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5 October 2021
Owner of New York Investment Fund Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Orchestrating $26 Million Scheme to Defraud InvestorsRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that BRENT BORLAND, the owner and principal of a New York-based investment fund known as Belize Infrastructure Fund I LLC (“Belize Fund”), was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 84 months in prison for orchestrating a $26 million investment fraud scheme against dozens of investors. BORLAND pled guilty in February 2019 to conspiring to commit, and the commission of, securities fraud and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who imposed today’s sentence.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Strauss said: “Brent Borland led a years-long, multifaceted scheme to bilk victims out of more than $26 million. Using lies and deceit, Borland tricked more than 40 investors into entrusting him with their hard-earned money. In truth, Borland’s promises to investors were lies, and he spent much of their money on himself. For the financial and emotional devastation his fraud has inflicted, Borland will spend the next seven years in prison.”
According to the Complaint, Indictment, and statements made in connection with sentencing:
From 2014 through March 2018, BORLAND and others solicited and received approximately $26.1 million from approximately 40 investors based upon representations that he would use the investors’ money to construct an airport in Belize. BORLAND promised investors high rates of return on their investments, which he represented were temporary “bridge financing.” BORLAND also represented to investors that their investments would be fully secured by real property in Belize that was unencumbered by any liens or obligations.
In fact, however, BORLAND misappropriated millions of dollars of investors’ funds and used those funds for his own personal benefit. BORLAND diverted a substantial portion of the funds invested by victims to himself to pay for a variety of personal expenses, including his mortgage payments, credit card bills, luxury automobiles, a beach club membership, and private school tuition for his children. In contrast to BORLAND’s representations that investors would receive high rates of return within a specified time frame, all known investors in the scheme lost money. And while BORLAND represented that the investments would be secured by real property, the property purportedly serving as collateral was improperly pledged to multiple investors and, in some cases, did not even exist in the manner identified and described by Borland in documents he provided to the investors.
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In addition to his prison term, BORLAND, 51, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $26,584,970 and restitution of $26,184,970.
Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which brought a separate civil action.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Negar Tekeei and Edward Imperatore are in charge of the prosecution.
Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Cross Country Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051OREGON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HIS ROLE IN
CROSS COUNTRY MARIJUANA CONSPIRACYBUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Robert Fiels, 33, Springfield, Oregon, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant served as the source of supply for individuals that trafficked marijuana and marijuana-based products across the country. Fiels utilized individuals, including co-defendant Syed Ahmad and others, to deliver the marijuana and marijuana-based products. Others, including co-defendant Frank Vacanti, then distributed the marijuana to individuals such as co-defendant Vincent Lopresti, who then sold the marijuana and marijuana products across Western New York. Between late 2016, and June 2019, Fiels trafficked approximately 1,800lbs of marijuana to one individual.
In January 2017, the defendant was stopped by DEA-Chicago and Amtrak Police while traveling from Buffalo, NY to Chicago, Illinois. After questioning and providing consent, DEA-Chicago seized $222,965.00 in drug proceeds located in the defendant’s suitcases. On December 31, 2017, in Morgan County, Illinois, local law enforcement and the DEA, recovered approximately 1,000 lbs. of marijuana from an RV driven by co-defendant Syed Ahmad and another individual. The marijuana belonged to Fiels and was destined for locations around the United States. On January 18, 2018, the defendant was stopped in a vehicle for traveling too fast for conditions in Hobart, Indiana by local law enforcement. During a search his vehicle, law enforcement seized $48,000 in drug proceeds. On February 10, 2020, law enforcement in Springfield, Oregon seized approximately $15,000 in drug proceeds sent to the defendant via USPS.
On June 29, 2020, law enforcement executed search warrants at three locations in the State of Oregon associated with Fiels, including his residence, work apartment, and the residence of his former girlfriend. Law enforcement recovered marijuana, marijuana-based products, USPS parcels, drug paraphernalia, packing materials, scales, psychedelic mushrooms, two firearms, and liquid steroids.
Charges remain pending against Syed Ahmad, Frank Vacanti, and Vincent Lopresti. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; HSI Portland, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Clifford Jones; HSI Springfield, Illinois, under the direction of Acting Resident Agent-in-Charge Eric Bowers; the Illinois State Police, under the direction of Director Brendan F. Kelly; the Oregon State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Terri Davie; the Morgan County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff’s Office Director Mike Carmody; the Hobart, Indiana Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard W. Zormier; and the Springfield, Oregon Police Department, under the direction of Chief Andrew Shearer.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 17, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
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Ophthalmologist Pleads Guilty to Using Misbranded MedicationRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. James W. Heroman, 43, formerly of Charlotte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer on Monday, October 4, 2021, and pleaded guilty to receiving and delivering a misbranded medication, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General for the region including North Carolina, and Justin C. Fielder, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, join Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
Dr. Heroman is an ophthalmologist and the former owner of a now-closed ophthalmology clinic, Carolina Retina and Vitreous Consultants (CRVC). According to plea documents filed with the court, as early as September 2013, Dr. Heroman caused CRVC to order and receive an unapproved, foreign and cheaper drug which he used to treat patients with macular degeneration, instead of using Lucentis®, the medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the condition in the United States. As Dr. Heroman admitted in court yesterday, he purchased the foreign, unapproved medication because it cost less than the name brand Lucentis®. At the same time, Dr. Heroman caused CRVC to bill Medicare for the non-covered and non-reimbursable unapproved medication as if it were FDA-approved and kept the difference in price as profit.
In addition to pleading guilty to the criminal charge, Dr. Heroman and CRVC have also agreed to pay $450,000 to resolve the United States’ allegations that they violated the False Claims Act, when they knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims for payment to Medicare related to the administration of unapproved medications. The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer said, “Dr. Heroman sought to increase his profit margins by using an unauthorized medication, potentially putting the health of his patients at risk. Together with our law enforcement counterparts, we will investigate and prosecute physicians who choose to fill up their pockets at the expense of their patients.”
“Physicians who provide non-FDA approved drugs to their patients unnecessarily place those in their care at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Jackson. “Working with our law enforcement partners, our oversight agency will investigate such fraud schemes that threaten the health of patients and the integrity of federal health care programs.”
“U.S. patients rely on FDA oversight to ensure that the drugs and medical devices they use are safe and effective. Rogue health care professionals who obtain foreign unapproved medical products, and dispense and administer those products to their patients, put the health of those patients at significant risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Fielder. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who choose to put the public’s health at such risk.”
A sentencing date for Dr. Heroman has not been set. The charge of receiving and delivering a misbranded medication carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer commended HHS-OIG and and FDA-OCI for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Savage is prosecuting the criminal case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong is in charge of the civil proceedings.
Oklahoma Man Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Romain Green, 32, of Oklahoma City, was arraigned today upon an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment alleges that Green and others conspired to engage in financial transactions involving wire fraud proceeds and that the financial transactions were designed to conceal the nature, location, source, and ownership of the criminal proceeds.
The Grand Jury in Vermont returned its indictment charging Green with this offense on March 25, 2021. Green was arrested on September 23 in Minnesota, where he was detained over the weekend before being released on September 27.
According to the indictment, Green and others distributed and received information regarding various bank accounts, including how to utilize those accounts for purposes of receiving crime proceeds. The indictment is an accusation only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Green released on conditions, and granted Green’s lawyers 90 days for the filing of pre-trial motions.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Michal Drescher. Green is represented by David McColgin of the Federal Public Defender’s office and Laura Wilson, Esq. of Lyndonville, Vermont.
Ohio County man indicted on child pornographyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua H. Ruschel, of Valley Grove, West Virginia, was indicted today on a child pornography charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Ruschel, 41, was indicted on one count of “Possession of Child Pornography.” Ruschel is accused of having child pornography depicting children under the age of 12 in June 2020 in Ohio County.
Ruschel faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Pennsylvania Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of North Carolina pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
David R. Shahriari, a/k/a “David Anderson”, 38, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on August 29, 2011, Shahriari did knowingly steal and unlawfully take, eight firearms from L.B. Toney’s Alamo Gun Shop in DuBois, PA, which is a business licensed to deal in firearms.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the DuBois City Police led the prosecution of Shahriari.
Moss Point Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Moss Point Man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court documents, on August 21, 2020, Le’Darrius Jamontaie Forrest, 30, was arrested after the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team served a state search warrant on a Moss Point residence where he was the sole occupant. During the search, a rifle, ammunition, methamphetamine, and cocaine were found. The firearm was a stolen Norinco, Model MAK90 Sporter, 7.62 rifle.
Forrest was confirmed to have two, separate Mississippi State felony convictions from the Circuit Court of Jackson County.
Forrest pleaded guilty on July 15, 2021, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris prosecuted the case as part of the federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. The centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s crime reduction efforts, PSN is an evidence-based program proven effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together and develop comprehensive solutions. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Mobile Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Mobile, Alabama man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and interstate travel in aid of racketeering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
According to court documents, Gerald Wayne Jones, 66, was the co-owner and operator of a trucking company that transported marijuana and other controlled substances from California to Harrison County, Mississippi for distribution.
Jones pled guilty on July 9, 2021.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annette Williams and Jonathan Buckner prosecuted the case.
Minneapolis Man Charged with Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A recently unsealed federal indictment charges a Minneapolis man with sex trafficking a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney W. Anders Folk.
According to court documents, between August 12, 2020, and August 14, 2020, Charles William Dexter III, 40, knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, and advertised a minor victim to engage in a commercial sex act, knowing that the victim had not attained the age of 18 years.
Dexter is a fugitive. The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Dexter’s location and arrests. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, and the Bloomington Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manda M. Sertich and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mexican National Sentenced to over Two Years for Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national with an immigration history of prior removals and felony convictions was sentenced today in federal court for illegally reentering the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Galdino Velasco-Santiago, aka Galdino Chavez-Santiago, 40, to 27 months in prison. Velasco-Santiago pleaded guilty on May 15, 2021.
According to court records, on October 2, 2020, Velasco-Santiago was arrested on state criminal charges after a car he was operating went off the road in Augusta and was damaged. He had been removed from the U.S. to Mexico four times previously. He had also been convicted in federal courts in Arizona, Florida and California for prior illegal reentry felony offenses.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement and the Augusta Police Department investigated the case.
Man from Albuquerque sentenced to three years in prison for federal firearm violationRead the Press Release
ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Elijio Saenz, 27, of Albuquerque, was sentenced in federal court on Sept. 22 to three years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Saenz pleaded guilty on Apr. 13.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Nov. 19, 2019, law enforcement responded to a shooting at Saenz’s residence in Bernalillo, County, New Mexico. Law enforcement learned that Saenz had shot his own leg but was unaware of the injury at the time due to his legs being paralyzed. Law enforcement located the loaded firearm and arrested Saenz for an outstanding warrant by the New Mexico Corrections Department Division of Probation and Parole for absconding.
At the time of the incident, Saenz had two previous felony convictions for child abuse. As a previously convicted felon, Saenz cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Upon completion of his sentence, Saenz will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Walsh and Nicholas Mote prosecuted the case
Loves Park Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge for Misappropriating More Than $950,000 in Customer FundsRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Loves Park investment advisor pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston to wire fraud.
NASEEM SALAMAH, 40, was an investment advisor who fraudulently obtained more than $950,000 from the accounts of three of his customers between August 2017 and May 2021. According to a written plea agreement, Salamah told the customers that he needed to move the money to diversify their assets, when, in fact, Salamah used the money for his own benefit and without the customers’ knowledge or consent.
The guilty plea was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filed a civil enforcement action against Salamah, provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Paccagnini.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Salamah faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. He will also be required to pay restitution to the customers in the amount of $968,582.12.
Leader of $2.4 Million Dollar Fraud Scheme Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Massachusetts used car dealer admitted to a federal court judge in Providence, RI, that he led a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud financial institutions in several states of more than $2.4 million dollars by obtaining and attempting to obtain car loans using stolen personal identifying information of others and fraudulent documents, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Rolando E. Estrella, 32, of Dracut, Mass., the former owner of a used car dealership in Lawrence, MA, admitted to the court that he recruited, employed, advised, and directed others to file fraudulent used car loan applications, open bank accounts, deposit fraudulently obtained used car loan checks, and execute cash withdrawals of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Estrella is among nine individuals named in an indictment returned in February 2020, and subsequently in a superseding indictment, that alleged Estrella, and others working at his direction, opened bank accounts with major banks and smaller credit unions using other individuals’ personal identifying information. Estrella and his confederates then used that information, along with falsified automobile titles and other counterfeit documents, including, to apply for and received used car and truck loans. The loan funds were deposited into bank accounts opened by members of the conspiracy in the supposed “sellers’” names. Members of the conspiracy quickly withdrew the funds from banks in the form of cash.
According to information presented to the court, Estrella and his co-defendants intended to defraud financial institutions of $2,419,054.
Appearing Friday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Estrella pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2022.
In addition to Estrella, four others charged in this matter have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining four defendants are awaiting trial.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The investigation into this fraud ring which operated throughout the northeast was conducted by the Social Security Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Le ministère de la Justice résout l'examen des droits civils du système judiciaire unifié du Dakota du SudRead the Press Release
Note : Ce communiqué de presse a été traduit en plusieurs langues. Voir les pièces jointes ci-dessous.
WASHINGTON – Aujourd'hui, le ministère de la Justice a annoncé qu'il avait résolu un examen des droits civils du système judiciaire unifié du Dakota du Sud (UJS, United Judicial System) qui améliorera l'accès aux tribunaux de l'État pour les personnes ayant une compétence limitée en anglais (LEP, Limited English Proficiency).
L'examen du ministère de la Justice a débuté après la réception d'une plainte d'East River Legal Services alléguant que les tribunaux de l'UJS pratiquaient une discrimination à l'encontre des usagers siglés LEP dans les tribunaux en raison de leur origine nationale, en violation du Titre VI de la loi sur les droits civils de 1964. Le Titre VI interdit de pratiquer une discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur ou l'origine nationale à l’encontre des bénéficiaires d'une aide financière fédérale. L'examen du ministère a mis en évidence des barrières linguistiques et des frais de justice plus élevés au sein de l'UJS qui rendaient difficile la participation des personnes siglées LEP aux affaires et procédures civiles de l'État.
« Les tribunaux d'État sont fondamentaux pour l'intégrité de notre système judiciaire et il est important que toute barrière qui empêche les individus d'accéder à ces institutions soit supprimée », a déclaré l'assistante du procureur général Kristen Clarke, de la division des droits civils du ministère de la Justice. « Nous continuerons à travailler avec les tribunaux d'État pour supprimer les barrières linguistiques qui empêchent l'accès à la justice et violent la loi fédérale sur les droits civils. Nous remercions le système judiciaire unifié du Dakota du Sud d'avoir coopéré avec le ministère de la Justice pour résoudre ce problème et d'avoir pris rapidement des mesures pour faire en sorte que tous les usagers des tribunaux puissent comprendre et participer aux affaires, quelles que soient leurs compétences linguistiques en anglais. »
En réponse à l'examen du ministère, l'UJS a présenté un projet de loi à l'assemblée législative de l'État afin d'élargir l'accès aux interprètes et traducteurs judiciaires pour les personnes siglées LEP dans toutes les affaires civiles. La loi est entrée en vigueur le 1er juillet. Pour mettre en œuvre la nouvelle loi, l'UJS a obtenu des fonds supplémentaires dans son budget pour fournir des services d'interprétation sans frais aux parties et témoins siglés LEP. En outre, l'UJS a mis à jour les plans d'accès linguistique pour tous les circuits judiciaires de l'État, a nommé un coordinateur d'accès linguistique et a créé une procédure de plainte pour l'accès linguistique. Le coordinateur et les procédures de plainte contribueront à garantir que les personnes puissent fournir un retour d'information à l'UJS. L'UJS a également accepté de continuer à travailler avec le ministère pour améliorer l'équité et l'accès non discriminatoire aux tribunaux pour les personnes siglées LEP.
Cette affaire a fait l'objet d'une enquête conjointe des avocats de la division des droits civils et du bureau du procureur des États-Unis pour le district du Dakota du Sud. L'application du Titre VI est une priorité absolue de la division des droits civils. Des informations supplémentaires sur la division des droits civils sont disponibles sur son site à l'adresse www.justice.gov/crt, et des informations sur la compétence limitée en anglais et le Titre VI sont disponibles à l'adresse www.lep.gov. Les membres du public peuvent signaler d'éventuelles violations des droits civils à l'adresse https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou au bureau du procureur des États-Unis pour le district du Dakota du Sud en remplissant le formulaire de plainte disponible à l'adresse https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/civil-rights.
Kentucky Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Related to Referrals for Drug Testing at Greensburg, PA LabRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Louisville, Kentucky, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of health care fraud, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Varanise C. Booker, 66, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with her guilty plea, the defendant admitted that she was a licensed psychiatrist who operated a medical practice, Family and Children Behavioral Health Services, in Louisville, Kentucky. Between approximately October 2011 and August 2013, the defendant further admitted that she referred patients for drug testing and related services performed by Universal Oral Fluid Labs (“UOFL”), a clinical drug testing and drug screening laboratory located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The court was further advised that the defendant engaged in health care fraud by causing UOFL to bill the Kentucky Medicaid program for testing based on referrals that were outside the ordinary course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Specifically, the defendant acknowledged that she did not document a legitimate justification for ordering certain drug tests and services, failed to document the results of certain drug tests and services performed by UOFL in her medical files, and failed to address the results of certain drug tests and services in the treatment of her patients. The defendant further admitted that she caused UOFL to pay her a certain portion of the reimbursements the laboratory received from Kentucky Medicaid in connection with her referral of unlawful drug tests and related services. As a result, the defendant caused losses to Kentucky Medicaid of more than $15,000 but not more than $40,000.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 10, 2022. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Booker.
Justice Department Resolves Civil Rights Review of South Dakota Unified Judicial SystemRead the Press Release
Note: This press release has been translated in various languages. See attachments below.
The Justice Department announced it resolved a civil rights review of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) that will improve access to state courts for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
The Justice Department’s review began after it received a complaint from East River Legal Services alleging that UJS courts discriminated against LEP court users based on their national origin in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin. The department’s review uncovered language barriers and higher court costs within the UJS that made it difficult for LEP individuals to participate in state civil cases and proceedings.
“State courts are fundamental to the integrity of our justice system and it is important that any barriers that prevent individuals from accessing these institutions be removed,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to work with state courts to remove language barriers that deny access to justice and violate federal civil rights law. We thank the South Dakota Unified Judicial System for working cooperatively with the Justice Department to resolve this matter and taking prompt action to ensure that all court users can understand and participate in cases, regardless of their English language ability.”
In response to the department’s review, UJS introduced a bill in the state legislature to expand access to court interpreters and translators for LEP individuals in all civil cases. The legislation became law on July 1. To implement the new law, UJS secured additional funding in its budget to provide interpreter services at no cost to LEP parties and witnesses. Additionally, UJS has updated the language access plans for all state judicial circuits, appointed a language access coordinator and created a language access complaint process. The coordinator and complaint procedures will help ensure that individuals can provide feedback to UJS. UJS has also agreed to continue working with the department to improve fairness and nondiscriminatory access to the courts for LEP individuals.
This case was jointly investigated by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. Enforcement of Title VI is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota by completing the complaint form available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/civil-rights.
Justice Department Commemorates National Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
The Justice Department joins law enforcement partners, victim services professionals, advocates and communities across the country in observing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and announces more than $476 million in Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grants. The funding supports 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.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a sobering reminder of the harm domestic violence inflicts across our country, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic means that for many survivors, abuse may be compounded by being isolated with an abuser, loss of income and stress over the virus itself,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “These OVW grants will provide local organizations with resources to support survivors as they heal, promote victim access to justice, and further local, state and tribal training efforts to best prepare officials to respond to these dangerous calls.”
“The grant awards we make this year will not only touch the lives of millions of survivors of domestic violence, but also help our nation prevent and end sexual assault and stalking,” said Acting Director Allison Randall of OVW. “OVW is proud to be the leading federal voice in the country’s fight against these devastating crimes. Grant awards announced today will fund victim services, culturally specific responses, legal assistance, law enforcement and prosecution services, and court practices, as well as training and technical assistance to an array of professionals who help survivors every day.”
In addition to administering grant funding, the department is combating domestic and sexual violence in local and tribal communities on other fronts. The department has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address violent crime, which asked U.S. Attorneys to evaluate the current drivers of violent crime in their regions, including domestic violence, and to develop strategies to address these drivers. OVW’s announcement today of over $476 million in grants is a key part of that strategy. In addition, on Sept. 20, the department’s Office of Justice Programs announced more than $1.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2021 Victims of Crime Act funding.
In his Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation, President Joseph R. Biden, the original author of the Violence Against Women Act, called on all Americans to reaffirm their commitment to ending this violence, and in his Fiscal Year 2022 budget, proposed a historic $1 billion for grant programs administered by OVW.
Funds being awarded this year by OVW formula grant programs include:
Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program: $153.1 million awarded to all states and territories to support communities, including American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The STOP Formula Grant Program – authorized by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and subsequent legislation – requires that 30% of funds be allocated for victim services, of which at least 10% must be distributed to culturally specific, community-based organizations. No less than 25% of a state’s formula funding must be allocated for law enforcement, 25% for prosecution and 5% to courts.
Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) Formula Grant Programs: $28.2 million awarded to states and territories for direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. The SASP Formula Grant Program directs grant dollars to states and territories to assist them in supporting rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations or tribal programs that provide services, direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault. Funds provided through SASP are designed to supplement other funding sources directed at addressing sexual assault on the state and territorial level.
State and Territorial Coalitions Program: $15.1 million awarded to fund 87 state and territorial domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions (determined by the Department of Health and Human Services) to coordinate victim services activities. These coalitions support member rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other victim service providers through funding, training and technical assistance, public awareness activities, and public policy advocacy.
Tribal Coalitions Program: $6.1 million awarded to support 18 nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions. Tribal coalitions provide education, support and technical assistance to tribal victim service providers and tribes to enhance their response to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking.
For more information about these grants, please see OVW’s Formula Grant Programs fact sheet.
OVW discretionary program funding for 2021 includes:
Legal Assistance for Victims: $35.8 million awarded to 59 projects to provide a range of services, including legal assistance for victims and the implementation, expansion and establishment of efforts and projects to provide competent, supervised pro bono legal assistance for victims. See the Legal Assistance for Victims Program fact sheet.
Transitional Housing: $35.3 million awarded to 68 programs to support funding for: the operating expenses of newly developed or existing transitional housing programs; short-term housing assistance, including rental or utilities payments assistance and assistance with related expenses; and voluntary services designed to enable a minor, an adult, or a dependent of such minor or adult, who is fleeing a situation of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, to locate and secure permanent housing, secure employment (including obtaining employment counseling, occupational training, job retention counseling and counseling concerning re-entry into the workforce), and integrate into a community by providing that minor, adult, or dependent with services such as transportation, counseling, child care services, case management and other assistance. See the Transitional Housing fact sheet.
Rural Program: $34.6 million awarded to 46 programs to identify, assess and appropriately respond to child, youth and adult victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in rural communities by encouraging collaboration among service providers, criminal justice service providers, human and community service providers, educational institutions, and health care providers; establish and expand nonprofit, nongovernmental, state, tribal, territorial and local government victim services in rural communities; and increase the safety and wellbeing of women and children in rural communities. See the Rural Program fact sheet.
Grants to Tribal Governments: $32.4 million awarded to 40 programs for a wide range of support, including: increasing tribal capacity to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and stalking crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native women; strengthening tribal justice interventions; enhancing victim services; providing transitional housing for victims, including rental or utilities payment assistance and assistance with related expenses and support services, to enable victims to locate and secure permanent housing and integrate into a community; and developing, strengthening and implementing policies, protocols and training for law enforcement regarding cases of missing or murdered Indians. See the Tribal Governments Program fact sheet.
Improving Criminal Justice Responses: $30.8 million awarded to 41 programs that address a wide range of support across the criminal justice system so that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking are treated as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system and partnerships with victim service providers. See the Improving Criminal Justice Responses Program fact sheet.
Campus Program: $16.2 million awarded to 52 programs to support a wide range of projects that develop a comprehensive coordinated community approach to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campuses that enhances victim safety, provides services and support for victims, and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable. See the Campus Program fact sheet.
Justice for Families: $13.6 million awarded to 24 projects to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice systems to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse, including by supporting court-based programs, supervised visitation and safe exchange of children, training for court personnel, and civil legal services. See the Justice for Families Program fact sheet.
Consolidated Youth and Engaging Men: $9 million awarded to 20 programs to provide services and training to address the needs of children and youth impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; and engage men to prevent violence against women and girls. See the Consolidated Youth and Engaging Men Program fact sheet.
Culturally Specific Services: $6.8 million awarded to 23 projects to increase communities’ capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for victims; provide culturally specific resources and services that address the safety, economic, housing and workplace needs of victims; provide training for law enforcement, prosecution, courts, probation and correctional facilities on culturally specific responses; and examine the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing. See the Culturally Specific Services fact sheet.
Underserved Program: $4.9 million awarded to 11 programs to develop or enhance services for populations or implement outreach strategies targeted at adult or youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking in underserved populations, who often face challenges in accessing victim services that are accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to their needs. See the Underserved Program fact sheet.
Disabilities Program: $4.1 million awarded to 10 programs to provide a range of resources including personnel, training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction and prevention to disabled victims, and to develop model programs. See the Disability Grant Program fact sheet.
Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program: $4 million awarded to 14 programs to create, maintain and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by organizations that are uniquely situated to respond to the needs of sexual assault victims from culturally specific populations. See the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program fact sheet.
Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program: $3.8 million awarded to 10 programs to support the establishment, maintenance and expansion of programs and projects within Indian country and Alaska Native villages to assist those victimized by sexual assault. See the Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program fact sheet.
Research and Evaluation Initiative: $2.3 million awarded to seven projects on a range of topics including measuring effectiveness of a wide breadth of funded activities, including victim services, policing, prosecution and court responses. See the Research and Evaluation Initiative Solicitation.
Abuse in Later Life: $1.4 million awarded to four programs to provide training, establish and support multidisciplinary collaborative community responses, provide and enhance services for victims, and conduct outreach and awareness campaigns to support projects that provide a comprehensive approach to addressing elder abuse. See the Abuse in Later Life Program fact sheet.
National Tribal Clearinghouse on Sexual Assault: $1 million awarded to one program to establish, sustain and expand a repository that provides resources, training opportunities, educational materials and technical assistance on issues relating to sexual assault of American Indian and Alaska Native women.
Resource Center on Workplace Responses to Assist Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence Program: $1 million awarded to one program to manage the National Resource Center on Workplace Responses, which provides information, resources, tools and technical assistance to employers and labor organizations to better equip them to respond to victims. These efforts address the needs of employees in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking impacting the workplace.
Special Domestic Violence Jurisdiction Program: $733,691 awarded to two programs to assist Indian tribes in planning, implementing and exercising “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” to hold accountable non-Indians who commit crimes of domestic violence or dating violence or violate certain protection orders in Indian country. For more information, see the Tribal Jurisdiction Program fact sheet.
Training and Technical Assistance Program: $36.2 million awarded to 65 programs that provide training, expertise and problem-solving strategies to meet the challenges of addressing sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Technical assistance projects offer in-person and online educational opportunities, peer-to-peer consultations, on-site technical assistance, and tailored assistance for OVW grantees and potential grantees. In more limited circumstances, OVW's technical assistance projects offer technical assistance to a small number of pilot sites as part of demonstration initiatives or assessments of newly developed training curricula or tools. For more information, please visit OVW’s Training and Technical Assistance website.
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About the Office on Violence Against Women
The Office on Violence Against Women provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw. To sign up for OVW alerts visit this webpage or follow OVW on Twitter @OVWJustice.
Inmate Sentenced to Six Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiring to Obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance BenefitsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on a charge of fraud, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Tylan Huddleston, 24, was sentenced to six months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release by United States District Judge David Cercone.
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to be an emergency under Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford disaster Relief and Emergency Act. Subsequently, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (which is frequently referred to as the CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provided unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits. The CARES Act also provided an emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits of $600.00 per week.
According to information provided to the court, Huddleston conspired with another individual to commit mail fraud to obtain $13,905 in connection with pandemic unemployment assistance benefits while he was incarcerated awaiting trial on state charges.
“Tylan Huddleston conspired to defraud the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by having his co-conspirator fraudulently file for and receive benefits on his behalf while Huddleston was incarcerated at Lawrence County Jail. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and our law enforcement partners, to safeguard the integrity of all unemployment assistance programs,” stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tylan Huddleston.
Idara ya Sheria Inasuluhisha Ukaguzi wa Haki za Kiraia za Mfumo wa Mahakama ya Umoja wa Dakota KusiniRead the Press Release
Kumbuka: Taarifa hii kwa vyombo vya habari imetafsiriwa katika lugha mbalimbali. Angalia viambatisho vilivyo hapa chini.
WASHINGTON – Leo hii Idara ya Sheria imetangaza kwamba imetatua ukaguzi wa haki za kiraia za Mfumo wa Mahakama wa Umoja wa Dakato Kusini (UJS) ambao utawasaidia watu wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza (LEP) ili waweze kuwasiliana katika mahakama ya jimbo.
Ukaguzi wa Idara ya Sheria ulianza baada ya kupokea malalamiko kutoka kwa Huduma za Kisheria za East River ikidai kwamba mahakama za UJS ziliwabagua wafanyakazi wa mahakama wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza (LEP) kulingana na asili yao ya kitaifa ambayo ni kinyume cha Sehemu ya VI ya Sheria ya Haki za Kiraia ya 1964. Sehemu ya VI inakataza wanaopokea usaidizi wa kifedha wa serikali kuwabagua watu kwa sababu ya mbari, rangi au asili yao ya kitaifa. Ukaguzi wa idara ulitambua kwamba vizuizi vya lugha na gharama kubwa kwa mahakama ya UJS zinawazuia watu wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza yani LEP kushiriki katika kesi za kiraia na mashtaka.
“Mahakama ya jimbo ni msingi wa uadilifu wa mfumo wetu wa haki na ni muhimu kwamba vikwazo vyovyote vinavyowazuia watu kufikia taasisi hizi viondolewe,” alisema Msaidizi wa Mwanasheria Mkuu Kristen Clarke wa Idara ya Sheria Kitengo cha Haki za Kiraia. “Tutaendelea kushirikiana na mahakama za jimbo ili tuondoe vizuizi vya lugha vinavyowazuia watu kupata haki na vinavyokiuka sheria ya haki za kiraia ya serikali. Tunashukuru Mfumo wa Mahakama ya Umoja wa Dakota Kusini kwa kushirikiana na Idara ya Sheria ili kutatua jambo hili na kuchukua hatua ya haraka ya kuhakikisha kwamba wafanyakazi wote wa mahakama wanaweza kuelewa na kushiriki katika kesi, bila kujali uwezo wao wa kuzungumza na kuandika Lugha ya Kiingereza.”
Kwa sababu ya ukaguzi wa idara, UJS ilianzisha mswada katika bunge la jimbo wa kuongeza wakalimani na watafsiri kwa ajili ya watu wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza yani LEP katika kesi zote za kiraia. Sheria hiyo iliyotungwa ilikuwa sheria mnamo Julai tarehe 1. Kwa ajili ya kutekeleza sheria hiyo mpya, UJS ilipata fedha za ziada katika bajeti yake za kutoa huduma za wakalimani za bure kwa watu na mashahidi wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza yani LEP. Isitoshe, UJS imesasisha mipango ya kupata huduma za lugha kwa ajili ya safari zote za kutembelea mahakama za jimbo, imeteua mratibu wa kupata huduma za lugha na imeunda mchakato wa malalamiko ya kupata huduma za lugha. Mratibu na taratibu za malalamiko zitasaidia katika kuhakikisha kwamba watu wanaweza kutoa maoni kwa UJS. UJS pia imekubali kuendelea kushirikiana na idara ili iendeleze haki na kutowabagua watu wenye ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza yani LEP katika kufikia mahakama.
Kesi hii ilichunguzwa na mawakili wa Kitengo cha Haki za Kiraia pamoja na Ofisi ya Wakili wa Marekani wa Wilaya ya Dakota Kusini. Utekelezaji wa Sehemu ya VI ni muhimu sana kwa Kitengo cha Haki za Kiraia. Taarifa ya ziada kuhusu Kitengo cha Haki za Kiraia inapatikana kwenye tovuti yake www.justice.gov/crt, na taarifa kuhusu ujuzi finyu wa Kiingereza na Sehemu ya VI inapatikana kwenye www.lep.gov. Watu wanaweza kuripoti mambo yanayoweza kuwa ukiukaji wa haki za kiraia kwenye https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ au kwa Ofisi ya Wakili wa Marekani wa Wilaya ya Dakota Kusini kwa kujaza fomu ya malalamiko inayopatikana kwenye https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/civil-rights.
Grant County Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Violating Court SupervisionRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Rodolfo Ramirez, Jr., age 36, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 30, 2021, to Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Ramirez to an 84-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Rice also imposed a 24-month term of imprisonment, to run consecutive to the sentence imposed in the firearm case, after finding that Ramirez violated court supervision stemming from a previous conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on December 21, 2019, law enforcement officers in Moses Lake, Washington responded to a report of a drive-by shooting. At the scene, officers were notified that an individual, subsequently identified as Ramirez, fled the scene after discharging multiple rounds of ammunition at another person. One of the rounds Ramirez discharged pierced the wall of a residence and entered a bedroom where a child was sleeping. When arrested, Ramirez admitted discharging his firearm at the person.
Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The actions of Ramirez placed the victim and innocent by-standers in grave danger. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is dedicated to seeking lengthy prison sentences for anyone involved in acts of violence. I commend the law enforcement officers with Moses Lake Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the 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 Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Moses Lake Police Department, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by James A. Goeke and Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Fugitive Sex Offender Found in Fayetteville Sentenced for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A California man who was on the run for more than twenty months before being apprehended in Fayetteville was sentenced today to 31 months in prison for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
According to court documents, Stephen Robert Bond, 56, was charged with one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250. Bond pled guilty on November 9, 2020.
In 1993, Bond was convicted of Forcible Rape in California and his sentence included a requirement to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Bond failed to comply with his registration requirement at least twice previously, resulting in California felony convictions for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in 1999 and 2013. In open court the government explained that Bond was paroled in June 2018 and placed on location monitoring but cut off his location monitoring equipment and went on the run just two months after being paroled. Bond spent approximately a year in Arizona before arriving in Fayetteville, NC in the Fall of 2019. Bond did not, as required, register as a sex offender in North Carolina but in January 2020, he applied for and began receiving food stamps. The U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”) received the case on May 11, 2020 and a week later, on May 18, 2020, the USMS’ Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offenders Unit apprehended Bond at his residence in Fayetteville.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The U.S. Marshals Service, Eastern District of North Carolina, Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Stephany prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00360-FL.
Fox Valley Man Sentenced for Arson of Ridgeway VP Gas StationRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on October 4, 2021, Christian B. M. Crawford (age: 28) of Menasha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for arson to a building.
According to court filings, in January of 2021, the Ridgeway VP gas station in Neenah, Wisconsin, was burglarized and set ablaze by Crawford. Prior to setting fire to the building, Crawford stole cigarettes, alcohol, and other items from the premises. Many of these items were later recovered during a search of Crawford’s residence.
Crawford was further linked to a string of burglaries, thefts, property, and drug crimes throughout Winnebago and Outagamie counties. These charges were resolved in conjunction with the federal arson charge.
At sentencing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charge, the need for just punishment, and protection of the public. Following his release from prison, Crawford will spend three years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $793,000 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, the Neenah Police Department, the Menasha Police Department, the Fox Crossing Police Department, and the Winnebago and Outagamie County District Attorney Offices. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Four Defendants Charged with COVID-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Margaret Garnett, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), announced charges against CHANETTE LEWIS, TATIANA BENJAMIN, TATIANA DANIEL, and HEAVEN WEST for participating in a scheme that defrauded New York City’s COVID-19 Hotel Room Isolation Program of more than $400,000. LEWIS was also charged with a second COVID‑19 scheme involving unemployment benefits fraud. LEWIS and DANIEL were arrested today in New York and will be presented before Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker in Manhattan federal court. WEST was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be presented before Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas in the Northern District of Georgia. BENJAMIN remains at large.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, New York City designed a program to provide hotel rooms, free of cost, for qualifying individuals who could not safely self-isolate in their own homes, such as healthcare workers and individuals infected with COVID-19. As alleged, the defendants abused this program by falsely claiming to be healthcare workers and by selling hotel rooms to non-qualifying individuals. When, as alleged here, people illicitly exploit a public health crisis for private gain, they will find themselves facing criminal charges.”
DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said: “During the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, while this City grappled with soaring transmission and death rates, these defendants exploited the very City-run program meant to provide respite and isolation to healthcare workers and City residents desperately trying to find space to quarantine and stem the spread of the virus, according to the charges. These defendants shamelessly posted their illegal conduct on social media and sold personal identification information of medical professionals to further their scheme, which siphoned more than $400,000 in hotel rooms paid for by the City and federal governments, according to the criminal complaint. DOI issued recommendations to the City Emergency Management to strengthen controls over this program, which has since ended, and thanks the agency for reporting this matter to DOI. I want to also thank our federal law enforcement partners at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor for working in partnership with us to uncover these charged COVID-19-related crimes and holding those involved accountable.”
DOL-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone said: “The Unemployment Insurance Program exists to provide needed assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed due to no fault of their own. Fraud against the Unemployment Insurance Program distracts state workforce agencies from ensuring benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with our many law enforcement partners, to investigate those who exploit the Unemployment Insurance Program.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City created the COVID-19 Hotel Room Isolation Program (the “Program”). Funded by New York City and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Program provided free hotel rooms for qualifying individuals throughout New York City. The Program was open to: (1) healthcare workers who needed to isolate because of exposure to COVID-19; (2) patients who had tested positive for COVID-19; (3) individuals who believed, based on their symptoms, that they were infected with COVID-19; and (4) individuals who lived with someone who had COVID-19. As stated on the City’s website describing the Program, such individuals “may qualify to self-isolate in a hotel, free of charge, for up to 14 days if you do not have a safe place to self-isolate.” Those who wished to book a hotel room through the Program could either call a phone number or use an online hotel booking platform.
The four defendants defrauded the Program in at least two respects. First, they secured free Program hotel rooms for themselves by falsely claiming to be healthcare workers. Second, they sold fraudulently obtained hotel rooms – including rooms located in Manhattan and the Bronx – to customers who were ineligible for the Program. In total, the defendants collectively diverted more than 2,700 nights’ worth of hotel rooms through this scheme. The defendants charged varying amounts depending on the duration of the customers’ hotel stay (e.g., $150 for one week, or $300 for two weeks). Customers paid the defendants in cash and using electronic payment services. The federal government and New York City paid more than approximately $400,000 for the hotel rooms that were fraudulently diverted as a result of the defendants’ scheme.
LEWIS worked at a call center (“Call Center-1”) that handled phone calls and certain reservations for the Program for several months in 2020. LEWIS was hired specifically for the Program, and as a result of her employment, she had access to legitimate healthcare workers’ identifying information. LEWIS abused her position, including by misappropriating healthcare workers’ identifying information, revealing the Program’s inner workings to co-conspirators, and making unauthorized sales of Program hotel rooms to ineligible individuals. For instance, LEWIS sold BENJAMIN, for $800, personal identifying information of at least five healthcare professionals, as well as certain “codes” to use when booking hotel reservations through the Program, such as the employee ID number and license number. LEWIS admitted, in Facebook messages, that she had stolen doctors’ identifying information in furtherance of the scheme, writing: “I work for 311 oem that how I got doctors licenses and stuff . . . I work in the part that I collect they information and I do and approval the booking . . . I take doctors and stuff certificate numbers and stuff.” LEWIS also advertised to potential customers that, when hotels asked for a healthcare worker’s identification, LEWIS would supply a purported paystub and a letter asserting that the individual was (purportedly) a healthcare worker.
All four defendants used Facebook to advertise the sale of fraudulently obtained Program hotel rooms; communicate with co-conspirators; and communicate directly with customers. LEWIS worked directly with BENJAMIN and DANIEL, while WEST worked with, among others, DANIEL. The defendants made various incriminating statements via Facebook, including the following statements: (1) LEWIS told one hotel customer, “I’m booking it as u a health care worker”; (2) BENJAMIN told a Facebook user, “Friend at 311 gave me the juice for the hotel so I been booking ppl rooms”; (3) DANIEL told LEWIS, “We gotta relocate that bitch they keep asking for employee ID”; and (4) when asked whether she had “rooms” available, WEST replied, “Nah I dead don’t bro / All essential hotels are clipped” and added: “They finding out we was scamming the system lol.” All four defendants were paid by, among other means, Cash App, and their Cash App accounts revealed payments where the memo line said, for instance, “1 month telly”, “Hotel Manhattan 2 week extension for Kenny []”, “for the 2 week room”, “ayo telly”, “2 week stay in Manhattan”, “the room”, and “hotel for july 4-6”.
LEWIS is also charged with a second COVID-19 scheme involving unemployment benefits fraud. LEWIS fraudulently obtained more than $45,000 in unemployment benefits by claiming falsely that she had not been employed since February 2020 due to a lack of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, LEWIS was employed for at least some of that period at Call Center-1, and LEWIS’s employment there ceased not because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but because LEWIS stopped showing up to work.
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The Complaint contains five counts. A chart containing the names, ages, residences, charges for each defendant, and maximum penalties, is set forth below. The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding efforts of agents, investigators, and analysts from DOI, DOL-OIG, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Ms. Strauss also thanked the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this investigation. She also expressed gratitude to the New York City Police Department, the New York State Department of Labor, and the DOL-OIG Atlanta Regional Office for their assistance. She added that the investigation is continuing.
This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Neff is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant, Age, Hometown
Charges, Maximum Penalties
CHANETTE LEWIS, 30
Brooklyn, New York
Wire fraud: 20 years’ imprisonment
Wire fraud conspiracy: 20 years’ imprisonment
Honest services fraud: 20 years’ imprisonment
Aggravated identity theft: mandatory minimum term of 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment
Theft of Government funds: 10 years’ imprisonment
TATIANA BENJAMIN, 26
Queens, New York
Wire fraud: 20 years’ imprisonment
Wire fraud conspiracy: 20 years’ imprisonment
Aggravated identity theft: mandatory minimum term of 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment
TATIANA DANIEL, 27
Brooklyn, New York
Wire fraud: 20 years’ imprisonment
Wire fraud conspiracy: 20 years’ imprisonment
HEAVEN WEST, 21
Brooklyn, New York
Wire fraud: 20 years’ imprisonment
Wire fraud conspiracy: 20 years’ imprisonment
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Former West Hazleton Police Chief Sentenced to Two Months’ Imprisonment for Civil Rights ViolationRead the Press Release
WILKES-BARRE- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Buglio, age 46, of Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., to two months of imprisonment and a one-year term of supervised release that includes four months of home confinement.
According to Acting United States Bruce D. Brandler, Buglio, the former Chief of Police for the West Hazleton Police Department, pleaded guilty to a deprivation of civil rights, after he threatened a private citizen with felony criminal charges, in retaliation for social media posts created by the private citizen that were critical of Buglio and of the West Hazleton Police Department.
In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Saporito deemed Buglio’s actions an “abuse of power” when he threatened to use the criminal justice system to further his own personal interests. In addition to the term of imprisonment and supervised release, Judge Saporito also ordered Buglio to pay a $5,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Former U.S. Military Pilot Charged with Making False Statements on National Security Background Forms Regarding Foreign ContactsRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot-turned-civilian-contractor appeared in federal court in San Diego yesterday to face charges that when he was required to make disclosures during national security background checks, he failed to disclose that he repeatedly met with - and received cash payments from - a Chinese national linked to intelligence services.
Shapour Moinian, 66 years of age from Mira Mesa, worked for many years for various defense contractors and also as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Navy and was subjected to multiple national security background checks. According to a complaint and disclosures made at his initial appearance and bond hearing, Moinian made false statements on these questionnaires, asserting repeatedly that he did not have any contact with foreign nationals.
In 2017, Moinian was communicating with a Chinese National, who posed as a recruiter on a job-services platform in a manner that both Germany and France have publicly identified as a technique used by Chinese intelligence services. Thereafter, Moinian traveled to China where in March 2017, while working at a cleared defense contractor on various projects, including a high-altitude, unmanned surveillance aircraft used by the U.S. Military and various allies. Upon returning, Moinian continued to communicate with his Chinese contact and update her on the progress of his work for her. In September 2017, Moinian again traveled overseas and met with his Chinese contact. Following this meeting, Moinian used a relative’s South Korean bank account to receive payment from his Chinese contact, which he then had wired to him in the United States.
In 2017, in the midst of his communications, visits, and working for his Chinese contact, Moinian completed a Questionnaire for National Security Background Investigations, where it is alleged he made knowingly and willfully materially false, fraudulent, and fictitious statements and representations, when he stated that he had not had close or continuing contact with a foreign national and had not been asked to work as a consultant, or consider employment by a foreign national, within the past seven years.
In 2018 after returning from another overseas meeting with his Chinese contact and her associates, where he received a cash payment, Moinian conducted searches using an internet search engine for sabotage, espionage, spying, and selling military information to a foreign country. In June 2019, Moinian requested a $20,000 payment from his Chinese contact, telling her that it was for a friend. In August of that year, Moinian traveled overseas to meet with his Chinese contact and others, where he received a large cash payment.
In 2020, when completing another Questionnaire for National Security Background Investigations, it is alleged Moinian made knowingly and willfully materially false, fraudulent, and fictitious statements and representations, when he reaffirmed that he had not had close or continuing contact with a foreign national and had not been asked to work as a consultant, or consider employment by a foreign national, within the past seven years.
Moinian, a former helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, continued his work for various defense contractors while communicating and meeting with his Chinese contact and her associates, who provided him with cash payments that he smuggled back into the United States. These meetings, and payments, occurred in multiple overseas locations, including Hong Kong, Macau, Bali, and Taiwan. In addition to cash payments at these meetings, Moinian also received at least one other payment from his Chinese contact that he funneled through his relative’s South Korean bank account.
At the time of his arrest on October 1, 2021, Moinian was working for another cleared defense contractor and was slated to relocate to South Korea to work on a military aircraft being produced for that country. When he was arrested, Moinian had already provided many of his belongings to a company to transport to South Korea, and given notice that he was vacating his apartment the following week. Although these charges have been filed, the investigation is continuing by both the FBI and NCIS.
“The complaint alleges a disturbing failure to reveal information highly relevant to the background clearance process,” stated Acting United States Randy Grossman. “This office is committed to ensuring that individuals in sensitive national security positions are worthy of the trust placed in them.” Grossman commended the work of AUSA Fred Sheppard, DOJ’s National Security Division and the FBI and NCIS agents who diligently pursued this matter.
“This case serves as a stark reminder of the social media exploitation strategies Chinese intelligence agencies will utilize to target, recruit, and maintain contact with valuable foreign assets,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “Let this arrest serve as a deterrent to those who may consider hiding their foreign contacts in the hopes they can live a double-life and not get caught.”
“Mr. Moinian’s alleged false statements on security background forms about his contact with foreign nationals posed a significant threat to our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle Kramer of the NCIS Office of Special Projects. “This arrest should serve as a warning that NCIS and our law enforcement partners remain committed to rooting out any and all criminal attempts to compromise our nation’s national security interests. We sincerely thank our partners for their substantial efforts during this investigation to preserve U.S. warfighter superiority.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 21MJ3884
Shapour Moinian Age: 66 San Diego
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 (Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation)
Maximum penalty: Fine and prison term of up to five years.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Trousdale Turner Supervisory Corrections Officer Indicted for Civil Rights Violations and Obstruction ChargesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A federal indictment unsealed today charged former supervisory corrections officer Kenan Lister, 42, of Clarksville, Tennessee, with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Lister is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for using unlawful force on an inmate; one count for being deliberately indifferent to the inmate’s medical needs; and one count of obstructing justice. FBI agents arrested Lister at his home this morning and he will make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge later today.
The indictment alleges that, on Aug. 30, 2019, Lister assaulted an inmate in a holding cell at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Hartsville, Tennessee. At the time, Lister was on duty as the prison’s security threat group coordinator. The indictment alleges that, while the inmate was sitting in a holding cell and not resisting, Lister punched the inmate in the head, knocking him to the ground, and then kicked, punched and struck the inmate multiple times in his head, chest, and torso after he was on the ground. The inmate sustained bodily injury as a result of the assault. Despite Lister’s knowledge that the inmate needed medical attention, Lister failed to provide medical care or to make the necessary notifications to get the inmate medical care. Lister then obstructed justice by submitting a false report that omitted his use of force entirely.
If convicted, Lister faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the civil rights charges and up to 20 years in prison for the obstruction charge, as well as a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers of the Middle District of Tennessee and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Former Tennessee Supervisory Corrections Officer Indicted for Civil Rights Violations and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today charging a former Tennessee supervisory corrections officer with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses. The defendant is charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for using unlawful force on an inmate; one count for being deliberately indifferent to the inmate’s medical needs; and one count of obstructing justice.
The indictment alleges that, on Aug. 30, 2019, Kenan Lister, 42, assaulted an inmate in a holding cell at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Hartsville, Tennessee. At the time, Lister was on duty as the prison’s security threat group coordinator. The indictment alleges that, while the inmate was sitting in a holding cell and not resisting, Lister punched the inmate in the head, knocking him to the ground, and then kicked, punched and struck the inmate multiple times in his head, chest and torso after he was on the ground. The inmate sustained bodily injury as a result of the assault. Despite Lister’s knowledge that the inmate needed medical attention, Lister failed to provide medical care or to make the necessary notifications to get the inmate medical care. Lister then obstructed justice by submitting a false report that omitted his use of force entirely.
If convicted, Lister faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the civil rights charges and up to 20 years in prison for the obstruction charge, as well as a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Former Priest Pleads Guilty on the First Day of Trial to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Fernando Cristancho, age 65, of Bel Air, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to coercion and enticement of a minor who he met through the church to engage in illegal sexual activity. Cristancho also admitted that he produced nude images of four other minor victims.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; and Harford County State’s Attorney Albert Peisinger.
According to his guilty plea, Cristancho was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in Colombia, South America, in 1985 and moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where he worked as an assistant priest from 1994 to 1997. In approximately 1999, Cristancho was granted faculties to work as a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and worked as a priest in Baltimore County, and then at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Harford County. In 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore revoked Cristancho’s faculties to work as a priest in the Archdiocese.
John Doe was 11, 12, and 13 years old at the time of the offenses against him. John Doe’s family were members of St. Ignatius. Not long after Cristancho arrived at St. Ignatius in 1999, he began to spend time with John Doe’s family outside of church, including meals at restaurants and the family’s home, and at family gatherings. John Doe also became a lector at the church, with Cristancho working with him and coaching him in that process.
Beginning when John Doe was 11, Cristancho would complain of a bad back and ask John Doe for back rubs; offered John Doe alcohol; took John Doe to dinner, kissed John Doe, acted as if they were in a romantic relationship, and told him that he loved him. Cristancho also showed John Doe pornography including movies of sex acts between males and suggesting they do the same sexual activities.
After Cristancho was no longer working at the church, he arranged to hold religious services in the home of a parishioner, with John Doe performing as a lector or altar server. In the summer of 2002, Cristancho invited himself to attend John Doe’s family’s camping trip and arranged to sleep next to John Doe in a tent. Following the camping trip, Cristancho arranged for John Doe to assist around Cristancho’s house, including with his infant children. Eventually, Cristancho arranged to have John Doe spend the weekend, which John Doe did on a regular basis well into 2003. It was during these weekends that Cristancho sexually abused John Doe. Cristancho sexually abused John Doe from 2002 through at least Fall 2003.
In September 2017, Cristancho went to a retail pharmacy to use the store’s photo printing equipment. While assisting Cristancho, a store employee observed some of the images on Cristancho’s iPhone, including several photos of naked children and an image of what appeared to be a bite mark on a young boy’s buttocks. The employee made a report to police. Law enforcement initiated an investigation, and a search warrant was executed at Cristancho’s residence on September 19, 2017. During the search warrant, investigators seized various digital devices, including an iPhone 6s. A subsequent forensic examination of the phone recovered nude photos and videos of four other minor victims, with most of the images being recorded when the victims were less than five years old.
Cristancho and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Cristancho will be sentenced to between 10 years and 25 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for December 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. As part of his plea agreement, upon his release from prison, Cristancho must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution and thanked the Harford County Child Advocacy Center for its assistance. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Colleen E. McGuinn, who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Former Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft at Loranger Post OfficeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans, announced that HAROLD SAINTES, JR. age 52, of Franklin, Louisiana pled guilty as charged to a one count Bill of Information for Theft of Mail, before United States District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey today.
In papers filed with the court and signed by defendant SAINTES, he admitted to taking mis-sent parcels in the amount of $380.00 from the Loranger Post Office from September 1, 2019 through October 19, 2019.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 4, 2022. At that time, SAINTES faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment cost due after conviction.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.
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Former Executive Director of Maryland Environmental Service Facing Federal and State Charges for Allegedly Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $276,731 from His Employer, and State Felony Violations of the Maryland Wiretap StatuteRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – As a result of a collaborative investigation, today a federal grand jury returned an indictment, and a state criminal information has been filed, charging Roy C. McGrath, age 52, of Naples, Florida, for allegedly fraudulently obtaining funds from Maryland Environmental Service corporation. The criminal information also alleges that McGrath illegally recorded private conversations with senior Maryland state officials.
McGrath is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and a state court appearance in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, but no dates have been set for those hearings.
The federal and state charges were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton Howard III; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve one’s community, and public officials are entrusted to place the interests of citizens above their own,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “Our federal and state law enforcement team in Maryland will always hold accountable public officials who betray the public trust for their personal gain. Maryland residents should always demand honesty and integrity from those in government, and hopefully this indictment offers the public some level of confidence that we are committed to prosecuting those who violate that trust.”
“Our office will seek to hold accountable any public official who abuses the privileges of their office for corrupt reasons or illicit personal gain. The Office of the State Prosecutor will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to ensure the public’s interests are protected,” said Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton Howard.
“According to this indictment, Roy McGrath misappropriated public money for his own benefit. From personal travel to even obtaining a certificate from one of the most prestigious universities in the nation, McGrath’s alleged actions were self-serving and ultimately self-sabotaging,” said Thomas J. Sobocinski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out public corruption and holding officials like him accountable.”
According to the six-count federal indictment filed today in U.S. District Court and the 27-count criminal information filed in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, on December 27, 2016, McGrath was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve as Executive Director of Maryland Environmental Service (MES), a corporation owned by the State of Maryland to provide environmental services such as water and wastewater management, solid waste management, composting, recycling, dredged material management and other services to state and local government agencies, federal government entities, and private clients. MES, which was headquartered in Millersville, Maryland, generated its operating funds from fees charged to governmental and private clients for its services, as well as from federal grants and funding from federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. MES functioned as an independent state corporation which did not pay its employees according to the state government pay scale, but did require its employees to comply with state travel regulations, annual leave policies, and policies regarding compensatory leave, and time and attendance reporting. McGrath resigned from MES as of May 31, 2020, to become the Governor’s Chief of Staff effective as of June 1, 2020.
The federal and state charges allege that from March 2019 through December 2020, McGrath personally enriched himself by using his positions of trust as the Executive Director of MES and the chief of staff for the Governor of Maryland to cause MES to make payments to McGrath, or on his behalf, to which he was not entitled.
Specifically, the federal indictment and state criminal information allege: that McGrath caused MES funds to be paid to a museum where he was a member of the Board of Directors instead of using his personal funds to pay his pledge to the museum; that McGrath caused the MES Board of Directors to approve paying McGrath a $233,647.23 severance payment—equal to one year’s salary—upon his departure from MES by falsely telling them that the Governor was aware of and approved the payment; that McGrath caused MES to pay tuition benefits for McGrath after he left MES by personally approving reimbursements for payments made by Subordinate Employee #1 on McGrath's behalf; and that McGrath falsified his time sheets, reporting that he was at work while on two separate vacations in 2019.
The state criminal information also alleges that, during his tenure at MES and later as the Governor’s Chief of Staff, McGrath illegally recorded private conversations involving senior state officials without their permission,
The indictment alleges that to conceal the payments and circumstances surrounding the payments from the Governor of Maryland and the MES Board of Directors, McGrath falsely told the MES Board that the Governor was aware of and consented to the severance payment. As detailed in the indictment, when the Governor learned about the severance package and questioned McGrath about it, McGrath falsely stated that the MES Board of Directors had offered him the severance payment in accordance with their usual practice. McGrath also attempted to delete or caused to be deleted from the public minutes of the MES Board of Directors meeting, any mention of compensation of McGrath or the Executive Director of MES, or the amount $233,647.23, or the description of the compensation as a “year’s salary.”
If convicted of the federal charges, McGrath faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of four counts of wire fraud; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each of two counts of embezzling funds from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal benefits. 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.
In the state case, McGrath faces a maximum penalty of any sentence that is not cruel or unusual for Misconduct by a Public Official, and a maximum of five years in prison for Felony Theft, Felony Theft Scheme, Misappropriation, and for each violation of the Maryland Wiretap Statute.
Criminal charges are not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment or criminal information is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner and State Prosecutor Charlton Howard commended the FBI and Special Agent Daniel Bralove at the Office of the State Prosecutor for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner and Mr. Howard thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joyce K. McDonald and Deputy State Prosecutor Sarah R. David, who are prosecuting the federal and state cases, respectively.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Final Defendant Convicted at Trial in “Original Block Hustlaz” Drug Trafficking Case Sentenced to over 16 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Hans Gadson, 35, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to sixteen years and four months in prison, and five years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson for his role in the Original Block Hustlaz, or “OBH,” a violent drug trafficking organization that doubled as a group of aspiring rap artists in Philadelphia whose lyrics boasted about their drug dealing and willingness to resort to violence. Three of Gadson’s co-defendants, Jamaal Blanding, 39, and Jameel Hickson, 43, both of Philadelphia, PA, and Abdul West, 38, of Brookhaven, PA, were also recently sentenced and received 25, 20, and 40 years in prison, respectively.
In November 2019, all four defendants were convicted after a two-and-a-half-week trial on charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack, and methamphetamine. Several other co-defendants pled guilty prior to trial. In total, nine defendants connected to OBH were charged in a 16-count Second Superseding Indictment in August 2019. All nine were convicted or pled guilty.
Between at least March 2017 through June of 2018, OBH poisoned the Philadelphia community by importing dangerous narcotics, including large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, from California to Philadelphia and then selling those drugs in the Philadelphia area. To further their drug business, OBH employed fear, intimidation, and violence. In September 2017 and May 2018, FBI agents and Philadelphia Police Department officers executed search warrants at residences on North Sydenham Street and Columbus Boulevard, which were properties used by members of OBH to store and sell drugs. During the execution of the search warrant, numerous drugs were seized, including cocaine base (“crack”), heroin, and methamphetamine mixture, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in cash.
In a related case, defendant Charles Salley, 39, of Clayton, Delaware, was sentenced in August 2021 to seven and a half years in prison for witness tampering in connection with the above-referenced trial. During the trial, a cooperating witness received a threatening letter from Salley under the pen name “Ron Harvey,” threatening physical violence if the witness testified at trial against his OBH associates. Salley was present in the courtroom during the course of the trial, including on the day of the witness’ scheduled testimony. The threatening letter was investigated by the FBI and the witness ultimately testified during the trial.
“Gadson and his OBH co-defendants pumped huge quantities of deadly drugs into our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “As the evidence presented at trial showed, OBH wreaked havoc on the streets of Philadelphia to further their violent drug trafficking operation; their rap lyrics weren’t just about artistic expression or creating an image to sell records, but were about their reality. Our Office is determined to continue doing everything we can by being ‘All Hands On Deck’ to get violent criminals like OBH off the streets.”
This case is part of the FBI’s Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force, a program through which federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies collaboratively address the violent crime plaguing communities. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Timothy M. Stengel. The Salley case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.
Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Michigan Tax PreparersRead the Press Release
A federal court in the Western District of Michigan has permanently enjoined a married couple from preparing returns for others and from owning, operating, or franchising any tax return preparation business in the future.
The civil complaint filed in the case alleged that Rosa Linda Meyer, aka Rosa Linda Hernandez, and doing business as Su Casa Income Tax Service, prepared federal income tax returns containing false and fraudulent claims. It further alleges that Rosa Linda Meyer’s spouse Stanley Meyer, doing business as I-Tax Services, prepared fraudulent returns in concert with Rosa Linda Meyer after she was investigated by the IRS. In addition, the complaint alleges that Rosa Linda Meyer also prepared and filed returns using Stanley Meyer’s name. According to the complaint, the false and fraudulent claims made in returns prepared by either or both of the Meyers included: (1) false or inflated dependency exemptions and related false or inflated child tax credits; (2) false head of household filing status resulting in a lower tax due (and higher refund); and (3) fictitious or inflated earned income, in order to allow the taxpayer to falsely claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or to claim an inflated EITC.
According to the court’s order, defendants joined in the motion for an injunction, which permits the United States to conduct full post-judgment discovery to monitor compliance. The terms of the order require that the Meyers and their businesses send notice of the injunction to each person for whom they prepared federal tax returns or claims for refund “beginning in 2016 and continuing through this litigation.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. (More information can also be found here.) The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers, whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Fayette County Man Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on September 28, 2021 and unsealed today, named Karl D. Lutes, age 50, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on February 11, 2020, Lutes possessed videos and still images in computer graphics files depicting minors, some of whom had not yet attained the age of 12 years, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Essex County Man Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for His Role in Conspiracy to Defraud Banks of More Than $250,000 Using Stolen Credit Cards and ChecksRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Alexander Varice, 27, of South Orange, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to defraud two banks out of more than $250,000 using stolen credit cards and blank checks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Varice’s conspirators, Allen Varice, 25, of East Orange; Dashawn Duncan, 27, of South Orange; Nasheed Jackson, 24, of Newark; Qshaun Brown-Guinyard, 27, Newark; and Tamir Duval, 22, of Newark; previously pleaded guilty by video before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to Informations charging each with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence on Varice today via video conference. Duncan, Jackson, Brown-Guinyard, Allen Varice have been sentenced by Judge Wigenton. Duval is scheduled to be sentenced in December of this year.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From in and about August 2018 through in or about January 2020, Varice and his coconspirators engaged in a scheme to use stolen credit cards and/or checks to fraudulently make purchases and withdraw money from two banks, leaving the banks to bear the losses of the scheme.
The credit cards and blank checks were stolen from various New Jersey-based United States Postal Service facilities, and never reached their intended recipients. After obtaining the stolen credit cards, Varice and his coconspirators used them to make unauthorized purchases at various retail stores and/or to withdraw cash from automated teller machines (“ATMs”) in New Jersey and elsewhere. With respect to the stolen blank checks, Varice and the coconspirators altered the date, payee, and amount of the stolen checks prior to deposit. Varice and his coconspirators then fraudulently withdrew money at various ATMs from third-party account holders’ accounts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Varice to three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in Newark, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Raimundo Marrero, Newark Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Essex County Man Admits Conspiring to Fraudulently Obtain More Than $700,000Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he conspired to fraudulently obtain more than $700,000, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Jefferson Robert, 31, of Newark, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals to an information charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal program unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment (e.g., self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers). The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program that provides an additional $600 weekly benefit to those eligible for PUA and regular UIB. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) administers and manages the regular unemployment and PUA programs in the State of Washington.
Robert opened bank accounts with a fraudulent passport in another individual’s name. He and his conspirators then caused an application to be made to ESD for UIB in the name of Victim 1. In response, ESD caused UIB to be deposited into one of the fraudulent bank accounts. Robert and his conspirators: partook in business email scams, including causing a victim to transfer approximately $28,000 into one of the bank accounts; partook in romance scams, including causing a victim to make five deposits into one of the bank accounts totaling approximately $19,000; and fraudulently obtained money from the IRS by causing the IRS to transfer payments in four victims’ names into one of the bank accounts. Once the fraudulently obtained money was in the bank accounts, Roberts moved the money, including through the purchase of money orders. Robert and his conspirators caused more than $700,000 in losses.
The charge of conspiring to commit wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gross profits to Robert or twice the gross loss suffered by the victims, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2022.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Raimundo Marrero in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone in New York; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
Elkhart Man Sentenced to 18 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Lawrence Hansford, age 45, of Elkhart, Indiana was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm following a two-day jury trial in May of 2021, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Hansford was sentenced to 216 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, in February of 2020, Lawrence Hansford held several people hostage with a machete. When law enforcement responded, Hansford went to his camper and put the machete next to a 12-gauge shotgun inside. Law enforcement found both the 12-gauge shotgun and the machete in Hansford’s camper. Hansford’s prior convictions include battery resulting in bodily injury, second degree assault, burglary, and dealing methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the St. Joseph County Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Kimberly L. Schultz.
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El Departamento de Justicia resuelve la revisión de los derechos civiles del Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del SurRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - En el día de la fecha, el Departamento de Justicia anunció que resolvió una revisión de los derechos civiles del Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del Sur (Unified Judicial System, UJS) que les facilitará el acceso a los tribunales estatales a aquellas personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés).
La revisión del Departamento de Justicia comenzó después de recibir un reclamo de East River Legal Services en el que se alegaba que los tribunales del UJS discriminaban a las personas con dominio limitado del inglés debido a su origen nacional, lo que constituía una violación del Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles [Civil Rights Act] de 1964. En virtud del Título VI, se prohíbe a los receptores de ayuda económica del Gobierno federal discriminar por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional. La revisión del departamento puso de manifiesto la existencia de barreras lingüísticas y costos judiciales más elevados en el UJS que dificultaban la participación de las personas con un dominio limitado del inglés en los casos y procedimientos civiles estatales.
“Los tribunales estatales son fundamentales para la integridad de nuestro sistema de justicia y es importante que se elimine cualquier barrera que les impida a las personas acceder a estas instituciones”, sostuvo la procuradora general adjunta Kristen Clarke, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Seguiremos trabajando con los tribunales estatales para eliminar las barreras lingüísticas que impiden el acceso a la justicia y violan la legislación federal de derechos civiles. Le agradecemos al Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del Sur por trabajar en cooperación con el Departamento de Justicia para resolver este asunto y por tomar medidas rápidas para garantizar que todas las personas que ingresen a los tribunales puedan entender y participar en los casos, independientemente de su nivel de inglés”.
En respuesta a la revisión del departamento, el UJS presentó un proyecto de ley en la legislatura estatal para que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés tengan un mayor acceso a intérpretes y traductores judiciales en todos los casos civiles. Esta ley entró en vigor el 1 de julio. Para aplicar la nueva ley, el UJS consiguió fondos adicionales para su presupuesto a fin de proporcionar servicios de interpretación sin costo a las partes y testigos con dominio limitado del inglés. Asimismo, el UJS actualizó los planes de acceso al idioma para todos los circuitos judiciales del estado, nombró un coordinador y creó un proceso de reclamo de acceso al idioma. El coordinador y los procesos de reclamo ayudarán a garantizar que las personas puedan informar su situación al UJS. El UJS también ha acordado seguir trabajando con el departamento para mejorar la equidad y el acceso no discriminatorio a los tribunales para las personas con dominio limitado del inglés.
Este caso fue investigado de forma conjunta por los abogados de la División de Derechos Civiles y de la Oficina del Procurador de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Dakota del Sur. El cumplimiento de las disposiciones del Título VI es una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles. Para obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, visite el sitio web www.justice.gov/crt; además, puede encontrar información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y sobre las disposiciones del Título VI en www.lep.gov. Los ciudadanos pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de los derechos civiles en https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o en la Oficina del Procurador de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Dakota del Sur mediante el formulario de reclamo que está disponible en https://www.justice.gov/usao- sd/civil-rights.
El Departamento de Justicia resuelve la revisión de los derechos civiles del Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del SurRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - En el día de la fecha, el Departamento de Justicia anunció que resolvió una revisión de los derechos civiles del Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del Sur (Unified Judicial System, UJS) que les facilitará el acceso a los tribunales estatales a aquellas personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés).
La revisión del Departamento de Justicia comenzó después de recibir un reclamo de East River Legal Services en el que se alegaba que los tribunales del UJS discriminaban a las personas con dominio limitado del inglés debido a su origen nacional, lo que constituía una violación del Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles [Civil Rights Act] de 1964. En virtud del Título VI, se prohíbe a los receptores de ayuda económica del Gobierno federal discriminar por motivos de raza, color u origen nacional. La revisión del departamento puso de manifiesto la existencia de barreras lingüísticas y costos judiciales más elevados en el UJS que dificultaban la participación de las personas con un dominio limitado del inglés en los casos y procedimientos civiles estatales.
“Los tribunales estatales son fundamentales para la integridad de nuestro sistema de justicia y es importante que se elimine cualquier barrera que les impida a las personas acceder a estas instituciones”, sostuvo la procuradora general adjunta Kristen Clarke, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Seguiremos trabajando con los tribunales estatales para eliminar las barreras lingüísticas que impiden el acceso a la justicia y violan la legislación federal de derechos civiles. Le agradecemos al Sistema Judicial Unificado de Dakota del Sur por trabajar en cooperación con el Departamento de Justicia para resolver este asunto y por tomar medidas rápidas para garantizar que todas las personas que ingresen a los tribunales puedan entender y participar en los casos, independientemente de su nivel de inglés”.
En respuesta a la revisión del departamento, el UJS presentó un proyecto de ley en la legislatura estatal para que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés tengan un mayor acceso a intérpretes y traductores judiciales en todos los casos civiles. Esta ley entró en vigor el 1 de julio. Para aplicar la nueva ley, el UJS consiguió fondos adicionales para su presupuesto a fin de proporcionar servicios de interpretación sin costo a las partes y testigos con dominio limitado del inglés. Asimismo, el UJS actualizó los planes de acceso al idioma para todos los circuitos judiciales del estado, nombró un coordinador y creó un proceso de reclamo de acceso al idioma. El coordinador y los procesos de reclamo ayudarán a garantizar que las personas puedan informar su situación al UJS. El UJS también ha acordado seguir trabajando con el departamento para mejorar la equidad y el acceso no discriminatorio a los tribunales para las personas con dominio limitado del inglés.
Este caso fue investigado de forma conjunta por los abogados de la División de Derechos Civiles y de la Oficina del Procurador de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Dakota del Sur. El cumplimiento de las disposiciones del Título VI es una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles. Para obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, visite el sitio web www.justice.gov/crt; además, puede encontrar información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y sobre las disposiciones del Título VI en www.lep.gov. Los ciudadanos pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de los derechos civiles en https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o en la Oficina del Procurador de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Dakota del Sur mediante el formulario de reclamo que está disponible en https://www.justice.gov/usao- sd/civil-rights.
Danville Man Convicted of Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Money Laundering in Two Different JurisdictionsRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. –Jeffery T. Henson, 43, of Danville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering in United States District Court in Urbana, Illinois, on October 4, 2021. Sentencing for Henson has been scheduled on February 7, 2022, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana.
According to court documents, in 2016, Henson pretended to be an online job recruiter to obtain the personal identifying information of a job seeker. He then used the stolen personal information to obtain a job in that person’s name as the Director of Accounting at a Schaumburg, Illinois, consulting firm, thereby preventing the firm from learning of Henson’s prior convictions for theft. Once employed, Henson set up fraudulent companies with names similar to legitimate vendors of the consulting firm and used his position to forge company checks and direct them to his fraudulently created companies. Henson defrauded the firm of at least $1,868,765 before he fled the Chicago area and moved to Danville in 2018.
According to court documents, in 2018, Henson then stole the identity of an individual in Indiana with whom he made podcasts. Henson used the stolen identity to open up a fraudulent bank account and to obtain a job in that person’s name as the Comptroller of Watchfire Signs, LLC, in Danville. As the Comptroller, Henson defrauded Watchfire by causing Watchfire’s legitimate payments for tax liabilities to be routed to the fraudulent bank account Henson had opened with the stolen identity. Henson also laundered some of the fraud money by purchasing a $50,000 cashier’s check, which he used to buy a Mercedes-Benz for over $100,000. Watchfire discovered Henson’s scheme in November of 2019, when the victim of Henson’s identity theft contacted Watchfire after discovering that Henson was using his identity. By then, however, Henson had defrauded Watchfire of approximately $330,000.
Authorities arrested Henson on November 25, 2019, at a bank in Indianapolis, Indiana, when he attempted to access the fraudulent account he had set up. At the time, he was in possession of numerous stolen identity documents. Henson has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since that time. At sentencing, Henson faces statutory penalties of up to twenty years of imprisonment for wire fraud; ten years of imprisonment for money laundering; and two years of imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft.
The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division, and Danville Police Department. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Eugene L. Miller is representing the government in the prosecution.
Cottage Grove Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography via SnapchatRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Cottage Grove man pleaded guilty today to production, attempted production, and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.
According to court documents, between June 2019 and April 2020, Peter James Monson, 38, engaged in “catfishing” by taking on false personas in order to communicate with children on the internet, including via Snapchat. Monson made a fake Snapchat profile of a 16-year-old girl named “Brianna” and asked minor girls to create sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves to send to Monson so they could be rated by others as “princesses.” In order to participate as a “princess,” Monson used “Brianna’s” profile to instruct the girls to follow certain rules, including creating and sending images and videos of the girls nude or engaging in sex acts.
According to court documents, in April 2020, Monson also used his iPhone to make a secret recording of an eight-year-old while the child was getting dressed.
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, 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 know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office, the Cottage Grove Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E. Dugi.
Companies to Pay for Cleanup of Groundwater at Montrose Superfund Site Following Settlement with Justice Department, EPA and California Department of Toxic Substances ControlRead the Press Release
On Sept. 30, 2021, three settlement agreements were approved by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Under the agreements, Montrose Chemical Corporation of California, Bayer CropScience Inc., TFCF America Inc., and Stauffer Management Company LLC have agreed to pay $77.6 million for cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the Montrose Chemical Corp. Superfund and the Del Amo Superfund Sites in Los Angeles County, California. The companies will also investigate potential contamination of the historic stormwater pathway leading from the Montrose Superfund Site, south of Torrance Boulevard. Another company, JCI Jones Chemicals Inc. will participate in the groundwater cleanup.
The settlements not only provide for cleanup and investigation, but also collectively resolve active litigation in a case that has been pending for over 30 years under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, commonly referred to as Superfund). From 1947 to 1982, Montrose operated the U.S.’s largest manufacturing plant for the pesticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).
“These settlements will enhance groundwater quality in Los Angeles County by requiring the responsible polluters to clean up two major portions of the Montrose Superfund Site and investigate the historic stormwater pathway,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “These settlements demonstrate the Justice Department’s and EPA’s continuing efforts, together with our state partners, to ensure that polluters, not the American public, pay for the investigation and cleanup of Superfund sites.”
“EPA continues its commitment to protecting community health and drinking water sources by cleaning up groundwater impacted by the Montrose and Del Amo Superfund Sites,” said Director Enrique Manzanilla of EPA’s Pacific Southwest Superfund and Emergency Management. “These settlements ensure the long-term operation of the Montrose Superfund Site’s cleanup so that it is not an ongoing source of contamination.”
“For years, people in this area have been impacted by contamination from these former pesticide- and rubber-manufacturing sites, and these settlements bring them one step closer to equity,” said Director Meredith Williams of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). “We stand with the people who live, work, and play near this contamination, and we will continue our efforts to make the polluters pay for their actions.”
The settlements require the companies to pay for and implement cleanup remedies and perform an investigation with federal and state oversight. The companies will also reimburse EPA more than $8 million and California DTSC more than $450,000 for costs already incurred.
Each settlement addresses specific activity to address cleanup of the sites:
- The first settlement requires pumping and treating the groundwater to federal and state cleanup standards and then reinjecting the treated water back into the ground.
- The second settlement will bring about treatment of the soil to address historical releases that are an ongoing source of groundwater contamination. Air monitoring will be performed to ensure there are no impacts to the surrounding community.
- The third settlement requires investigation of potential contaminant releases in the historic stormwater pathway leading from the Montrose Superfund Site, south of Torrance Boulevard. This settlement will be used to determine if there is contamination in the pathway that may require cleanup.
The settlements are memorialized in three consent decrees.
For information on these Superfund sites, visit the Del Amo Los Angeles, CA Superfund site profile web page at https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0901293 and the Montrose Chemical Corp. Torrance, CA Superfund site profile web page at https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0901293.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region.
Clinton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Clinton man, Joshua Del Chandler, was sentenced on Monday, October 4, 2021 by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 210 months in prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. Chandler was ordered to serve seven years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $11,000 in restitution.
Chandler, age 38, was identified as a suspect after a cell phone and laptop belonging to Chandler were turned over to the FBI in April 2020. Officers obtained a search warrant for the devices and located 22 images and three videos depicting child pornography. In February 2021, the FBI executed a search warrant at Chandler’s residence. Multiple electronic devices were seized, revealing an additional 70 images and 131 videos of child pornography. In a post-Miranda statement, Chandler admitted to knowingly possessing, receiving, and distributing child pornography. On May 14, 2021 Chandler pleaded guilty to the charge.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.
This matter was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the United States Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Charlotte Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Return Scheme Targeting AmazonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Hudson Hamrick, 31, of Charlotte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for executing a return scheme that defrauded Amazon of at least $290,000, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
According to plea documents and today’s hearing, from 2016 to 2020, Hamrick executed the return scheme by ordering expensive items through Amazon, such as electronics, guitars, tools, computers and other high-end consumer products, and then obtaining fraudulent refunds from the company by returning items that were significantly cheaper or broken. Hamrick also admitted to defrauding Amazon by obtaining replacement products for items he falsely claimed to have been lost or damaged, and then keeping the new items or reselling them online. Court documents show that Hamrick engaged in more than 300 fraudulent transactions that resulted in losses to the company of more than $290,000.
A sentencing date for Hamrick has not been set. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer commended the FBI for their investigation of the case, and thanked Amazon for their cooperation in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Vento, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
Canadian Man Going to Prison for Attempting Illegally to Export Firearms from the U.S. to Dubai and ColumbiaRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Aydan Sin a/k/a Hon Chak Gordon Sin a/k/a Andy a/k/a Bullion, 49, of British Columbia, Canada, who was convicted of violating the Arms Export Control Act, was sentenced to serve 46 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango and Trial Attorney Beaudre Barnes of the Justice Department's National Security Division, who handled the case, stated that between November 2016 and April 2017, the defendant conspired with others, including Guy Deland and Charan Singh, to export defense articles on the United States Munitions List (USML) in violation of United States law.
In November 2016, Singh began communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent (UCA), inquiring about whether the UCA could export firearms from the United States to the United Arab Emirates. During those communications, Sin, Deland, and Singh were advised by the UCA that a license was required from the United States Department of State in order lawfully to export the firearms. The defendants acknowledged the illegality of the attempted exports, provided an encrypted Blackberry device to the UCA for the purpose of secure, covert communications, and wired approximately $70,000 USD from Canada to the United States as a 50% down payment for the export of the goods.
On December 7, 2016, Sin, through telephone and email, requested the gun order include 9mm handguns and Uzi machine guns. On December 9, 2016, Sin told the UCA that rather than get an export license, he wanted the UCA to export the firearms “the wrong way.”
Subsequently, on January 10, 2017, the UCA emailed two revised invoices to Sin and Deland. One invoice was for the export to Dubai of three new Glock 9mm firearms, six magazines, two used Mini Uzi submachine guns, two suppressors, and 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition for the firearms, for a total cost of $20,575. The second invoice was for the export to Colombia (thru Panama) of 37 new Glock 9mm firearms, 74 magazines, 13 used Mini Uzi submachine guns, 13 suppressors, and 3,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition for the firearms, for a total cost of $121,175. Both invoices contained language stating that exporting these products was prohibited by law without an export license.
On February 6 and 7, 2017, an undercover bank account, located in the Western District of New York, received two bank wire transfers from a bank account in Canada, each in the amount of $34,990 USD, representing 50% of the total purchase price of the firearms, suppressors, and ammunition.
On March 10, 2017, Sin contacted the UCA and asked if the shipment of guns to Columbia would occur in a few days. On March 20, 2017, the UCA used existing sea freight shipment tracking numbers and told Sin and Deland that the firearms, suppressors, and ammunition were shipped to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, and the shipment of guns to Columbia would occur on March 29, 2017. The UCA also provided them with the tracking information.
The firearms, suppressors, magazines, and ammunitions listed above are defense articles listed on the USML. Prior to the attempted export and export of these defense items from the United States, Sin was aware that an export license was required and at no time did he, or the actual exporter apply for, receive, or possess a license to export the items from the United States.
Charges remain pending against defendants Guy Deland and Charan Singh. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. Additional assistance was provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
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Burlington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man, Valentino Giovanni McCampbell, was sentenced on Monday, October 4, 2021 by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 64 months in prison for Drug User in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. McCampbell was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
Law enforcement began investigating McCampbell, age 22, after he was observed at a shooting range in Des Moines County while on state probation for firearms offenses. Following one of McCampbell’s visits to the range in May 2020, law enforcement seized two firearms from him and continued their investigation. In July 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McCampbell’s residence, where they seized a loaded .45 caliber Glock 30 handgun; a stolen, loaded, Anderson Arms AR-15 rifle; numerous rounds of ammunition; marijuana; and drug paraphernalia. McCampbell provided a urine sample, which was positive for THC. McCampbell admitted being a daily user of marijuana, as well as selling marijuana to friends. On May 24, 2021, McCampbell pleaded guilty to this offense.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Buffalo Man Charged with International Email Scam Targeting Businesses and Defrauding Victims Out of Hundreds of Thousands of DollarsRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Eric Iwu aka James, 32, a Nigerian citizen currently residing in Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant is accused of facilitating a “Business Email Compromise” (BEC) scam, a type of scam typically targeting companies that conduct wire transfers and have suppliers and vendors abroad. BEC scammers typically use techniques, such as key-loggers and phishing attacks, to compromise or spoof the corporate or publicly available email accounts of executives or high-level employees who are involved in a company’s finances or wire transfer payments to vendors. BEC attackers impersonate the CEO or any executive authorized to do wire transfers. Once access has obtained access to a victim’s email account, the scammer can then alter the victim company’s payment invoices so that vendor payments will be directed to a bank account controlled by the scammer, rather than a bank account controlled by the legitimate, intended payee.
In October 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Buffalo received information that a victim (Victim 1) in Dubai, UAE, was the subject of a BEC fraud utilizing a Wells Fargo checking account. Wells Fargo Bank stated that Victim 1, a power construction company, sent a wire transfer in the amount of $461,612.00 to the bank account of Zeeco Inc. Within days of receiving the wire transfer, two outgoing wire transfers totaling $300,000 were sent to bank accounts at Bank of America in Washington, DC, and Northwest Bank in Buffalo. Subsequently, a checking account was opened at a Citizens Bank in West Seneca, NY, under the name Krispy Kreme Doughnut Company LLC. Two wire transfers, one for $35,000.00, and another for $4,950.00, were subsequently sent from the Bank of America account in Washington, DC. The registered owner of the Citizens Bank account is the defendant Eric Iwu. Wells Fargo eventually received a wire recall at the request of Victim 1.
In April 2019, HSI Buffalo received information from Northwest Bank stating that a victim (Victim 2) in the United Kingdom was the subject of a BEC fraud utilizing a Northwest Bank checking account. On February 8, 2019, Victim 2, a tooling and automation company, sent a wire transfer in the amount of $55,242.36 to the Northwest Bank account of Gunes Dinamik LLC. Shortly thereafter, Northwest Bank received a wire recall at the request of Victim 2, who claimed the wire transfer was a fraudulent payment and not intended for the beneficiary account. The wire recall was denied because the funds were depleted from the account. The account was traced to the defendant.
In February 2020, HSI Buffalo received information from Citizens Bank stating that a business account opened in June 2019, in Buffalo, was the subject of a suspected BEC fraud. The account was registered to Jasa Cipta Rembaka LLC, (Victim 3) alleged to be operating as an insurance carrier specializing in accident and health insurance. Citizens Bank stated that on June 26, 2019, Victim 3 sent a wire transfer in the amount of $131,636.39 to Jasa Cipta Rembaka LLC, Citizens Bank account. In September 2020, an attorney for Victim 3, located in Singapore, confirmed that the wire transfer of $131,636.39 was re-directed to the Citizens Bank account based on a fraudulent email received by a representative at the company in Singapore. On December 6, 2019, a winery in California (Victim 4) sent a second wire transfer in the amount of $112,912.02 to the Citizens Bank account. Victim 4 also confirmed that the winery was a victim of the wire fraud for $112,912.02. The account was also traced to Iwu.
The defendant appeared today at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was remanded pending further proceedings.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Bronx Man Who Possessed Five “Ghost Guns” Charged with Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of DOMINGO VALLE for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. VALLE was arrested yesterday and was presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Katharine H. Parker today.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Domingo Valle, despite being a felon, allegedly possessed six firearms, including two privately made AR-style rifles and three privately made pistols, and ammunition. As alleged, for years, Valle purchased firearm tools, parts, and accessories online in order to create privately manufactured firearms, also known as ‘ghost guns,’ which are difficult to detect and trace. Thanks to the ATF and NYPD, these dangerous weapons are out of the hands of a felon and will no longer pose a threat to the community.”
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito said: “Privately manufactured firearms (PMFs) are an increasing source of weapons for criminals and pose an emerging threat to public safety. ATF will continue to partner with NYPD and other agencies to identify, rigorously investigate, and apprehend those involved in the illegal manufacture and possession of firearms that endanger our communities.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:
For at least the past seven years, at least over 50 times, VALLE purchased online firearm parts, tools, and accessories that allow an individual to assemble a working firearm from component parts. For example, in 2020, VALLE purchased online a replacement part for an Easy Jig, which an individual can use to create an assembled firearm from component parts, such as an 80% AR-15 lower receiver. That same year, VALLE purchased online an 80% AR-15 lower receiver.
On October 4, 2021, agents from the ATF and NYPD recovered a pistol and five rounds of ammunition from VALLE’s residence in the Bronx, New York. Inside the residence, agents also found two privately made AR-style rifles, three privately made pistols, body armor, which was loaded with rifle and pistol magazines, and numerous bullets. In an effort to conceal the firearms, VALLE stored three of the privately made firearms in a concealed wall-mounted shelf in the residence.
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VALLE, 51, of Bronx, New York, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and the NYPD. Ms. Strauss also thanked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of the Inspector General for its assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca T. Dell is in charge of the prosecution.
The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a November 2020 bank robbery.
Angel Robles, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 27, 2022. Robles was indicted on Jan. 14, 2021.
On Nov. 9, 2020, Robles entered a Citizen’s Bank in Concord, gave the teller a note that read, “ROBBERY, ONLY READY TO DIE ON A DEATH WISH,” stole approximately $358 and fled the bank. Robles also admitted to committing three additional robberies. On Aug. 3, 2020, Robles robbed a Metro PCS in Lynn, holding a gun against the clerk’s back before stealing $4,000 from a safe and fleeing the store. On Oct. 17, 2020, Robles robbed a clothing store in the Northgate Shopping Plaza in Revere with another individual, stealing five North Face jackets valued at $1,500. When a clerk attempted to stop Robles he said, “If anyone comes at me I’m going to shoot s*** up.” When the clerk made an additional attempt to stop Robles, he told the clerk “Back up before I stab you.” On Oct. 28, 2020, Robles robbed a Citizen’s Bank inside a Stop & Shop in Lynn, stealing $5,000. Surveillance video from the robbery showed that Robles brandished what appeared to be a handgun.
The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Lynn Chief of Police Christopher P. Reddy; Concord Police Chief Joseph F. O’Connor; and Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Gotlob and Kenneth G. Shine of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Boise Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – A Boise woman was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for theft of government funds.
According to court records, Lavella A. Williams, 54, of Boise, was a joint account holder on the bank account where her mother-in-law’s social security benefits were deposited. After her mother-in-law passed away, Williams and her former husband continued to spend the benefits. Williams knew the social security payments were not hers and that she was not entitled to the money. Between April 2016 and June 2019, over $55,000 of social security benefits were deposited and spent.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Williams to pay $55,422 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Williams pleaded guilty to the charge on June 28, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Ada County Sheriff's Office, and the Nampa Police Department, which led to charges.
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Beaver County Man Pleads to Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Midland, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Danel Cordero, age 35, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Cordero purchased stolen credit card numbers through the dark web and encoded them onto the magnetic strips of gift cards, which he then used to make unauthorized purchases from businesses in and around the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than twelve years in prison, a fine not to exceed $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Court ordered that Cordero remain on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This case resulted from the investigations of multiple agencies, including the Beaver Borough Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.