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Wednesday 1 September 2021
West Virginia Man Charged with Federal Civil Rights OffensesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in West Virginia returned an indictment Tuesday charging a former West Virginia police officer and firefighter with civil rights offenses against two victims, using fire to commit a felony, and witness tampering.
According to court documents, Christopher Osborne, 25, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Charleston for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old minor female while acting under color of law; destroying a 49-year-old woman’s property without lawful justification; using fire to commit a felony; and making false statements to investigators.
Today’s indictment charges Osborne with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, one count of using fire to commit a felony and one count of witness tampering. The first count alleges that in January 2021, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, resulting in bodily injury to her. The indictment alleges that this offense included aggravated sexual abuse, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. The second count alleges that in November 2019, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he destroyed the property and dwelling of a 49-year-old woman without lawful justification, and this offense included the use and attempted use of fire. The third count alleges that this conduct also constituted using a fire to commit a felony. The fourth count alleges that Osborne knowingly engaged in misleading conduct toward investigators with the intent to hinder a federal investigation by falsely denying engaging in any sexual contact or sexual act with his 16-year-old victim.
The first count carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the second count carries a maximum penalty of ten years, the third count carries a mandatory penalty of ten years and the fourth count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia and FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall made the announcement.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case, with support from the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia State Fire Marshals.
Trial Attorney Kathryn E. Gilbert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Julie White for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about Christopher Osborne should contact the FBI’s Charleston Resident Agency at 304-346-2300.
An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Waterbury Man Charged with Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging DEANDRE GREENE, 32, of Waterbury, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The indictment was returned under seal on May 4, 2021. Greene appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 31, 2021.
As alleged in the indictment, on January 31, 2021, Greene possessed a loaded Diamondback DB9 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number.
It is further alleged that Greene’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, possession of firearm without a permit, attempted assault in the second degree, and forgery in the first degree. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted of the charge, Greene faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Waterbury Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
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.
Warren, PA Felon Admits Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. – A former resident of Warren, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Richard Justin Hanson, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie Haines.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about June 27, 2017, Hanson knowingly possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reductions efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevent and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Hanson on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Warren County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hanson.
Virginia woman sentenced to prison for meth trafficking in MontanaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Virginia woman who admitted bringing pounds of methamphetamine to Montana for distribution was sentenced today to six years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Kimberly Rosamond Fanslau, 40, of Manassas, Virginia, pleaded guilty on April 6 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in May 2019, the Missoula Police Department learned that Fanslau’s boyfriend and co-defendant, Michael Webb, was selling meth and heroin in Montana and had been seen with about six pounds of meth and three pounds of heroin. The two were travelling through the state selling the drugs and were bound for Billings. Law enforcement further learned that Webb had been seen with about 11 pounds of meth in the prior weeks. Agents located Webb and Fanslau at a Billings hotel, served a search warrant on their room and detained both. Agents found $4,850 on Webb’s person and approximately four pounds of meth and 197 grams of heroin in the room. Four pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 14,496 doses. Fanslau reported she had brought meth and heroin from California to Montana on at least four occasions. On each trip, they brought several pounds of meth and several ounces of heroin to sell. Webb was convicted in the case and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of September 11Read the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that his office will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of September 11 with a Blue Light Tribute to honor the fallen and the first responders and military members who continue to answer the call to duty.
U.S. Attorney Weiss is asking businesses and building owners throughout Delaware to join his office in this effort by placing flameless, battery operated, blue tea lights in their office windows beginning Friday, September 10. Building owners can also light up their buildings in blue by replacing the white lightbulbs outside the building with blue lightbulbs.
“Saturday, September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, and the heroic crash of United Flight 93 in the fields near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We seek to pay tribute to the fallen, their families and friends, and the first responders who ran to the danger on 9/11 and who continue to serve our communities today. We ask all Delaware businesses and government organizations to join us in our Blue Light Tribute to those brave men and women--the law enforcement officers, medical workers and military personnel who dedicate their lives to keep us safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Weiss.
For additional information, please email [email protected]
Two Southern Indiana Men Arrested and Charged with Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY – Two Lexington, Indiana men were charged in the Southern District of Indiana on charges related to their alleged possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Pablo Vazquez-Salazar, 47, of Lexington, and Betza Campos-Vazquez, 32, of Lexington, were being investigated by federal agents on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking.
On August 25, 2021, the Indiana State Police observed the vehicle Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez occupied speeding on I-65. A state police K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers discovered a white powdery substance inside the vehicle which was suspected to be cocaine. A search warrant was later executed at the residence Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez reside. During the search, a large amount of suspected cocaine, suspected marijuana, a rifle, and other material commonly used in the distribution of illegal substances was found. In total, over 10 kilograms of cocaine was seized from the two men.
Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez have been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. If convicted, they face up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Indiana State Police.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Wheatley is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Postal Employees Charged with Fraud in Conection with Unemployment Insurance BenefitsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. -- Two New Jersey postal employees were arrested today for their alleged roles in a fraud committed in connection with unemployment insurance benefits, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Khaori Monroe, 28, of Newark, and Ross Clayton, 30, of Irvington, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud. They are scheduled to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.
According to the complaints:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment (e.g., self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers). The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance that provides an additional $600 weekly benefit to those eligible for PUA and regular UIB. Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a state-federal program that provides unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) to eligible workers.
Monroe and Clayton were U.S. Postal Service employees. Monroe and Clayton each took UIB-related mail, including debit cards, from a U.S. Postal Service location in New Jersey and used that mail to obtain unemployment insurance benefits to which they were not entitled.
The charge of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka in Manhattan; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark; and special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Harford County Narcotics Dealers Plead Guilty to Participating in a Conspiracy to Sell Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Reginald Leon Bolden, age 37, of Harford County, Maryland and Tremayne Gerrad Murphy, age 40, of Harford County, Maryland pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
The guilty pleas were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr.; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Sheriff Jeff Gahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and the Harford County Narcotics Task Force comprised of members of the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, and Havre de Grace Police Department.
According to their guilty pleas, as a result of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) distributing powder and crack cocaine, Murphy, Bolden, and Joel Hammond were identified as DTO members. Law enforcement also observed numerous instances of drug-related activities.
For example, on February 24, 2020, investigators surveilled Bolden and Murphy as they traveled to Wilmington, Delaware to meet with a cocaine supplier. After completing the transaction for nine ounces of cocaine, Bolden and Murphy returned to Harford County to distribute the cocaine. Two days later, Murphy was observed traveling to a Wilmington, Delaware casino to return the cocaine to the original supplier as customers complained about the quality of the cocaine.
After meeting with the source, detectives followed Murphy back to Harford County where Murphy was observed conducting a hand-to-hand drug transaction.
As stated in their plea agreements, on March 15, 2020, Bolden was intercepted regarding the purchase of three ounces of crack cocaine from co-defendant Hammond. Bolden had arranged the transaction through a co-conspirator, who transported money to Hammond and received a small backpack from Hammond, which investigators believed contained the cocaine.
The co-conspirator, Murphy, and Bolden determined when Murphy could retrieve the cocaine. After the conversation, investigators observed the co-conspirator exit his residence with the same small backpack of suspected cocaine and briefly enter a vehicle operated by Murphy. Once the conspirator quickly exited Murphy’s vehicle without the backpack, Murphy subsequently traveled to Bolden’s residence.
After a brief period of time, Bolden was observed exiting Hammond’s residence and proceeded to return to Harford County. As Bolden returned to Harford County, members of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on his vehicle where law enforcement seized 16 grams of powder cocaine, 41 grams of crack cocaine, and $660 in cash.
As a result of a search warrant executed at Bolden’s residence, law enforcement recovered 12 grams of crack cocaine, $2,785 in cash, numerous items of packaging material, and a digital scale containing cocaine residue.
As a member of the DTO, Bolden agrees that it is reasonably foreseeable that the amount of crack cocaine sold was at least 280 grams but less than 840 grams.
Murphy and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Murphy will be sentenced to between 60 months and 92 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Bolden and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Bolden will be sentenced to between eight years and nine years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for November 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Co-defendant Joel Hammond pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base on July 1, 2021. If the court accepts the plea agreement, Hammond will be sentenced to six years in federal prison. His sentencing is set for October 27, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA, the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who is prosecuting the case.
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Two Everett Men Plead Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Everett men pleaded guilty today in connection with their role in a scheme to launder money that was fraudulently obtained from customer bank accounts.
Lindsley J. Georges, 27, and Dave Guillaume, 24, pleaded guilty to one count each of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2022. The defendants were indicted in October 2019.
In December 2017 and January 2018, co-conspirators fraudulently withdrew more than $900,000 from customer accounts at Santander Bank and TD Bank. The funds were used to purchase bank checks in the names of several entities, and Georges and Guillaume deposited those bank checks into business accounts in the names of those entities at TD Bank and Bank of America. Georges and Guillaume subsequently made substantial withdrawals of cash and checks from those accounts. Guillaume opened two of the business accounts using false names, as well as a fraudulent driver’s license.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. 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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Christopher J. Markham of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Statement from Acting U.S. Attorney Hairston on Shooting at Mt. Tabor High SchoolRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, NC —Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston made this statement upon hearing of the fatal shooting at Mt. Tabor High School:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of William Chavis Raynard Miller, Jr. today in Winston-Salem. Only days into the school year, another senseless act of gun violence has resulted in the loss of a child’s life. The United States stands ready to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring justice for this victim and his family. We must, together, find ways to put an end to the epidemic of gun violence in our schools.”
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St. Thomas High School Track and Field Coach Arrested for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that a St. Thomas man, Alfredo Bruce Smith, 50, was arrested today on a criminal complaint related to his alleged molestation of multiple minors and production of child pornography.
According to court documents, Smith works as a track and field coach and as a school monitor at Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Smith’s alleged activities after receiving reports that Smith inappropriately touched a minor during a school-sponsored track and field trip in March 2021, and that there were photographs of juvenile males who attended CAHS in the Defendant’s cellular phone. One witness reported that over six young males confided that they had been molested or raped by the Defendant.
A search of Smith’s social media account revealed dozens of photographs and sex videos of minor males and their genitals. A federal search warrant was executed on August 31, 2021, at the Defendant’s residence. According to court documents, a video depicting a sex act was located on a camcorder belonging to CAHS, which was located in the Defendant’s bedroom. The sex act appears to take place within the school.
Smith is charged with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, sexual exploitation of children. If convicted, Smith faces a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Baker is prosecuting the case.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-800-981-3030, or by calling 787-729-6969.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.
Maxwell L. Fleming, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On April 7, 2021, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Fleming admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., from April 7, 2019, to July 25, 2019. Fleming admitted that he possessed a firearm on July 24, 2019.
The Springfield Police Department’s special response team and narcotics enforcement team executed a search warrant at a Springfield residence on July 11, 2019. Officers found a total of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine in several locations inside the residence, as well as a Cobra handgun in Fleming’s backpack, $1,980 on the living room coffee table, and drug paraphernalia.
On July 24, 2019, law enforcement officers contacted Fleming after receiving information from a confidential informant that he was going to resupply. Detectives seized a Kel-Tec 9mm firearm from Fleming’s holster and a package that contained approximately two ounces of methamphetamine from Fleming’s pocket. Detectives also found $389 on Fleming, who was arrested. Fleming told officers he usually bought two ounces of methamphetamine at a time for $375, and that he had done so 10 or 12 times.
Detectives also searched Fleming’s residence and found another firearm and some marijuana. According to court documents, Fleming was initially released on bond; however, his bond was later revoked because he used drugs.
Fleming obtained methamphetamine from co-defendant Donna Bell, 46, of Springfield. On July 25, 2019, officers searched Bell’s hotel room and found 424 grams of methamphetamine.
Bell was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant Brian L. Letterman, 34, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2021, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and awaits sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Southeast Missouri healthcare system agrees to pay $1,624,957.67 to resolve allegations that physician wrote invalid prescriptionsRead the Press Release
The United States has reached a civil settlement with Saint Francis Medical Center (Saint Francis) resolving the Government’s claims under the Controlled Substances Act. According to the United States’ allegations, Saint Francis employed a Farmington, Missouri physician, Brett Dickinson (Dickinson), who wrote prescriptions for controlled substances without legitimate medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice. As part of the settlement, Saint Francis agreed to pay $1,624,957.67.
The United States alleged that Saint Francis, through Dickinson’s actions in the scope of his employment, issued invalid prescriptions for opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. According to the United States’ allegations, Dickinson prescribed these opioids to patients simultaneously with muscle relaxers and benzodiazepines. The United States claimed that such drugs are known to enhance the addictive, euphoric effects of opioids and, as a result, are commonly sought-after in combination with opioids by individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals who seek to use opioids recreationally. The United States alleged that Dickinson issued these prescriptions while ignoring warning signs of drug diversion or misuse, including aberrant urine drug test results and patients’ previous hospital treatment for medical problems related to drug misuse.
Although not part of the settlement agreement, in August 2021, Saint Francis voluntarily incorporated the Foundation for Opioid Prescribing Education in the State of Missouri. According to Saint Francis, the Foundation, which it funded with an initial contribution of $1 million, will be used to fund education programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals in Southeast Missouri on best practices in prescribing opioids and managing patients with chronic pain issues.
Saint Francis fully cooperated with the United States’ investigation of the case. Additionally, as part of the settlement, Saint Francis agreed to cooperate with the United States’ investigation of individuals not released in the settlement agreement, including by furnishing documents related to “the prescribing of controlled substances by Dickinson.”
“When Dr. Dickinson recklessly prescribed controlled substances without regard for his patients’ well-being, he violated the trust our communities extend to healthcare professionals. We appreciate the steps taken by Saint Francis Medical Center to prevent such illegal behavior by its staff in the future,” said Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Curt L. Muller. “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, our agents will continue to investigate such fraud schemes and protect the public from unscrupulous prescribers.”
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Sestric handled the case.
Sisseton Woman Sentenced for Theft from an Indian Tribal OrganizationRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization was sentenced on August 30, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Jordyn Juanita Kirk, age 27, was sentenced to five years of probation, restitution to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court in the amount of $14,463.80, a $3,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Kirk was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020. She pled guilty on May 21, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred between May 17, 2018, and October 5, 2018. At the time, Kirk was employed as an executive assistant to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (“SWO”) Vice-Chairman. As part of her job duties, she was responsible for taking possession of money collected by other SWO tribal departments, including the SWO Tribal Court, and delivering it to the SWO Finance Office for deposit. Kirk stole cash from the SWO Tribal Court and used it for her own purposes. Kirk covered up her actions by not delivering the accompanying cash collection reports to the SWO Finance Office.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
SWGA Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in Whole Life Policy SchemeRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Norman Park, Georgia, resident pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding a life insurance settlement company after falsely claiming herself as the recipient of a large policy on an individual who was in fact alive at the time of the fraud.
Brandi L. Browning, 35, of Norman Park, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Tuesday, August 31. Browning faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, as well as mandatory restitution to the victim of the fraud. A sentencing date has been scheduled for December 9, 2021, in Albany, Georgia.
“Stealing from companies is not a victimless crime; it directly impacts people’s livelihoods by harming businesses that employ them. The ripple effect of this type of theft can be far-reaching,” said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, our office will hold fraudsters accountable.”
“To falsify the death of a person to commit insurance and wire fraud is truly reprehensible,” said Clint Bush, United States Secret Service, Resident Agent in Charge. “The United States Secret Service, along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate those who choose to commit this and other types of fraud in our community and around the nation.”
“When an individual commits fraud against a company, it affects hardworking citizens doing the right thing. This interstate case is an example of agencies working together across state lines to hold lawbreakers accountable,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds.
According to court documents, Browning contacted a Kansas City financial company in late 2017, expressing a desire to sell a pending life insurance claim. Browning told the company that a friend had died in a car accident, and under the friend’s life insurance policy, Browning was entitled to receive $250,000. Browning further told the Kansas City financial company that she was willing to sell her right to the $250,000 policy in exchange for $217,500. While the person Browning named did in fact have such a life insurance policy, Browning was not the named beneficiary of that policy, nor had the insured person died in an accident.
To further her fraud, Browning provided falsified documents and other fraudulent information to the Kansas City financial company, including an agreement with a fictitious attorney which claimed Browning was a party to a wrongful death lawsuit arising from the made-up car accident. As a result of the fraud, on January 5, 2018, the company wired $217,500 to a bank account that belonged to Browning’s mother-in-law, who was unaware of the fraud. Browning told her mother-in-law that the money was an inheritance her husband had received, and that same day checks were written to purchase two vehicles for Browning and her husband, as well as a $128,329 manufactured home in Browning’s name. Within weeks, all of the $217,500 had been spent.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Sedgewick County, Kansas, District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers is prosecuting the case for the Government.
South Dakota Woman Sentenced for Health Care Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that HOLLI TELFORD LUNDAHL, age 64, of Oelrichs, South Dakota, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal on August 27, 2021 to 27 months imprisonment, with three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $76,626.65 in restitution, payable to the Wyoming Medicaid program, and a $500 special assessment.
The sentence comes after a jury found Lundahl guilty on three counts of health care fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft after a one-week trial held in April of 2021 in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming.
In March 2020, Holli Lundahl was indicted on the charges, which included three overlapping schemes to defraud Wyoming Medicaid by submitting false claims for long-term care provided to Lundahl’s sibling, and the unlawful possession and use of identity information of two individuals, including Lundahl’s niece, in furtherance of two of the charged schemes.
“Lundahl deserves every bit of that sentence. She robbed Wyomingites of receiving legitimate funds for necessary care through Wyoming’s Medicaid System,” said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. “The sentence speaks to the hard work put into investigating and prosecuting the case, and we thank the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and our prosecution team for putting a stop to this injustice.”
Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill complimented the work of both the U.S. Attorney's Office and her office's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, noting that, “It was nice to have the opportunity to partner together to root out Medicaid fraud and protect the Medicaid program from these sorts of abuses. This is important work as it helps assure that the Medicaid program is available to provide medical care for those citizens who truly need it.”
The case was investigated by the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Travis Kirchhefer of the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney Eric Heimann.
Suspected fraud against Medicaid can be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) and the agency’s website https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/. Wyoming residents can call the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll free at 1-800-378-0345, or visit their website at http://ag.wyo.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit.
Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man arrested during an FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigation into the sale of firearms and drugs in Providence and Woonsocket has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Joel Figueroa, 25, pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Figueroa will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on November 18, 2021.
According to information presented to the court, on February 13, 2020, Figueroa arranged via a social media application to sell crack cocaine and a firearm to an individual the following day. On February 14, 2020, Figueroa sold a person just over five grams of crack cocaine for $265 and arranged to sell that person a firearm. Later that day, Figueroa obtained a .22 caliber long rifle pistol from an unidentified male and transferred it in exchange for $300 to the person to whom he had sold crack cocaine. A month later, Figueroa sold the same person more than seven grams of crack cocaine, again making the arrangements through a social media application.
According to court documents, at the time Figueroa transferred the firearm to another individual he was serving a five-year suspended state sentence for possession with the intent to deliver cocaine.
At sentencing in federal court in November, Figueroa faces statutory penalties of up to a total of 50 years in federal prison.
Joel Figueroa’s guilty plea is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
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Portland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Arson During Protest at Multnomah County Justice CenterRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today for committing arson at the Multnomah County Justice Center during a protest in May 2020.
Edward Thomas Schinzing, 33, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
“Edward Schinzing’s destructive action put Multnomah County employees and inmates in danger. The perceived anonymity of a crowd will not protect rioters who commit violent crimes under the guise of peaceful protest. Federal law enforcement will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute crimes committed during local riots,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
“Actions such as those Mr. Schinzing took go far beyond one’s right to protest and endangered the lives of those working at and housed in the Justice Center. This sentence is well deserved. ATF has investigated, and will continue to vigorously investigate, violent criminal acts such as these,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson.
“The night of the arson, there were hundreds of people in the Justice Center, including almost 300 inmates. Edward Schinzing deserves to be held accountable for his choices that night—choices grounded in a complete disregard for the lives of others,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
According to court documents, on May 29, 2020, Schinzing marched with a group of protesters to the Multnomah County Justice Center. When the group arrived, several people broke windows and entered the building. Three civilian Multnomah County employees were working inside the Corrections Records Officer when the windows were broken and quickly fled for safety.
Schinzing was among those who entered the building. Some in the group spray-painted portions of the office; damaged computers and other office equipment, furniture, and interior windows; and started fires. Schinzing, who was identified on surveillance cameras by a distinctive tattoo of his last name across his upper back, spread a fire started near the front of the office by igniting papers and moving them into the drawer of another cubicle.
A few minutes later, the building’s sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the fire, and law enforcement officers secured the building. At the time of the fire, the Multnomah County Detention Center, located in the Justice Center complex, housed approximately 289 inmates.
On August 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Schinzing with arson. On September 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to the single charge.
As part of his plea agreement, Schinzing has agreed to pay restitution to Multnomah County as determined by the government and ordered by the court. A final order of restitution will be issued by the court within 90 days.
Acting U.S. Attorney Asphaug, ATF Special Agent in Charge McPherson, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Ramsey made the announcement.
This case was investigated by ATF and the FBI. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Pocatello Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Jeffrey A. McKie, 41, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release, for possessing sexually explicit images of minors, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. McKie was also ordered to pay $19,000 in restitution to victims of the offense. McKie was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye. McKie pleaded guilty on March 11, 2021.
According to court records, McKie admitted that on October 19, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a search warrant at his residence. McKie was suspected of possessing child pornography after the Pocatello Police Department received a tip from his neighbor. In an interview, McKie confessed to looking at child pornography frequently. In total, on McKie’s electronic devices, over 7,000 images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found. McKie admitted in court that he possessed the child pornography.
At sentencing, Judge Nye also ordered McKie to forfeit the devices used in the commission of the offense. As a result of his conviction, McKie will be required to register as a sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of HSI, the Idaho ICAC Task Force, and the Pocatello Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Pharmacy Operators, Patient Recruiter Charged in a Nearly $800,000 Illegal Opioid Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DETROIT - An indictment was unsealed today charging two patient recruiters and the owner and operators of a pharmacy with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs, and other opioid-related charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin announced today.
Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office.
Charged in the indictment are:
Dangelo Terrell Stephens, 38, of Detroit;
Latasha Maria Neely, 38, of Detroit;
Hassan Samir Saad, 33, of Dearborn; and
Ali Hussein Keblawi, 26, of Dearborn.
The indictment alleges that from June 2020 through July 2021, Stephens and Neely worked as patient recruiters/marketers, who would bring “patients” or patient information to area doctors and clinics. Those doctors and clinics, which include the owner, operators, and physician at Tranquility Wellness Center, who have been indicted in a companion case, would write or cause the writing of controlled substance prescriptions in the “patient” names, without medical necessity and outside the scope of professional medical practice, in exchange for cash payments.
As part of the conspiracy, Stephens and Neely needed the cooperation of area pharmacies, including their owners and employees. Saad was a licensed pharmacy technician who worked at and owned Heritage Medical Pharmacy, LLC, in Redford, Michigan. Keblawi was an employee at Heritage. In exchange for cash, Saad and Keblawi filled the unlawful prescriptions obtained by Stephens and dispensed, or caused the dispensing, of controlled substances to Stephens, and not to the patients to which they were prescribed. And Saad and Keblawi knew that the prescriptions were illegitimate, and, by dispensing the controlled substances, they failed to exercise their corresponding professional responsibility to determine that the prescriptions were issued for a legitimate medical purpose. Stephens and Neely then sold the controlled substances on the street.
The primary prescription drug-controlled substances illegally prescribed, filled at pharmacies, and distributed included Schedule II controlled substances Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen (Percocet). These drugs were in high demand on the illegal street market, particularly Oxycodone 30mg and Oxymorphone 40mg.
Stephens is also charged with three counts of distributing Oxycodone pills, and Stephens, Saad, and Keblawi are charged with one count of distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of Oxycodone pills.
According to the indictment, Stephens and Neely unlawfully distributed a combined total of more than 28,000 dosage units of Schedule II opioid prescriptions during the conspiracy. These controlled substances had a conservative street value more than $775,000.
Also, during the conspiracy, Saad and Keblawi unlawfully dispensed a combined total of more than 5,500 dosage units of Schedule II controlled substances, carrying a conservative estimated wholesale street value of more than $150,000.
While most of the unlawful controlled substance prescriptions were paid for in cash, both controlled and non-controlled “maintenance” medications were billed to health care benefit programs by pharmacies. Billings to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for medically unnecessary prescription drug medications and maintenance medications during this conspiracy exceeded $200,000
“The road to addiction often begins with prescription drugs, “said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “It is for this reason we are focusing our efforts on removing individuals who contribute to the devastating opioid crisis in this country,”
“The FBI is focused on stemming the supply of illegal opioids into our communities, especially those illegally distributed by doctors and clinics,” said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “While we continue to work with our partners to combat this crisis that devastates communities, we ask for the public’s help by reporting any information related to the illegal sale and distribution of opioids.”
“The investigation into the unlawful prescribing and distribution of medically unnecessary controlled and/or non-controlled substances remains a priority of the OIG,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “The opioid epidemic is only exacerbated by those who seek profit over the health and safety of their patients. The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify instances where providers engage in the illegal distribution of opioids and waste vital taxpayer dollars.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Lievense and Alison Furtaw. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of the twelve districts included in the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals that are contributing to the nation’s opioid crisis.
The case was investigated by special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
O Departamento de Justiça entra num acordo com as escolas públicas de Newark para proteger os estudantes de inglêsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Hoje, o Departamento de Justiça anunciou um acordo com as Escolas Públicas de Newark para resolver a investigação do departamento sobre os programas do distrito escolar para seus alunos aprendizes de inglês. O acordo põe fim à longa e comum prática do distrito de remover os alunos dos programas para alunos de inglês antes que eles se tornem fluentes em inglês. O distrito concordou em melhorar os serviços para os estudantes de inglês a fim de eles poderem ter acesso às mesmas oportunidades educacionais que outros estudantes nas Escolas Públicas de Newark.
A investigação de vários anos do departamento descobriu falhas abrangentes no atendimento adequado de alunos que aprendem inglês. O departamento descobriu que o distrito não contratou professores qualificados suficientes para apoiar o seu programa e, também os reteve, resultando em tempo limitado de instrução para alguns alunos e, para outros, nenhum serviço de idiomas. A Divisão de Direitos Civis e a Procuradoria Geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey investigaram-no nos termos da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974.
"Os distritos escolares devem fornecer serviços eficazes para que todos os estudantes possam criar o seu próprio sonho americano", disse a Procuradora-Geral Adjunta Kristen Clarke, da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça. "Continuaremos lutando para garantir o cumprimento de nossas leis federais de direitos civis enquanto defendemos o direito de cada estudante a oportunidades educacionais igualitárias em todo o nosso país". As exigências globais deste acordo criarão uma mudança duradoura e oferecerão acesso à educação a milhares de estudantes de inglês em Newark".
"O nosso escritório apóia firmemente os direitos civis de todos os estudantes, incluindo os que aprendem inglês", disse a Procuradora Geral Federal em exercício Rachael A. Honig para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. "Estamos felizes de que o Conselho de Educação de Newark tenha concordado em abraçar plenamente a sua obrigação de atender às necessidades linguísticas de seus alunos de inglês e resolver as graves violações da lei federal reveladas durante esta investigação. Continuaremos a responsabilizar os distritos escolares e outras agências educacionais para que todos os estudantes de Nova Jersey tenham igual acesso às oportunidades educacionais".
O Departamento de Justiça monitorará a implementação do acordo por, pelo menos, três anos letivos completos até que o distrito tenha cumprido plenamente as suas obrigações.
Observação: Uma cópia completa do acordo de solução pode ser vista aqui em inglês.
Este comunicado de imprensa também está disponível em espanhol, português, crioulo haitiano e francês.
A aplicação da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974 é uma prioridade máxima da Divisão de Direitos Civis e da Procuradoria-Geral dos Estados Unidos para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. Informações adicionais sobre a Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça estão disponíveis em seu site: www.justice.gov/crt e informações adicionais sobre o trabalho da Seção de Oportunidades Educacionais estão disponíveis em https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Membros do público podem relatar possíveis violações de direitos civis em https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou com a Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey em http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou podem ligar para a Linha Direta da Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA: (855) 281-3339.
O Departamento de Justiça entra num acordo com as escolas públicas de Newark para proteger os estudantes de inglêsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Hoje, o Departamento de Justiça anunciou um acordo com as Escolas Públicas de Newark para resolver a investigação do departamento sobre os programas do distrito escolar para seus alunos aprendizes de inglês. O acordo põe fim à longa e comum prática do distrito de remover os alunos dos programas para alunos de inglês antes que eles se tornem fluentes em inglês. O distrito concordou em melhorar os serviços para os estudantes de inglês a fim de eles poderem ter acesso às mesmas oportunidades educacionais que outros estudantes nas Escolas Públicas de Newark.
A investigação de vários anos do departamento descobriu falhas abrangentes no atendimento adequado de alunos que aprendem inglês. O departamento descobriu que o distrito não contratou professores qualificados suficientes para apoiar o seu programa e, também os reteve, resultando em tempo limitado de instrução para alguns alunos e, para outros, nenhum serviço de idiomas. A Divisão de Direitos Civis e a Procuradoria Geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey investigaram-no nos termos da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974.
"Os distritos escolares devem fornecer serviços eficazes para que todos os estudantes possam criar o seu próprio sonho americano", disse a Procuradora-Geral Adjunta Kristen Clarke, da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça. "Continuaremos lutando para garantir o cumprimento de nossas leis federais de direitos civis enquanto defendemos o direito de cada estudante a oportunidades educacionais igualitárias em todo o nosso país". As exigências globais deste acordo criarão uma mudança duradoura e oferecerão acesso à educação a milhares de estudantes de inglês em Newark".
"O nosso escritório apóia firmemente os direitos civis de todos os estudantes, incluindo os que aprendem inglês", disse a Procuradora Geral Federal em exercício Rachael A. Honig para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. "Estamos felizes de que o Conselho de Educação de Newark tenha concordado em abraçar plenamente a sua obrigação de atender às necessidades linguísticas de seus alunos de inglês e resolver as graves violações da lei federal reveladas durante esta investigação. Continuaremos a responsabilizar os distritos escolares e outras agências educacionais para que todos os estudantes de Nova Jersey tenham igual acesso às oportunidades educacionais".
O Departamento de Justiça monitorará a implementação do acordo por, pelo menos, três anos letivos completos até que o distrito tenha cumprido plenamente as suas obrigações.
Observação: Uma cópia completa do acordo de solução pode ser vista aqui em inglês.
Este comunicado de imprensa também está disponível em espanhol, português, crioulo haitiano e francês.
A aplicação da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974 é uma prioridade máxima da Divisão de Direitos Civis e da Procuradoria-Geral dos Estados Unidos para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. Informações adicionais sobre a Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça estão disponíveis em seu site: www.justice.gov/crt e informações adicionais sobre o trabalho da Seção de Oportunidades Educacionais estão disponíveis em https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Membros do público podem relatar possíveis violações de direitos civis em https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou com a Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey em http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou podem ligar para a Linha Direta da Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA: (855) 281-3339.
North Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Kidnapping and Sexually Exploiting A MinorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years and four months in prison for kidnapping a girl in Arizona and repeatedly sexually assaulting her at his house in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage.
“The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the serious nature of the defendant’s crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Our office is grateful to the victim in this case for exemplifying strength and courage, and we’re thankful for the FBI’s and North Las Vegas Police Department’s hard work, which helped ensure the defendant’s conviction.”
“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to ensure this defendant was brought to justice and will no longer be able to harm children again,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI. “Knowing that the defendant will serve the next 16 years in federal prison, ensures there is one less predator victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community. Our community is a lot safer because of today’s sentencing.”
According to court documents, Jimmy Carter Kim, 32, met and communicated with a 14-year-old girl through a social media application. Sometime between November 2 and 3, 2015, he and the victim met in person in Bullhead City, Arizona. Kim kidnapped the girl and drove them to his residence in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage in a locked room for one month. He repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, and took photos and videos of the assaults. On December 3, 2015, the victim escaped and called the police. Kim was arrested the same day.
Kim pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Kim to 36 years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Chiou and Special Agent in Charge Rouse made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance by the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals, federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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New York Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jaquan Jeremiah Wright, 22, of New York, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for a federal gun crime. Wright previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, officers with the Charleston Police Department stopped Wright’s vehicle on July 28, 2020. During the traffic stop, the officers found a Polymer80 PFC9, 9mm pistol in Wright’s car between the console and passenger seat. At that time, Wright was subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order that was entered in the Jamestown City Court, County of Chautauqua, New York.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the U.S. Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled 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.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00039.
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Native Mob Gang Members Sentenced to Prison for Assault in Aid of Racketeering, Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Three Native Mob gang members have been sentenced to prison for methamphetamine distribution and assault.
According to court documents, Robin Lee Lussier, a/k/a Ratchet, 32, Willard Duane Reed, III, a/k/a Left, a/k/a Leftfield, 26, and Joshua Adam Hanks, a/k/a Souless, 25, were active members of the Native Mob gang, a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engage in and have engaged in acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and assault. Between December 1, 2015 and January 1, 2019, Lussier and Reed conspired with each other and others to traffic pound-quantities of methamphetamine throughout northern Minnesota, including but not limited to Cass Lake, Bemidji, and the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
According to court documents, in November 2018, after receiving information about another fellow gang member’s failure to abide by the rules of the Native Mob, Lussier directed Hanks to carry out an assault against the individual. Hanks admitted that on December 5, 2018, he intentionally assaulted the individual, in part, to maintain or increase his own position within the Native Mob.
Lussier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Reed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Hanks pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk for the District of Minnesota made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced the defendant.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Red Lake Tribal Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott.
Mexican national stopped at border sentenced for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Luis Felipe Salazar-Sanchez pleaded guilty May 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. The court considered statements from seven victims describing the trauma they have endured. In handing down the prison term, Judge Olvera additionally ordered Salazar-Sanchez to pay $9,000 in restitution which will be divided equally amongst victims who requested restitution.
The investigation revealed Salazar-Sanchez had been purchasing child pornography. On Oct. 20, 2019, authorities suspected he was going to attempt to enter the United States from Mexico.
As he approached the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville, law enforcement identified him and referred him to secondary inspection. There, they conducted a search of his cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of nearly 600 images and videos of child pornography including numerous images depicting prepubescent minors and sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Salazar-Sanchez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Maryland Man Previously Charged in Washington, D.C. for His Alleged Participation in the Capitol Riot Now Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Elias Nick Costianes, Jr., age 43, of Nottingham, Maryland, for the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and for possession of firearms and ammunition by an unlawful user of any controlled substance. The criminal complaint was filed on August 23, 2021, and unsealed today upon Costianes’s arrest. Costianes had an initial appearance scheduled today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson. Costianes was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
The criminal complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 8, 2021, the FBI received an online tip reporting that Costianes had used a mobile social media application to broadcast videos of his participation in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Based on the video evidence, in addition to other information developed during the investigation, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an arrest warrant for Costianes pursuant to a criminal complaint alleging various offenses relating to his participation in the Capitol riot. As part of the investigation, search warrants authorizing the FBI to search Costianes’s residence, vehicle, and the cellphone believed to have been used by Costianes during the riot, were executed on February 12, 2021. Costianes was at home on a couch in the living room, was taken into custody, and transported to U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. for his initial appearance on the criminal complaint.
The affidavit alleges that during the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement recovered Costianes’s cellphone, which was located within arms’ reach of Costianes, and four firearms: a 9mm pistol; a M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle; a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle; and a shotgun. The 9mm pistol and M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle were registered to Costianes, but the other two firearms were not. Officers also found 9mm, .22-caliber, .223 caliber, and shotgun ammunition, and recovered three vials of testosterone enanthate and one vial of testosterone cypionate, both controlled substances. In the cushions of the living room couch where Costianes had been observed during the search warrant execution, officers found a used hypodermic needle. Hypodermic needles are often used to inject testosterone into muscle by illegal users of synthetic testosterone. In Costianes’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered 28 grams of marijuana in a mason jar and a silver digital scale with trace amounts of marijuana on its surface. All of the evidence was transported to the FBI, which subsequently conducted a forensic review of the phone.
Although the search warrant for Costianes’s cellphone authorized the search of the entire phone, based on the recovery of the firearms and controlled substances found at the residence, as well as photographs of firearms and controlled substances found during the forensic review, a separate search warrant was obtained authorizing the seizure of evidence relating to firearms, ammunition, or controlled substances. A search warrant was also obtained for Costianes’s online storage account.
According to the affidavit, Costianes’s phone allegedly contained screen captures of text message conversations between Costianes and other individuals containing slang terms for quantities and types of cocaine and other references to weights of controlled substances, including “Eights,” which refers to an eighth of an ounce, usually of cocaine, and “QP’s,” which refers to quarter pounds, usually in the context of marijuana. As detailed in the affidavit, these weights were referenced in conversations in which dollar amounts were also mentioned, allegedly reflecting discussions concerning controlled substance transactions.
The online storage account allegedly contained approximately 300 messages beginning in January 2019 with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of marijuana and more than 450 messages beginning in March 2020 with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of cocaine. Recovered text messages reflect that Costianes allegedly continued using cocaine through February 2021. According to the affidavit, the storage account also contained more than 350 messages with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of testosterone beginning as early as February 2020 and continuing through February 2021.
As detailed in the affidavit, the electronic evidence, including photographs and text message conversations, revealed that Costianes also conspired to traffic cocaine and testosterone by acquiring controlled substances from his suppliers to distribute to friends and associates. For example, in a text message conversation from October 30 to November 1, 2020, Costianes allegedly agreed to obtain four half-gram bags of cocaine from Costianes’s supplier on behalf of cellphone contact “S.C.” In addition, the data allegedly showed that Costianes was facilitating the distribution of testosterone from his testosterone supplier to a cellphone contact “D.M.” For example, in text messages between May 10 and May 15, 2020, Costianes allegedly arranged to buy three 10-ml bottles of testosterone from his supplier on behalf of D.M.
If convicted, Costianes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey J. Izant, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Martinsburg man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kasem Damone Humphrey, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Humphrey, 37, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Humphrey admitted to distributing heroin in October 2017 in Jefferson County.
Humphrey faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of British National for Participation in Online Film and TV Piracy GroupRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GEORGE BRIDI, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was extradited to the United States from Cyprus on August 31, 2021. BRIDI was extradited on charges of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, wire fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, for his involvement in the Sparks Group, an international piracy group that illegally distributed movies and television shows on the Internet.
BRIDI was arrested on August 23, 2020, in Paphos, Cyprus. BRIDI will be presented and arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. Codefendant Jonatan Correa, a/k/a “Raid,” previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and was sentenced on May 19, 2021, to three years and three months of supervised release, with the first three months to be served in community confinement. Codefendant Umar Ahmad, a citizen of Norway, remains at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, George Bridi was a member of an international video piracy ring that circumvented copyright protections on nearly every movie released by major production studios, as well as television shows, and distributed them worldwide on the Internet. Thanks to the assistance of our law enforcement partners, the piracy ring has been busted and Bridi is now in U.S. custody.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictments[[1]]:
Between 2011 and the present, Umar Ahmad, a/k/a “Artist,” GEORGE BRIDI, Jonatan Correa, a/k/a “Raid,” and others known and unknown were members of the Sparks Group, a criminal organization that disseminated on the Internet movies and television shows prior to their retail release date, including nearly every movie released by major production studios, after compromising the content’s copyright protections.
In furtherance of its scheme, the Sparks Group fraudulently obtained copyrighted DVDs and Blu-Ray discs from wholesale distributors in advance of their retail release date by, among other things, making various misrepresentations to the wholesale distributors concerning the reasons that they were obtaining the discs prior to the retail release date.
Sparks Group members then used computers with specialized software to compromise the copyright protections on the discs, a process referred to as “cracking” or “ripping,” and to reproduce and encode the content in a format that could be easily copied and disseminated over the Internet. They thereafter uploaded copies of the copyrighted content onto servers controlled by the Sparks Group, where other members further reproduced and disseminated the content on streaming websites, peer-to-peer networks, torrent networks, and other servers accessible to public. The Sparks Group identified its reproductions by encoding the filenames of reproduced copyrighted content with distinctive tags, and also uploaded photographs of the discs in their original packaging to demonstrate that the reproduced content originated from authentic DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.
Ahmad and BRIDI arranged for discs to be picked up, mailed, or delivered from distributors located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey to other members of the Sparks Group, including Correa, prior to their official release date. Ahmad, BRIDI, and Correa then reproduced, and aided and abetted the reproduction of, these discs by using computer software that circumvented copyright protections on the discs and reproducing the copyrighted content for further distribution on the Internet.
The Sparks Group has caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to film production studios.
On August 26, 2020, in coordination with law enforcement authorities in 17 countries and supported by Eurojust and Europol, dozens of servers controlled by the Sparks Group were taken offline around the world, including in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Sparks Group utilized these servers to store and disseminate copyrighted content illegally to members around the globe.
* * *
BRIDI, 50, is charged with copyright infringement conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. She also thanked Europol and Eurojust as well as law enforcement authorities in the following countries for their assistance in the investigation: Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, Mollie Bracewell, and Christy Slavik are in charge of the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant and ongoing assistance with facilitating the execution of dozens of mutual legal assistance requests in 18 different countries necessary for taking down servers and gathering evidence. OIA also provided critical support in working with Eurojust and Europol in planning the coordinated operation in August 2020 and provided critical assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Cyprus.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and BRIDI and Ahmad are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Dealing Shotguns and Other Firearms in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a man to more than six years in prison for unlawfully dealing shotguns and other firearms in Chicago.
PARIS STEELE illegally sold five firearms in Chicago in 2016 and 2017 to an individual who, unbeknownst to Steele, was cooperating with law enforcement. The firearms included two shotguns, two handguns, and a rifle. The serial number on one of the handguns had been obliterated to prevent tracing by law enforcement. In addition to the unlawful gun deals, Steele also sold to the cooperating individual more than 30 grams of crack cocaine.
In 2017, while Steele was on bond and awaiting trial in this case, he appeared in videos on social media holding a firearm and threatening violence against others.
Steele, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to federal firearm and drug charges. U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman on Tuesday sentenced Steele to six years and eight months in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher V. Parente represented the government.
Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Knowingly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material Through Dark Web SitesRead the Press Release
An Illinois man was sentenced today in the Southern District of Illinois to 151 months, or 12 and a half years, in prison for knowingly receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet.
According to court documents and statements made in connection with the sentencing, Kory R. Schulein, 37, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving child pornography over the internet. According to court documents, Schulein first came to the attention to law enforcement in 2018 during an FBI investigation of child pornography on the dark web. Agents were able to track his internet protocol address and executed a federal search warrant at his home. Schulein served as a moderator of a dark web site dedicated to child exploitation and had been an active participant on other sites. Schulein had posted 13,733 messages, many of which included links to child exploitation images and videos. Schulein also collected and stored over 9,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on an encrypted hard driveThe FBI’s Springfield Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Lowell Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing A Firearm as A FelonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Roger Casillas, 29, of Lowell, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 92 months of imprisonment following his guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
According to documents filed in the case, in March and April of 2016, in Hammond, Indiana, Roger Casillas sold three firearms, a laser sight, and multiple firearm magazines including a twenty-round magazine to a confidential informant and undercover law enforcement officer. One of the firearms had an obliterated serial number. At the time of the offense, Casillas had three prior felony convictions for theft, and he was on pretrial release for a felony intimidation charge for which he was subsequently convicted.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.
Local woman convicted of narcotics conspiracyRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Laredo woman has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Between March 1 and April 1, 2019, in Laredo, Karla Yvonne Lozano conspired with others to deliver cocaine totaling approximately 21 kilograms.
On March 1, 2019, Lozano delivered 10 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 10.55 kilograms at a parking lot near Kohl’s in Laredo. The following month, she again delivered more bundles of cocaine then at a local Wal-Mart. The second set weighed approximately 11.25 kilograms.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 7. At that time, Lozano faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Local man sentenced for possession of $5 million in methRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 21-year-old Penitas man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 150 pounds of pure meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Kevin Rangel-Sanchez pleaded guilty April 1.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered him to serve a 90-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Tipton noted Rangel-Sanchez’s youth and lack of criminal history, while noting the need for a significant prison sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense.
On Nov. 30, 2020, Rangel-Sanchez drove a truck into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located near Falfurrias. Authorities noticed that he appeared to be nervous and referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area for an X-ray examination.
There, they observed anomalies in the vehicle’s tires and cut into them. That resulted in the discovery of steel boxes that had been welded around the rims inside the tires. Those boxes were found to contain 24 foil-wrapped packages of meth weighing a total of 71 kilograms.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $5.2 million.
Rangel-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. prosecuted the case.
Le Ministère de la Justice s'arrange avec les Écoles Publiques de Newark pour protéger les élèves apprenant l'anglaisRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Le Ministère de la Justice a annoncé aujourd'hui un accord avec les écoles publiques de Newark pour mettre fin à l'enquête du ministère sur les programmes du district scolaire pour ses élèves apprenant l'anglais. L'accord met fin à la pratique courante et de longue date du District consistant à retirer les élèves des programmes d'apprentissage de l'anglais avant qu'ils parlent couramment cette langue. Le District a accepté d'améliorer les services pour les élèves apprenant l'anglais afin qu'ils puissent accéder aux mêmes opportunités éducatives que les autres élèves des écoles publiques de Newark.
L'enquête pluriannuelle du Ministère a mis en évidence des manquements de grande ampleur en matière de services aux élèves apprenant l'anglais. Le Ministère a découvert que le District n'a pas réussi à embaucher et à retenir suffisamment d'enseignants qualifiés pour soutenir son programme, ce qui a eu pour conséquence un temps d'instruction limité pour certains élèves, et pour d'autres, aucun service linguistique du tout. La Division des Droits Civils et le Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey ont enquêté en vertu de la Loi de 1974 sur l'Égalité des Chances en Matière d'Éducation.
"Les districts scolaires doivent fournir des services efficaces aux apprenants l’anglais afin que tous les élèves puissent créer leur propre rêve américain", a déclaré Kristen Clarke, procureuse générale adjointe de la Division des Droits Civils du Ministère de la Justice. "Nous continuerons à lutter pour assurer le respect de nos lois fédérales sur les droits civils, tout en défendant le droit de chaque élève à l'égalité des chances en matière d'éducation dans tout le pays. Les exigences complètes de cet accord créeront un changement durable et donneront accès à l'éducation à des milliers d'élèves apprenant l'anglais à Newark."
"Notre bureau soutient fermement les droits civils de tous les étudiants, y compris les apprenants d’anglais," a déclaré Rachael A. Honig, procureuse fédérale par intérim pour le District du New Jersey. "Nous sommes heureux que le Conseil de Éducation de Newark ait accepté d'assumer pleinement son obligation de répondre aux besoins linguistiques de ses apprenants d’anglais et de résoudre les graves violations de la loi fédérale découvertes au cours de cette enquête. Nous continuerons à demander des comptes aux districts scolaires et aux autres agences d'éducation afin que tous les élèves du New Jersey bénéficient d'un accès égal aux opportunités éducatives."
Le Ministère de la Justice surveillera la mise en œuvre de l'accord par le district pendant au moins trois années scolaires complètes, jusqu'à ce que le district se soit entièrement conformé à ses obligations.
Note : Une copie complète de l'accord peut être consultée ici en anglais.
Ce communiqué de presse est également disponible en espagnol, portugais, créole haïtien et français.
L'application de la loi sur l'égalité des chances en matière d'éducation de 1974 est une priorité absolue de la Division des Droits Civils et du Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey. Des informations supplémentaires sur la Division des Droits Civils du Ministère de la Justice sont disponibles sur son site web à l'adresse http://www.justice.gov/crt, et des informations supplémentaires sur le travail de la section des opportunités éducatives sont disponibles à l'adresse https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Les membres du public peuvent signaler d'éventuelles violations des droits civils à l'adresse https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou au Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey à l'adresse http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou encore appeler la ligne d'assistance téléphonique pour les droits civils du Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis au (855) 281-3339.
Le Ministère de la Justice s'arrange avec les Écoles Publiques de Newark pour protéger les élèves apprenant l'anglaisRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Le Ministère de la Justice a annoncé aujourd'hui un accord avec les écoles publiques de Newark pour mettre fin à l'enquête du ministère sur les programmes du district scolaire pour ses élèves apprenant l'anglais. L'accord met fin à la pratique courante et de longue date du District consistant à retirer les élèves des programmes d'apprentissage de l'anglais avant qu'ils parlent couramment cette langue. Le District a accepté d'améliorer les services pour les élèves apprenant l'anglais afin qu'ils puissent accéder aux mêmes opportunités éducatives que les autres élèves des écoles publiques de Newark.
L'enquête pluriannuelle du Ministère a mis en évidence des manquements de grande ampleur en matière de services aux élèves apprenant l'anglais. Le Ministère a découvert que le District n'a pas réussi à embaucher et à retenir suffisamment d'enseignants qualifiés pour soutenir son programme, ce qui a eu pour conséquence un temps d'instruction limité pour certains élèves, et pour d'autres, aucun service linguistique du tout. La Division des Droits Civils et le Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey ont enquêté en vertu de la Loi de 1974 sur l'Égalité des Chances en Matière d'Éducation.
"Les districts scolaires doivent fournir des services efficaces aux apprenants l’anglais afin que tous les élèves puissent créer leur propre rêve américain", a déclaré Kristen Clarke, procureuse générale adjointe de la Division des Droits Civils du Ministère de la Justice. "Nous continuerons à lutter pour assurer le respect de nos lois fédérales sur les droits civils, tout en défendant le droit de chaque élève à l'égalité des chances en matière d'éducation dans tout le pays. Les exigences complètes de cet accord créeront un changement durable et donneront accès à l'éducation à des milliers d'élèves apprenant l'anglais à Newark."
"Notre bureau soutient fermement les droits civils de tous les étudiants, y compris les apprenants d’anglais," a déclaré Rachael A. Honig, procureuse fédérale par intérim pour le District du New Jersey. "Nous sommes heureux que le Conseil de Éducation de Newark ait accepté d'assumer pleinement son obligation de répondre aux besoins linguistiques de ses apprenants d’anglais et de résoudre les graves violations de la loi fédérale découvertes au cours de cette enquête. Nous continuerons à demander des comptes aux districts scolaires et aux autres agences d'éducation afin que tous les élèves du New Jersey bénéficient d'un accès égal aux opportunités éducatives."
Le Ministère de la Justice surveillera la mise en œuvre de l'accord par le district pendant au moins trois années scolaires complètes, jusqu'à ce que le district se soit entièrement conformé à ses obligations.
Note : Une copie complète de l'accord peut être consultée ici en anglais.
Ce communiqué de presse est également disponible en espagnol, portugais, créole haïtien et français.
L'application de la loi sur l'égalité des chances en matière d'éducation de 1974 est une priorité absolue de la Division des Droits Civils et du Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey. Des informations supplémentaires sur la Division des Droits Civils du Ministère de la Justice sont disponibles sur son site web à l'adresse http://www.justice.gov/crt, et des informations supplémentaires sur le travail de la section des opportunités éducatives sont disponibles à l'adresse https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Les membres du public peuvent signaler d'éventuelles violations des droits civils à l'adresse https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou au Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis pour le District du New Jersey à l'adresse http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou encore appeler la ligne d'assistance téléphonique pour les droits civils du Bureau du Procureur des États-Unis au (855) 281-3339.
Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Jose Martinez, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Sterns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2022.
Martinez was arrested in June 2019 after a search of his residence revealed a loaded Kel Tec .566 semi-automatic rifle caliber pistol, a Glock 26 handgun, as well as additional ammunition, a bullet proof vest, an attachment for a firearm and gun oil. In addition, law enforcement found two large plastic bags containing empty capsules, a tray to fill pill capsules, several wet plastic bags in the trash can that contained a white residue, a bottle of lactose and several plastic bags, a digital scale, a money counter, a large quantity of cash and multiple cellphones.
Martinez was charged as part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “Operation Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. The Massachusetts State Police and the Lawrence Police Department assisted in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Laredo residents admit to weapons violationsRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two men who resided in Laredo, one illegally, have entered guilty pleas to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Hector Fernando Rodriguez-Neri, 20, is a Mexican citizen unlawfully in the United States. Gaona, 26, is a convicted felon. As such, they are both prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.
However, on March 31, Rodriguez-Neri and Gaona were in possession of a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition which they sold to undercover authorities for $1,300. Rodriguez-Neri also admitted to selling two machine guns, one of which had an obliterated serial number on April 27 and May 7 for a total of $5,600.
Both pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. Rodriguez-Neri also admitted to five additional counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of transferring a machine gun and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has set sentencing for Dec. 7. At that time, Both men face up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Rodriguez-Neri’s other convictions carry the same penalties, but he also faces up to five years for the possession count involving an obliterated serial number.
They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Laboratory Owner Pleads Guilty to $73 Million Medicare Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
A Florida man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Southern District of Florida for his role in a $73 million conspiracy to defraud Medicare by paying kickbacks to a telemedicine company to arrange for doctors to authorize medically unnecessary genetic testing. The scheme exploited temporary amendments to telehealth restrictions enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic that were intended to ensure access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
According to court documents, Leonel Palatnik, 42, of Aventura, admitted that, as a co-owner of Panda Conservation Group LLC, he conspired with other co-owners, and with Michael Stein, the owner of 1523 Holdings LLC, to pay kickbacks to Stein in exchange for his work arranging for telemedicine providers to authorize genetic testing orders for Panda’s laboratories. Panda’s owners and Stein entered into a sham contract for purported IT and consultation services to disguise the true purpose of these payments. 1523 Holdings then exploited temporary amendments to telehealth restrictions enacted during the pandemic by offering telehealth providers access to Medicare beneficiaries for whom they could bill consultations. In exchange, these providers agreed to refer beneficiaries to Panda’s laboratories for expensive and medically unnecessary cancer and cardiovascular genetic testing.
Palatnik pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer kickbacks and one count of paying a kickback. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 9 and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI’s Miami and Dallas Field Offices and HHS-OIG are investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI’s Healthcare Rapid Response Team.
Trial Attorney Ligia Markman of the National Rapid Response Strike Force is prosecuting the case.
The case against Palatnik was brought as part of the COVID-19 Health Care Fraud coordinated law enforcement action on May 26 against 14 defendants in seven judicial districts. The law enforcement action was brought in coordination with the Health Care Fraud Unit’s COVID-19 Interagency Working Group, which is chaired by the National Rapid Response Strike Force and organizes efforts to address illegal activity involving health care programs during the pandemic.
On May 17, 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.
The Fraud Section leads the Health Care Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,600 defendants who have collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers for approximately $23 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
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.
Justice Department Sues Guam and the Guam Retirement Fund for Denying Servicemembers Proper Pension Credits During Military ServiceRead the Press Release
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-guam-and-guam-retirement-fund-denying-servicemembers-proper-pension
Justice Department Sues Guam and the Guam Retirement Fund for Denying Servicemembers Proper Pension Credits During Military ServiceRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed suit against the Territory of Guam and the Guam Retirement Fund (GRF) alleging defendants violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) when they refused to properly provide pension credit to servicemembers who used leave from Guam’s leave-sharing program while on active military duty. As a result, Guam and the GRF shorted the retirement benefits and pension annuities of at least five servicemembers and potentially many more.
USERRA is a federal statute that protects the civilian employment rights of the non-career individuals who serve in our armed forces. Among its protections, USERRA requires employers to treat an employee’s time in military service as service with the employer when determining pension benefits. The United States’ complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Guam contends Guam and its retirement fund failed to do that when they denied pension credit to servicemembers who used donated leave from Guam’s employee leave bank while on military duty.
“This complaint reinforces that the Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the protections provided by federal law to those who serve in our country’s armed forces at great personal cost,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “We owe a solemn duty to our servicemembers to act when any employer seeks to infringe on their hard-earned protections.”
“These servicemembers were called to active duty and they served honorably,” said U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “Their many sacrifices should not include the loss of their civilian retirement benefits. Our office will continue to work hard to protect the employment rights of those who have served to protect all of us.”
The United States’ lawsuit asks the court to order defendants to stop denying servicemembers proper pension credit, identify all current and former employers who have been harmed by defendants’ discriminatory practice and properly credit those employees’ retirement funds or adjust their current pension benefits.
Trial Attorneys Joseph J. Sperber and Vendarryl Jenkins of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikel Schwab of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam are prosecuting the case.
The full and fair enforcement of USERRA is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the jurisdiction of the Employment Litigation Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/ and https://www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section.
Justice Department Settles with Newark Public Schools to Protect English Learner StudentsRead the Press Release
Today the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with Newark Public Schools to resolve the department’s investigation into the school district’s programs for its English learner students. The agreement ends the district’s longstanding and common practice of removing students from English learner programs before they become fluent in English. The district has agreed to improve services for English learner students so they can access the same educational opportunities as other students in the Newark Public Schools.
The department’s multi-year investigation uncovered wide-ranging failures to properly serve students learning English. The department found that the district failed to hire and retain enough qualified teachers to support its program, resulting in limited instruction time for some students, and for others, no language services at all. The Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey investigated under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
“School districts must provide effective English learner services so that all students can create an American dream of their own,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue fighting to ensure compliance with our federal civil rights laws as we stand up for every student’s right to equal educational opportunities across our country. The comprehensive requirements in this settlement agreement will create lasting change and provide access to education for thousands of English learner students in Newark.”
“Our office steadfastly supports the civil rights of all students, including English learners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig for the District of New Jersey. “We are pleased that the Newark Board of Education has agreed to fully embrace its obligation to meet the language needs of its English learners and resolve the serious violations of federal law uncovered during this investigation. We will continue to hold school districts and other education agencies accountable so that all students in New Jersey have equal access to educational opportunities.”
The Justice Department will monitor the district’s implementation of the settlement agreement for at least three full school years until the district has fully complied with its obligations.
The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division and of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or may call the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339.
View the Spanish translation of this press release here.
Justice Department Settles with Newark Public Schools to Protect English Learner StudentsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Newark Public Schools to resolve the department’s investigation into the school district’s programs for its English learner students, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael A. Honig and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today.
The agreement ends the district’s longstanding and common practice of removing students from English learner programs before they become fluent in English. The district has agreed to improve services for English learner students so they can access the same educational opportunities as other students in the Newark Public Schools.
The department’s multi-year investigation uncovered wide-ranging failures to properly serve students learning English. The department found that the district failed to hire and retain enough qualified teachers to support its program, resulting in limited instruction time for some students, and for others, no language services at all. The Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey investigated under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
“Our office steadfastly supports the civil rights of all students, including English learners,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said. “We are pleased that the Newark Board of Education has agreed to fully embrace its obligation to meet the language needs of its English learners and resolve the serious violations of federal law uncovered during this investigation. We will continue to hold school districts and other education agencies accountable so that all students in New Jersey have equal access to educational opportunities.”
“School districts must provide effective English learner services so that all students can create an American dream of their own,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue fighting to ensure compliance with our federal civil rights laws as we stand up for every student’s right to equal educational opportunities across our country. The comprehensive requirements in this settlement agreement will create lasting change and provide access to education for thousands of English learner students in Newark.”
The Justice Department will monitor the district’s implementation of the settlement agreement for at least three full school years until the district has fully complied with its obligations.
This press release is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and French.
The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Horan Florio, Civil Rights Unit; Renee Wohlenhaus, Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Educational Opportunities Section; Jonathan Newton, Trial Attorney, Educational Opportunities Section; and Laura Fentonmiller, Trial Attorney, Educational Opportunities Section.
The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division and of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or may call the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339.
Justice Department Issues Guidance on Federal Statutes Regarding Redistricting and Methods for Electing Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
Today the U.S. Department of Justice announced the release of a guidance document to ensure state, county, and municipal governments comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act concerning redistricting maps and methods of electing governmental bodies following the release of the 2020 Census redistricting data.
“The right to vote is the right from which all other rights ultimately flow,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Discriminatory redistricting schemes or election practices threaten that fundamental right and are illegal. The guidance issued today makes clear that jurisdictions must abide by federal laws when redrawing their legislative maps and that the Justice Department will vigilantly assess jurisdictions’ compliance with those laws during the redistricting cycle.”
“Our goal this redistricting season is simple: to ensure that new maps for city councils, school boards, county commissions, state legislatures, Congressional house seats and more do not discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a protected language minority group,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice is using every tool in our arsenal to protect the right to vote for all Americans and to ensure that officials comply with federal voting laws during the decennial redistricting cycle now underway. This official guidance helps jurisdictions comply with the Voting Rights Act when redrawing electoral maps to ensure that all people have an equal and fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice.”
The guidance document discusses how the department will conduct its review of these redistricting plans and methods of electing governmental bodies to evaluate compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The guidance document also describes how the department applies well-established case law while investigating and bringing enforcement actions under Section 2.
Today’s announcement follows Attorney General Garland’s recent commitment to expand the Justice Department’s efforts to safeguard voting rights. For a list of the department’s actions to protect voting rights, click here.
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot.
Members of the public are encouraged to send any complaints or comments regarding possible violations of the federal voting rights laws to the Voting Section. This can include complaints or comments about methods of election or districting plans that may violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Complaints and comments about discriminatory voting practices may be reported to the Voting Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931.
For the guidance document on redistricting, click here.
Justice Department Charges Resident of Ukraine and Files Case to Halt Unauthorized Debits to Consumer Bank AccountsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced charges against a U.S. citizen residing in Ukraine for his alleged participation in a scheme to deceive banks. In a related case, the department filed a civil complaint and secured a temporary restraining order against a ring of individuals and corporations allegedly responsible for using the scheme to steal funds directly from thousands of consumers’ bank accounts. The civil complaint was unsealed yesterday.
On Aug. 24, a grand jury in the District of Nevada indicted Harold Sobel, 68, a U.S. citizen who resides in Ukraine, for conspiracy to make false statements to a bank and two counts of false statements to banks. Sobel was arrested on Aug. 12 pursuant to a criminal complaint at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, before he could return to Ukraine. According to the indictment, Sobel traveled from Ukraine to the United States in October 2019 and February 2020 and used his identity to open accounts at federally insured banks, control of which he immediately transferred to a co-conspirator who then impersonated Sobel in communications with the banks.
In a related civil complaint unsealed yesterday, the Department of Justice alleges that a transnational network of fraudsters, including Harold Sobel, Guy Benoit, Edward Courdy and more than two dozen other defendants, stole millions of dollars from American consumers by charging unauthorized debits against their bank accounts. The fraudsters used sham companies to cover their tracks and make the unauthorized debits appear legitimate.
“The scheme alleged in these cases involves an elaborate plot to reach into consumers’ bank accounts and steal their hard-earned savings,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Through these cases, the Department of Justice makes clear that it will use all tools at its disposal, including civil and criminal remedies, to halt such practices and bring offenders to justice.”
“Today’s charges allege insidious individuals and companies alike, employed deceptive techniques to steal money from thousands of unsuspecting victims,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “This investigation showcases the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s relentlessness is pursuing justice and holding individuals and corporations, be it domestically or internationally, accountable for their criminal actions. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate sophisticated fraud cases targeting U.S. consumers.”
According to the civil complaint, the defendants posted unauthorized debit transactions in the name of sham corporate entities against the bank accounts of unsuspecting consumers. To hide the fraudulent nature of these transactions from consumers and banks, defendants allegedly took elaborate steps to portray the sham corporate entities as legitimate businesses that provided internet-related services, creating bogus websites for the entities, fake customer authorizations for the entities’ services, and a “customer service” call center to field complaints. The complaint further alleges that the defendants used thousands of sham “micro transactions” so that banks would not detect the chargebacks of their unauthorized debits. The temporary restraining order obtained by the government enjoined the defendants from making unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts and from using micro transactions to disguise chargebacks. The government also successfully petitioned for the appointment of a receiver to stop defendants from dissipating assets obtained through the fraud scheme.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented in the criminal case by Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith Healy of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang of the District of Nevada. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas provided substantial assistance.
The government is represented in the civil matter by Trial Attorneys Michael Wadden and Amy Kaplan, and Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.
The conspiracy charge against Harold Sobel provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison. Making a false statement to a bank provides for a maximum of 30 years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch
Justice Department Announces First Federal Agents to Use Body-Worn CamerasRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced the launch of the first phase of its Body-Worn Camera Program that requires department law enforcement personnel use body-worn cameras (BWCs) during pre-planned law enforcement operations. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Phoenix and Detroit Field Divisions began using BWCs today during these pre-planned operations. Over the course of the next several weeks, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) will begin the first phase of their BWC programs. The department’s plans include a phased implementation of BWCs, and rely upon Congress to secure the necessary funding to equip agents nationwide with BWCs.
“Keeping our communities safe is a top priority for the Justice Department,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Law enforcement is at its most effective when there is accountability and trust between law enforcement and the community. That is why we have expanded our body worn camera program to our federal agents, to promote transparency and confidence, not only with the communities we serve and protect, but also among our state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners who work alongside our federal agents each day.”
“The Department of Justice recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in its law enforcement operations,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Because there are circumstances where the use of force may occur during planned law enforcement operations, we are committed to the use of body-worn cameras by DOJ law enforcement agents in such circumstances. I am proud of the job performed by the department’s law enforcement agents, and I am confident that these policies will continue to engender the trust and confidence of the American people in the department’s work.”
“ATF welcomes the use of body worn cameras by our agents,” said Acting Director Marvin G. Richardson of the ATF. “The department’s policy reflects ATF’s commitment to transparency as we work to reduce firearm violence in our communities.”
“The Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to the safety and security of the people we serve, our agents, and task force officers,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the DEA. “We welcome the addition of body worn cameras and appreciate the enhanced transparency and assurance they provide to the public and to law enforcement officers working hard to keep our communities safe and healthy.”
“The FBI remains committed to meeting the need for transparency,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Phasing in the use of BWCs is another, important way for us to meet that need.”
“Every day USMS task forces lawfully apprehend violent criminals with the utmost professionalism," said Director Donald Washington of the U.S. Marshals Service. "We continue striving to fortify the public’s trust in our responsibility to uphold the rule of law while keeping communities safe as we have for more than two centuries. Body worn cameras increase the transparency of law enforcement activities, and we will work to obtain the necessary resources to fully execute our body-worn camera program. As we do so, Deputy United States Marshals – along with thousands of local task force officers on USMS-led task forces – will continue to safeguard communities from violent criminals, drug traffickers and threats of terrorism. These interagency task force operations are crucial to public safety.”
On June 7, based on recommendations from the Department’s law enforcement components, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco directed the ATF, DEA, FBI and USMS to develop individualized comprehensive policies that require agents to wear and activate BWC recording equipment for purposes of recording their actions during: (1) a pre-planned attempt to serve an arrest warrant or other pre-planned arrest, including the apprehension of fugitives sought on state and local warrants; or (2) the execution of a search or seizure warrant or order. Consistent across each of these policies is a presumption that BWC recordings depicting conduct resulting in serious bodily injury or death of another will be released as soon as practical.
The use of BWCs by federal agents builds upon the department’s October 2019 pilot program and October 2020 policy announcement to permit federally deputized task force officers to activate BWCs during these pre-planned law enforcement operations. Since October 2020, ATF, DEA, FBI and USMS have been integrating the use of BWCs on federal task forces around the nation. The department continues to encourage participating task force agencies to contact the sponsoring federal agency for more information about their BWC program.
Ithaca Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jeffrey Blake, age 51, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced today to serve 160 months (thirteen years and four months) in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea Blake admitted that between June 12, 2019 and August 23, 2019, he exchanged text messages with an undercover officer he believed was the mother of 9 and 13 year old girls. In those messages, Blake expressed an interest in meeting the children and engaging in sex acts with them. He also communicated by text messaging with the undercover agent posing as each of the children. In those communications Blake assured the children that sex with him would not be painful, and that he would take precautions to keep the 13-year-old from getting pregnant. On August 23, 2019, Blake drove to a pre-determined location in Broome County to meet and have sex with the children. He brought with him vibrators and birth control as well as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and stuffed animals that he planned to give to the children as gifts. Blake was then encountered by law enforcement and arrested.
Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a 10 term of supervised release, which will start after Blake is released from prison, and ordered Blake to pay a $100 special assessment. As a result of his conviction, Blake will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Blake’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer Charged with Receiving a BribeRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment today charging an El Paso man with receiving a bribe by a public official.
According to court documents, Roberto Padilla, 50, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer stationed in El Paso was persuaded to reveal law enforcement sensitive information in exchange for a $500 payment to satisfy his drug debt.
The defendant was arrested on August 6, 2021 and is currently on bond. He is scheduled for an arraignment next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division; Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Ricardo Hutterer, El Paso Division; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Huerta, Central Division, made the announcement.
The FBI; Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Hogansburg Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joshua Francis, age 32, a resident of Hogansburg, NY, was sentenced today to serve 60 months in prison for conspiring to distribute marijuana and for money laundering of drug proceeds announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Gregory S. Oakes, Oswego County District Attorney.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Francis admitted that between January 2017 and August 2017, he smuggled bulk quantities of marijuana from Canada into the United States by boat via the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation in New York State. Francis further admitted that he directed couriers in the United States to deliver marijuana to redistributors in the Syracuse area and elsewhere, and also to collect the proceeds from marijuana sales. Francis distributed at least 317 kilograms of marijuana.
In addition to his term of imprisonment, the court also sentenced Francis to four years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a money judgment in the amount of $501,850 representing proceeds derived from marijuana distribution.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Syracuse Police Department, and the Oswego County Drug Task Force, comprised of Special Agents of HSI, members of the City of Oswego Police Department, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office, the SUNY Oswego Police Department, and Agents of the U.S. Border Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.
Grand jury indicts a St. Louis, Missouri man on store robbery and related gun chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury handed down a thirteen-count indictment against Leonard Love, 52, of St. Louis charging Love with having committed six separate store robberies, six acts of using a firearm in furtherance of those robberies and one act of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The indictment alleges that during the months of June and July of 2021, Love robbed various businesses, including Walgreens, Mobil On The Run, Circle K, and U-Gas stores, located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County.
The charges set forth in this indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI and the St. Charles City Police Department, the Sunset Hills Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the St. Ann Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Szczucinski is prosecuting this matter on behalf of the United States of America.