recording for approximately 15 minutes before they discovered it. In each of the three instances, Walker had angled the cellphone’s camera in an effort to capture images of the genitalia of those in the stall. School administrators and law enforcement officials were able to identify 8 of the 12 students unknowingly captured in the videos that Walker recorded.
Further analysis revealed that Walker had also set up a surreptitious cellphone camera to record in the school’s faculty bathroom earlier that month.
“Mr. Walker did more than just produce horror; he stole the innocence and trust of these young victims. We are pleased with the sentence handed down in this case and will continue efforts to protect the children in our communities from sexual exploitation and abuse,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson.
This case was investigated by the Oviedo Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
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 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.
Leader of statewide fake check scheme sentenced to 44 months in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The leader of a fraudulent check scheme in which recruits would steal items with personal information from homes, vehicles and mail boxes to help pass bogus checks across Montana was sentenced on Tuesday to 44 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Cassie Ann Rathie, 32, of Billings, pleaded guilty in April to wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Rathie was allowed to self report to prison.
“Rathie recruited local drug addicts to burglarize houses, automobiles, and mail boxes and steal mail and other materials so she could fraudulently cash checks using the victim’s stolen identification. They stole and converted amounts that they knew would not attract the attention of local law enforcement. This type of criminal behavior exploits the fringes of our justice system. It is dangerous enough to get someone killed, yet it is not serious enough to warrant significant local incarceration. Fortunately, the misuse of personal identification can be prosecuted under federal law resulting in mandatory terms of incarceration. This case and others like it are a significant innovation in our battle against violent crime in Yellowstone County and elsewhere in Montana. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich, the Billings Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security for investigating and prosecuting this case,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
The government alleged in court documents that from November 2019 until about May 2020, Rathie conducted a campaign to steal checks and personal identifying information to commit fraud using fake checks in Billings and throughout the state. Rathie instructed others to break into houses, vehicles and mail boxes to get checks and other items with personal identifying information. Other addicts knew Rathie was interested in materials and would either sell or give her the documents they stole. During this period, Rathie stole a box from a Billings hotel containing documents with personal identifying information from at least 39 people.
After obtaining a stolen check, Rathie altered it by replacing the original name on the check with one of the names from the identities she had stolen from the hotel or elsewhere. Rathie would then create a fake driver’s license with the stolen person’s name. The fake license would have Rathie’s image or the image of an associate. Rathie or an associate would then pass the check at local businesses and use it to buy gift cards or high value items. Rathie would give individuals who stole the materials a cut of the proceeds. Surveillance video recorded Rathie passing some of the fake checks. In a search of her residence, officers found a large trove of fake identities, stolen documentation, computer, printers and stolen checks. The loss calculated from checks passed by Rathie was $17,609.
Two co-defendants also convicted, Taylor Thomas Nelson and Quinn Henry Jessen, are pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.
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Kamiah Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Federal Prison for SuffocationRead the Press Release
COEUR D'ALENE – Stephen Jason Dahlin, 52, of, Kamiah, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for suffocation, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered that Dahlin serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Dahlin was indicted by a grand jury on November 10, 2020 and pleaded guilty to the charge on June 9, 2021.
According to court records, on October 24, 2020, Dahlin got into a fight with his wife and forced her face into a cushion until she could not breathe. Dahlin’s wife sought medical help and Dahlin fled the area. The Federal Bureau of Investigation sought and obtained search warrants for Dahlin’s residence, resulting in the discovery of evidence which corroborated the victim’s account of her attack, and to track Dahlin’s phone, which ultimately led to his arrest in Arizona.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nez Perce Tribal Police, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, which led to charges.
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KCK Woman Pleads Guilty to CarjackingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kansas, woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing a vehicle at gunpoint from the parking garage at the Country Club Plaza.
Maricela Delores Lozano, 21, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
By pleading guilty today, Lozano admitted that she used a Century Arms Draco AK 47-style 9mm pistol during the theft of a Nissan Altima on July 19, 2020.
Lozano approached the owner of the Altima, who was attempting to start her vehicle to leave the parking garage of the Country Club Plaza, at about 5:48 p.m. on July 19, 2020. Lozano brandished the AK 47-style pistol, pointed it at the victim, and demanded her keys and cell phone. The victim complied and walked away from the vehicle to a nearby business and used their phone to call the police.
Lozano later told investigators that she got into the driver’s seat and attempted to start the vehicle, but the ignition was a “push to start,” which confused Lozano because she had never encountered such technology. Once Lozano was able to start the vehicle, she drove out of the parking garage. Lozano stole a license plate from a Chevrolet sport utility vehicle and attached it to the Nissan.
Lozano, who was standing beside the stolen vehicle, was spotted by a Missouri State Highway Patrol corporal in a driveway in Fulton, Missouri, on July 21, 2020. When the officer drove toward her, she got into the vehicle and attempted to flee. The officer stopped the vehicle and arrested Lozano and a male passenger. The officer seized the loaded firearm from the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.
Under federal statutes, Lozano is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the FBI.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Judge sentences South Gate, California, man to 20 years for methamphetamine chargesRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., sentenced Dexter Elcan to 20 years in prison today. The 36-year-old South Gate, California, resident pleaded guilty, in June, for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Officers from the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force learned that Dexter Elcan was shipping methamphetamine from a United Parcel Service (“UPS”) store in California to people in Southeast Missouri. Then he would either have those people distribute the drugs or he would fly to Missouri, distribute the drugs, wire the drug proceeds back to California, then fly back home.
On the morning of July 11, 2020, officers learned that Elcan was traveling to Missouri and that he had shipped a package by UPS from California to a residence in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The officers watched the UPS delivery person put the package on the porch. Dexter Elcan came out of the home, picked up the package and carried it back into the home. Officers went to the home and knocked on a door as Elcan ran out another door and tried to escape. Elcan was captured a short distance away while trying to break his cell phone and burn the UPS receipt for mailing the package. Officers recovered the package delivered to the home that Elcan picked up. The package held 446 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. That quantity of methamphetamine is consistent with distribution and not for personal use.
The district court heard testimony at the sentencing hearing as to the extent of Elcan’s crime. After hearing that evidence, the Court determined that Elcan was a leader/organizer of his methamphetamine sales and that he distributed over 100 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of his criminal conduct.
The case was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, and the Poplar Bluff Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Sorrell handled the prosecution for the government.
Judge sentences Blytheville, Arkansas man for possession of firearmRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Timothy Sweet to 37 months in prison. Sweet, a 36-year-old resident of Blytheville, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On November 14, 2019, an officer with the Steele, Missouri Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by Timothy Sweet for failing to stop at a stop sign. As the officer was traveling behind the vehicle, the officer observed Sweet making movements that led the officer to believe he was attempting to conceal something underneath his seat. The officer looked underneath the driver seat of the vehicle and observed a firearm that was further identified as an Arminius, Model HW, .38 caliber revolver.
Sweet has a prior conviction for the felony offense of Distribution of a Controlled Substance in the Circuit Court of Dunklin County, Missouri, and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Steele Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Julie Hunter handled the prosecution.
Inmate at USP Lee Sentenced for Assault and Possessing a Weapon in PrisonRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – An inmate at USP Lee in Jonesville, Virginia was sentenced last week to 100 months in prison for assaulting another inmate and possessing a weapon inside the prison.
Peter Pagan, 28, pleaded guilty in June 2021. According to court documents, In June 2020, Pagan assaulted inmate A.C. with a dangerous weapon, a prison-made knife known as a “shank” with the intent to do bodily harm.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Hummert prosecuted the case for the United States.
Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Offense Onboard Commercial AircraftRead the Press Release
An Indiana man pleaded guilty today to engaging in sexual contact with a sleeping woman on a flight from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Denver, Colorado.
According to court documents, Ian Wagner, 39, of New Haven, was a passenger on board a domestic flight from Indianapolis to Denver on Oct. 6, 2017. Wagner was seated next to an 18-year-old woman. During the flight, the woman fell asleep and later awoke to Wagner rubbing her inner thigh with his hand. After jerking away, the victim took a photograph of Wagner. The geolocation data associated with the photograph indicated that the plane was flying over Hastings, Nebraska.
The victim then left her seat, sought refuge in the restroom, but eventually returned because she believed the flight was full and no other seats would be available. After retaking her seat, she observed that Wagner had placed a jacket over his lap and his hand appeared to be moving up and down under the jacket. Wagner made eye contact with the victim and lifted his jacket to reveal his exposed penis. For over five minutes, Wagner masturbated while staring at the victim. Frightened and troubled by the incident, the victim lodged a complaint with the airline two days later and with criminal authorities in the following weeks.
Wagner pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 15 and faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wagner will be required to register as a sex offender.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Jan W. Sharp for the District of Nebraska, and Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan of the FBI's Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s Indianapolis Division Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Jamie B. Perry of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessie L. Smith of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.