Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Wednesday 21 July 2021
Richlands Man Sentenced to Prison Time for Possessing and Manufacturing an Unregistered Explosives DeviceRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va.- Cole Carini, a Richlands, Virginia man who appeared at a hospital in June 2020 with severe injuries to his hands and fingers, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to 84 months in federal prison.
Carini, 24, pleaded guilty in January to one count of possessing and manufacturing an unregistered explosive device.
“When he stockpiled bomb-making materials and actually designed and manufactured an improvised explosive device designed to cause significant harm, the defendant put the safety of the community at risk and committed a serious federal crime,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said today. “Today’s sentence ought to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. We appreciate the great work of our federal and state partners that brought Carini to justice.”
“Mr. Carini suffered serious injuries when explosive devices he possessed detonated in a residential area. The danger of such devices and potential for additional explosions and casualties could have been more devasting if responding law enforcement personnel were not able to properly dispose of the devices and chemicals,” Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador said today. “Through our partnership, the residential area was made safe again; and Mr. Carini was held accountable for his illegal activity.”
According to court documents, on June 3, 2020, Carini went to a hospital in Richlands suffering from extensive injuries to his hands, and shrapnel wounds to his neck and throat. After being interviewed at the hospital by authorities, Carini reported that his injuries were caused by a lawn mower accident at his home.
During a search of Carini’s home, agents found the lawn was overgrown and found no other evidence indicating a lawn mower had recently been used. They did, however, find evidence of an explosion in Carini’s bedroom that was more consistent with the types of injuries Carini had suffered. Agents also discovered drawings of improvised explosive devices, significant quantities of Triacetone Triperoxide, which is an explosive substance used in the creation of improvised explosive devices, exploded and unexploded components of pipe-bomb devices, fusing, and a partially constructed pressure-cooker explosive device similar to that used in the Boston Marathon bombing.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the Richlands Police Department and the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary T. Lee and Whit D. Pierce are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Raytown Sex Offender Indicted for Sending Obscenity to MinorsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Raytown, Missouri, sex offender was indicted by a federal grand jury today for transferring obscene material to minors after he was identified in two separate and unrelated FBI investigations in Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Mo.
Brent Deadmon, 44, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Deadmon on June 17, 2021. Deadmon is a registered sex offender with prior convictions for statutory sodomy, statutory rape, child molestation, sexual misconduct, and furnishing child pornography to a minor. He remains detained in federal custody without bail pending trial.
The indictment charges Deadmon with two counts of transferring obscene material to a minor.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Deadmon sent obscene photos and video of himself using a smart phone application to two persons he believed to be 14 years old and 15 years old. In reality, Deadmon was communicating online with covert employees of the FBI in Chicago and St. Louis, who were engaged in two separate and unrelated investigations.
Deadmon allegedly sent additional pornographic images and videos. During his online communication from March 8 to 29, 2021, Deadmon also engaged in graphic sexual conversation and expressed his desire to meet the 14-year-old victim for sexual contact, the affidavit says. During his online communication from April 17 to June 7, 2021, Deadmon also expressed an interest in meeting the 15-year-old and her 10-year-old sister to pay them $500 to have sex.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Barnes. It was investigated by the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
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.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Riverton Man Sentenced for Assaulting Bia Police OfficerRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that LEO MICHAEL DURAN, 26, of Riverton, Wyoming, was sentenced to 18 months of prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Chief Judge Scott W. Skavdahl, after Duran pleaded guilty to the charge on May 14, 2021.
During the early morning hours of January 23, 2021, security staff at the Wind River Hotel and Casino were in the process of escorting Duran from the premises, and a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer arrived on site to assist. While the officer was placing handcuffs on him, Duran turned on the officer and began throwing punches, causing both he and the officer to fall to the ground. Duran got up and ran away, heading down Highway 789 toward Riverton. The officer made his way back to his patrol vehicle and pursued Duran, finally completing the arrest with the assistance of Fremont County Sheriff Deputies.
“We are extremely proud of BIA Law Enforcement and recognize the dangers they face while protecting the citizens of the Wind River Reservation,” said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. “Duran’s actions show his complete disregard for law enforcement and a lack of good decision making. This type of assault is not something we take lightly, and such cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“FBI Denver thanks our partners at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Mr. Duran’s violent response to contact from a federal law enforcement officer jeopardized the officer’s safety and that of the community they serve,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The FBI stands by our law enforcement partners against violent criminals who pose a threat to the community.”
This crime was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance from Fremont County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Timothy W. Gist.
Portsmouth Man Sentenced for Firearm and Fraud-Related CrimesRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, aggravated identity theft, and credit union fraud.
“With today’s sentence, the defendant has been held accountable for the serious nature of his crimes, including his recruitment of over 50 co-conspirators to participate in an extensive fraud scheme involving the Dark Web that inflicted significant financial loss on numerous victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Thank you to our law enforcement partners for risking their lives to apprehend the defendant following his reckless high-speed chase during which he placed community members in danger. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our partner agencies who helped bring the defendant to justice on behalf of the victims in this case.”
According to court documents, between December 2018 and January 2019, Armad Jamall Gatling, aka “Peso Chapo,” 26, a dealer for a drug trafficking organization based in Portsmouth, sold cocaine to a cooperating source four times. In July 2019, Gatling sold an AR-style rifle to the cooperating source, who Gatling knew to be a convicted felon.
On September 11, 2019, after he was federally indicted, Gatling fled in his vehicle from pursuing Chesapeake Police Department law enforcement officers, traveling as fast as 120 mph, running red lights, driving into oncoming traffic on a bridge, and finally abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot, at which point he was arrested. Police searched his vehicle and recovered nine credit cards in other people’s names, a credit card swipe reader, a license with Gatling’s photo but listing a different name, and a security baton.
A court-authorized search of Gatling’s social media accounts and electronic devices revealed that, from January 2019 to September 2019, he was part of a check fraud scheme in which he recruited others to open credit union accounts, then deposited counterfeit checks into those accounts and quickly withdrew the funds before the fraud was detected. He also spearheaded a scheme in which he used Personal Identifying Information (PII) illegally obtained from the Dark Web to create cloned credit cards, and then used the credit cards to purchase trailers, lawn equipment, motorcycles, and other property, which he resold. One of Gatling’s devices contained PII for dozens of victims. Gatling recruited more than 50 co-conspirators to participate in his scheme, resulting in at least 50 victims suffering financial losses totaling more than $368,000.
Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; George D. Purefoy, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Norfolk Resident Office; Gregory Scovel, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office; and Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.
This case is part of Operation High Tide, a proactive, large-scale narcotics trafficking and firearms investigation that focused on high-impact targets driving crime in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Hampton Roads.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Jackson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-153.
Peoria Business Owner Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – Alaa Iwaisi, 30, of Peoria, Ill., was sentenced on July 20, 2021, to 36 months in federal prison for filing false federal personal tax returns, aiding in the filing of false federal corporate returns, and mail fraud for mailing false small business corporation tax returns to the State of Illinois for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Iwaisi, who formerly owned and operated the MacArthur Corner Store Food & More in Peoria, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2021, to the nine-count indictment charging him with underreporting sales from the store on both federal and state returns. At Iwaisi’s sentencing hearing, Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm found that even though Iwaisi had actual receipts reflecting the store’s sales, he provided false information about the sales to his return preparer. The judge also found that Iwaisi often paid employees and himself with cash straight from the cash register, despite being advised by the return preparer to issue company paychecks.
Also at sentencing, Judge Mihm further ordered that Iwaisi’s prison term be followed by concurrent one- and three-year terms of supervised release on the tax and mail fraud charges, respectively. And the judge ordered Iwais to pay unpaid taxes amounting to $108,125 to the Internal Revenue Service and $86,105 to the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Until July 18, 2021, Iwaisi had been on bond, subject to conditions including that he refrain from transferring or dissipating any assets. Following the filing of petitions to revoke his bond for violating those conditions, Iwaisi was detained pending a hearing on the issue.
At the hearing, Judge Mihm revoked Iwaisi’s bail and found that he had obstructed justice by encumbering and dissipating assets. The government presented evidence at the hearing showing that Iwaisi had used $5,000 as down payment for the purchase of a $62,000 Range Rover, sold a 2004 BMW for $4,500, transferred title of a Recreational Vehicle, sold a 2015 Range Rover for $35,000, and used assets to pay for inventory at a convenience store recently purchased by his ex-wife. The government also presented evidence that in seeking financing for the Range Rover, Iwaisi falsely claimed that he had monthly income of $10,000 from managing a liquor store. However, Iwaisi had reported to U.S. Probation that he was unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation from the State of Illinois.
“Paying taxes is a civic duty that allows our society to thrive and for us to care for those who need it the most,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Douglas J. Quivey. “People who cheat the tax system will be held accountable to include serving prison time.”
“This sentencing is a direct result of the excellent partnership IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s office has in combating violations of Federal law,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “This sentence should serve as an example to those who might think about trying to cheat the US tax system by under-reporting income. You will serve jail time for stealing from hard-working Americans.”
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Division; United States Postal Inspection Service; and Illinois Department of Revenue, Criminal Investigations, conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Darilynn J. Knauss and Katherine G. Legge represented the government in the prosecution.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 124 Months for Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a MinorRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Peter N. Allen, age 33, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania was sentenced today to serve 124 months in prison for attempting to arrange for a sexual encounter with a minor. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Jodi Cohen, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Allen admitted that between February 2020 and May 2020, he exchanged multiple sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing an 11-year-old girl to entice the child into having sex with him. Allen also admitted that on May 14, 2020, he traveled from Pennsylvania to a fast-food restaurant parking lot in New York near where he believed the child lived to meet her for sex.
Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also sentenced Allen to a 15-year term of supervised release to begin following his term of imprisonment. Allen also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Paterson Felon Admits Trafficking and Unlawfully Possessing 16 FirearmsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Paterson man with prior felony convictions today admitted illegally transporting and selling 16 firearms for over $8,000 on four occasions beginning in July 2019, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Floyd Henry, aka “HK,” 36, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of illegally engaging in the business of dealing in firearms and four counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From July 15, 2019, through Sept. 25, 2019, Henry engaged in the business of dealing firearms, while not being a federally licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer. On four occasions, in Passaic County, Henry sold or attempted to sell a total of 16 firearms, including two semi-automatic rifles, three revolvers, and 11 semi-automatic pistols, as well as over 100 rounds of ammunition, in exchange for over $8,000. Henry had purchased or obtained the firearms and ammunition in other states, transported them to New Jersey, and sold them to an individual in Passaic County.
The charge of engaging in the business of dealing firearms, while not being a federally licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Each of the four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor, Newark Field Division; officers with the Passaic County Sherriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik; the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Amore of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
Palm Coast Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Illegal Possession of A Firearm and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine BaseRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Jerard Keaton Davis (35, Palm Coast) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine base. The court also ordered Davis to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he had possessed as part of the offense.
Davis had been found guilty on April 14, 2021, after a bench trial.
According to court documents, on July 26, 2018, during the execution of a search warrant at Davis’s place of business in Palm Coast, Davis was found in possession of a loaded .380 caliber pistol, a quantity of cocaine base, and drug distribution paraphernalia. At the time, Davis had multiple prior felony convictions, including four convictions for sale of narcotics or possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute them, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
“We greatly appreciate our Safe Neighborhoods partnership with ATF, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Jerard Davis had been terrorizing the nearby businesses and selling poison in our community for a long time. We appreciated the significant sentence he received to federal prison.”
“Removing firearms and ammunition from the hands of armed narcotics traffickers, especially those who are convicted felons, is at the forefront of ATF’s mission,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “This sentencing is another great example that working jointly with our law enforcement partners makes our communities safer.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Palm Bay Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material Using Cloud Storage on the InternetRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Xzavier Scholtens (20, Palm Bay) to 10 years in federal prison for using the internet to transport and possess videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. Scholtens was also ordered to serve a 25-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender.
Scholtens had been found guilty after a jury trial on April 28, 2021.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, this case arose from an online undercover operation conducted by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in McAllen, Texas. The undercover operation targeted individuals who were using a particular social media platform on the internet to trade and distribute child sex abuse images and videos.
On November 19, 2019, Scholtens directly messaged one of the undercover agents and offered to “trade.” The undercover agent responded that Scholtens should send something first, in order to receive something in return. A short time later, Scholtens sent a hyperlink that led to a cloud storage folder that contained 12 videos. Each of the videos depicted the sexual abuse of young children whose ages ranged from 1 to 15 years old.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in McAllen, Texas and Rockledge, Florida and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Ozark Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Postal CarrierRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Ozark, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to assaulting a postal carrier who was delivering his mail.
Peter Harrington, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of assaulting an employee of the United States.
By pleading guilty today, Harrington admitted that he assaulted a U.S. Postal carrier on Dec. 4, 2020. As the carrier stopped to deliver mail to the assisted living facility where Harrington resided, Harrington charged toward him, demanding his mail. Harrington began hitting and striking the postal carrier in the head. The carrier turned towards his mail truck and tried to cover up to protect himself, but Harrington continued to strike him repeatedly. When the carrier gave Harrington his mail, Harrington was angry that he only received one envelope and walked away while being verbally belligerent.
An Ozark police officer observed bloody abrasions and contusions to the postal carrier’s ears, face, and the back of his left hand.
Under federal statutes, Harrington is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Ozark, Mo., Police Department.
Operation X-Nation: Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Two more defendants were sentenced today for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Mercer County.
Keith Blakely, also known as “Bumpy,” 43 of New York, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, oxymorphone, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Jan Rucker, 29, of McDowell County, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute hydromorphone and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Blakely also forfeited $69,962 in proceeds generated from his drug trafficking activity along with several firearms, while Rucker agreed to forfeit $1,543 and two firearms. Both men previously pleaded guilty to the charges that resulted from a long-term, multi-state investigation known as Operation X-Nation.
Between August 2017 and August 31, 2019, Blakely was participating in a DTO that was operating in and around Princeton. Law enforcement officers intercepted telephone conversations in which Blakely was discussing the distribution of controlled substances with other members of the drug trafficking operation, including the pricing and quantities of substances to be distributed. Blakely also made several drug distributions to informants that were cooperating with law enforcement. On August 30, 2019, law enforcement officers conducted a search of the apartment Blakely was living in near Bluefield and found large quantities of oxymorphone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone pills that he intended to distribute, along with three firearms and approximately $69,962 in cash. Blakely admitted that the cash was proceeds from his drug trafficking activity and agreed to forfeit the cash and the firearms to the United States.
Rucker was stopped by law enforcement officers on August 30, 2019, while driving his truck in Princeton. The officers found approximately 507 hydromorphone pills, $1,543 in cash and two firearms during the traffic stop. Rucker admitted that he intended to distribute the pills and that he used and carried the firearms during the drug trafficking crime. As part of the plea agreement, Rucker agreed to forfeit the firearms and the $1,543 that he admitted was proceeds of drug trafficking activity.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, which is composed of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, the Princeton Police Department and the Bluefield Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:19-cr-00307 (Blakely) and 1:19-cr-00308 (Rucker).
###
Omaha Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA -- An Omaha, Nebraska man, Daniel James Haacke, age 35, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 160 months in prison for drug and firearms offenses. His term of imprisonment is to be followed by four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Haacke pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking in February of 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Robert G. Mann, 63, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for receipt of Child Pornography. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Mann to 66 months’ imprisonment. Mann will also be required to pay special assessments of $5,100, and a fine of $7,500. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Mann will serve 5 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
In October 2018, members of a Homeland Security Investigations task force began investigating a Cyber Tipline Report from Pinterest stating that a user had uploaded an image of child pornography. On March 2, 2020, officers contacted Mann and seized several electronic devices and various storage media. Mann was employed as a custodian in the Millard Public School District. Forensic examinations showed at least 142 sexually explicit images of child saved on Mann’s devices. Mann’s devices also contained non-sexually explicit images of at least one Millard student and images of photographs of female students and others displayed around Millard schools.
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Bellevue Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
Ohio Man Charged with Hate Crime Related to Plot to Conduct Mass Shooting of Women, Illegal Possession of Machine GunRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury has charged a self-identified “incel” with attempting to conduct a mass shooting of women and with illegally possessing a machine gun.
Tres Genco, 21, of Hillsboro, Ohio, allegedly plotted to commit a hate crime, namely, a plan to shoot students in sororities at a university in Ohio. He was arrested by federal agents today.
Genco identified as an “incel” or “involuntary celibate.” The incel movement is an online community of predominantly men who harbor anger towards women. Incels seek to commit violence in support of their belief that women unjustly deny them sexual or romantic attention to which they believe they are entitled.
According to the indictment, Genco maintained profiles on a popular incel website from at least July 2019 through mid-March 2020. Genco was a frequent poster on the site.
In one post, Genco allegedly detailed spraying “some foids and couples” with orange juice in a water gun. “Foids” is an incel term short for “femoids,” referring to women. According to the charging document, Genco compared his “extremely empowering action” to similar conduct by known incel, Elliot Rodger. In May 2014, Rodger killed six people and injured 14 others, including shooting individuals outside a University of California, Santa Barbara sorority house. Prior to his mass attack, Rodger shot a group of college students with orange juice from a water gun.
Genco also allegedly wrote a manifesto, stating he would “slaughter” women “out of hatred, jealousy and revenge…” and referring to death as the “great equalizer.” As part of this investigation, law enforcement agents discovered a note of Genco’s that indicated he hoped to “aim big” for a kill count of 3,000 people and intended to attend military training. Searches of Genco’s electronics revealed that the day he wrote his manifesto, he searched online for sororities and a university in Ohio.
It is alleged that in 2019, Genco purchased tactical gloves, a bulletproof vest, a hoodie bearing the word “revenge,” cargo pants, a bowie knife, a skull facemask, two Glock 17 magazines, a 9mm Glock 17 clip and a holster clip concealed carry for a Glock.
Genco attended Army Basic Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, from August through December 2019.
In January 2020, Genco allegedly wrote a document entitled “Isolated” that he described as “the writings of the deluded and homicidal.” Genco signed the document, “Your hopeful friend and murderer.”
The charging document claims Genco conducted surveillance at an Ohio university on Jan. 15, 2020. That same day, he allegedly searched online for topics including “how to plan a shooting crime” and “when does preparing for a crime become attempt?”
On March 12, 2020, local police officers responded to Genco’s residence in Highland County. At the residence, in the trunk of Genco’s vehicle, police officers found, among other things, firearm with a bump stock attached, several loaded magazines, body armor and boxes of ammunition. Inside the residence, police officers found a Glock-style 9mm semiautomatic pistol, with no manufacturer’s marks or serial number, hidden in a heating vent in Genco’s bedroom.
Genco is charged with one count of attempting to commit a hate crime which, because it involved an attempt to kill, is punishable by up to life in prison and one count of illegally possessing a machine gun which is punishable by up to 10 years.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Norwell Man Enters Guilty Plea in Child Sexual Exploitation CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Norwell man entered a guilty plea yesterday in federal court in Boston to sexually exploiting children.
Derek Sheehan, 51, agreed to plead guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns deferred acceptance of the plea until sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled by the court. In October 2018, Sheehan was charged by criminal complaint and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury.
On Aug. 17, 2018, during a search of Sheehan’s home, investigators seized several electronic devices that revealed evidence of child pornography. Video evidence later recovered from the devices showed that Sheehan, a Norwell youth football coach at the time, had videotaped himself sexually abusing three minors while they were 11 and 12 years old while they slept in his home between March 2017 and July 2018.
The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael D. O’Keefe; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Norwell Police Chief Edward Lee made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit and the Project Safe Childhood coordinator, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno are prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
North Carolina Man Who Used Snapchat to Solicit Minors in Galax Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. - A North Carolina man, who used the popular social media messaging app Snapchat to solicit minors to send him sexually explicit photographs and videos in exchange for expensive gifts, was sentenced today to 210 months in prison.
According to court documents, Jason Kelly Inman, 41, of Mount Airy, N.C., used Snapchat to solicit minor victims living in Grayson County, Virginia, to send him sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves. Inman targeted at least four minor, male victims, all who resided in Galax, Virginia, and ranged in age from 14 to 16 years old.
“This case demonstrates the lengths sexual predators will go seek out, win the trust of, and then victimize children. It also is a reminder of the dangers that exist for children online,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar. “I commend the hard work and partnership of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police and the FBI, which brought Inman to justice to face his heinous crimes and will ensure he can no longer victimize children.”
“Through our community outreach programs the FBI is committed to bringing attention to the dangers associated with online sexual predators and providing educational tools and resources for parents and educators to help keep our children safe,” Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador said today. “FBI Richmond is appreciative of the dedicated efforts of our partners which led to the capture and successful prosecution of this predator.”
Inman admitted that between June 2020 and December 2020, his general pattern of behavior was to exchange messages with his victims using Snapchat and provide the victims with gifts, including alcohol, marijuana, vape cartridges, money, and cell phones. Inman would then turn the conversation toward sexual issues, eventually requesting and receiving sexually explicit photographs and videos from his victims via Snapchat, in exchange for the victims continuing to receive gifts. Inman also traveled to Grayson County to deliver gifts to his victims. There is no evidence of actual physical contact between Inman and the victims.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Virginia State Police.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lena L. Busscher and Whit D. Pierce are prosecuting the case for the United States.
New York Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ethan Ashong, age 28, of Fishkill, New York, was indicted on July 20, 2021, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Ashong conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between January 2021 and July 2021 and distributed over 50 grams of methamphetamine on multiple occasions between March 8, 2021 and July 15, 2021.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
# # #
New York Man Admits Role in Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Conspiring to use Unauthorized Access Devices.Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man today admitted to his role in conspiring to defraud a home improvement retail store with stolen credit card information, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Telwin Vincent, 32, of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From November 2017 through May 2019, Vincent and his conspirators placed online orders with a home improvement store using stolen credit card information and arranged to pick up those goods in person at various store locations throughout New Jersey and New York. Vincent directed his conspirators to pick up the goods using dozens of false or stolen identities and then return the goods at different store locations or sell the goods at a discount to third parties for cash.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge to which Vincent pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain to him or loss to others, whichever is greatest. The conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to him or loss to others, whichever is greatest. Vincent’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
New Orleans Man Charged with Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID SINGLETON, age 62, of New Orleans, was indicted on July 16, 2021 by a federal grand jury for violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Specifically, SINGLETON was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B) and 846.
According to the indictment, SINGLETON possessed over 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride on or about October 20, 2017. If convicted of this charge, SINGLETON faces enhanced penalties of a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000, and at least 8 years of supervised release. For each count, SINGLETON must pay a mandatory special assessment cost of $100.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.
* * *
New Hampshire Man Sentenced on Interstate Stalking and Domestic Violence ChargesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine—A New Hampshire man was sentenced today in federal court for stalking and traveling interstate to violate a protection order, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Lawrence Keenan IV, 31, to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Keenan entered a guilty plea on February 10, 2021.
According to court documents, beginning on June 3, 2020, Keenan began sending a recently former girlfriend and her family harassing text messages in an effort to reconcile. When the victim, who resided in South Berwick, Maine at the time, refused to respond, Keenan also sent threatening messages to the victim and her former husband, which caused them both emotional distress. The victim then obtained a temporary protection order from the Maine District Court in York on June 4, 2020. The order, among other restrictions, prohibited Keenan from contacting the victim or entering the premises of her residence, which Keenan later did on June 14, 2020, resulting in his arrest. The temporary order was made final by the Maine District Court on June 17, 2020. Keenan was released on bail on June 24, 2020, with a new condition that he not return to South Berwick.
Between June 28-29, 2020, Keenan left approximately 23 harassing and threatening voicemails for the victim in violation of the final protection order and state bail conditions. In the last message, Keenan warned the victim that he was on his way to her South Berwick residence. Keenan drove from New Hampshire to Maine with the intent to violate the protective order. In the early morning of June 29, 2020, the South Berwick police responded to a 911 call and located Keenan inside the porch of the victim’s residence. She was not home at the time.
The South Berwick and Somersworth, New Hampshire police departments; the York County District Attorney’s Office; and the FBI investigated the case. The prosecution was 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.
Nepalese Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice and Meet A Pregnant 12-Year-Old Child for SexRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Sanjay Lama (32, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for using the internet to attempt to entice a 12-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Lama was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. Lama was arrested on September 25, 2019, in Jacksonville and has been detained since that date. Lama is a citizen of Nepal who, at the time of this offense, was legally residing in Jacksonville and working as an information technology specialist for a local company.
A federal jury had found Lama guilty on March 26, 2021.
According to evidence and testimony introduced during the trial, on September 25, 2019, an undercover FBI agent, posing online as a pregnant 12-year-old child, was contacted by Lama, who was using the screen name “Awesome_Jack.” Lama and the undercover agent engaged in online conversation using a social media app known both for its anonymity as well as for being a way to meet others online for sex. Throughout that day, Lama sent 160 text messages expressing his desire to meet the 12-year-old “child” to engage in sexual activity. Lama provided graphic descriptions of the sexual acts that he wanted to perform on the “child.” Later that afternoon, Lama left his workplace in downtown Jacksonville and rode his motorcycle to a prearranged location at a shopping center in south Jacksonville to meet the “child.” His plan was to take her to her nearby residence for sex. When he arrived at the meeting location, Lama was approached by FBI agents as he was texting with the “child” on his cell phone and was arrested.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Monmouth County Man Admits Defrauding Department of Veterans Affairs of $200,000Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man today admitted he defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $200,0000 in survivor’s pension benefits over 12 years, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conversion of government funds.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provided survivor’s pension benefits to Greenspan’s mother because of Greenspan’s father’s prior military service. Those benefits, intended only for surviving spouses of military members, were made through electronic funds transfers into Greenspan’s mother’s bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date. After Greenspan’s mother died in 2006, Greenspan did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about his mother’s death and made withdrawals of the survivor’s pension benefits from his mother’s bank account between 2006 and 2018, totaling $201,166.
The charge of conversion of government funds carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
Milford Man Admits Receiving Child Sex Abuse Images Through the InternetRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT C. HARRINGTON, 55, of Milford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2019, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received information from Australian and Canadian law enforcement authorities that two usernames associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address at Harrington’s Milford residence were sending and receiving images depicting the sexual abuse of girls through a web-based application. On May 15, 2019, investigators searched Harrington’s residence and seized his tablet computer. The tablet contained images and videos depicting child sex abuse.
Harrington has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2019. Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for October 14, 2021, at which time Harrington faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This investigation is being conducted by HSI with the assistance of the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), South Australia Police, Australian Federal Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced in Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Pedro Aguirre-Ortiz, 27, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska after his arrest in a drug trafficking operation. Aguirre-Ortiz was convicted of one count of distributing methamphetamine and one count of distributing cocaine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Aguirre-Ortiz to 135 months’ imprisonment. Aguirre-Ortiz will serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system. Aguirre-Ortiz is from Chihuahua, Mexico and will be deported at the completion of his prison term.
In November 2017, the FBI began investigating a suspected drug trafficking ring operating out of the El Catrin restaurant at 6500 Railroad Avenue in Omaha and the surrounding Omaha metro. This case was part of that larger operation. On three separate occasions between August 2018 and February 13, 2019, Aguirre-Ortiz sold several ounces of cocaine to a confidential source. On October 16, 2018, he sold a confidential source 8 ounces of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Memphis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Scheme Targeting NonprofitsRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Jaime Walsh, 53, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for one count of bank fraud in connection with a scheme perpetrated against over 100 entities, most of which were nonprofits. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, between June 2013 and March 2019, Walsh defrauded various organizations including charities, churches, nonprofit environmental entities, and the Peace Corps. Walsh would, for example, make an online donation of $4500 to an organization. He would then contact the organization, claiming he intended to donate only $45, and ask for a refund of $4455. The organization would issue the requested refund and Walsh would immediately withdraw the money from his account.
Meanwhile, the original donation made by Walsh would be rejected due to insufficient funds and the targeted organization would suffer a complete loss of the refunded amount. Walsh attempted to defraud victims of $863,736.69. He succeeded in defrauding victims of $241,397.33.
On March 2, 2021, Walsh pled guilty to bank fraud.
On July 20, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Walsh to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. Walsh was also ordered to pay restitution to victims in the amount of $203,840.70. A money judgment for $241,397.33 was entered against Walsh.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Tennessee Highway Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, and the Peace Corps Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Smith prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
McKeesport Man Charged with Violating Federal Drug LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Brock Cochran, age 30, formerly of N. Grandview Avenue, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about June 29, 2021, Cochran attempted to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Also, on June 29, 2021, Cochran possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Cook is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service 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.
McAllen man who threatened partner sent to prison for narcotics distributionRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 60-year-old McAllen resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jorge Arturo Gonzalez pleaded guilty Feb. 4, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Gonzalez to serve a 235-month sentence to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from witnesses. They described Gonzalez’s role in receiving, storing and distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine at his residence for further distribution since early 2018.
At the time of his arrest, Gonzalez had also threatened his co-conspirator. Today, the court heard how shots had been fired at the co-conspirator’s family home and that someone had killed his dog. In addition, a bullet with the co-conspirator’s name was on his front porch.
The court also determined Gonzalez was responsible for distributing at least 7.97 kilograms of cocaine as part of the conspiracy. Judge Alvarez enhanced the sentence, finding he maintained a residence for the purpose of distributing controlled substances and possessed a firearm in connection with the offense. She further found Gonzalez used credible threats of violence against his co-conspirator and obstructed justice.
On Sep. 13, 2019, authorities conducted a search of Gonzalez’s residence in McAllen and discovered 3.46 kilograms of cocaine along with a firearm, ammunition, a drug scale, thousands of dollars in U.S. currency and multiple cellphones. There also were numerous videos on his cellphones depicting him in possession of a firearm and large quantities of cocaine and other controlled substances.
Considered a danger to the community and a flight risk, Gonzalez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Kristina Pekkala prosecuted the case, while AUSA Matthew Redavid handled the contested sentencing hearing today.
Maryland man indicted on firearms theft chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Richard Lee Tyndall, Jr., of Oldtown, Maryland, was indicted today on firearms theft charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Tyndall, 43, was indicted on two counts of “Stealing Firearms from a Dealer” and two counts of “Unlawful Possession of Firearms.” Tyndall, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, is accused of stealing eight firearms from a licensed dealer in Mineral County on September 4, 2019. He is also accused of stealing five firearms from a licensed dealer in Mineral County on September 27, 2019.
Tyndall faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Manhattan Businessman Charged in Manhattan Federal Court for Fraudulently Obtaining Government Procurement ContractRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William W. Richards, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Air Force Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations, Joint Base Andrews, announced today that RAYMOND WHITE, a/k/a “John Raymond Anthony White,” a/k/a “Raymond Alexander White,” was arrested by agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Army Major Procurement Fraud Unit this morning at his residence in New York, New York. WHITE is charged by complaint with submitting false information regarding WHITE’s general contractor business’s finances and prior performance of contracts in order to obtain a contract to build a munitions load crew training facility at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and submitting false information to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) in order to induce the SBA to guarantee 80% of the performance and payment bonds issued in connection with the contract. The contract was worth in excess of $4.8 million.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Raymond White lied and provided false documentation and credentials to the military and the Small Business Administration in procuring a multimillion-dollar contract he was not qualified to fulfill. Among other fabrications, White allegedly provided a report from an independent accounting firm that appears not to exist. White also allegedly provided as a reference the owner of a prior $9 million contracting project, but both the owner and the prior project appear to have been made up out of whole cloth. As alleged, Raymond White’s actual specialty appears to be the construction of fantastical falsehoods.”
Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations Special Agent in Charge William W. Richards said: “The Office Procurement Fraud Investigations, along with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, will work tirelessly to combat fraud threatening the Department of the Air Force.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
Beginning on or about May 12, 2019, through at least in or about September 2020, WHITE, president and chief executive officer of a construction management and general contractor company (the “Contractor), submitted a bid to the District of Columbia Army National Guard (“DCARNG”) on a contract (the “Contract”) to build a munitions load crew training facility at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Between September 21, 2019, and September 30, 2019, in response to a pre-award questionnaire sent by the contract specialist, WHITE emailed several documents, including an “Independent Accountants’ Report,” a “Construction Contractor Experience Data,” and a “Firm Dossier” to the contract specialist for the DCARNG. The contract was awarded to September 30, 2019, to the Contractor for $4,801,000. These documents contained false financial reports regarding the Contractor’s finances, false information regarding past performance of contracts by the Contractor, and false information regarding members of the management team for the Contractor. The contract was terminated on or about September 16, 2020, for providing false information to the DCARNG, and no construction work had been performed yet on the site.
As required by federal law, WHITE was required to obtain performance and payment bonds provided by an insurer (generally referred to in the business as a surety) for the Contract. On or about October 23, 2019, the Contractor received a performance and payment bond from a bond insurance company (the “Surety”), and the Surety required that the Contractor obtain a guarantee of the bond from the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”), so that in the event of default on the bond, the Surety would be reimbursed 80%-90% of any loss incurred by the SBA. In or around October 2019, WHITE emailed the SBA bond guarantee application materials to a surety bond broker to submit to the SBA. The application materials included, among other documents, financial statements and a statement of personal history for WHITE. These documents contained fictitious financial reports regarding the Contractor’s finances and false information regarding past contracts performed by the Contractor. WHITE also falsely represented in the Statement of Personal History that he never had been convicted of any criminal offense, when WHITE was previously convicted on April 21, 2011, in the Southern District of New York of mail fraud (18 USC § 1341), major fraud against the United States (18 USC § 1031), false statements (18 USC § 1001(a)), and tampering with a witness (18 USC § 1512(b)(3)). WHITE also listed his name as “Raymond Alexander White” and provided a social security number and date of birth different from those listed in his Bureau of Prisons records. On or about October 31, 2019, the Contractor obtained a guarantee from the SBA of 80% of the payment and performance bond. As a result of Contract termination, the SBA has fulfilled three claims that the Surety has submitted to the SBA pursuant to the guarantee provided by the SBA to the bonds issued by the Surety, totaling $242,827.53 as of January 26, 2021.
* * *
WHITE, 56, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of major fraud against the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in the prison, and two counts of wire fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the work of the Air Force Office of Procurement Fraud Investigations and the Army Major Procurement Fraud Unit in this investigation.
The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Edward C. Robinson Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, 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 herein should be treated as an allegation as to the defendants charged in the Complaint.
Man Arrested in Connection with Alleged Role in Twitter HackRead the Press Release
A citizen of the United Kingdom was arrested today in Estepona, Spain, by Spanish National Police pursuant to a U.S. request for his arrest on multiple charges in connection with the July 2020 hack of Twitter that resulted in the compromise of over 130 Twitter accounts, including those belonging to politicians, celebrities and companies.
Joseph O’Connor, 22, is charged by criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
According to court documents, in addition to the July 15, 2020, hack of Twitter, O’Connor is charged with computer intrusions related to takeovers of TikTok and Snapchat user accounts. O’Connor is also charged with cyberstalking a juvenile victim.
O’Connor is charged with three counts of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorization and obtaining information from a protected computer; two counts of intentionally accessing a computer without authorization and obtaining information from a protected computer; one count of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorization and, with the intent to extort from a person a thing of value, transmitting a communication containing a threat; one count of making extortive communications; one count of making threatening communications; and two counts of cyberstalking. If O'Connor is convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds for the Northern District of California and Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair of the FBI San Francisco Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Francisco Division is investigating the case, with assistance from the IRS-Criminal Investigation Cyber Unit; the U.S. Secret Service, San Francisco and Headquarters; and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and its REACT task force.
Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Frentzen and Andrew Dawson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing significant assistance. The U.K.’s National Crime Agency and the Spanish National Police provided assistance in the investigation and arrest.
The allegations of a criminal complaint are merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Arrested in Connection with Alleged Role in July 2020 Twitter HackRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - A citizen of the United Kingdom was arrested today in Estepona, Spain by Spanish national police pursuant to a U.S. request for his arrest on multiple charges in connection with the July 2020 hack of Twitter that resulted in the compromise of over 130 Twitter accounts, including those belonging to politicians, celebrities, and companies.
Joseph O’Connor, 22, is charged by criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
According to court documents, in addition to the July 15, 2020, hack of Twitter, O’Connor is charged with computer intrusions related to takeovers of TikTok and Snapchat user accounts. O’Connor was also charged with cyberstalking a juvenile victim.
O’Connor is charged with three counts of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorization and obtaining information from a protected computer; two counts of intentionally accessing a computer without authorization and obtaining information from a protected computer; one count of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorization and, with the intent to extort from a person a thing of value, transmitting a communication containing a threat; one count of making extortive communications; one count of making threatening communications; and two counts of cyberstalking. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds for the Northern District of California, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair of the FBI San Francisco Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Francisco Division is investigating the case, with assistance from the IRS-Criminal Investigation Cyber Unit; the U.S. Secret Service, San Francisco and Headquarters; and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and their REACT task force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Frentzen and Andrew Dawson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing significant assistance. The U.K.’s National Crime Agency and the Spanish National Police provided assistance in the investigation and arrest.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Carlos Jesus Lorenzana, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to 17 ½ years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual (pure) and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture between June of 2019 and February of 2020. Lorenzana was also ordered to forfeit any interest he had in $3,910.00 in United States currency. Following his prison term, Lorenzana will serve five years on supervised release. However, he is likely to be deported to Guatemala at the end of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Information provided to law enforcement indicated that Lorenzana was responsible for the distribution of at least 150 grams (approximately 5 1/3 ounces) of methamphetamine actual (pure) and at least 45 kilograms (99 pounds) of methamphetamine mixture in the Lincoln area. On February 18, 2020, Lorenzana gave a Lincoln Police Department officer permission to search his pickup truck. During the search, a plastic bag containing approximately 183 grams (6 ½ ounces) of methamphetamine was found. Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab showed at least 170 grams (6 ounces) of actual (pure) methamphetamine. A search of Lorenzana’s wallet resulted in the finding of $3,910 in cash along with a leather journal containing suspected drug sales records.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Lansing Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced that Monquel Dejuan-Lee Paulk, formerly of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou. Paulk pleaded guilty to a federal indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm earlier this year. Upon release, Paulk will be supervised for 4 years. Paulk was facing a mandatory sentence of 15 years because of a history of previous violent crimes, including assault with a dangerous weapon and unarmed robbery.
On July 14, 2020, Paulk appeared in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County and received a sentence of 36 to 270 months’ custody for the offense of unarmed robbery. Paulk was ordered to report to the Ingham County Jail by 5:00 p.m. that day to begin his sentence but did not appear. On August 19, 2020, Lansing Police Department officers and Michigan State Police Troopers conducted surveillance and located and arrested Paulk and another person in Lansing. At the time of his arrest, Paulk possessed a loaded 9mm pistol while seated inside a vehicle; the pistol had previously been reported stolen. Police found additional ammunition and a second firearm, a 10mm pistol, inside the same vehicle. National Integrated Ballistic Information Network testing determined that both firearms had been used in multiple 2020 shootings in the Lansing area. Three of those shootings resulted in non-fatal injuries.
U.S. Attorney Birge said, “My office is committed to supporting local partner law enforcement agencies to prevent, interrupt, and deter violent crime – particularly gun violence. Those who, like Mr. Paulk, illegally possess guns traceable to shootings will get our attention and may face a very long time safely away from the communities they endanger.”
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Krolcyzk said, “The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is one of the many intelligence-sharing resources used in collaboration among Federal, State, and local prosecutors and law enforcement ensuring maximum impact in reducing the threat of gun violence.”
Interim Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee said, “Historically, partnerships in Law Enforcement lead to success. The Lansing Police Department Violent Crime Initiative team alongside our State and Federal partners are committed to ensuring crimes involving firearms receive all the resources we have available to hold offenders accountable.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin M. Pinkston and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lansing Police Department as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn
###
KuuHuub Inc., Kuu Huub Oy and Recolor Oy to Pay Civil Penalty for Children’s Online Privacy ViolationsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that KuuHuub Inc., a Canadian corporation, and two Finnish corporations, Kuu Huub Oy and Recolor Oy, have agreed to a settlement to resolve alleged violations of the FTC Act and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) associated with the companies’ “Recolor” mobile app and digital coloring book.
In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the United States alleged that the Recolor app included a “kids” category targeted at children, and that defendants also obtained actual knowledge that children 13 years old and younger were using and accessing the Recolor app not only to color images but also to use the app as a social media platform for communicating. The complaint further alleges that the Recolor app collected personal information of these child users without attempting to obtain verifiable parental consent, thus violating COPPA.
As reflected in the stipulated order entered by the court today, the defendants have agreed to a civil penalty of $3 million, with a payment of $100,000 due within a specified timeframe and the remainder suspended pending compliance with the order’s other provisions and based on ability-to-pay considerations. The order also prohibits the defendants from engaging in the challenged practices going forward and requires them to notify customers about the alleged violations; to delete children’s personal information currently in their possession; to seek the deletion of information held by third-party ad networks; to allow refunds requested by any current subscribers who were underage at sign-up; and to meet recordkeeping, certification and compliance obligations.
This matter was handled by Assistant Director Lisa K. Hsiao and Trial Attorney Marcus P. Smith of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch. Kerry O’Brien and Evan Rose represented the FTC.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit its website at https://www.FTC.gov.
Kauai Woman Pleads Guilty to Multiple Wire Fraud Schemes and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Leihinahina Sullivan, 49, of Lihue, Kauai, pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright to three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft related to multiple long-running fraudulent schemes. Sentencing is set before Chief Judge Seabright on December 2, 2021.
Court documents and information provided in court described three fraud schemes Sullivan perpetrated. Beginning as early as January 31, 2011, through at least August 23, 2017, Sullivan devised a tax fraud scheme to obtain tax refunds from the IRS and the State of Hawaii that she and the other individuals were not entitled to receive by filing false returns for herself and for others. The false federal and state tax returns included fictitious expenses, claims for credits, and other items Sullivan knew were false when made. Sullivan did not review these tax returns with the individuals before she filed the tax returns in their names.
Sullivan transferred the fraudulent tax refunds into several bank accounts that she had access to and controlled, including her personal bank accounts and those of friends and family members, and a non-profit entity that she controlled. Sullivan then spent these tax refunds on personal expenses for herself, her family, and her friends.
The second scheme involved educational fraud and began January 8, 2011 and lasted through at least February 1, 2017. For college-bound students Sullivan prepared and submitted false student loan, grant, scholarship, and financial aid applications and documents that requested money from public and private educational-based financial assistance and aid providers. Sullivan transferred some money from students’ financial aid applications to her personal bank accounts and other bank accounts she controlled, then spent the money on her own personal and other expenses, such as for home construction, retail purchases, and her bills.
In the last fraud scheme Sullivan used personal identification information of many individuals, such as social security numbers and birth dates, to apply for and use credit cards in other peoples’ names without their authorization. In one instance, she submitted an electronic credit card application for an individual whom she knew died on the same day she sent in the application.
Sullivan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000 as to each of the three counts of wire fraud, and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison in addition to any other sentence imposed by the court and a fine of up to $250,000 on aggravated identity theft when she is sentenced. Chief Judge Seabright will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Judith A. Philips and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Corinne Kalve made the announcement today.
Acting U.S. Attorney Philips said: “Sullivan’s fraud was wide-ranging and lasted for years. Her web of lies and manipulation ends with this case. She will be held accountable for the damage she caused by her fraudulent schemes and the money she stole from friends, family, individuals in her community, and public and private institutions.”
“Sullivan admitted to defrauding her community and taking money from taxpayers, students, and financial institutions for her own personal profit,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Corinne Kalve of IRS-CI. “This guilty plea is a reminder that IRS-CI will continue to follow the money and investigate those who prey on their communities.”
This conviction is the result of an investigation led by IRS-CI and involving Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca A. Perlmutter and Mohammad Khatib of the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.
Jury Finds Mexican National Guilty in Cocaine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - After deliberating two hours, a federal jury of three men and nine women found a Mexican national, Adelfo Rodriguez-Mendez, guilty of three counts of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Rodriguez-Mendez was tried before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Erie, Pennsylvania.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that Rodriguez-Mendez conspired to distribute and distributed cocaine out of what was then known as the East Coast Monster Garage on West 12th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, from August 2015 through June 29, 2017.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for November 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $3,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The court continued Rodriguez-Mendez’s detention and he will remain in United States Marshal custody pending sentencing. Rodriguez-Mendez is also being held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer following an earlier order of deportation for an unlawful entry that was active during the time of the conspiracy.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rodriguez-Mendez.
Judge sentences Dunklin County man for possession of a firearm by a convicted felonRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Court Stephen R. Clark sentenced Kendrick D. Calloway to 120 months in prison. Calloway, a 38-year-old resident of Malden, Missouri, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years. A contested sentencing hearing was held on July 20, 2021 and five witnesses testified for the government.
On March 8, 2020, officers with the Malden Missouri Police Department responded to a “shots-fired” call on Blades Drive. Two people reported Kendrick Calloway knocked on their car window as he was holding a gun. Words were exchanged and Calloway fired a shot. The victims drove off and Calloway followed them in his car and fired additional shots at them. Officers made contact with Calloway and ordered him to the ground. Calloway had a fully loaded Kel-Tec P-32 semiautomatic pistol in the waistband of his pants. Calloway was non-compliant with police and attempted to bite an officer. An additional firearm, an SCCY 9mm, semi-automatic pistol was found in Calloway’s car. Officers recovered a spent shell casing in the parking lot where the victims were parked. A criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory was able to confirm the spent shell casing was fired from the SCCY 9mm recovered from Calloway’s car. The MSHP Crime Lab also confirmed the presence of gunshot residue on Calloway’s hands. Calloway was a convicted felon and therefore it was unlawful for him to possess firearms.
This case was investigated by officers with the Malden Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Julie A. Hunter handled the prosecution.
#####
Illinois women indicted on counterfeit chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Clarissa Mosley, of Chicago, Illinois, and Asante James, of Freeport, Illinois, were indicted today on counterfeit charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Mosley, 24, and James, 21, were each indicted today on one count of “Conspiracy to Possess and Pass Counterfeit Obligations,” one count of “Possession of Counterfeit Obligations,” and one count of “Passing Counterfeit Obligation.” Mosley and James are accused of passing counterfeit money in December 2020 in Ritchie County.
Mosley and James each face up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge and face up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 fine for two other counterfeit charges. 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 Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service, the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Charleston Police Department investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Huntingdon County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding Others in Stealing Pandemic Relief FundsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Linda Grubb, age 74, of Hesston, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on July 21, 2021, to wire fraud for her role in a pandemic relief funds fraud scheme.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Grubb and her coconspirators manipulated a variety of pandemic relief programs to fraudulently obtain over $400,000. Specifically, the coconspirators made applications for pandemic related small business loans and pandemic unemployment assistance, sometimes using stolen identifying information. The loans and unemployment payments were deposited into Grubb’s bank account in Huntingdon County. Grubb allowed her bank account to be used and then assisted her coconspirators by wiring the funds to bank accounts they identified.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is twenty years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
# # #
Huber Heights man sentenced to statutory maximum 20 years in prison for possessing more than 3,400 images of child pornographyRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A Huber Heights man who possessed more than 3,400 images and 800 videos of child pornography has been sentenced to 240 months in prison, the maximum sentence provided under federal law for possession of child pornography.
Stephen E. Kirby II, 38, was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release as a sex offender.
According to court documents filed when Kirby pleaded guilty in June 2020 to one count of possession of child pornography, Kirby used multiple internet message services to receive and distribute child pornography files and to communicate with others about the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. One of the people Kirby contacted in 2019 was actually an undercover FBI agent investigating child pornography trafficking. Kirby was taken into custody following his plea and remains in custody.
“Kirby received the maximum sentence because of the brazen and flagrant way he committed his crimes, resuming his criminal behavior about a month after the Bureau of Prisons released Kirby following his 2013 conviction for distribution of child pornography,” said Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Kirby demonstrated that nothing short of prison would keep him from engaging in child sexual exploitation crimes. Federal law is set up to deal harshly with repeat offenders who victimize children.”
Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), joined Acting U.S. Attorney Patel in announcing the sentence handed down July 20 by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy is representing the United States in this case.
# # #
Houlton Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine—A Houlton man pleaded guilty in federal court today to two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
According to court records, Derek Fitzpatrick, 30, sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two occasions in August 2018. In September 2018, Fitzpatrick sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine to the informant. On September 28, 2018, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Fitzpatrick’s residence in Houlton and his garage in Littleton. Agents seized almost 2,000 grams of methamphetamine from the residence.
On each of the two counts of distributing methamphetamine, Fitzpatrick faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and between three years and a lifetime of supervised release. For distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, he faces between five years and 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and between four years and a lifetime of supervised release. For possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, he faces between 10 years and life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and between five years and a lifetime of supervised release.
Fitzpatrick will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case, with the assistance of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, the Houlton Police Department and the Maine State Police.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Highland County man charged with attempted hate crime related to plot to conduct mass shooting of women, illegal possession of machine gunRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged a local, self-identified “Incel” with attempting to conduct a mass shooting of women and with illegally possessing a machine gun.
Tres Genco, 21, of Hillsboro, Ohio, allegedly plotted to commit a hate crime, namely, a plan to shoot women at a university in Ohio. He was arrested by federal agents today.
Genco identified as an Incel or “involuntary celibate.” The Incel movement is an online community of predominantly men who harbor anger towards women. Incels advocate violence in support of their belief that women unjustly deny them sexual or romantic attention to which they believe they are entitled.
According to the indictment, Genco maintained profiles on a popular Incel website from at least July 2019 through mid-March 2020. Genco was a frequent poster on the site.
In one post, Genco allegedly detailed spraying “some foids and couples” with orange juice in a water gun. Foids is an Incel term short for “femoids,” referring to women. According to the charging document, Genco compared his “extremely empowering action” to similar conduct by known Incel Elliot Rodger. In May 2014, Rodger killed six people and injured 14 others, including shooting individuals outside a University of California, Santa Barbara sorority house. Prior to his mass attack, Rodger shot a group of college students with orange juice from a water gun.
Genco also allegedly wrote a manifesto, stating he would “slaughter” women “out of hatred, jealousy and revenge…” and referring to death as the “great equalizer.” As part of this investigation, law enforcement agents discovered a note of Genco’s that indicated he hoped to “aim big” for a kill count of 3,000 people with a reference to the same date as Elliot Rodger’s attack, and intended to attend military training. The investigation revealed that the day he wrote his manifesto, he searched online for sororities and a university in Ohio.
It is alleged that in 2019, Genco purchased tactical gloves, a bulletproof vest, a hoodie bearing the word “Revenge,” cargo pants, a bowie knife, a skull facemask, two Glock 17 magazines, a 9mm Glock 17 clip, and a holster clip concealed carry for a Glock.
Genco attended Army Basic Training in Georgia from August through December 2019. He was discharged for entry-level performance and conduct.
In January 2020, Genco allegedly wrote a document entitled “isolated” that he described as “the writings of the deluded and homicidal.” Genco signed the document, “Your hopeful friend and murderer.”
The charging document alleges Genco conducted surveillance at an Ohio university on Jan. 15, 2020. That same day, he allegedly searched online for topics including “planning a shooting crime” and “when does preparing for a crime become an attempt?”
On March 12, 2020, Highland County sheriff’s deputies responded to Genco’s residence. At the residence, in the trunk of Genco’s vehicle, police officers found, among other things, a firearm with a bump stock attached, several loaded magazines, body armor and boxes of ammunition. Inside the residence, police officers found a modified Glock-style 9mm semiautomatic pistol, with no manufacturer’s marks or serial number, hidden in a heating vent in Genco’s bedroom.
Genco is charged with one count of attempting to commit a hate crime and one count of illegally possessing a machinegun. The hate crime charge is punishable by up to life imprisonment. The machinegun charge is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
# # #
Hartford Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role n Northeast "Grab and Go" Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PAIGE JAMES, also known as “Ishaya James,” 28, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in an extensive commercial larceny spree.
This case stems from “Operation American Steal,” a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states. A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.
James was part of a network of individuals who in 2019 and 2020 committed more than 50 grab and go thefts from Polo Ralph Lauren, T.J. Maxx, Balenciaga, Burberry, Macy’s, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tommy Hilfiger and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street.
James participated in at least 28 thefts resulting in losses of more than $90,000. Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.
On September 15, 2020, a grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging James and seven other individuals. James was arrested in Georgia on October 20, 2021. On May 14, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property.
James has been detained since her arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford, New Canaan, Wrentham (Mass.), Auburn (Mass.) and Nassau County (N.Y.) Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Brendan Keefe.
Green County Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation and Child PornographyRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – A Greene County man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and the distribution/receipt of child pornography. He will also serve a lifetime term of supervised release, must pay $10,000 in restitution to the minor victim, and was also ordered to have no contact with the minor victim or victim's family.
According to court documents, Brett Alan Walker, 30, of Switz City, used a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions of the child. The Indiana State Police were alerted to Walker’s online crimes in November of 2019 when Google reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Walker had uploaded sexually explicit images of a child to its servers. The State Police and FBI investigated the Cyber Tip-line Report and confirmed that the suspect was a convicted sex offender. Police arrested Walker and rescued the child victim on the night before Thanksgiving of 2019. A review of the evidence seized showed that Walker was not only sexually exploiting the child, but he was also distributing images of the child in the social media chat application, Kik Messenger.
Walker was previously convicted of child molestation in Marion County in 2010 and while on probation for that offense, he was convicted of criminal confinement in 2011, for an offense involving a 14-year-old girl. Walker was released from the Indiana Department of Corrections on December 31, 2016, less than 3 years before he committed the federal offenses.
“Walker’s fifty-year sentence pales in comparison to the sentence he imposed on the minor victim,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress. “Walker’s actions have demonstrated that he should never have the ability to be in any type of contact with children. This sentence will help ensure that.”
“This lengthy sentence should send a loud and clear message that, while you may think you can hide behind the anonymity of the internet to commit these crimes, we will identify you and bring you to justice,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to combat the sexual exploitation of our children.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Martinsville Police Department, and the Green County Prosecutors Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Kristina Korobov prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
Goldsboro Man Convicted of Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Goldsboro man today on charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, William Earl Warren, Jr., 32, was indicted on October 15, 2020 for one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Evidence presented at trial revealed that on July 31, 2020, officers initially tried to stop a vehicle driven by Warren for a stop sign violation. Instead of stopping, Warren led officers on a slow speed vehicle chase through the Westhaven Housing Neighborhoods in Goldsboro, NC. Warren’s vehicle eventually came to a stop and Warren fled the vehicle carrying a firearm. Officers gave chase on foot as Warren ran behind a building and tossed the firearm in a wooded area before continuing to flee on foot. Warren was apprehended shortly afterward in front of the building and officers combed the wooded area and found the firearm at the base of a tree within his flight path. Further evidence presented at trial revealed that Warren was on supervised release at the time of the charged offense for a previous federal conviction for Hobbs Act Robbery in 2015.
Warren faces a maximum penalty of 120 months in prison when sentenced in September 2021.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the verdict. The Goldsboro Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon L. Boykin 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-00469-BO.
Fulton County Man Charged with Producing, Receiving and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 21, 2021, Kenneth harr, age 51, of McConnelsburg, was indicted by a federal grand jury for production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Harr produced, received and possessed child pornography images using a computer or cell phone between March 2018 and June 2021, in Fulton County.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the highest offense charged in the indictment is 30 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for the production of child pornography charge and a five year mandatory minimum sentence for the receipt of child pornography charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
# # #
Fremont Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE- Markus W. DeGraw, 40, of Fremont, Indiana, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady following his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
DeGraw was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, on the evening of August 27, 2019, DeGraw, a convicted felon and resident of Fremont, Indiana, sent text messages to his estranged wife who was living in Michigan. DeGraw was upset because he believed that his wife had taken his firearms. When his wife denied taking his firearms, DeGraw sent his wife multiple text messages in which he threatened to shoot and kill her. DeGraw also sent his wife a threatening message with a photograph of a handgun.
On the morning of August 28, 2019, DeGraw went to his wife’s residence in Michigan where he pointed a firearm at his wife and told her he was going to kill her. DeGraw left before police arrived. Officers obtained a search warrant for DeGraw’s home. Inside his garage, law enforcement officers located a loaded .40 caliber handgun along with ammunition of various calibers.
After his arrest, DeGraw admitted that he had possessed the .40 caliber handgun for a couple of years, and that he had obtained it about six months after his release from prison on state convictions in 2016. DeGraw admitted to sending the threatening text messages to his wife the night before in order to scare her.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fremont Police Department and the Branch County, Michigan Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Michigan State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Nokes.
Four Individuals Sentenced to Federal Prison for a total of 36 Years for Carjacking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Eric Cole, 22, Edward Brown, 26, Daterious Gipson, 20, and Warren Guy,22, have been sentenced to a total of 433 months in federal prison for carjacking and firearm offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentences today.
According to information presented in court, on September 30, 2018, Memphis Police were flagged down by a man near Hudson Street. The victim, S.G., had been robbed and his vehicle taken on Powell Avenue. The victim stated he provided a ride to an individual in exchange for gas money. Upon arriving at the address on Powell, the suspect opened his passenger door and pretended to give the victim the gas money. At that time, three additional suspects surrounded the victim's car. As the victim fled on foot, one suspect fired multiple shots at the victim. Cole, Brown and Gipson were positively identified by the victim from a photo line-up.
• February 28, 2019, Cole, Brown, and Gipson were indicted for the carjacking and brandishing and discharging firearms during a crime of violence in the Western District of Tennessee.
• October 16, 2019, Daterious Gipson pled guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the carjacking.
• November 14, 2019, Edward Brown pled guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the carjacking.
• December 17, 2019, Eric Cole pled guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during the carjacking.
Further investigation revealed Warren Guy as an additional suspect. Guy was indicted on January 20, 2020 in the Western District of Tennessee. On March 25, 2021, he pled guilty to possession of a firearm during the carjacking.
On October 20, 2020, U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr., sentenced Brown to 100 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. Cole was sentenced to 138 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release. Gipson was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment to be followed by three years supervised release. On July 15, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Guy to 60 months imprisonment to be followed by five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Memphis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory D. Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
###
Former U.S. Army Employee Pleads Guilty to Kickback Scheme to Steer U.S. Government ContractsRead the Press Release
A former civilian employee of the U.S. Army’s Directorate of Public Works pleaded guilty today for his role in a kickbacks scheme to steer government contracts for work at Camp Arifjan, a U.S. Army base in Kuwait.
According to court documents, Ephraim Garcia, 64, admitted that he conspired with Gandhiraj Sankaralingam, aka Gandhi Raj, the former general manager and co-owner of Kuwait-based contracting company Gulf Link Venture Co. W.L.L. (Gulf Link), to steer government contracts to Gulf Link. In his position with the U.S. Army, Garcia was involved in the solicitation, award and management of certain government contracts related to facilities support at Camp Arifjan.
In 2015, at an Olive Garden restaurant located in Mahboula, Kuwait, Garcia and Sankaralingam approached an employee of the prime contractor responsible for base support services. During that meeting, they offered to pay the prime-contractor employee in exchange for his assistance in steering subcontracts worth over $3 million to Gulf Link. Rather than agree to the scheme, the prime-contractor employee reported the kickback offer to authorities. Garcia was arrested in the Philippines in December 2019. On Aug. 19, 2020, Sankaralingam was charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to offer a kickback and with paying illegal gratuities to Garcia. Sankaralingam remains a fugitive.
Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer a kickback and one count of offering a kickback. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 22, and faces a maximum of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 10 years in prison on the kickback charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Director Marion F. Robey of the Major Procurement Fraud Unit, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command; and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Paul Sternal of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), made the announcement.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and DCIS are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Christopher Jackson and Matthew Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The charges in the indictment against Sankaralingam are merely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Supervisory Pharmacist of Defunct New England Compounding Center Resentenced in Connection with 2012 Fungal Meningitis OutbreakRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former supervisory pharmacist of the now-defunct New England Compounding Center (NECC) was resentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. The defendant was resentenced after the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed his criminal convictions but vacated his sentence and forfeiture order.
Glenn Chin, 53, previously of Canton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 126 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Chin was also ordered to pay forfeiture of approximately $473,584 and restitution of $82 million.
Chin was sentenced in January 2018 to eight years in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $175,000 and restitution in an amount to be determined. In October 2017, Chin was convicted by a federal jury of all 77 counts, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.
On July 7, 2021, co-defendant Barry Cadden, a former owner of NECC, was resentenced by Judge Stearns to 174 months in prison and ordered to pay forfeiture of $1.4 million and restitution of $82 million. Cadden was previously sentenced in June 2017 by Judge Stearns to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release after being convicted by a federal jury in March 2017 of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.
In 2017, the government appealed the defendants’ sentences. In July 2020, the First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the defendants’ sentences, finding that the Court failed to impose applicable sentencing enhancements and erred in its forfeiture rulings. Significantly, the First Circuit held that the patients who were injected with NECC’s contaminated preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) may be considered victims of the fraud. According to court documents, more than 100 patients died and approximately 800 patients were sickened as a result of contaminated MPA injections. As a result of the First Circuit’s decision, the defendants’ convictions were affirmed, and their sentences and forfeiture orders were vacated and remanded to the District Court for re-sentencing.
In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of MPA manufactured by NECC, and more than 100 patients died as a result. The outbreak was the largest public health crisis ever caused by a contaminated pharmaceutical drug.
Chin manufactured and oversaw the manufacturing of contaminated MPA. In doing so, Chin ignored pharmacy regulations and NECC’s own drug formulation worksheets and standard operating procedures. Specifically, he improperly sterilized the MPA, failed to verify the sterilization process and improperly tested it to ensure sterility. Despite knowing these deficiencies, Chin directed the MPA to be filled into tens of thousands of vials and shipped to NECC customers nationwide. During the fungal meningitis outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control identified 18 different types of fungi from MPA vials and patient samples.
Chin directed the shipping of drugs prior to receiving test results confirming their sterility, and he directed NECC staff to mislabel drugs to conceal this practice. He also directed the compounding of drugs with expired ingredients, including chemotherapy drugs that had expired several years prior. Chin prioritized drug production over cleaning, directed the forging of cleaning logs and routinely ignored mold and bacteria found inside the clean rooms.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda P.M. Strachan, Chief of Mendell’s Health Care Fraud Unit, Christopher R. Looney, David G. Lazarus, Chief of Mendell’s Asset Recovery Unit, and Alexandra W. Amrhein prosecuted the case.