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8 October 2021
Federal Jury Convicts San Diego Man for Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 8, 2021
SAN DIEGO – Perry Edward Davis, aged 45, of San Diego, California was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of distributing the fetanyl that resulted in the death of Joshua Chambers, who was 25 years old when he overdosed. The verdict, delivered after less than two hours of jury deliberations, followed a trial before U.S. District Judge Larry A. Burns.
Chambers was one of three individuals who collapsed on December 21, 2019, at approximately 2:30 a.m., outside the QuarterDeck Cocktail Bar in El Cajon, with surveillance footage capturing the entire scenario. Paramedics and first responders quickly identified the mass-collapse as an opioid overdose and administered Narcan – a medication designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – to all three subjects. Two of the individuals were revived and recovered, but Chambers never regained consciousness. He was declared deceased at approximately 3:39 a.m.
The investigation revealed that the three individuals had ingested what they believed was cocaine by snorting a “line” in Chambers’ vehicle shortly before each collapsed. Laboratory testing of a baggie found in the vehicle showed that the baggie contained cocaine mixed with fentanyl.
Through text messages, cell-site location data, witness interviews and other evidence, investigators determined that, shortly before the three collapsed, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Chambers and one of the individuals who later collapsed travelled to a location near Perry Davis’ residence in the Clairemont area, at which point Davis supplied Chambers with the baggie containing the deadly fentanyl mixture. Chambers and the other individual then returned to the parking lot of the QuarterDeck where they, along with a third person, used the substance. Investigators also learned that Davis was Chambers’ regular cocaine dealer and had sold cocaine to Chambers in the same location on other occasions. At trial, the defense contended that the evidence was insufficient to demonstrate that Davis had supplied Chambers with the baggie containing the deadly fentanyl mixture and that Chambers’ death may have resulted from a potentially deadly cocaine/alcohol mixture and not from the fentanyl.
A Board Certified Medical Toxicologist/Emergency Medine doctor called by the Government testified that the actual cause of Chambers’ death was the fentanyl and that, but for his use of the fentanyl, Chambers would not have died. Explaining his conclusion, the expert relied – in part – on the surveillance footage of the collapses, which he testified reflected classic symptoms of an opioid overdose. As to the source of the fentanyl mixture, the texts and phone calls between Chambers and Davis reflected that they met less than an hour before the collapses and witness testimony established that it was during that meeting that Chambers bought the baggie that he believed contained only cocaine.
“Davis endangered three young adults and caused a mass overdose when he sold Joshua Chamber cocaine laced with deadly fentanyl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “While our dedicated first responders were able to save two lives, Davis must be held to account for the death of Joshua, whose family and friends will bear the devastating weight of his loss for the rest of the lives.” Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman praised prosecutors Larry Casper and Shauna Prewitt as well as the El Cajon Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and agents from Narcotics Task Force Team 10, a multi-agency team that was created in July 2018 to address drug overdose deaths in San Diego, for their efforts on this case.
Davis is set to be sentenced on January 10, 2022, by Judge Burns. This case was handled in court by Assistant United States Attorneys Larry Casper and Shauna Prewitt.
DEFENDANT Case Number 20-CR-2500-LAB
Perry Edward Davis Age: 45 San Diego, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGE TO WHICH GUILTY PLEA ENTERED
Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21 U.S.C. Section 841(a)(2) and (b)(1)(C)
Maximum Penalty – Mandatory Minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
El Cajon Police Department
Narcotics Task Force Team 10
Federal Jury Convicts Hopkins Man of Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted a Hopkins man for tax evasion after failing to file income tax returns since 1997, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.
Following a five-day trial before Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Daniel Berglund, 64, was convicted on all four counts of tax evasion.
According to the evidence presented at trial, between approximately 1987 and 2017, Berglund was the owner and sole employee of Faith Software (FAITH) where he worked as a computer language instructor. Despite earning a substantial income annually through FAITH, Berglund did not file any individual income tax returns since 1997, and never once filed a corporate tax return of any kind on behalf of FAITH. Proving that he was well aware of his tax obligations, Berglund took numerous steps to hide his income from the IRS, including giving his FAITH clients a fabricated Tax Identification Number to prevent their payments from being reported to the IRS as income attributable to him, depositing clients’ payments into accounts where the funds would not be traceable to him, and converting his income into silver that he stashed in concealed locations in his home. Berglund’s evasion resulted in a total tax debt of approximately $146,806.
Berglund faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 per count. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of IRS Field Collections.
This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Kimberly A. Svendsen.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- OctoberRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the October 2021 Federal Grand Jury A.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Tobie Briggs. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Briggs, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and with possessing firearms to further his drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-453
Chance Eugene Crawford. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Crawford, 28, of Talala, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kelly is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-444
William Troy Crites. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Crites, 46, of Colcord, allegedly coerced a minor to engage in sexual activity on Aug 3, 2021. He is further charged with sexually abusing the minor on Aug. 27, 2021. The FBI and Cherokee Nation Marshal Service are the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon A. Skates is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-445
Dillon Kyle Crittenden. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Crittenden, 26, of Tulsa, allegedly discharged a firearm at the victim on Sept. 11, 2021. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan E. Michel is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-436
Patrick Wayne McHenry. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of an Unregistered Weapon Made From a Shotgun. McHenry, 28, of Muskogee, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Marlin 12-guage bolt-action weapon made from a shotgun and ammunition. He is further charged with possessing the modified shotgun, which had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John E. Brasher and Mark R. Morgan are prosecuting the case. 21-CR-455
Dustin Kenneth Oxford. Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling, Suffocating, and Attempting to Strangle and Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Stalking in Indian Country; Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Oxford, 32, of Tulsa, is charged with strangling an intimate partner on April 30, 2021. He is also charged with striking the victim with a firearm on Aug. 13, 2021. Oxford is further charged with stalking the victim from April 30, 2021, to Sept. 9, 2021. Finally, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .38 caliber pistol. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan E. Michel and Gina S. Gilmore are prosecuting the case. 21-CR-446
Bradley Curtis Scruggins. Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. Scruggins, 52, of Bartlesville, is charged with assaulting an intimate partner by strangling the victim. The FBI and Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan E. Michel and Steven J. Briden are prosecuting the case. 21-CR-437
Andrew Thomas Stevens. Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country (Counts 1 and 2). Stevens, 21, of Skiatook, is charged with strangling an intimate partner on Feb. 10, 2021, and Feb. 23, 2021. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-447
Dustin Kyle Sund. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Sund, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Ruger 9mm Luger caliber pistol and associated ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-456
Christian Joshua Wilson. Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Counts 1); Felon in Possession of Ammunition (Counts 2,3). Wilson, 21, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Springfield .45 caliber pistol. He is further charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of Sellier and Bellot .45 caliber ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Brasher is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-341
Deundrea O’Brian Woodard. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Woodard, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of an ATA Arms 12-guarge shotgun and associated ammunition. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra M. Urban is prosecuting the case. 21-CR-438
EDVA Announces over $33 Million in Justice Department Grants to Assist Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh announced today the awarding of over $33 million in U.S. Department of Justice grants to 26 Virginia-based public and non-profit organizations to fund programs that help address violence against women.
“These grants will provide critical funding and essential services to vulnerable communities, especially women, individuals with disabilities, and immigrants who are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will continue to not only bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice in our courts, but also strengthen the impactful work that is financed by grants to educate our communities and provide much needed resources to support survivors during the healing process and beyond.”
The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) selected 26 organizations from across the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) to receive over $33.3 million provided through 42 separate grants. The grants are provided to allow the organizations to better address a wide variety of needs and issues facing victims of domestic and sexual violence, such as increasing the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance, accommodating victims with disabilities or hearing impairment, and providing organizations expertise and support.
The recipients of these OVW grants in EDVA include state government entities that provide services throughout the Commonwealth, such as the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Judiciary Courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and non-governmental organizations that provide technical training and assistance nationwide, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Center for Victims of Crime. Additional grant recipients include local government entities in EDVA, such as Arlington, Fairfax, James City, Loudoun, and Spotsylvania County, and the City of Norfolk, along with the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe.
In addition, OVW awarded grants in EDVA to universities to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus, including the College of William & Mary, Norfolk State University, the University of Mary Washington, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Multiple non-profit organizations that provide direct services to victims and survivors in EDVA also received funding, including Alteristic, Boat People S.O.S., the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, Empowerhouse, the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, the Tahirih Justice Center, the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and the YWCA of South Hampton Roads.
The over $33 million in grants awarded to Virginia-based organizations is part of more than $476 million in OVW grants awarded to support projects that meaningfully address the needs of underserved and marginalized survivors, improve access to justice, enhance survivor safety, hold accountable those who have caused harm, and provide training and technical assistance to an array of professionals and systems working to address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in every state and territory, as well as dozens of tribal communities.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 5 YearsRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Anastacio Alvarez-Lion, 41, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Alvarez-Lion previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine and to illegal reentry after removal.
The investigation into the case revealed that Alvarez-Lion operated as an “arete” (trusted supervisor) for a Mexican based drug trafficking organization. Alvarez-Lion served as a guide and supervisor for a group of Mexican nationals who transported narcotics into the United States by means of backpacks. Alvarez-Lion was arrested on June 30, 2020 in Tucson after delivering a load of narcotics to a trusted courier. Agents arrested Alvarez-Lion in a vehicle that had three backpacks containing approximately 1.46 kilograms of cocaine, 342.5 grams of heroin, and 19.19 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as a loaded handgun magazine.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the United States Border Patrol. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 20-2246-02-TUC-RM (LCK)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021- 069_Alvarez-Lion# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.District Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Killing One Woman and Wounding AnotherRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Vaughn Kosh, 50, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for killing one woman and shooting another after breaking into a neighbor’s apartment in Northeast Washington, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kosh pleaded guilty in July 2021, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to charges of second-degree murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and simple assault. The plea, which was contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed-upon prison term of 15 to 20 years. The Honorable Marisa Demeo accepted the plea and sentenced the defendant accordingly. Following his prison term, Kosh will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 7, 2019, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Kosh accosted a man who was entering an apartment building in the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue NE. He then forced his way into an apartment unit that the man was entering. During this assault, Kosh fired a shot at the man and then stabbed him with a knife. The man then raced outside to summon police.
In addition to the man, three people were inside the apartment at the time that Kosh barged inside: Alayna Howard, who was an amputee, her 12-year-old son, and Ms. Howard's female relative. Kosh first shot the female relative – who was sitting in a wheelchair in the living room – in the face and neck and then went to the bedroom and fatally shot Ms. Howard. The child pleaded, “Please don’t get me,” and Kosh responded, “If I wanted to get you, I would like I did your mom.”
Ms. Howard, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene. Kosh was arrested soon after the shootings in another apartment in the building.
In announcing the sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Forensic Interviewer Tracy Owusu, Victim/Witness Advocate Marcey Rinker, and Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Trigoso and Prava Palacharla, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Shutting Down Fraudulent Psychic Mail Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a permanent injunction against three individuals and two companies who had been operating an international mail fraud scheme. The order bars defendants from operating or otherwise engaging in a psychic mailing scheme and, more broadly, from engaging in any mass-mail or prize promotion marketing in the United States, the Justice Department announced.
As alleged in the complaint, Robert Lhez, Mireille Dayer and Julie Poulleau, all residents of France, utilized corporate defendants Arcana Center, a Delaware corporation, and Partners VAD International Sàrl, a Swiss corporation, to facilitate and promote various psychic mail fraud schemes. In particular, the complaint alleges that the defendants mailed hundreds of thousands of solicitations purportedly sent on behalf of individuals or companies offering psychic, clairvoyant or astrological services to recipients throughout the United States. These solicitations were riddled with false and misleading statements that gave the false impression that in exchange for payment of a small fee, typically of $45 or $50, the individual recipient would come into good fortune resulting in an imminent financial windfall though the lottery, inheritance or other game of chance. The complaint further alleged that tens of thousands of victims, primarily the elderly or vulnerable, sent payments totaling millions of dollars to defendants. From March 2017 to June 2018 alone, victims sent in more than 34,000 payments, for a total of more than $1.4 million. These victims, however, never received the promised benefit.
“The Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to investigate and bring cases to stop mass mailing fraud when it arises,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Individuals who perpetrate fraud schemes like those at issue here must be held accountable.”
“Beyond financial losses, predatory fraud schemes like this one lead to immense emotional suffering for victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida. “We urge the public to question promotions that seem too good to be true and immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement.”
“Thursday’s defendants have been known to Postal Inspectors for years, constantly changing their fraudulent schemes in the attempt to stay one step ahead of the law,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “The permanent injunctions make it clear, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners will peel back the layers until we find the individuals behind these schemes and hold them accountable."
Under the terms of the consent decree and final judgment, defendants agreed to be permanently barred from sending any mass mail marketing material to the United States, including any pieces referencing psychic services and prizes, as well as from participating in such activities by serving as a consultant or working for a company engaged in those efforts. Defendants also agreed to be prohibited from selling or leasing lists of U.S. residents who have responded to these and similar solicitations. The order also granted the U.S. Postal Service the ability to detain any mail responding to defendants’ solicitations and return, where possible, money to victims.
The government is represented by Trial Attorneys Ann Entwistle and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Weinkle for the Southern District of Florida. The United States Postal Inspection Service provided investigative support.
The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seeks to halt the billions of dollars seniors lose to fraud schemes, including those perpetrated by transnational criminal organizations. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Delhi Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Scheme to Defraud the USDA's Summer Food Service ProgramRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced Corey Roshel Powell, age 43, of Delhi, Louisiana, to 29 months in federal prison following his conviction for a scheme to defraud the USDA’s summer food service program. The Court further sentenced Powell to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Powell owned and operated The NELLA Foundation (NELLA), a non-profit organization domiciled in Darrow, Louisiana, which served as a sponsor for the SFSP. Over the course of the summers of 2014 and 2015, Powell and his co-defendant, Janie Johnson Smith, inflated the number of meals NELLA purportedly served to low-income children and submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement based on the inflated numbers. Powell and Smith also falsified program documents to support the false claims for reimbursement. Once the funds were transmitted to NELLA, Powell and Smith used SFSP funds for their own personal expenses such as car and rent payments, or withdrew the funds as cash. Additionally, Powell and Smith ordered food for NELLA’s purported operations through lines of credit obtained with food distribution companies, and once reimbursed for these expenses by the Louisiana Department of Education, the two defaulted on the lines of credit and instead converted the funds for their own personal use and financial gain. Over a two year period, NELLA submitted and received approximately $265,000 in SFSP funds.
The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program is a federally-funded child nutrition program that is administered by the Louisiana Department of Education. The SFSP is designed to ensure that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer when school is not in session.
Acting U.S. Attorney Travis stated, “The conviction and sentence of Mr. Powell reaffirms our commitment to protect government programs intended for those who truly need assistance. I want to thank our prosecutor, the FBI, and the Louisiana Office of Inspector General for their work on this case.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Mr. Corey Roshel Powell, who brazenly steal from children in need, will be held accountable. Mr. Powell, out of personal greed, committed fraud against USDA Summer Foods Service Program which is designed to provide children in low-income areas nutritious meals during the summer when school is not in session,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr. “We thank our partners at the United States Attorney's Office Middle District of Louisiana and the Louisiana Office of Inspector General for their strong partnership and unrelenting pursuit of justice."
Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street commented, “The federal prison sentence imposed upon Mr. Powell today is entirely appropriate in light of his brazen theft of over a quarter million dollars intended to feed hungry children. We will never tolerate such callous disregard for the welfare of children, and today’s sentence hopefully sends that message.” Street added, “I want to thank acting United States Attorney Ellison Travis and his staff for their work on this prosecution, as well as our partners at the FBI.”
This matter is being investigated by the Baton Rouge Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Louisiana Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Craig.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 108 months in prison for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Lee was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Quashawn Terrell Lee, age 22, was identified when law enforcement was dispatched to Castlewood Apartments in Davenport in response to a shots-fired call. Upon reviewing the apartment complex’s surveillance video, detectives identified the shooter as Lee. Lee fired approximately four rounds at a vehicle leaving the parking lot. Lee’s intended target, a gang rival, was an occupant of that vehicle. In the background were numerous bystanders, including at least eight children under the age of ten years old. One round that Lee fired went through the rear window and windshield of a parked vehicle in the immediate vicinity of that crowd of bystanders. As a convicted felon, Lee is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Lee pleaded guilty on May 17, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.
Darcie N. McElwee Sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the District of MaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine—The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Darcie N. McElwee has taken the oath of office to become the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine. U.S. Attorney McElwee was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on August 10, 2021, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 5, 2021. President Biden signed her commission on October 8, 2021. She took the oath of office today from Chief U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy.
U.S. Attorney McElwee said, “I am thrilled and honored to lead a district of federal law enforcement professionals, in partnership with our state and local counterparts, who work hard in the pursuit of justice. It is important to me that every person in Maine feels safe—and lives free from fear, violence, and hate in any form. I look forward to getting out in the communities of every corner of the state to do a great deal of listening and learning, while focused on the priorities of the Department of the Justice and the President.”
U.S. Attorney McElwee is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the District of Maine. She oversees a staff of 54 employees and contractors located in Portland and Bangor, including 27 attorneys, 24 non-attorney support personnel and three contractors. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
U.S. Attorney McElwee grew up in Caribou. Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maine beginning in 2002. She primarily prosecuted violent crimes such as sex trafficking, interstate domestic violence and child sexual exploitation, as well as firearms and arson offenses. She also served as the district Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator for approximately 16 years. She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties from 1998 to 2002.
U.S. Attorney McElwee is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is also a member of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and a past president of the Cumberland Bar Association. She has served on the adjunct faculty of the University of Maine School of Law and at the Maine Trial Lawyers College of Advocacy. She is a 1995 graduate of Bowdoin College and a 1998 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law.
Cocaine Base Distribution Charges Filed Against Two Defendants Operating in Burlington, VermontRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Tyrish Stevenson, also known as “Skip,” 47, and Christopher Rivers, also known as “Q,” 27, both of Brooklyn, NY appeared today in United States District Court in Burlington for an arraignment on a two-count indictment charging them with the distribution of cocaine base.
According to court documents, the Burlington Police Department, with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted an investigation into multiple individuals engaged in the distribution of narcotics in Burlington, Vermont. The Burlington Police Department conducted purchases of cocaine base from Stevenson and Rivers in September 2021.
On September 23, 2021, the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, arrested Stevenson and Rivers and executed a Vermont state search warrant at an apartment that Stevenson and Rivers had been using in Burlington, Vermont. In the apartment, law enforcement seized over 40 grams of cocaine base and over 18 grams of fentanyl as well as a Mossberg .410 shotgun and a Savage Arms .22 long rifle.
Stevenson and Rivers initially appeared before a federal Judge at U.S. District Court in Burlington on September 24 and September 27, 2021 respectively, for their initial appearances on criminal complaints and were subsequently ordered detained pending trial.
The charges against Stevenson and Rivers are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
Stevenson is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven L. Barth. Rivers is represented by Kevin M. Henry, Esq. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represents the United States.
Central Arkansas Group Sentenced to over 20 Years Combined in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The final member of a central Arkansas group has been sentenced to federal prison for the Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
In January 2019, Detectives with the 18th Judicial Drug Task Force launched an investigation into drug trafficking in the Western District of Arkansas. Between the months of January and June of 2019, detectives conducted several controlled purchases of methamphetamine from John Rickey Stinger and members of his drug trafficking organization.
The sentencings are as follows:
Kenneth Traylor, age 60, of Malvern, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Aiding and Abetting in the Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Krista Graves, age 27, of Malvern, Arkansas, was sentenced June 25, 2020 to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
John Rickey Stinger, age 36, of Malvern, Arkansas, was sentenced on June 23, 2020 to 121 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Aiding and Abetting in the Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Joshua Tollett, age 40, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced on June 23, 2020 to 18 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Aiding and Abetting in the Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Acting U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations Little Rock, and the 18th East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case.
Carla B. Freedman is Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Northern District of New YorkRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Carla B. Freedman became the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York this morning, upon being sworn in by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby at the federal courthouse in Syracuse. Ms. Freedman is the first woman confirmed for this position.
Ms. Freedman was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on August 10, 2021 and confirmed by the Senate on October 5, 2021. President Biden signed her commission on October 7, 2021.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman stated: “After 14 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, I am honored to lead the incredible lawyers and staff in our office as we represent the criminal and civil interests of the United States. Our guideposts will continue to be fairness and equal justice for all. We will also continue our efforts to reduce gun violence, protect civil rights, safeguard our national security, and build relationships with community groups throughout the Northern District of New York.”
Ms. Freedman previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Syracuse office of the Northern District of New York from 2007 through 2021. She was a Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Narcotics Chief from February 2018 through 2021. She also served as Deputy Narcotics Chief from 2016 through 2018.
Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Freedman was an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for 16 years. She was the Chief of the Asian Gang Unit from 1997 through 2004.
Ms. Freedman has prosecuted a wide array of crimes and offenses during her career with a focus on organized crime, violent crime, and drug trafficking offenses including, since 2009, illegal distribution of controlled substance analogues and newly scheduled synthetic drugs.
Ms. Freedman grew up in Syracuse. She earned her law degree from New York Law School, and her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University.
California Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Scheming to Defraud Afghan Government on U.S.-Funded ContractRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A former Orange County resident has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the government of Afghanistan out of more than $110 million in funds provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to construct an electrical grid in Afghanistan.
Saed Ismail Amiri, 38, who now lives in the Northern California community of Granite Bay, but who resided in Irvine at the time of the offense, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. after pleading guilty in April to one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Amiri was at various times either the owner or senior consultant of Assist Consultants Inc. (ACI). In or around January 2015, USAID, in connection with the U.S. effort to assist Afghanistan and its people, authorized the national power utility of Afghanistan, Da’ Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), to solicit bids on a U.S.-funded contract to construct five electric power substations. Bids were sought only from companies that had substantial experience building electric power substations. Specifically, the contract criteria required bidders, such as ACI, to have previously worked on two electric substations of 220 kilovolts or more.
In 2015 and 2016, Amiri, ACI employees, and others engaged in a scheme to obtain the contract by submitting a false work history and fraudulent supporting documents in an effort to deceive DABS into believing that ACI met the required contract criteria. In July 2015, ACI submitted a bid on the contract for $112,292,241, which underbid its competitors by more than $20 million. In the bid, ACI stated that it had worked as a subcontractor to a prime contractor on two 220 kilovolt substations for a cement factory in Uganda and a textile company in Nigeria. In fact, the alleged prime contractor was a fictitious company that ACI had invented and controlled, ACI had never worked to build a substation in Africa, and neither the Ugandan cement factory nor the Nigerian textile company existed.
In February 2016, after Amiri had returned to Southern California and after DABS had requested supporting documents to verify ACI’s work history, Amiri sent emails to co-conspirators, some of which advised that some of them would need to go to Uganda and Nigeria to obtain false documents to respond to DABS.
After again leaving the United States, Amiri emailed DABS documents he knew were false and altered, including ACI’s purported subcontract to work on the Ugandan substation, photographs, false bank records, and a bogus letter purporting to be from a Ugandan government official.
After submitting the fake records to DABS, Amiri met with U.S. law enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan and falsely stated, among other things, that he had learned the prior month that ACI had bid on the contract. Shortly thereafter, Amiri withdrew ACI’s bid. In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Amiri also falsely stated that another ACI employee had submitted the false documents to DABS, when in truth and in fact, Amiri had emailed the false documents himself.
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) and USAID’s Office of Inspector General investigated this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Mitchell of the Major Frauds Section and Justice Department Trial Attorney Matt Kahn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case
Caldwell Man Sentenced for the Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Caldwell man was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records, Alejandro T. Batriz, 37, of Caldwell, was the front passenger in a car traveling on Ash Street in Caldwell. Caldwell Police officers attempted a traffic stop, but the car fled. Caldwell Police blocked the car in the drive of the West Valley Medical center and the car struck a police vehicle. Batriz exited the front passenger seat and ran on foot. While running from police, Batriz reached into his front pocket and dropped a Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number—along with a black backpack that contained 9mm ammunition—in a gutter. The firearm was loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber. After a foot pursuit, Caldwell Police apprehended Batriz and discovered a loaded magazine containing 9mm ammunition in his pocket. Caldwell Police also recovered a loaded magazine containing 9mm ammunition approximately 50 feet from the car.
Senior U.S. District Bill R. Wilson also ordered Batriz to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Batriz pleaded guilty to the charge on July 12, 2021.
Batriz is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a prior felony conviction for Second Degree Robbery in California Superior Court in 2016.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Caldwell Police Department, which led to the charges.
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Beaumont Convicted Felon Guilty of Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Charles Nicholas Lock, 34, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition today before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
“This case unfortunately shows why convicted felons are prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Project Safe Neighborhood prosecutions like this one demonstrate that the people of Jefferson County should not, and will not, accept the unreasonable risk of harm posed by armed felons in their community.”
According to court documents, on Oct. 22, 2018, officers with the Port Arthur Police Department responded to an emergency call regarding an individual who had been shot inside a residence on 7th Street in Port Arthur. Upon arrival, they located the victim laying on a couch, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his leg. The victim told officers that he got into a verbal argument with Charles Lock, after which Lock fired three shots at him, striking him one time in the leg. Other witnesses reported seeing Lock flee the scene after the shooting. Officers located three spent .380 caliber shell casings on the floor of the residence where the shooting occurred. Further investigation revealed Lock has previously been convicted in October 2008 of possession of a controlled substance in Jefferson County, Texas, and as a convicted felon, is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
Lock was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 7, 2021. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Port Arthur Police Department and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced James Dorsey, age 36, of Baltimore, to 90 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, on April 23, 2020, a Baltimore Police Department detective observed a vehicle with a Texas One Trip permit, which allows for the temporary movement of a vehicle subject to Texas registration laws and is valid for a period of 15 days from the effective date. The detective knew that these tags were often used fraudulently and confirmed that this one was invalid. After initiating a traffic stop, the detective noted the order of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Dorsey was identified as the driver of the vehicle. Dorsey did not possess a driver’s license and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
The detectives searched Dorsey’s person incident to his arrest and discovered several items including a tube and a small ziplock bag containing suspected marijuana. A search of the vehicle Dorsey was driving revealed a black plastic bag filled with empty vials, three cell phones, and two vials containing white rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine. Officers also located 45 gel caps that were subsequently determined to contain fentanyl and tramadol, a burnt cigar containing suspected marijuana, and a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with three rounds of ammunition.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Dorsey admitted to being in the area of the marijuana and knowing that the gun was a .38 caliber firearm. Later, Dorsey made several inculpatory jail calls in which he stated that as he was being pulled over he “hurried up” and put “that stuff” in the glove compartment, so that he could “beat” the criminal charges.
The BPD Drug Analysis Unit tested the substances within all the recovered gelcaps and determined that the gelcaps contained fentanyl and tramadol. Further, the rock-like substance contained in the vials tested positive for cocaine.
Also as part of his plea Dorsey admitted that the control substances located in the vehicle were intended to be sold and distributed and that he knowingly possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron praised the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Gallena, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and programs to combat gun crime, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile.
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45-Count Indictment Unsealed Charging 18 Individuals with Drug, Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Georgia has brought federal charges against 18 individuals as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) on-going investigation into alleged drug trafficking in Southwest Georgia. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
A federal grand jury returned a sealed, 45-count indictment on Sept. 16 alleging violations of drug conspiracy, drug distribution, drug possession with the intent to distribute, firearm possession by convicted felons and firearm possession during the commission of drug crimes. The indictment was unsealed on Monday, Oct. 4.
Juanjava Boggerty, 47, of Tifton, Georgia, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- Five counts of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
Bradrick Boston, 32, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- Two counts of distribution of cocaine base. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- Two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
Rafon Carithers, 32, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
- Two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release for each count.
Jehmeil Carmichael, 34, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
Clenton Davis, 32, of Ashburn, Georgia is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
Keilaysha Dixon, 22, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
Vontesha Dixon, 30, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
Brian Foster, 29, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm made in violation of the national firearms act. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.
Dante Hille, 27, of Ashburn, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
Darrell Mack, 32, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
McKevor Mulkey, 31, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- Six counts of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
Dmya Norris, 24, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
Tevin Parker, 27, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of distribution of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.
Rishaun Richardson, 25, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $20 million, or both, and at least ten years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of thirty years imprisonment, a fine of $2 million, or both, and at least six years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of thirty years imprisonment, a fine of $2 million, or both, and at least six years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.
Courtney Taylor, 38, of Tifton, Georgia is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $20 million, or both, and at least ten years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $20 million, or both, and at least ten years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to three years of supervised release.
Jala Taylor, 23, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of forty years imprisonment, a fine of $5 million, or both, and at least four years of supervised release.
Keyuntran Taylor, 21, of Ashburn, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
Damarius Williams, 24, of Tifton, is charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both, and at least five years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, and at least three years of supervised release.
- One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both, and up to five years of supervised release.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, Tifton Police Department, Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Community Supervision.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Ellis and Leah McEwen are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
262-Month Federal Prison Sentence for South Florida Veterinarian Who Sexually Abused Dogs, Created Animal Crush VideoRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A licensed veterinarian based in Aventura, Florida who recorded himself sexually abusing dogs, shared the bestiality videos on-line, and collected on-line child pornography, was sentenced today in Miami federal court to over 21 years in prison.
Prentiss K. Madden, is guilty of producing videos of himself engaged in sexual activity with dogs and sharing them with others in chats. Madden kept these bestiality videos, as well as chats about bestiality, in his cellular telephones. Madden also is guilty of accessing a Dropbox account containing images of child pornography, receiving child pornography photographs and videos through social media chats, talking about child sexual abuse during chats, and storing thousands of child pornography images in his Dropbox account and cellular telephones.
On July 29, Madden pleaded guilty to three counts of receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2); one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B); and one count of creation of an animal crush video, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 48(a)(2)(B), a federal statute that punishes acts of animal torture, including bestiality.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office; and Alfredo Ramirez, III, Director, Miami Dade Police Department, announced the sentence.
HSI Miami and Miami Dade Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from Hialeah Police Department, U.S Customs and Border Protection, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hudock 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 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
If you have information regarding this case, or you believe you or a family member may have been a victim, please contact the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case no. 21-cr-20248.
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'Stranded Bandit' meth traffickers sentenced to substantial federal prison termsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A gang member and leader in a major methamphetamine trafficking operation and a codefendant each have been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for spreading drugs into coastal and south Georgia.
David Hamilton Sharpe, a/k/a “David Dukkedoff,” 28, of Pembroke, Ga., was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison, and Jose Zepeda, 36, of Gray, Ga., was sentenced to 235 months in prison, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Both men pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute More than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine, and U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also recommended that Sharpe serve his sentence outside the Southern District, and ordered each defendant to serve five years of supervised release after completion of their prison terms.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Violent, armed drug traffickers and criminal gang members are a clear and present danger to our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make our streets safer by identifying these criminals and holding them accountable.”
Sharpe and Zepeda were among 35 defendants indicted as part of Operation Stranded Bandit, as described in the indictment unsealed in December 2020 in USA v. Baker et al. Sharpe, a member of the Ghost Face Gangsters criminal street gang, was incarcerated in state prison during the three years of the investigation and used contraband cell phones to direct shipments of methamphetamine from the Atlanta area and into the Southern District. During a search of his residence in October 2019, just one month after his release from state prison, Sharpe was arrested after agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found him in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and multiple firearms. The arrest took place in Bryan County, from which Sharpe previously had been judicially banished.
Zepeda was arrested in Jones County, Ga., along with other members of the conspiracy in June 2019 as he was delivering four pounds of methamphetamine.
Operation Stranded Bandit grew from other major gang-related drug trafficking prosecutions in Operation Vanilla Gorilla and Operation Who’s Laughing Now. The investigations and prosecutions, coordinated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), targeted widespread, gang-related drug trafficking organizations in the Southern District and beyond.
Of the 35 defendants charged in Operation Stranded Bandit, at least 26 have entered guilty pleas with 17 of them sentenced to prison terms of up to 292 months, while nine are awaiting trail and are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“These sentences are the direct result of our partnership with state, local and other federal law enforcement agencies across Georgia” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “Violent criminal organizations such as the Ghostface Gangsters impact both large and small communities across our state, and we will continue to target this and similar the organizations and disrupt their criminal enterprises.”
“The coastal and South Georgia communities celebrate these defendants’ sentences,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “These notorious, gang-related drug dealers who distributed poison throughout the region caused fear through means of violence and intimidation. Investigative skill and cooperative partnerships left this once-thriving drug distribution network disrupted and dismantled. This effort would not have been successful without the spirited level of cooperation between our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts.”
“Illegal drugs and criminal street gangs have no place in Georgia. These defendants were part of a criminal enterprise that has been threatening the safety of communities for years,” said Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We will continue to work diligently along with our local and federal partners to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and criminal street gangs.”
The case is being investigated by agencies including the ATF, the DEA, the GBI, and the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richmond Hill Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly Jr. and Jennifer J. Kirkland.
7 October 2021
Worcester Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Terrence Kenol, 24, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Sept. 3, 2021, Kenol was arrested and is currently in state custody. He will make an appearance in federal court in Worcester at a later date.
According to the charging documents, on Sept. 3, 2021, Kenol was found in possession of a firearm and a loaded magazine in his vehicle. At the time of the offense, Kenol was on probation for a prior state conviction for kidnapping and assault and battery.
The charge 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 $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; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Crimes against ChildrenRead the Press Release
DURANGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Blair Root House, age 63, of Towaoc, Colorado, was sentenced to twenty years in federal prison for one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse against two different children below the age of 12. The offenses occurred while the children were in his care at his home in Towaoc, Colorado.
“Sexual offenses against children create harms that last a lifetime,” said Acting United States Attorney Matt Kirsch. “While we can’t undo the harm and pain of these crimes, we have ensured that Mr. House will harm no more children while he is in federal prison.”
“The FBI and our partners work diligently to investigate and bring to justice individuals engaged in the exploitation and sexual abuse of minors. This 20-year sentence rightly holds Mr. House accountable for his actions while bringing a greater measure of security to the community,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The FBI is grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office for their efforts in this case and our shared commitment to protecting children.”
United States District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn sentenced Blair Root House on October 5, 2021, for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force in Indian Country and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian County. The crimes took place between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney R. Josh Player handled the prosecution of the case.
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United States Attorney's Office District of Arizona September 2021 Immigration and Border Crimes ReportRead the Press Release
I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
238 individuals were charged in September with illegal reentry
A. 196 of those 238 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.
Of the 196 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:
1. 52 had violent crime convictions, including:
2 individuals had homicide convictions
11 individuals had sex offense convictions
15 individuals had domestic violence convictions2. 6 had property crime convictions
3. 40 had DUI convictions
4. 113 had drug crime convictions
B. 116 of those 196 individuals had been deported three or more times
II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
47 individuals were charged in September with alien smuggling
III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)
0 individuals were charged in September with illegal entry on the CCI calendar
Criminal conviction information is based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.
These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-067_September Immigration and Border Crimes Report
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Two Men Federally Indicted in Spree of Armed Robberies Throughout the Quad CitiesRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 21, 2021, that was unsealed today following the arrests and initial court appearances of two Quad City men for allegedly committing five armed robberies and an armed carjacking between July and October of 2020.
The indictment alleges that Emmanuel Lance Howard, 21, of Davenport, Iowa, and Evander Allen Jordan, 37, of Rock Island, Illinois, robbed five local businesses, all while brandishing a firearm. The businesses listed in the indictment include Little Caesar’s Pizza, Midwest Title Loans, Papa John’s Pizza, Pawn King, and Domino’s Pizza. In addition to the five armed robberies, the indictment alleges Howard and Jordan committed a carjacking, also while brandishing a firearm.
The indictment further alleges that a firearm was discharged during the Domino’s Pizza robbery.
Howard was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, and Jordan was arrested in Davenport, Iowa. Both Howard and Jordan remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending a December 6, 2021 trial.
If convicted, Howard and Jordan each face a maximum statutory penalty of up to life imprisonment.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Rock Island Police Department, the Moline Police Department, the Davenport Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alyssa Raya and Jennifer Mathew are representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Two Executives Plead Guilty to Large-Scale Visa Fraud Employment SchemeRead the Press Release
Two Florida business executives pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of Georgia to charges related to their roles in a scheme to recruit and hire foreign nationals who were not authorized to work in the United States to fill temporary housekeeping and food service positions and commit various other criminal immigration offenses for profit.
According to court documents, Educational World Inc. (Ed World), a visa processing company based in North Point; and Larisa Khariton, 73, and Jon Clark, 71, also of North Point, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Georgia on April 8. The 36-count indictment also contained allegations against Regal Hospitality Solutions LLC (RHS), a Louisiana-based staffing company, and seven current and former RHS employees. Each defendant was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States, including encouraging and inducing an alien to reside in the United States, as well as alien harboring, alien transporting, and visa fraud. In addition, the RHS defendants were charged with wire-fraud related offenses.
Khariton and Clark pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States.
According to the indictment and other court documents, the individual defendants enriched themselves by participating in a scheme to recruit and hire noncitizen laborers without authorization to work for RHS. RHS provided hospitality-related businesses with laborers to work in housekeeping, retail, and food service positions, using noncitizens who were unauthorized to work in the United States to fill the positions. In some cases, the RHS defendants arranged for and provided housing and transportation to the workers.
The defendants and other co-conspirators also encouraged and induced noncitizen laborers on expiring and expired J-1 exchange visitor visas to obtain B-2 tourist visas and to work in the United States for RHS, knowing that employing such laborers on B-2 visas was illegal. According to admissions made in connection with their guilty pleas, Khariton and Clark prepared and submitted applications for B-2 visas on behalf of the workers after charging noncitizen laborers approximately $650 per application. The application contained false and misleading statements indicating the noncitizens intended to obtain the B-2 visa for the purpose of engaging in tourism. In fact, Khariton and Clark knew that those noncitizens were already present in and intended to stay in the United States for employment, not tourism.
The indictment also alleges that Khariton and Clark submitted petitions for H-2B temporary work visas on behalf of defendant RHS that contained false and misleading information about the location where noncitizen laborers allegedly were to be employed. In connection with their guilty pleas, Khariton and Clark admitted that they engaged in deceitful and dishonest conduct to impede and obstruct the functioning of, among other things, the H-2 non-immigrant visa program. Khariton and Clark also admitted that they were paid a commission by RHS for noncitizens Ed World recruited to work for RHS, including those who were not authorized to work for RHS in the United States.
Khariton and Clark will be sentenced at a later date. Khariton and Clark face a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison; A federal district court judge will determine the sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Charges remain pending against defendant RHS and the individual RHS defendants who are considered innocent unless and until found guilty
The U.S. Department of State Office of Inspector General is investigating the case with assistance provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Trial Attorneys Frank Rangoussis and John-Alex Romano of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Lee of the Southern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
Two Canonsburg Residents Indicted on Fentanyl Possession and Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Two residents of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotic laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The six-count Indictment, returned on Sept. 21, 2021, and unsealed yesterday following their arrests, named Troy Terrell, age 32, and Angel Barton, age 36, as the defendants.
According to the Indictment, from in and around April 2020 and continuing thereafter until in and around June 2020, Terrell and Barton possessed and distributed fentanyl.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Canonsburg Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Transient Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Federal Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a transient man convicted of failure to register as a sex offender was sentenced on October 4, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Daniel James Cooper, age 55, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cooper was indicted for failure to register as a sex offender by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2021. He pled guilty on June 21, 2021.
Cooper was convicted in Minnesota in 1994 for criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. As a result, Cooper is required to register as a sex offender for life. Beginning in October 2020, Cooper moved from the location of his registration with the South Dakota Sex Offender Registry and knowingly failed to update his sex offender registration. He was arrested by law enforcement on February 16, 2021, at a residence, and had traveled between Codington County, South Dakota, and the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation between October 20, 2020, and February 16, 2021, evading law enforcement during that timeframe.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.
Cooper was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Toledo Man Charged with Escape from CustodyRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jermell Toney, 35, of Toledo with one count of escape.
According to court records, on September 17, 2021, the Defendant is accused of failing to report to a re-entry program required to complete the service of a 13-month federal prison sentence imposed for violation of supervised release. The Defendant surrendered himself to the United States Marshals Service on September 28, 2021.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation was conducted by United States Marshals Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deyana Unis.
Tioga County Man Sentenced for Failing to Register E-mail AccountsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Paul Wyak, age 49, of Spencer, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 21 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for failing to register and update his registration as a sex offender.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York
In addition to the term of imprisonment for failing to update his sex offender registration, Wyak was sentenced to a 14-month consecutive term of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release by committing new criminal conduct, failing to answer truthfully questions from his probation officer, having unapproved contact with a victim of a prior offense, and possessing an undisclosed internet capable device.
As part of his previously entered plea agreement, Wyak admitted that in 2008 he was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York of distribution of child pornography. That conviction required Wyak to register as a sex offender for 25 years, and to keep that registration current with personal identifying information, including email accounts. Wyak admitted that although he maintained registration as a sex offender in the State of New York, he did not register at least one email account that he created despite knowing he has a continuing obligation under the law to do so.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Investigation Branch with assistance from the United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York, and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Ticket Broker Convicted in Scheme to Fraudulently Sell Chicago White Sox TicketsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted a ticket broker on fraud charges for scheming to sell thousands of discounted Chicago White Sox tickets without the team’s authorization.
BRUCE LEE, who owned Chicago-based Great Tickets, provided more than $100,000 to two White Sox ticket sellers in exchange for receiving complimentary and discounted game tickets that Lee would then sell on the online marketplace StubHub. The ticket sellers – JAMES COSTELLO and WILLIAM O’NEIL – fraudulently generated the tickets without the team’s authorization.
During the 2016 to 2019 baseball seasons, Lee earned approximately $868,369 by selling more than 34,000 tickets that he fraudulently obtained from Costello and O’Neil. As a result of the scheme, the White Sox suffered a loss of approximately $1 million.
Evidence presented at the four-day trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago revealed that when questioned by the FBI, Lee stated that he considered the payments the “American way, take care of a guy, and you get taken care of.”
The jury on Wednesday convicted Lee, 35, of Chicago, on all eleven counts of wire fraud. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly set sentencing for Jan. 10, 2022.
The conviction was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Schneider and David Green.
Costello and O’Neil, both of New Lenox, Ill., previously pleaded guilty and admitted their roles in the scheme. They are awaiting sentencing.
Three iCore Global LLC Executives Charged with FraudRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment yesterday charging three executives of iCore Global LLC (“iCore”) with fraud.
According to court documents, Samantha L. Mueting, 56, of San Antonio, Josephus De Laat, aka Jos De Laat, 60, of Spicewood and Vodrick L. Perry, 52, of San Antonio are charged with scheming to defraud investors.
As noted in the indictment, Mueting owned and operated iCore and touted the company as being a multi-national commercial real estate provider; De Laat served as iCore’s chief financial officer; and Perry was iCore’s operations manager.
Together the three are alleged to have conspired to perpetrate a series of frauds upon couples nearing retirement in which the defendants promised to allocate victim funds into a commercial real estate hedge fund, using them instead for their own personal gain. According to the indictment, they made fraudulent misrepresentations that iCore was a multi-national commercial real estate provider that employed 5,500 local employees and contracted agents across more than 300 worldwide offices, operating in 371 cities, 64 countries and six continents. The worldwide offices consisted of two registered addresses in the U.S., both of which were mailboxes at a shipping company store. In sum, the defendants are accused of defrauding investors of more than $2.1 million.
Mueting, De Laat and Perry are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Mueting and Perry also are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. In addition, Mueting is charged with seven counts of wire fraud. The defendants will be scheduled for their initial court appearance later this week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Farrer of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each charged count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Special Agent in Charge Paul Duran made the announcement.
The USSS is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew W. Kinskey 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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Three Michigan Men Named in Superseding Indictment Alleging Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Three residents of Detroit, Michigan and one of Ambridge, Pennsylvania have been indicted by superseding indictment before a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug trafficking laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The seven-count Superseding Indictment, returned on October 5, 2021, named Dvonte Amos, age 21, Darryl Junior Ballard, age 26, and Andrew Brent Steel, age 30, as defendants.
This Superseding Indictments comes after the four defendants were indicted on July 20, 2021. According to the Superseding Indictment, from in and around May 2020, and continuing thereafter to in and around April 2021, the defendants conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of acetyl fentanyl, 100 grams or more of a mixture containing heroin, and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, The Superseding Indictment further alleged that Ballard, Steel, and Wilson distributed controlled substances and that Amos and Wilson possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances at various times during the conspiracy.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum of ten years, a fine of $20,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Beaver County Drug Task Force and Ambridge Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Men Charged with Laundering Proceeds of a Business Email Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging three individuals with money laundering and aggravated identity theft as part of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
According to allegations in the superseding indictment, Onyewuchi Ibeh, 21, of Bowie, Maryland, Jason Joyner, 42, of Washington, D.C., and Mouaaz Elkhebri, 30, of Alexandria, Virginia, participated in a scheme to launder the proceeds of a BEC scheme. In a BEC scheme, conspirators infiltrate the computer systems of a victim company, including their email servers and email accounts, through phishing attacks or the use of malware. Once there, the conspirators impersonate the victim’s business partner and claim the business partner’s bank account information has changed. Intending to send the money to the business partner, the victim business instead sends the money to bank accounts controlled by the conspirators.
The superseding indictment alleges the defendants laundered over $1.1 million fraudulently obtained from at least five victim businesses as a result of a BEC scheme. As alleged, the co-conspirators, laundered the proceeds of the BEC scheme through various financial transactions using dozens of bank accounts that they directly and indirectly controlled. Ibeh’s alleged role in the scheme was to manage the money laundering by causing conspirators to open bank accounts, which he used to wire money domestically and internationally. Joyner’s alleged role in the scheme was to withdraw the proceeds of the fraud in cash, which he delivered to other conspirators, including Ibeh. Elkhebri’s alleged role in the scheme was to open bank accounts in his name and use his position as a bank employee to facilitate the opening of bank accounts in the name of both co-conspirators and victims.
Ibeh and Joyner are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. If convicted, Ibeh and Joyner each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Elkhebri is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, false entries in a bank’s books, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of all charges, Elkhebri faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison and a maximum penalty of 52 years in prison. 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.
Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christopher A. Nielsen, Inspector in Charge of the Analytics and Cyber Group of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Matthew S. Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hood is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No 1:21-cr-200.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Three Former NYPD Police Officers Plead Guilty to Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Robert Hassett, a former New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer, pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in a scheme to sell the personal information of automobile accident victims in exchange for bribes (the “Victim Database Scheme”). Hassett also admitted that he participated in a scheme to steer vehicles damaged in automobile accidents to a tow truck company in contravention of NYPD’s Direct Accident Response Program (“DARP”) in exchange for bribes (the “Tow Truck Scheme”).
On August 5, 2021, former NYPD officer Heather Busch pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in connection with her participation in the Tow Truck Scheme. On October 6, 2021, a third defendant, retired NYPD officer Robert Smith, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in connection with his participation in the Tow Truck Scheme; Smith also pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of at least one kilogram of heroin. As part of his plea, Smith also admitted that he participated with Hassett in the Victim Database Scheme. At the time that they participated in the Tow Truck Scheme and the Victim Database Scheme, the defendants were NYPD officers assigned to the 105th Precinct in Queens, New York.
Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, NYPD, announced the guilty pleas.
“The defendants’ guilty pleas to accepting bribes are also acknowledgements that they abused the public trust and dishonored the NYPD by their actions,” stated Acting United States Attorney Kasulis. “This Office will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute corrupt police officers.”
According to court filings and facts presented at the plea proceeding, between 2016 and 2017, Hassett and Smith received thousands of dollars of bribe payments in exchange for referring business to a towing company, contrary to DARP. Smith resumed the corrupt scheme without Hassett in late 2019 and when Smith retired from the NYPD in March 2020, Smith enlisted Busch to take his place in the scheme.
In early 2020, Smith and Hassett also sold the names and contact information of automobile accident victims whose accidents occurred within the confines of the 105th Precinct for thousands of dollars in bribe payments, ostensibly so that the purchaser could resell that personal information to physical therapy businesses and personal injury lawyers who would contact the automobile accident victims as prospective customers.
After Smith’s retirement in March 2020, he also agreed to transport what he believed to be one kilogram of heroin for a drug trafficking organization.
Since their arrests in May 2021, Busch and Hassett have resigned from the NYPD.
When sentenced, Smith faces up to 25 years in prison, while Hassett and Busch each face up to five years in prison. As part of their respective pleas, Smith has agreed to forfeit $20,000, Hassett has agreed to forfeit $10,000 and Busch has agreed to forfeit $6,000.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Nicholas J. Moscow are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
HEATHER BUSCH
Age: 34
Massapequa, New YorkROBERT HASSETT
Age: 36
Farmingville, New YorkROBERT SMITH
Age: 44
Plainview, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-254 (RPK)
Three Defendants Sentenced to Prison in Multi-State Dog Fighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Three defendants have been sentenced for their roles in an interstate dog fighting network across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey.
According to court documents, from at least 2013 to 2018, Chester A. Moody, Jr., 47, of Glenn Dale, Maryland; Emmanuel A. Powe, Sr., 46, of Frederick, Maryland; and Odell S. Anderson, Sr., 52, of the District of Columbia, sponsored and exhibited dogs, as well as participated in almost every other aspect of dog fighting: selling, buying, possessing, training, transporting, delivering and receiving dogs so that those dogs could be used in dog fighting ventures. The defendants also possessed significant dog fighting equipment, such as dog treadmills, medical veterinary kits, breeding stands used to forcibly immobilize female fighting dogs, dog collars with embedded weights and chains weighing several pounds used to restrain the dogs.
“Dog fighting is a form of cruelty with no place in our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This cruelty will not be tolerated, nor will exposing a child to such horrific acts.”
“The violent and cruel act of dog fighting is a heinous form of animal abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “These defendants served as leaders, breeders and trainers for a multi-year dog fighting operation and brazenly promoted this barbaric form of ‘entertainment’ for illegal personal gain. We must treat these animals — who are among society’s most vulnerable victims — with dignity and respect. As this prosecution demonstrates, those who engage in this intolerable and abhorrent conduct will be brought to justice in our courts.”
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
Throughout the conspiracy, the defendants participated in multiple dog fights, from “roll” or “play” fights used to test a dog’s willingness to fight, to full-blown dog fighting shows planned months in advance and limited to known attendees. One of these dog fight events occurred in King George, Virginia, in April 2016 where most of the participants were led to the fight’s secret location. The event involved two separate dog fights with dogs owned and sponsored by Anderson, Powe and Moody. The two losing dogs died following their injuries sustained in the fights. Both Anderson and Moody trained and fought dogs who attained Champion and/or Grand Champion status – terms used to indicate a dog who has won three and five contract matches respectively, with no losses.
Moody will serve one year and one day in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release and 120 hours of community service. Moody pleaded guilty on April 28 to one felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities over several years.
Powe will serve 18 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Powe pleaded guilty on May 10 to one felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities over several years.
Anderson will serve 18 months in prison to be followed by three years supervised release. Anderson pleaded guilty on June 1 to the same felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities as the other two defendants. Anderson also pleaded guilty to one count of causing a child under the age of 16 to attend an illegal animal fight venture.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Shennie Patel of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The Humane Society of the United States, along with other entities, assisted with the care of the dogs seized by federal law enforcement.
Three Defendants Sentenced in Multi-State Dog Fighting ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Three defendants have been sentenced for their roles in an interstate dog fighting network across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey.
“The violent and cruel act of dog fighting is a heinous form of animal abuse,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “These defendants served as leaders, breeders, and trainers for a multi-year dog fighting operation and brazenly promoted this barbaric form of ‘entertainment’ for illegal personal gain. We must treat these animals—who are among society’s most vulnerable victims—with dignity and respect. As this prosecution demonstrates, those who engage in this intolerable and abhorrent conduct will be brought to justice in our courts.”
According to court documents, from at least 2013 to July 2018, Chester A. Moody, Jr., 47, of Glenn Dale, Maryland; Emmanuel A. Powe, Sr., 46, of Frederick, Maryland; and Odell S. Anderson, Sr., 52, of the District of Columbia, sponsored and exhibited dogs, as well as participated in almost every other aspect of dog fighting: selling, buying, possessing, training, transporting, delivering and receiving dogs so that those dogs could be used in dog fighting ventures. The defendants also possessed significant dog fighting equipment, such as dog treadmills, medical veterinary kits, breeding stands used to forcibly immobilize female fighting dogs, dog collars with embedded weights, and chains weighing several pounds used to restrain the dogs.
“Dog fighting is a form of cruelty with no place in our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This cruelty will not be tolerated, nor will exposing a child to such horrific acts.”
“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity,” Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) said. “Together with the Department of Justice, animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”
Throughout the conspiracy, the defendants participated in multiple dog fights, from “roll” or “play” fights used to test a dog’s willingness to fight, to full-blown dog fighting shows planned months in advance and limited to known attendees. One of these dog fight events occurred in King George, Virginia, in April 2016 where most of the participants were led to the fight’s secret location. The event involved two separate dog fights with dogs owned and sponsored by Anderson, Powe and Moody. The two losing dogs died following their injuries sustained in the fights. Both Anderson and Moody trained and fought dogs who attained Champion and/or Grand Champion status – terms used to indicate a dog who has won three and five contract matches respectively, with no losses.
Moody will serve one year and one day in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release and 120 hours of community service. Moody pleaded guilty on April 28 to one felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities over several years.
Powe will serve 18 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Powe pleaded guilty on May 10 to one felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities over several years.
Anderson will serve 18 months in prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Anderson pleaded guilty on June 1 to the same felony count of conspiracy to engage in dog fighting activities as the other two defendants. Anderson also pleaded guilty to one count of causing a child under the age of sixteen to attend an illegal animal fight venture.
Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG); and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Shennie Patel, of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Grand Champion, a coordinated effort across numerous federal judicial districts to combat organized dog fighting. The Humane Society of the United States, along with other entities, assisted with the care of the dogs seized by federal law enforcement.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-24, 25, and 26.
Staten Island Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud in Scheme to Exploit the COVID-19 CrisisRead the Press Release
This afternoon, in federal court in Brooklyn, Kevin J. Lipsitz pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to mail fraud in connection with his sale of large quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When sentenced, Lipsitz faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as forfeiture, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution to his victims.
Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the guilty plea.
“With today’s guilty plea, Lipsitz admits to making blatantly false promises and providing fabricated shipping confirmations to thousands of customers who were in urgent need of life-saving PPE,” stated Acting United States Attorney Kasulis. “This Office will vigorously prosecute defendants who shamelessly seek to profit from an unprecedented national crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“As our nation was getting its initial glimpse into the COVID-19 Pandemic that was wreaking havoc on our communities and way of life, Kevin Lipsitz took the opportunity to capitalize and profit from people’s fears,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Fitzhugh. “Lipsitz advertised and sold PPE at exorbitant prices to vulnerable people who were willing to do almost anything to keep themselves and families safe. Working with our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, the FBI, and the U. S. Postal Inspection Service, HSI New York will continue to pursue those in our society who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of those around them.”
“At one of the worse times this country has seen, Mr. Lipsitz devised a scheme to not only price-gouge, but steal from those who needed much sought after PPE supplies. During times of crisis, our citizens must join together for the greater good. His conduct is shameful and he will now pay the price for his greed,” stated USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Bartlett.
According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Lipsitz operated SuperGoodDeals.com Inc. (SGD), an online storefront that was based in Staten Island and sold various types of merchandise to customers across the United States. Between March 2020 and May 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the United States, Lipsitz accumulated huge quantities of PPE, including surgical masks and N-95 and KN-95 filtering facepiece respirators. During that same time period, Lipsitz took advantage of the increased public demand for medical equipment by making false statements to thousands of customers regarding SGD’s inventory and ability to quickly fill and ship orders of PPE. For example, Lipsitz prominently featured statements on the SGD website that customers could “pay today” and that their orders would “ship tomorrow.” After customers placed orders relying on these statements, Lipsitz would issue false same-day shipping confirmations, which included tracking numbers that customers could purportedly use to monitor the shipment of their orders. Despite these promises, Lipsitz did not fulfill orders for PPE on the promised timeline for hundreds of customers. In addition, Lipsitz further took advantage of the demand for PPE by selling it at large markups, ranging from 150 percent to over 500 percent above what he paid for the goods.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business & Securities Fraud and International Narcotics & Money Laundering Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Julia Nestor and Andrew Wang are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
KEVIN JAY LIPSITZ
Age: 62
Staten Island, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-394 (KAM)
South Florida Resident Guilty of Threatening to Kill Derek Chauvin’s LawyerRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A 42-year-old Coral Gables, Florida man pled guilty yesterday in federal district court to threatening the defense attorney of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted earlier this year of murdering George Floyd.
During yesterday’s hearing before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham, William John Hartnett admitted that on April 6, from his location in Miami, he called the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (“MPPOA”) in St. Paul, an organization that funded Chauvin’s defense. Hartnett left an 18-second message on MPPOA’s voicemail in which he threatened to kill Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s defense lawyer. In his message, Hartnett yelled: “Hey you and your whole f------ family are going to f------ die, you motherf-----, for representing Chauvin, a f------ murderer. Now, you all are going to f------ die a worse death than Floyd, you motherf-----. All of you piece of s----.”
Hartnett pled guilty to one count of transmitting a threat through interstate communications. Judge Graham, who sits in Miami, will sentence Hartnett on December 15. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami, announced the guilty plea.
FBI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from the MPPOA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20412.
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South Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Consecutive Health Care Fraud ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Patsy Truglia (53, Parkland) has pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of making a false statement in a matter involving a health care benefit program. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement and other court documents, beginning in January 2018 and continuing into April 2019, Truglia and other conspirators, including co-defendant Ruth Bianca Fernandez (who worked under Truglia’s supervision), generated medically unnecessary physicians’ orders via their telemarketing operation for certain orthotic devices—i.e., knee braces, back braces, wrist braces, and other braces—referred to as durable medical equipment (“DME”). Through the telemarketing operation, federal health care program beneficiaries’ (i.e., Medicare beneficiaries’) personal and medical information was harvested to create the unnecessary DME brace orders.
The brace orders were then forwarded to purported “telemedicine” vendors that, in exchange for a fee, paid illegal bribes to physicians to sign the orders, often without ever contacting the beneficiaries to conduct the required telehealth consultations. The fraudulent, illegal brace orders were then returned to Truglia’s telemarketing operation, which used the orders as support for millions of dollars in false and fraudulent claims that were submitted to the Medicare program. To avoid Medicare scrutiny, Truglia and Fernandez spread the fraudulent claims across five DME storefronts operated under Truglia’s ownership and control, and Fernandez’s day-to-day management. In all, through their five storefronts, Truglia, Fernandez, and other conspirators caused approximately $25 million in fraudulent DME claims to be submitted to Medicare, resulting in approximately $12 million in payments.
On April 9, 2019, multiple federal law enforcement agencies participated in a nationwide action referred to as “Operation Brace Yourself.” The Operation targeted ongoing schemes, such as Truglia’s, in which companies were paying illegal bribes to secure signed physicians’ DME brace orders for use as support for fraudulent claims that were submitted to the federal programs. In the Middle District of Florida, the Operation included, among other efforts, the execution of search warrants at several of Truglia’s DME storefronts and a civil action which, among other ramifications, enjoined Truglia and (by extension) his five storefronts from engaging in any further health care fraud conduct. Undeterred by this action, beginning in or around April 2019, and continuing into July 2020, Truglia and other conspirators—some who had worked with Truglia in the earlier conspiracy, as well as some new conspirators—carried out a similar conspiracy using three new DME storefronts and different “telemedicine” vendors. Through this conspiracy, Truglia and his conspirators caused an additional approximately $12 million in fraudulent DME claims to be submitted to Medicare, resulting in approximately $6.3 million in payments.
This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Tampa Field Office. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jay G. Trezevant, Tiffany E. Fields, and James A. Muench. The civil action is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn B. Tapie and Sean P. Keefe.
South Dakota Man Who Served as an Arsenal for Individuals Involved in Criminal Activity Sent to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Possess Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
A man who conspired with others to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes was sentenced October 6, 2021 to four years in federal prison.
Brandon Christiansen, age 40, from McCook, Lake, South Dakota, received the prison term after a May 12, 2021, guilty plea to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.
Evidence at the detention, plea, and sentencing hearings showed that from about February 6, 2013 to June 30, 2020, Christiansen illegally acquired and illegally distributed as many as 56 firearms, all while he was also an unlawful user of illegal drugs. Christiansen acquired the weapons by lying about his own drug use. He then traded firearms to individuals involved in criminal activity in exchange for access to illegal drugs. Some of these weapons were semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting large capacity magazines.
On June 29, 2020, defendant’s home was searched, and defendant was interviewed. At that time defendant estimated he had purchased approximately 56 firearms over the preceding five years. Despite claiming he collected firearms, not one firearm was still in his possession at the time of his interaction with law enforcement. Purchase records confirmed defendant acquired at least 23 firearms, from five different gun stores in Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Six of the guns were recovered by law enforcement after defendant purchased them. Five were recovered in the course of unrelated narcotics investigations, and the sixth was recovered in another unrelated police action.
The time between defendant’s purchase and law enforcement’s recovery of the guns ranged from five years (for a weapon that was recovered in Colorado in connection with a multi-pound drug investigation) to just 66 days (for a weapon recovered locally by law enforcement).
Christiansen was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Christiansen was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Christiansen is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, the North Sioux City, South Dakota Police Department, the Union County, South Dakota Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Department of Justice --United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4020.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Smith County Woman Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Tyler woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Theresa Cecelia Soliz, 37, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.
According to information presented in court, Soliz was arrested in December 2019 following a traffic stop near Canton, during which she was found to be in possession of almost a kilogram of methamphetamine along with various pills, THC oil, and heroin. Soliz admitted to obtaining the methamphetamine from a supplier in Dallas, and that she intended to return to Tyler and distribute it to her customers, who would then repackage and sell it to users.
Soliz and three others were indicted for federal drug trafficking violations on July 15, 2020. Nasir Saleh-Saad Jabr, of Tyler, was sentenced to 140 months in prison on May 20, 2021; Ralph Paul Pressley, III, of Troup, was sentenced to 135 months in prison on April 23, 2021; and Tammy Lynn Dilbeck, of Troup, was sentenced to 100 months in prison on May 13, 2021.
“Today’s sentence ensures that this group of people will no longer be able to distribute their poison to East Texans for the foreseeable future,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “We remain grateful to our law enforcement partners for their unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal drug distribution everywhere.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tyler Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
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Sisseton Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Robbery and Aiding and AbettingRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, man convicted of Robbery and Aiding and Abetting was sentenced on October 4, 2021 by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Brendon Javon Jacob Rodlund, age 29, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Rodlund was indicted for assault with intent to commit murder, maiming, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and aiding and abetting by a federal grand jury on November 10, 2020. He pled guilty on May 11, 2021.
During the night between November 16 and 17, 2015, Rodlund, along with three co-conspirators, while aiding and abetting each other, assaulted a victim in an effort to rob the victim of property and things of value. The robbery and assault took place at Dry Wood Lake near Sisseton, South Dakota.
Rodlund is also serving a separate federal sentence of approximately 13 years for sexual assault. His robbery sentence will be served consecutively to his prior sentence for sexual assault.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
Rodlund was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Signal Peak Energy admits violating health, safety regulations at Roundup area coal mineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Signal Peak Energy, LLC, which operates an underground coal mine near Roundup, today admitted to criminal charges that it willfully violated health and safety standards and has agreed to pay a $1 million fine as part of proposed plea agreement, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Signal Peak Energy, through a representative, pleaded guilty during an initial appearance and plea hearing to an information charging it with four counts of willful violation of a health and safety standard, a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is a $250,000 fine.
A plea agreement recommends that a criminal fine of $250,000 for each count of conviction, for a total fine of $1 million, is the appropriate disposition of the case. The parties further agree that a sentence of probation is appropriate. If the court accepts the plea agreement, the company does not have an automatic right to withdraw its guilty pleas. If the court rejects the plea agreement, the company can withdraw its guilty pleas and proceed to trial.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters has not yet been set.
“Signal Peak’s conduct showed a blatant and callous disregard for its own workers’ health and safety and for protecting the environment. Companies that habitually and willfully violate regulations will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Acting U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
The Signal Peak Energy prosecution is part of a broad corruption investigation into mine management and operations that resulted in not only worker safety and environmental misdemeanor convictions, but also in individual convictions and charges for some former mine officials and associates for embezzlement, tax evasion, bank fraud, money laundering, drugs and firearms violations.
Individual convictions of former mine officials included Larry Wayne Price, Jr., former vice president of surface operations, who was sentenced to prison for defrauding companies of $20 million; and Zachary Ruble, former surface mine manager, who was sentenced to probation for conspiring to defraud Signal Peak Energy of $2.3 million.
A third former mine official, Dale Lee Musgrave, former vice president of underground operations, has pleaded not guilty to an indictment alleging cocaine trafficking and false statements in mine records and is pending trial.
Associated individual cases include Stephen P. Casher, a former Rocky Mountain Bank loan officer, who was sentenced to prison and fined on bank fraud and money laundering charges for a loan scheme involving Larry Price Jr.; James and Timilynn Kisling, owners of Kisling Quality Builders, who were sentenced to probation and fined for conviction of tax evasion in a scheme involving the construction of Larry Price Jr.’s Billings residence; Mark Luciano, a Nevada resident who was sentenced to prison for conviction on trafficking cocaine; and Todd Alan Irwin, a secretary to Larry Price, Jr., who was sentenced to probation for conviction of felon in possession of firearms.
Robert Wayne Ramsey, owner of Peters Equipment Company, has been charged by an information with wire fraud in an alleged equipment sale scheme involving Signal Peak Energy and is pending arraignment.
In the Signal Peak Energy case, the government alleged in court documents that from 2013 through 2018, Signal Peak Energy habitually violated mandatory health and safety standards in the Mine Safety and Health Act during the mine’s operation. These violations included both environmental safety and worker safety standards. These violations also occurred with the full knowledge, direction and participation of the mine’s most senior management during that period, including the president and CEO, the vice president of surface operations, the vice president of underground operations and the safety manager.
The government further alleged that during the summer of 2013, Signal Peak Energy’s senior managers directed mine employees to improperly dispose of mine waste by pumping the waste into abandoned sections of the mine. This waste, known as “slurry,” consisted of wastewater, industrial chemicals used in the mining process and unprocessed soil containing heavy metals, including arsenic and lead over groundwater tolerances. Mine employees pumped this slurry into the abandoned section of the mine for about two weeks, until the section was full. Disposing mine waste in this manner required approval of both the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which Signal Peak Energy did not obtain.
In the spring of 2015, the government alleged, Signal Peak Energy agents commissioned the drilling of two bore holes through the ground that led to another abandoned section of the mine. Senior mine managers directed employees to pump more slurry into the abandoned section through the bore holes. This slurry was similar to the slurry improperly disposed of in 2013. Estimates vary, but this pumping occurred for up to six weeks. The pumping stopped after a witness discovered that seals between the abandoned mine works and the operating mine had been breached, causing flooding in the areas of the operating mine. Signal Peak Energy obtained a permit to inject water into the ground through the bore holes, but this permit did not allow for the disposal of slurry waste.
In January 2018, Signal Peak Energy failed to report as required the injury of an employee, identified as John Doe 1, who was working at the mine when his finger was crushed and required amputation. Doe 1 was moving large mining equipment as part of his duties when some of this equipment fell onto his hand. Doe 1met with the safety manager, who began driving him to the hospital for medical treatment. On the way, Doe 1 had a telephone conversation with the vice president of underground operations. The vice president of underground operations pressured Doe 1 not to report the injury as work related and said that he would make it worthwhile for Doe 1. The safety manager witnessed this but did not intervene. The safety manager then dropped off Doe 1 at the hospital rather than accompanying him inside pursuant to mine policy. Doe 1 falsely stated that the injury had occurred at home and was not work related. When Doe 1 returned to work sometime later, the vice president of underground operations gave Doe 1 an envelope containing $2,000.
In May 2018, Signal Peak Energy again failed to report an injury as mandated. An employee, identified as John Doe 2, was working in the underground portion of the mine when rock sluffed off the wall and onto Doe 2’s head, causing a severe laceration. The shift manager immediately called the safety manager. The safety manager met Doe 2 and drove Doe 2 away from the mine with the stated intention to take Doe 2 to the hospital. Instead, the safety manager drove Doe 2 home. Doe 2 waited until the next morning to seek medical attention and falsely stated the injury had been caused by a shelf falling on his head in the garage of his home. Doctors treated the laceration and Doe 2 returned to work for his next scheduled shift. Doe 2 was unable to complete the shift or several of the following shifts because of his injuries. Doe 2’s lost time was charged against his vacation leave without his approval.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich, Zeno B. Baucus and Timothy Tatarka are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS, FBI and Environmental Protection Agency.
PACER case reference. 21-79.
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Shonto Man Sentenced to Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Monday, Landis Grant Yellow, 29, of Shonto, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Yellow previously pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter.
In December 2017, Yellow stabbed the victim with a knife, killing him. The stabbing took place on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, where Yellow is an enrolled tribal member.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Chang and Sharon Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-08194-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-065_Yellow# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.San Antonio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Julio Enrique Rodriguez, 48, was previously convicted and sentenced to prison in 2012 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On March 12, 2018, defendant was found in possession of a Baretta 9mm pistol.
On April 11, 2019, defendant pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Working in collaboration with our local and federal law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that felons are not endangering our communities by unlawfully possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.
“The fifteen-year sentence in this case sends a clear message that the judicial system takes seriously the possession of firearms by convicted felons,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski. “ATF will continue to aggressively investigate these types of cases and ensure that violators receive justice.”
The ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Del Rio Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Hail and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence- based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Rosebud Man Sentenced for Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on October 4, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Phillip Gene Beck, age 25, was sentenced to ten months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of a handgun and ammunition
Beck was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 11, 2020. He pled guilty on July 12, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 21, 2017, in St. Francis, South Dakota. Beck, an unlawful user of methamphetamine, knowingly possessed a handgun and ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Beck was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rosebud Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on October 4, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Anthony Edward Farmer, age 37, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Farmer was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 14, 2020. He pled guilty on July 29, 2021.
Farmer was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact With a Child in June 2010. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. In June 2020, Farmer was released from prison and began a period of supervised release, but failed to update his sex offender registration. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued and on May 28, 2021, Farmer was arrested in Rosebud.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Farmer was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced for Involvement in Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
Daniel Barbosa, 26, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to one year in prison and three years of supervised release. On May 12, 2021, Barbosa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine.
The charge arises from Barbosa’s delivery of a substance containing fentanyl in October 2017. Barbosa was charged as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking organization distributing large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances in the greater Boston area.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Steinberg and John Mulcahy of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to over 9 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Violating Court SupervisionRead the Press Release
Spokane – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Randy D. McReynolds, age 51, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having been convicted by a jury on June 30, 2021 of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Senior United States District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentencing McReynolds to a 92-month term of imprisonment, to be following by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Nielsen also imposed an 18-month term of imprisonment, to run consecutive to the sentence imposed in the firearm case, after finding that McReynolds violated court supervision stemming from previous federal drug-related convictions.
According to court documents, after receiving a tip, federal probation officers conducted a search of McReynolds’ residence and found a .357 revolver and multiple rounds of ammunition. McReynolds was under federal court supervision at the time.
Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “To keep our neighborhoods safe, it is essential that we keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will prosecute aggressively individuals who illegally possess firearms. I commend the law enforcement officers with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case.”
This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis and Timothy J. Ohms, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Remembering a hero, and a family’s gratitude toward witnessesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – On October 7, 2002, Robert L. Bolden, Sr., and two other men attempted to rob the Bank of America located in the Halls Ferry Circle in St. Louis City. Bolden, armed with a revolver, contacted Nathan Ley, 25, the security guard stationed outside one of the bank entrances. Ley refused to surrender his firearm to Bolden. Bolden shot Ley in the jaw and incapacitated him. Bolden then stepped back and as Ley was going down, Bolden shot him in the head a second time. Ley died as a result of the second gunshot wound to his head.
Investigators located three witnesses who identified Bolden as the shooter. One of the witnesses also identified Bolden’s vehicle at the scene of the bank robbery. Bolden’s DNA was recovered from a head covering seized at the crime scene. The murder weapon was recovered outside Bolden’s residence.
In May 2006, after a lengthy trial, a federal jury found Bolden guilty and recommended sentences of death for the offenses of attempted bank robbery resulting in the death of Nathan Ley, and for using a firearm to murder Nathan Ley.
During the sentencing phase of the proceedings, a witness at the scene with a law enforcement and military background recounted his efforts to comfort Nathan as he was dying on the parking lot of the bank. The citizen comforted and prayed with Nathan. The citizen, who was inside the bank during the shooting, also said that Nathan was a hero for having kept the robbers out of the bank. After the crime, the citizen kept a photograph of Nathan over his family’s fireplace because he and his wife viewed Nathan as their hero. Bank of America also honored Nathan Ley by placing an engraved memorial stone at the bank that recognized him as a hero.
On September 22, 2021, Bolden’s counsel and the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued one of Bolden’s appeals before the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals. Within the next week, Bolden died of natural causes while in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.
Tom, Linda, and Clint Ley recently released the following statement to the U.S. Attorney’s Office: On October 7, 2002, our hearts were shattered when our son and Clint’s brother Nathan was shot and killed by Robert Bolden. Nathan was kind, funny, responsible, and hard-working. He wanted to go into law enforcement to help people and make life safer for everyone. He was 25 years old.We will be forever grateful to the witnesses who identified his killer, the police who investigated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office who prosecuted the case … and the jurors who found justice for Nathan. We were fortunate that his killer was brought to justice. Too many families are not so fortunate. And until witnesses step forward and cases are tried, this terrible scourge of violence will continue.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.