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2 September 2021
Dominican Republic Native Going to Prison for 30 Months Following Drug ConvictionRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Elison A. Ledesma-Melo a/k/a Carlos Rivera Perez a/k/a Ostin M. Echevarria-Roman, 46, a native of the Dominican Republic, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The defendant will be deported to the Dominican Republic once his sentence is complete.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who handled the case, stated that in August 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendant who was a retail distributor of heroin in the Buffalo area. Ledesma-Melo traveled to the New York, NY, area to obtain heroin which he then brought back to Buffalo for distribution. On September 11, 2019, investigators conducted surveillance of the defendant’s vehicle as it traveled between the Buffalo area and the New York area. A traffic stop of Ledesma-Melo’s vehicle was conducted on Route 20A in Warsaw, NY. The defendant produced a Puerto Rico driver’s license in the name of Ostin M. Echevarria-Roman with a March 1972 birthdate. Following a brief roadside conversation, during which Ledesma-Melo provided false information and exhibited unusual behavior, a New York State Trooper searched the vehicle. A K-9 narcotics detection dog was also brought to the scene to assist in the search. The K-9 made a positive indication for the presence of narcotics in the rear seat/hatch area. A follow-up search of that area resulted in the recovery of a plastic bag which contained in excess of 100 grams of suspected heroin. Ledesma-Melo was taken into custody.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
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Domestic Disturbance Call Results in Oklahoma City Man Being Sentenced to Serve More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, CORNELL WINSOR PITTS-GREEN, 41, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve more than 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in illegal possession of firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On July 7, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count Indictment against Pitts-Green, charging him with being a convicted felon in illegal possession of firearms. On October 2, 2020, Pitts-Green pleaded guilty to the Indictment.
Public records reflect that, on March 8, 2020, Oklahoma City Police officers were dispatched to a church in Oklahoma City in regards to a domestic disturbance. A church member reported that a female had ran to the church and told members of the church that her boyfriend had harmed her. The church members shielded the female from Pitts-Green when he came to the church to find her. Based on the female’s statements, law enforcement discovered a .22 caliber revolver and a .380 auto caliber semi-automatic pistol in Pitts-Green’s residence.
Federal law prohibits prior convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Prior to his arrest, Pitts-Green had been convicted of several felonies out of Garfield and Payne Counties, including Assault and Battery, Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Distribute.
Today, U.S. District Chief Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Pitts-Green to serve 188 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Chief Judge DeGiusti noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, including Pitts-Green’s criminal history. Pitts-Green has pending charges in a connected case in Oklahoma County including Domestic Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Kidnapping, and Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation.
This case is the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Bow Bottomly prosecuted the case.
This case is part of "Operation 922," the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of the national Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. "Operation 922" prioritizes prosecution of federal gun crimes connected to domestic violence.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Detroit man sentenced for drug chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tyrone Wyatt-Smith, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 46 months of incarceration for a drug charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Wyatt-Smith, also known as “Fetty,” 29, pleaded guilty in March 2021 to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone.” Wyatt-Smith admitted to selling Oxycodone in April 2019 in Monongalia County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Dark Web Child Porn Leads to 12 Year Sentence for Randolph County ManRead the Press Release
SPARTA, Ill. – A Randolph County man is heading to federal prison today after years of downloading and sharing child pornography on the dark web. Kory R. Schulein, 37, of Sparta, Illinois, was sentenced this afternoon to 151 months in prison for knowingly receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet. Schulein pled guilty to the charge in April.
According to court documents, Schulein first came to the attention to law enforcement in 2018 during an FBI investigation of child pornography on the dark web. Agents were able to track his internet protocol address and executed a federal search warrant at his home. Schulein served as a moderator of a dark web site dedicated to child exploitation and had been an active participant on other sites. Prosecutors told the court that on one of the sites, Schulein had posted 13,733 messages, many of which included links to child exploitation images and videos. Schulein also collected and stored over 9,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on an encrypted hard drive.
In handing down the sentence, which fell at the low end of the advisory sentencing guidelines, United States District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn observed that the guidelines called for a lengthy sentence “because of the colossal and immensely harmful impact” child pornography has on children.
Schulein was unemployed and had for years actively participated in online forums where he interacted with people who were producing child pornography. Judge McGlynn noted that some of the images and videos collected by Schulein depicted children in bondage and adults raping children, including 5- year-old girls and toddlers. “You must have felt no mercy or empathy for these children you were watching being humiliated and tortured,” McGlynn told the defendant.During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors also submitted evidence that Schulein had engaged in an online “romantic relationship” with an 11-year-old girl in the United Kingdom. Judge McGlynn called
Schulein’s involvement with the girl “classic grooming behavior.”Some victims of the child pornography that Schulein received and shared with others submitted statements to the court. In their statements, they describe how impossible it is for them to live any semblance of a normal life while images of their sexual abuse are traded online. “Every time someone views this trash,” one survivor wrote, “he is once again making me re-live the most horrific part of my childhood. I can never truly heal....” The mother of another victim wrote: “Thousands upon thousands of people, all over the world have access to images of our little girl during her darkest days.... A person can download her image, create their own child pornography movie, share it with other monsters, or keep it for themselves to continually exploit our daughter in their own private bedroom.” Knowing that her abuse is memorialized on the internet for people like the defendant to view and share forever “will shatter her soul,” the victim’s mother wrote.
As part of his sentence, Schulein was ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release and pay a
$5,000 special assessment. He previously paid $12,000 in restitution to several of the victims.The case was investigated by FBI-Springfield, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S.
Marshals Service.Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and
Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump of the U.S.
Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of
Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe
Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted felon sentenced to additional prison time after threatening witness and judgeRead the Press Release
BRUNSWICK, GA: A convicted felon and gang member has been sentenced to more than a decade of additional time in federal prison after admitting he threatened a witness and a judge.
Wilbert Stephens, 29, of Brunswick, Ga., was sentenced to 174 months in prison after pleading guilty to Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence, and Mailing Threatening Communications, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Stephens to pay $7,500 in restitution to one of the victims, and to serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term, which runs consecutively to the 120-month term Stephens already was serving for a prior conviction. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Serial criminal Wilbert Stephens already faced 10 years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Rather than take his well-deserved medicine, he chose to compound the crime by threatening those who held him accountable.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Stephens was indicted in U.S. District Court in 2018 along with 23 other defendants as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy. He later pled guilty to an Information charging him with Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced in June 2020 to 10 years in prison. While being held in the Glynn County Detention Center awaiting transfer to prison, Stephens asked a relative to kill a witness, and wrote and mailed a threatening letter to a judge.
“Stephens tried to use fear and intimidation to avoid being brought to justice. For this he will face steeper consequences,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentence sends the message that the FBI will not permit cooperating witnesses and judges to be targeted like this, in an attempt to undermine the rule of law.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela C. Mateo.
Convicted Felon Ordered Held for Allegedly Importing Firearm Silencer, Silencer Parts from ChinaRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – David Worster, 35, of Pawtucket, a convicted felon previously convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, and explosive devices, was arrested on Wednesday and ordered detained in federal custody on charges of unlawful importation of firearms/silencers he allegedly ordered from China, and for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition seized by law enforcement during his arrest, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
It is alleged in court documents that in December 2020, a package mailed from China to Worster was examined by Border Protection (CBP) agents and found to contain a firearm silencer or suppressor parts. The contents of the parcel were falsely described on a U.S. Customs form as being a “Fuel Filter.”
Additionally, on August 4, 2021, CBP notified Homeland Security Investigations in Providence of a package mailed in July from China addressed to Worster’s girlfriend. A CBP inspection of the contents of the package, and further examination of photographs of the contents of the package by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Technology Industry Services agents, determined that the package contained a firearm silencer. The contents of the package were falsely described on a U.S. Customs form as being “Shoe charm.”
On Wednesday, members of the HSI Providence Task Force and the HSI Boston Special Response Team, with the assistance of ATF agents and Pawtucket Police, arrested Worster and executed a court-authorized search of his residence. Agents and officers seized a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, a 9mm magazine, a flak jacket and military style helmet, and various tools and components for constructing firearms.
According to court records, in 2008 Worster was investigated by ATF in Massachusetts for drug trafficking and for selling a firearm. At the time of his arrest in December 2008, ATF agents discovered two pipe bombs inside Worster’s storage locker. He was ultimately convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of possession of an explosive device, and resisting arrest. Additionally, in April 2009, Worster was arrested in Massachusetts and convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The case in U.S. District Court in Providence is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The Providence HSI Task Force is comprised of agents and officers from HSI and the Pawtucket, Warwick, and Newport Police Departments.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Police for their assistance in the investigation of this matter and with the arrest of Worster.
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College Park man pleads guilty to smuggling guns to BarbadosRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Rashad Sargeant has pleaded guilty to unlawfully exporting firearms to Barbados. Together with co-defendant David Johnson, Sargeant shipped at least 30 guns to Barbados after obliterating the serial numbers of the firearms and packing them inside false compartments in boxes.
“Greed fuels the illicit firearms market with traffickers ignoring the violent consequences of helping to equip criminals with guns,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “We remain steadfast in our efforts to curb gun-related violence in our communities and to prosecute firearms traffickers.”
“The unlawful acquisition and trafficking of firearms is a serious crime that threatens our communities here and abroad,” said Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field Division Ben Gibbons. “Obliterated firearms are hard to trace and that is what prohibited individuals are interested in. This investigation illustrates the dedication of ATF and its’ law enforcement partners to disrupt illegal firearm straw purchase schemes within the U.S. or anywhere firearm traffickers, like Sargeant, choose to operate.”
“Firearms illegally exported from the United States often end up in the wrong hands and are used to commit further criminal acts,” said Ariel Joshua Leinwand, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement, Atlanta Office. “BIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively enforce export violations and combat illegal firearm exports in the interest of public safety in the U.S. and overseas.”
“Disrupting the flow of illegal guns inevitably saves lives and reduces overall crime, so I’m glad we were able to stop Sargeant’s scheme to illegally export guns to Barbados,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Cases like this highlight the great results that can be achieved when agencies work together to protect our communities.”
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Johnson recruited Shunquez Stephens and others, to unlawfully purchase guns from federally licensed firearms dealers. Stephens, and the other “straw purchasers,” made false statements to the licensed dealers by swearing that that they were purchasing the guns for themselves. Sargeant and Johnson would then take possession of the guns and use false identifications to mail the guns to Barbados through common carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
Rashad Sargeant, 27, of College Park, Georgia, pleaded guilty on September 2, 2021. Sentencing for Sargeant is scheduled for December 16, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II.
David Johnson, 31, of Belleville, Illinois, pleaded guilty on July 22, 2021. Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II.
Shunquez Stephens, 28, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, pleaded guilty for his role in this scheme on June 21, 2021. Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Industry and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Cherokee, N.C. Woman Is Sentenced to 10 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Other NarcoticsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Lillian Elaine Brady, 53, Cherokee, N.C., to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine, fentanyl and other narcotics, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Asheville Post of Duty, and Chief Joshua Taylor of the Cherokee Indian Police Department join Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
According to court records and today’s sentencing hearing, in April 2020, law enforcement learned that Brady was a major supply source of methamphetamine and other narcotics in and around Cherokee. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brady’s residence, seizing methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, morphine, and marijuana, drug paraphernalia, $3,725 in cash, a loaded firearm, and ammunition. On February 17, 2021, Brady pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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In a separate case, Judge Redinger sentenced Brandy Michelle Fohmann, 32, of Arden, N.C., to seven years in prison today, followed by four years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl in Henderson and Buncombe Counties. Court records in this case show that, between April and July 2020, Fohmann sold fentanyl on multiple occasions, including to an undercover law enforcement officer. On July 14, 2020, law enforcement seized from Fohmann’s residence and vehicles fentanyl, two loaded firearms, drug paraphernalia and more than $4,900 in drug proceeds. According to filed plea documents, Fohmann admitted to selling fentanyl daily and engaging in 10 to 15 drug transactions per day. On April 21, 2021, Fohmann pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
In announcing Fohmann’s sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer thanked the DEA in Asheville, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hendersonville Police Department for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted both cases.
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Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Facilitating Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Rebecca Dunlap, 46, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to traveling in interstate commerce to promote, carry on, and facilitate a methamphetamine and fentanyl drug conspiracy.
According to court documents, Dunlap drove from Charleston to Columbus, Ohio, on March 17, 2021, to pick up illegal drugs for Che Lark. Dunlap was stopped by law enforcement officers on her way back to Charleston with large quantities of both methamphetamine and fentanyl. Lark further admitted that she made the trip to Columbus to pick up drugs for Lark on two other occasions. Lark was indicted in June 2021 and is scheduled for trial on October 13, 2021. The charges against him include possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl, felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Dunlap faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced on December 2, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew is handling the prosecution.
An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00136.
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Central Valley Optometrist Indicted for Submitting over $1 Million in False Claims to MedicareRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment today against optometrist Carole Sachs, O.D., 76, of Delhi, charging her with health care fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Sachs was an optometrist and practiced out of offices in Turlock and Modesto. Between November 2016 and February 2021, Sachs fraudulently billed Medicare for optometry services she did not provide. Sachs billed over $1 million and received over $700,000 in payments from Medicare from these false and fraudulent claims. The fraudulent claims included claims for performing ultrasounds and for placing amniotic membranes on patients’ eyes despite the fact that Sachs did not perform these procedures.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincente A. Tennerelli and Joseph D. Barton are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Sachs faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Capital One CEO to Pay Civil Penalty for Violating Antitrust Pre-Transaction Notification RequirementsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, against Richard D. Fairbank, the CEO of Capital One Financial Corporation, for violating the pre-transaction notification and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976 (HSR Act) when he acquired voting securities of Capital One in 2018. At the same time, the department filed a proposed settlement, subject to approval by the court, under which Fairbank has agreed to pay a $637,950 civil penalty to resolve the lawsuit.
The HSR Act imposes notification and waiting period requirements for transactions meeting certain size thresholds so that they can undergo pre-transaction antitrust review. Federal courts can assess civil penalties for pre-transaction notification violations under the HSR Act in lawsuits brought by the department. The maximum civil penalty for an HSR Act violation, which is adjusted annually, is currently $43,792 per day.
Further details about this matter are described in the FTC’s press release issued today, and in the attached complaint and competitive impact statement.
Consistent with the requirements of the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with the competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement during a 60-day comment period via email to [email protected] or by post to Maribeth Petrizzi, Special Attorney, United States, c/o Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, CC-8416, Washington, D.C. 20580. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia may approve the proposed settlement upon finding that it is in the public interest.
California Man Sentenced for Role in Scheme to Smuggle Endangered and Vulnerable Turtles from the U.S. to ChinaRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.— A Chinese national residing in Los Angeles was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a scheme to purchase hundreds of endangered and vulnerable turtles in the U.S. and smuggle them via U.S. mail and commercial airline flights to China.
Yuan Xie, 30, was sentenced to 5 years’ federal probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $15,000 fine payable to the Lacey Act Reward Fund.
According to court documents, beginning in at least May 2017 and continuing until October 2018, Xie conspired with another Chinese national, Xiao Dong Qin, 35, of Shanghai, China, to purchase more than 769 live turtles from reptile dealers in Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina. All of the turtles purchased and smuggled by Xie are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
A two-year investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) revealed that in an 18-month period, Xie facilitated the purchase and transportation of approximately 134 Florida box turtles, 178 eastern box turtles, 127 North American wood turtles, 220 spotted turtles, 77 diamondback terrapins, 25 three-toed box turtles, seven yellow-blotched map turtles, and one Blanding’s turtle from his former residence in Eugene, Oregon. USFWS investigators determined the cost of the turtles involved in this investigation exceeded $150,000 and estimated the market value was more than double that amount in the Chinese pet trade.
In November 2018, Xie was arrested by USFWS agents at his residence in Los Angeles.
On November 16, 2018, Xie was charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S. in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). On May 6, 2021, he waived indictment and pleaded guilty to the single charge.
As part of the plea agreement, Xie has agreed to pay $2,233 in restitution to a rehabilitation facility near Chicago and The Turtle Conservancy near Los Angeles for costs associated with the care of turtles intercepted by law enforcement.
Qin was sentenced on February 27, 2020 to two years’ probation and paid nearly $8,000 in restitution.
This case was investigated by USFWS with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID FraudRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shaneesha White, 25, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to wire fraud involving benefits connected to a presidentially declared national emergency. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2020 and February 2021, the defendant defrauded the New York State Department of Labor by fraudulently collecting unemployment insurance benefits, to which she was not entitled. White applied for and received benefits in her own name, under false and fraudulent pretenses. The defendant and others also used the personal identifying information of two individuals fraudulently to create benefit accounts and collect benefits in the names of these individuals. The benefit money was deposited into bank accounts held and controlled by the defendant at Key Bank. Key Bank also issued ATM cards in both the White’s name and in the names of the two individuals, which the defendant used to make cash withdrawals of the benefits. As a result of the fraud, the defendant unlawfully collected $48,833.15 in benefits.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including for workers who are not ordinarily eligible for benefits. The CARES Act provided for three new UI programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC); and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
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 Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone; the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Todd Allen; the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jeffrey Burr; and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John F. Grasso.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2022, before Judge Vilardo.# # # #
Broken Arrow Resident Found Guilty of Assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Robert Wayne Thompson, age 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was found guilty by a federal jury of the lesser included offense of Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding in Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(4), 1151 and 1153. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury last February with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(3), 1151 and 1153. The jury trial began with testimony on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 and concluded on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 with the guilty verdict. Based on the jury’s verdict, the defendant is facing up to 1 year of imprisonment.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendant assaulted an individual by picking up a bar stool and striking the victim on the head, causing a head laceration.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdict was the result of an investigation by the Broken Arrow Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Thompson was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Traster and Rob Wallace represented the United States.
Bladen County Political Consultant Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Theft of Government Property and Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, N.C. – A Bladenboro man was sentenced today to 6 months in prison for the theft of government property and Social Security fraud and ordered to pay $8,599.10 in restitution. He pled guilty to the charges on June 21, 2021.
According to court documents, Leslie McCrae Dowless, 65, defrauded the Social Security Administration by concealing his work and income while receiving monthly benefits payments. In February 2013, Dowless applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In the application, Dowless claimed that he was unable to work due to a disability. Dowless received SSI benefits until July 2018, when he applied for Retirement Insurance Benefits (RIB). In his application for RIB, Dowless stated that he did not expect to work in 2018 and had not worked in the two years preceding his application. Dowless received RIB benefits through November 2018. Dowless was required to report certain events to the Social Security Administration, including changes in his work activity, income, or resources.
Unbeknownst to the Social Security Administration, Dowless worked as a consultant for at least two political campaigns during the 2018 Midterm Elections. From March 2017 to November 2018, Dowless received at least 59 checks totaling $135,365.57 for consulting work. Dowless failed to report his work and income to the Social Security Administration.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan 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. 7:20-CR-53-B0.
Baltimore County Man Facing Federal Indictment for Illegally Purchasing and Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Al Jumal Mitchell, age 37, of Middle River, Maryland, for federal charges related to his illegal purchases and attempted purchase of firearms using a fraudulent Federal Firearms License. The indictment was returned on August 18, 2021. Mitchell has an initial appearance today at 1:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson.
The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to the six-count indictment, as a result of a previous conviction Mitchell was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The indictment alleges that Mitchell used fraudulent identification to illegally purchase two firearms and attempt to purchase a third outside of Maryland. Two of the firearms were allegedly shipped to Mitchell in Maryland.
Specifically, the indictment alleges that on October 9, 2020, December 18, 2020, and January 9, 2021, Mitchell used a Federal Firearms License that did not belong to him and had an altered address to purchase a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a 93R17 rifle, and a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, from three licensed firearms dealers. Further, the indictment alleges that Mitchell unlawfully received at his residence two of the three firearms, which he had acquired outside Maryland.
Finally, as alleged in the indictment, on April 8, 2021, Mitchell illegally possessed the two 9mm firearms he purchased on October 9, 2020 and January 9, 2021, as well as a 20 gauge pump-action shotgun, a .357 magnum revolver, and 165 rounds of various caliber ammunition, including 100 rounds of jacketed hollow point ammunition.
If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of two counts of unlawful receipt of a firearm acquired outside Maryland; a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each of three counts of furnishing false identification to a licensed firearms dealer; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the ATF and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and his Office for their assistance. Mr. Lenzner thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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2 men charged with murder of convenience store owner, 5 armed robberiesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged two men with a string of armed robberies and the February 2021 murder of Roop C. Gupta, the owner of Madeira Beverage.
Willie James Attaway, 30, of Cincinnati, and Lamond Johnson, 35, most recently of Cincinnati, are charged by a 14-count indictment.
According to the charging document, Attaway and Johnson conspired to commit five armed robberies on Feb. 8 and 9, 2021.
Specifically, the defendants allegedly brandished a firearm to commit robberies on the following occasions:
- February 8 – Shell on Montgomery Road in Deerfield Township,
- February 8 – Shell on Dixie Highway in Hamilton, Ohio,
- February 9 – Madeira Beverage on Kenwood Road in Madeira, Ohio,
- February 9 – Sunoco on Kenwood Road in Blue Ash, Ohio, and
- February 9 – Marathon on North Broadway in Lebanon, Ohio.
Attaway and Johnson are both charged with the Feb. 9, 2021 murder of Gupta, the owner of Madeira Beverage. Using a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence is potentially punishable by the death penalty.
Related local charges pending against Johnson will be superseded by the federal indictment returned yesterday, and the case will proceed federally.
Attaway and Johnson appeared in federal court today at 1:30pm and the indictment was unsealed at that time.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.
The investigation was jointly conducted by ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Madeira Police Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Cincinnati, Lebanon, Blue Ash, and Hamilton police departments, and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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1 September 2021
Wheeling man admits to methamphetamine distributionRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott Everly, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Everly, also known as “Capt,” 70, pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1000 Feet of a Protected Location.” Everly admitted to selling methamphetamine near Riverview Towers in Wheeling in July 2019.
Everly faces at least one year and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
West Virginia Man Charged with Federal Civil Rights OffensesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in West Virginia returned an indictment Tuesday charging a former West Virginia police officer and firefighter with civil rights offenses against two victims, using fire to commit a felony, and witness tampering.
According to court documents, Christopher Osborne, 25, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Charleston for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old minor female while acting under color of law; destroying a 49-year-old woman’s property without lawful justification; using fire to commit a felony; and making false statements to investigators.
Today’s indictment charges Osborne with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, one count of using fire to commit a felony and one count of witness tampering. The first count alleges that in January 2021, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, resulting in bodily injury to her. The indictment alleges that this offense included aggravated sexual abuse, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. The second count alleges that in November 2019, while Osborne was a police officer and firefighter, he destroyed the property and dwelling of a 49-year-old woman without lawful justification, and this offense included the use and attempted use of fire. The third count alleges that this conduct also constituted using a fire to commit a felony. The fourth count alleges that Osborne knowingly engaged in misleading conduct toward investigators with the intent to hinder a federal investigation by falsely denying engaging in any sexual contact or sexual act with his 16-year-old victim.
The first count carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the second count carries a maximum penalty of ten years, the third count carries a mandatory penalty of ten years and the fourth count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia and FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall made the announcement.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case, with support from the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia State Fire Marshals.
Trial Attorney Kathryn E. Gilbert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Julie White for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about Christopher Osborne should contact the FBI’s Charleston Resident Agency at 304-346-2300.
An indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Waterbury Man Charged with Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging DEANDRE GREENE, 32, of Waterbury, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The indictment was returned under seal on May 4, 2021. Greene appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 31, 2021.
As alleged in the indictment, on January 31, 2021, Greene possessed a loaded Diamondback DB9 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number.
It is further alleged that Greene’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, possession of firearm without a permit, attempted assault in the second degree, and forgery in the first degree. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted of the charge, Greene faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Waterbury Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Warren, PA Felon Admits Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. – A former resident of Warren, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Richard Justin Hanson, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie Haines.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about June 27, 2017, Hanson knowingly possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reductions efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevent and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Hanson on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Warren County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hanson.
Virginia woman sentenced to prison for meth trafficking in MontanaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Virginia woman who admitted bringing pounds of methamphetamine to Montana for distribution was sentenced today to six years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Kimberly Rosamond Fanslau, 40, of Manassas, Virginia, pleaded guilty on April 6 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in May 2019, the Missoula Police Department learned that Fanslau’s boyfriend and co-defendant, Michael Webb, was selling meth and heroin in Montana and had been seen with about six pounds of meth and three pounds of heroin. The two were travelling through the state selling the drugs and were bound for Billings. Law enforcement further learned that Webb had been seen with about 11 pounds of meth in the prior weeks. Agents located Webb and Fanslau at a Billings hotel, served a search warrant on their room and detained both. Agents found $4,850 on Webb’s person and approximately four pounds of meth and 197 grams of heroin in the room. Four pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 14,496 doses. Fanslau reported she had brought meth and heroin from California to Montana on at least four occasions. On each trip, they brought several pounds of meth and several ounces of heroin to sell. Webb was convicted in the case and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of September 11Read the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that his office will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of September 11 with a Blue Light Tribute to honor the fallen and the first responders and military members who continue to answer the call to duty.
U.S. Attorney Weiss is asking businesses and building owners throughout Delaware to join his office in this effort by placing flameless, battery operated, blue tea lights in their office windows beginning Friday, September 10. Building owners can also light up their buildings in blue by replacing the white lightbulbs outside the building with blue lightbulbs.
“Saturday, September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, and the heroic crash of United Flight 93 in the fields near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We seek to pay tribute to the fallen, their families and friends, and the first responders who ran to the danger on 9/11 and who continue to serve our communities today. We ask all Delaware businesses and government organizations to join us in our Blue Light Tribute to those brave men and women--the law enforcement officers, medical workers and military personnel who dedicate their lives to keep us safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Weiss.
For additional information, please email [email protected]
Two Southern Indiana Men Arrested and Charged with Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY – Two Lexington, Indiana men were charged in the Southern District of Indiana on charges related to their alleged possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
According to court documents, Pablo Vazquez-Salazar, 47, of Lexington, and Betza Campos-Vazquez, 32, of Lexington, were being investigated by federal agents on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking.
On August 25, 2021, the Indiana State Police observed the vehicle Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez occupied speeding on I-65. A state police K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers discovered a white powdery substance inside the vehicle which was suspected to be cocaine. A search warrant was later executed at the residence Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez reside. During the search, a large amount of suspected cocaine, suspected marijuana, a rifle, and other material commonly used in the distribution of illegal substances was found. In total, over 10 kilograms of cocaine was seized from the two men.
Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez have been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. If convicted, they face up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Indiana State Police.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Wheatley is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Postal Employees Charged with Fraud in Conection with Unemployment Insurance BenefitsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. -- Two New Jersey postal employees were arrested today for their alleged roles in a fraud committed in connection with unemployment insurance benefits, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Khaori Monroe, 28, of Newark, and Ross Clayton, 30, of Irvington, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud. They are scheduled to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.
According to the complaints:
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment (e.g., self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers). The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance that provides an additional $600 weekly benefit to those eligible for PUA and regular UIB. Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a state-federal program that provides unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) to eligible workers.
Monroe and Clayton were U.S. Postal Service employees. Monroe and Clayton each took UIB-related mail, including debit cards, from a U.S. Postal Service location in New Jersey and used that mail to obtain unemployment insurance benefits to which they were not entitled.
The charge of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka in Manhattan; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark; and special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Harford County Narcotics Dealers Plead Guilty to Participating in a Conspiracy to Sell Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Reginald Leon Bolden, age 37, of Harford County, Maryland and Tremayne Gerrad Murphy, age 40, of Harford County, Maryland pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
The guilty pleas were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Harford County State’s Attorney Albert J. Peisinger, Jr.; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Sheriff Jeff Gahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and the Harford County Narcotics Task Force comprised of members of the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Aberdeen Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, and Havre de Grace Police Department.
According to their guilty pleas, as a result of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) distributing powder and crack cocaine, Murphy, Bolden, and Joel Hammond were identified as DTO members. Law enforcement also observed numerous instances of drug-related activities.
For example, on February 24, 2020, investigators surveilled Bolden and Murphy as they traveled to Wilmington, Delaware to meet with a cocaine supplier. After completing the transaction for nine ounces of cocaine, Bolden and Murphy returned to Harford County to distribute the cocaine. Two days later, Murphy was observed traveling to a Wilmington, Delaware casino to return the cocaine to the original supplier as customers complained about the quality of the cocaine.
After meeting with the source, detectives followed Murphy back to Harford County where Murphy was observed conducting a hand-to-hand drug transaction.
As stated in their plea agreements, on March 15, 2020, Bolden was intercepted regarding the purchase of three ounces of crack cocaine from co-defendant Hammond. Bolden had arranged the transaction through a co-conspirator, who transported money to Hammond and received a small backpack from Hammond, which investigators believed contained the cocaine.
The co-conspirator, Murphy, and Bolden determined when Murphy could retrieve the cocaine. After the conversation, investigators observed the co-conspirator exit his residence with the same small backpack of suspected cocaine and briefly enter a vehicle operated by Murphy. Once the conspirator quickly exited Murphy’s vehicle without the backpack, Murphy subsequently traveled to Bolden’s residence.
After a brief period of time, Bolden was observed exiting Hammond’s residence and proceeded to return to Harford County. As Bolden returned to Harford County, members of the Harford County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on his vehicle where law enforcement seized 16 grams of powder cocaine, 41 grams of crack cocaine, and $660 in cash.
As a result of a search warrant executed at Bolden’s residence, law enforcement recovered 12 grams of crack cocaine, $2,785 in cash, numerous items of packaging material, and a digital scale containing cocaine residue.
As a member of the DTO, Bolden agrees that it is reasonably foreseeable that the amount of crack cocaine sold was at least 280 grams but less than 840 grams.
Murphy and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Murphy will be sentenced to between 60 months and 92 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Bolden and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Bolden will be sentenced to between eight years and nine years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for November 2, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Co-defendant Joel Hammond pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base on July 1, 2021. If the court accepts the plea agreement, Hammond will be sentenced to six years in federal prison. His sentencing is set for October 27, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA, the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Romano, who is prosecuting the case.
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Two Everett Men Plead Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Everett men pleaded guilty today in connection with their role in a scheme to launder money that was fraudulently obtained from customer bank accounts.
Lindsley J. Georges, 27, and Dave Guillaume, 24, pleaded guilty to one count each of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2022. The defendants were indicted in October 2019.
In December 2017 and January 2018, co-conspirators fraudulently withdrew more than $900,000 from customer accounts at Santander Bank and TD Bank. The funds were used to purchase bank checks in the names of several entities, and Georges and Guillaume deposited those bank checks into business accounts in the names of those entities at TD Bank and Bank of America. Georges and Guillaume subsequently made substantial withdrawals of cash and checks from those accounts. Guillaume opened two of the business accounts using false names, as well as a fraudulent driver’s license.
The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Christopher J. Markham of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Statement from Acting U.S. Attorney Hairston on Shooting at Mt. Tabor High SchoolRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, NC —Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston made this statement upon hearing of the fatal shooting at Mt. Tabor High School:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of William Chavis Raynard Miller, Jr. today in Winston-Salem. Only days into the school year, another senseless act of gun violence has resulted in the loss of a child’s life. The United States stands ready to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring justice for this victim and his family. We must, together, find ways to put an end to the epidemic of gun violence in our schools.”
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St. Thomas High School Track and Field Coach Arrested for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that a St. Thomas man, Alfredo Bruce Smith, 50, was arrested today on a criminal complaint related to his alleged molestation of multiple minors and production of child pornography.
According to court documents, Smith works as a track and field coach and as a school monitor at Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Smith’s alleged activities after receiving reports that Smith inappropriately touched a minor during a school-sponsored track and field trip in March 2021, and that there were photographs of juvenile males who attended CAHS in the Defendant’s cellular phone. One witness reported that over six young males confided that they had been molested or raped by the Defendant.
A search of Smith’s social media account revealed dozens of photographs and sex videos of minor males and their genitals. A federal search warrant was executed on August 31, 2021, at the Defendant’s residence. According to court documents, a video depicting a sex act was located on a camcorder belonging to CAHS, which was located in the Defendant’s bedroom. The sex act appears to take place within the school.
Smith is charged with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, sexual exploitation of children. If convicted, Smith faces a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Baker is prosecuting the case.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-800-981-3030, or by calling 787-729-6969.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing a firearm.
Maxwell L. Fleming, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On April 7, 2021, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Fleming admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Mo., from April 7, 2019, to July 25, 2019. Fleming admitted that he possessed a firearm on July 24, 2019.
The Springfield Police Department’s special response team and narcotics enforcement team executed a search warrant at a Springfield residence on July 11, 2019. Officers found a total of more than 400 grams of methamphetamine in several locations inside the residence, as well as a Cobra handgun in Fleming’s backpack, $1,980 on the living room coffee table, and drug paraphernalia.
On July 24, 2019, law enforcement officers contacted Fleming after receiving information from a confidential informant that he was going to resupply. Detectives seized a Kel-Tec 9mm firearm from Fleming’s holster and a package that contained approximately two ounces of methamphetamine from Fleming’s pocket. Detectives also found $389 on Fleming, who was arrested. Fleming told officers he usually bought two ounces of methamphetamine at a time for $375, and that he had done so 10 or 12 times.
Detectives also searched Fleming’s residence and found another firearm and some marijuana. According to court documents, Fleming was initially released on bond; however, his bond was later revoked because he used drugs.
Fleming obtained methamphetamine from co-defendant Donna Bell, 46, of Springfield. On July 25, 2019, officers searched Bell’s hotel room and found 424 grams of methamphetamine.
Bell was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2020, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendant Brian L. Letterman, 34, of Springfield, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2021, to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and awaits sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josephine L. Stockard. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Southeast Missouri healthcare system agrees to pay $1,624,957.67 to resolve allegations that physician wrote invalid prescriptionsRead the Press Release
The United States has reached a civil settlement with Saint Francis Medical Center (Saint Francis) resolving the Government’s claims under the Controlled Substances Act. According to the United States’ allegations, Saint Francis employed a Farmington, Missouri physician, Brett Dickinson (Dickinson), who wrote prescriptions for controlled substances without legitimate medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice. As part of the settlement, Saint Francis agreed to pay $1,624,957.67.
The United States alleged that Saint Francis, through Dickinson’s actions in the scope of his employment, issued invalid prescriptions for opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. According to the United States’ allegations, Dickinson prescribed these opioids to patients simultaneously with muscle relaxers and benzodiazepines. The United States claimed that such drugs are known to enhance the addictive, euphoric effects of opioids and, as a result, are commonly sought-after in combination with opioids by individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals who seek to use opioids recreationally. The United States alleged that Dickinson issued these prescriptions while ignoring warning signs of drug diversion or misuse, including aberrant urine drug test results and patients’ previous hospital treatment for medical problems related to drug misuse.
Although not part of the settlement agreement, in August 2021, Saint Francis voluntarily incorporated the Foundation for Opioid Prescribing Education in the State of Missouri. According to Saint Francis, the Foundation, which it funded with an initial contribution of $1 million, will be used to fund education programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals in Southeast Missouri on best practices in prescribing opioids and managing patients with chronic pain issues.
Saint Francis fully cooperated with the United States’ investigation of the case. Additionally, as part of the settlement, Saint Francis agreed to cooperate with the United States’ investigation of individuals not released in the settlement agreement, including by furnishing documents related to “the prescribing of controlled substances by Dickinson.”
“When Dr. Dickinson recklessly prescribed controlled substances without regard for his patients’ well-being, he violated the trust our communities extend to healthcare professionals. We appreciate the steps taken by Saint Francis Medical Center to prevent such illegal behavior by its staff in the future,” said Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Curt L. Muller. “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, our agents will continue to investigate such fraud schemes and protect the public from unscrupulous prescribers.”
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Sestric handled the case.
Sisseton Woman Sentenced for Theft from an Indian Tribal OrganizationRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization was sentenced on August 30, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.
Jordyn Juanita Kirk, age 27, was sentenced to five years of probation, restitution to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court in the amount of $14,463.80, a $3,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Kirk was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020. She pled guilty on May 21, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred between May 17, 2018, and October 5, 2018. At the time, Kirk was employed as an executive assistant to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (“SWO”) Vice-Chairman. As part of her job duties, she was responsible for taking possession of money collected by other SWO tribal departments, including the SWO Tribal Court, and delivering it to the SWO Finance Office for deposit. Kirk stole cash from the SWO Tribal Court and used it for her own purposes. Kirk covered up her actions by not delivering the accompanying cash collection reports to the SWO Finance Office.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
SWGA Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in Whole Life Policy SchemeRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Norman Park, Georgia, resident pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding a life insurance settlement company after falsely claiming herself as the recipient of a large policy on an individual who was in fact alive at the time of the fraud.
Brandi L. Browning, 35, of Norman Park, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Tuesday, August 31. Browning faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, as well as mandatory restitution to the victim of the fraud. A sentencing date has been scheduled for December 9, 2021, in Albany, Georgia.
“Stealing from companies is not a victimless crime; it directly impacts people’s livelihoods by harming businesses that employ them. The ripple effect of this type of theft can be far-reaching,” said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, our office will hold fraudsters accountable.”
“To falsify the death of a person to commit insurance and wire fraud is truly reprehensible,” said Clint Bush, United States Secret Service, Resident Agent in Charge. “The United States Secret Service, along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate those who choose to commit this and other types of fraud in our community and around the nation.”
“When an individual commits fraud against a company, it affects hardworking citizens doing the right thing. This interstate case is an example of agencies working together across state lines to hold lawbreakers accountable,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds.
According to court documents, Browning contacted a Kansas City financial company in late 2017, expressing a desire to sell a pending life insurance claim. Browning told the company that a friend had died in a car accident, and under the friend’s life insurance policy, Browning was entitled to receive $250,000. Browning further told the Kansas City financial company that she was willing to sell her right to the $250,000 policy in exchange for $217,500. While the person Browning named did in fact have such a life insurance policy, Browning was not the named beneficiary of that policy, nor had the insured person died in an accident.
To further her fraud, Browning provided falsified documents and other fraudulent information to the Kansas City financial company, including an agreement with a fictitious attorney which claimed Browning was a party to a wrongful death lawsuit arising from the made-up car accident. As a result of the fraud, on January 5, 2018, the company wired $217,500 to a bank account that belonged to Browning’s mother-in-law, who was unaware of the fraud. Browning told her mother-in-law that the money was an inheritance her husband had received, and that same day checks were written to purchase two vehicles for Browning and her husband, as well as a $128,329 manufactured home in Browning’s name. Within weeks, all of the $217,500 had been spent.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Sedgewick County, Kansas, District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers is prosecuting the case for the Government.
South Dakota Woman Sentenced for Health Care Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that HOLLI TELFORD LUNDAHL, age 64, of Oelrichs, South Dakota, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal on August 27, 2021 to 27 months imprisonment, with three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $76,626.65 in restitution, payable to the Wyoming Medicaid program, and a $500 special assessment.
The sentence comes after a jury found Lundahl guilty on three counts of health care fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft after a one-week trial held in April of 2021 in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming.
In March 2020, Holli Lundahl was indicted on the charges, which included three overlapping schemes to defraud Wyoming Medicaid by submitting false claims for long-term care provided to Lundahl’s sibling, and the unlawful possession and use of identity information of two individuals, including Lundahl’s niece, in furtherance of two of the charged schemes.
“Lundahl deserves every bit of that sentence. She robbed Wyomingites of receiving legitimate funds for necessary care through Wyoming’s Medicaid System,” said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. “The sentence speaks to the hard work put into investigating and prosecuting the case, and we thank the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and our prosecution team for putting a stop to this injustice.”
Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill complimented the work of both the U.S. Attorney's Office and her office's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, noting that, “It was nice to have the opportunity to partner together to root out Medicaid fraud and protect the Medicaid program from these sorts of abuses. This is important work as it helps assure that the Medicaid program is available to provide medical care for those citizens who truly need it.”
The case was investigated by the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Travis Kirchhefer of the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney Eric Heimann.
Suspected fraud against Medicaid can be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) and the agency’s website https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/. Wyoming residents can call the Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll free at 1-800-378-0345, or visit their website at http://ag.wyo.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit.
Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man arrested during an FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigation into the sale of firearms and drugs in Providence and Woonsocket has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Joel Figueroa, 25, pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Figueroa will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on November 18, 2021.
According to information presented to the court, on February 13, 2020, Figueroa arranged via a social media application to sell crack cocaine and a firearm to an individual the following day. On February 14, 2020, Figueroa sold a person just over five grams of crack cocaine for $265 and arranged to sell that person a firearm. Later that day, Figueroa obtained a .22 caliber long rifle pistol from an unidentified male and transferred it in exchange for $300 to the person to whom he had sold crack cocaine. A month later, Figueroa sold the same person more than seven grams of crack cocaine, again making the arrangements through a social media application.
According to court documents, at the time Figueroa transferred the firearm to another individual he was serving a five-year suspended state sentence for possession with the intent to deliver cocaine.
At sentencing in federal court in November, Figueroa faces statutory penalties of up to a total of 50 years in federal prison.
Joel Figueroa’s guilty plea is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
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Portland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Arson During Protest at Multnomah County Justice CenterRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today for committing arson at the Multnomah County Justice Center during a protest in May 2020.
Edward Thomas Schinzing, 33, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
“Edward Schinzing’s destructive action put Multnomah County employees and inmates in danger. The perceived anonymity of a crowd will not protect rioters who commit violent crimes under the guise of peaceful protest. Federal law enforcement will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute crimes committed during local riots,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
“Actions such as those Mr. Schinzing took go far beyond one’s right to protest and endangered the lives of those working at and housed in the Justice Center. This sentence is well deserved. ATF has investigated, and will continue to vigorously investigate, violent criminal acts such as these,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson.
“The night of the arson, there were hundreds of people in the Justice Center, including almost 300 inmates. Edward Schinzing deserves to be held accountable for his choices that night—choices grounded in a complete disregard for the lives of others,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.
According to court documents, on May 29, 2020, Schinzing marched with a group of protesters to the Multnomah County Justice Center. When the group arrived, several people broke windows and entered the building. Three civilian Multnomah County employees were working inside the Corrections Records Officer when the windows were broken and quickly fled for safety.
Schinzing was among those who entered the building. Some in the group spray-painted portions of the office; damaged computers and other office equipment, furniture, and interior windows; and started fires. Schinzing, who was identified on surveillance cameras by a distinctive tattoo of his last name across his upper back, spread a fire started near the front of the office by igniting papers and moving them into the drawer of another cubicle.
A few minutes later, the building’s sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the fire, and law enforcement officers secured the building. At the time of the fire, the Multnomah County Detention Center, located in the Justice Center complex, housed approximately 289 inmates.
On August 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Schinzing with arson. On September 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to the single charge.
As part of his plea agreement, Schinzing has agreed to pay restitution to Multnomah County as determined by the government and ordered by the court. A final order of restitution will be issued by the court within 90 days.
Acting U.S. Attorney Asphaug, ATF Special Agent in Charge McPherson, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Ramsey made the announcement.
This case was investigated by ATF and the FBI. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Pocatello Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Jeffrey A. McKie, 41, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release, for possessing sexually explicit images of minors, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. McKie was also ordered to pay $19,000 in restitution to victims of the offense. McKie was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye. McKie pleaded guilty on March 11, 2021.
According to court records, McKie admitted that on October 19, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a search warrant at his residence. McKie was suspected of possessing child pornography after the Pocatello Police Department received a tip from his neighbor. In an interview, McKie confessed to looking at child pornography frequently. In total, on McKie’s electronic devices, over 7,000 images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found. McKie admitted in court that he possessed the child pornography.
At sentencing, Judge Nye also ordered McKie to forfeit the devices used in the commission of the offense. As a result of his conviction, McKie will be required to register as a sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of HSI, the Idaho ICAC Task Force, and the Pocatello Police Department, which led to charges.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Pharmacy Operators, Patient Recruiter Charged in a Nearly $800,000 Illegal Opioid Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DETROIT - An indictment was unsealed today charging two patient recruiters and the owner and operators of a pharmacy with conspiracy to illegally distribute prescription drugs, and other opioid-related charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin announced today.
Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office.
Charged in the indictment are:
Dangelo Terrell Stephens, 38, of Detroit;
Latasha Maria Neely, 38, of Detroit;
Hassan Samir Saad, 33, of Dearborn; and
Ali Hussein Keblawi, 26, of Dearborn.
The indictment alleges that from June 2020 through July 2021, Stephens and Neely worked as patient recruiters/marketers, who would bring “patients” or patient information to area doctors and clinics. Those doctors and clinics, which include the owner, operators, and physician at Tranquility Wellness Center, who have been indicted in a companion case, would write or cause the writing of controlled substance prescriptions in the “patient” names, without medical necessity and outside the scope of professional medical practice, in exchange for cash payments.
As part of the conspiracy, Stephens and Neely needed the cooperation of area pharmacies, including their owners and employees. Saad was a licensed pharmacy technician who worked at and owned Heritage Medical Pharmacy, LLC, in Redford, Michigan. Keblawi was an employee at Heritage. In exchange for cash, Saad and Keblawi filled the unlawful prescriptions obtained by Stephens and dispensed, or caused the dispensing, of controlled substances to Stephens, and not to the patients to which they were prescribed. And Saad and Keblawi knew that the prescriptions were illegitimate, and, by dispensing the controlled substances, they failed to exercise their corresponding professional responsibility to determine that the prescriptions were issued for a legitimate medical purpose. Stephens and Neely then sold the controlled substances on the street.
The primary prescription drug-controlled substances illegally prescribed, filled at pharmacies, and distributed included Schedule II controlled substances Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, and Oxycodone-Acetaminophen (Percocet). These drugs were in high demand on the illegal street market, particularly Oxycodone 30mg and Oxymorphone 40mg.
Stephens is also charged with three counts of distributing Oxycodone pills, and Stephens, Saad, and Keblawi are charged with one count of distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of Oxycodone pills.
According to the indictment, Stephens and Neely unlawfully distributed a combined total of more than 28,000 dosage units of Schedule II opioid prescriptions during the conspiracy. These controlled substances had a conservative street value more than $775,000.
Also, during the conspiracy, Saad and Keblawi unlawfully dispensed a combined total of more than 5,500 dosage units of Schedule II controlled substances, carrying a conservative estimated wholesale street value of more than $150,000.
While most of the unlawful controlled substance prescriptions were paid for in cash, both controlled and non-controlled “maintenance” medications were billed to health care benefit programs by pharmacies. Billings to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for medically unnecessary prescription drug medications and maintenance medications during this conspiracy exceeded $200,000
“The road to addiction often begins with prescription drugs, “said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “It is for this reason we are focusing our efforts on removing individuals who contribute to the devastating opioid crisis in this country,”
“The FBI is focused on stemming the supply of illegal opioids into our communities, especially those illegally distributed by doctors and clinics,” said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “While we continue to work with our partners to combat this crisis that devastates communities, we ask for the public’s help by reporting any information related to the illegal sale and distribution of opioids.”
“The investigation into the unlawful prescribing and distribution of medically unnecessary controlled and/or non-controlled substances remains a priority of the OIG,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “The opioid epidemic is only exacerbated by those who seek profit over the health and safety of their patients. The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify instances where providers engage in the illegal distribution of opioids and waste vital taxpayer dollars.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Lievense and Alison Furtaw. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of the twelve districts included in the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit, a Department of Justice initiative that uses data to target and prosecute individuals that are contributing to the nation’s opioid crisis.
The case was investigated by special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
O Departamento de Justiça entra num acordo com as escolas públicas de Newark para proteger os estudantes de inglêsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Hoje, o Departamento de Justiça anunciou um acordo com as Escolas Públicas de Newark para resolver a investigação do departamento sobre os programas do distrito escolar para seus alunos aprendizes de inglês. O acordo põe fim à longa e comum prática do distrito de remover os alunos dos programas para alunos de inglês antes que eles se tornem fluentes em inglês. O distrito concordou em melhorar os serviços para os estudantes de inglês a fim de eles poderem ter acesso às mesmas oportunidades educacionais que outros estudantes nas Escolas Públicas de Newark.
A investigação de vários anos do departamento descobriu falhas abrangentes no atendimento adequado de alunos que aprendem inglês. O departamento descobriu que o distrito não contratou professores qualificados suficientes para apoiar o seu programa e, também os reteve, resultando em tempo limitado de instrução para alguns alunos e, para outros, nenhum serviço de idiomas. A Divisão de Direitos Civis e a Procuradoria Geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey investigaram-no nos termos da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974.
"Os distritos escolares devem fornecer serviços eficazes para que todos os estudantes possam criar o seu próprio sonho americano", disse a Procuradora-Geral Adjunta Kristen Clarke, da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça. "Continuaremos lutando para garantir o cumprimento de nossas leis federais de direitos civis enquanto defendemos o direito de cada estudante a oportunidades educacionais igualitárias em todo o nosso país". As exigências globais deste acordo criarão uma mudança duradoura e oferecerão acesso à educação a milhares de estudantes de inglês em Newark".
"O nosso escritório apóia firmemente os direitos civis de todos os estudantes, incluindo os que aprendem inglês", disse a Procuradora Geral Federal em exercício Rachael A. Honig para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. "Estamos felizes de que o Conselho de Educação de Newark tenha concordado em abraçar plenamente a sua obrigação de atender às necessidades linguísticas de seus alunos de inglês e resolver as graves violações da lei federal reveladas durante esta investigação. Continuaremos a responsabilizar os distritos escolares e outras agências educacionais para que todos os estudantes de Nova Jersey tenham igual acesso às oportunidades educacionais".
O Departamento de Justiça monitorará a implementação do acordo por, pelo menos, três anos letivos completos até que o distrito tenha cumprido plenamente as suas obrigações.
Observação: Uma cópia completa do acordo de solução pode ser vista aqui em inglês.
Este comunicado de imprensa também está disponível em espanhol, português, crioulo haitiano e francês.
A aplicação da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974 é uma prioridade máxima da Divisão de Direitos Civis e da Procuradoria-Geral dos Estados Unidos para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. Informações adicionais sobre a Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça estão disponíveis em seu site: www.justice.gov/crt e informações adicionais sobre o trabalho da Seção de Oportunidades Educacionais estão disponíveis em https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Membros do público podem relatar possíveis violações de direitos civis em https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou com a Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey em http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou podem ligar para a Linha Direta da Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA: (855) 281-3339.
O Departamento de Justiça entra num acordo com as escolas públicas de Newark para proteger os estudantes de inglêsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Hoje, o Departamento de Justiça anunciou um acordo com as Escolas Públicas de Newark para resolver a investigação do departamento sobre os programas do distrito escolar para seus alunos aprendizes de inglês. O acordo põe fim à longa e comum prática do distrito de remover os alunos dos programas para alunos de inglês antes que eles se tornem fluentes em inglês. O distrito concordou em melhorar os serviços para os estudantes de inglês a fim de eles poderem ter acesso às mesmas oportunidades educacionais que outros estudantes nas Escolas Públicas de Newark.
A investigação de vários anos do departamento descobriu falhas abrangentes no atendimento adequado de alunos que aprendem inglês. O departamento descobriu que o distrito não contratou professores qualificados suficientes para apoiar o seu programa e, também os reteve, resultando em tempo limitado de instrução para alguns alunos e, para outros, nenhum serviço de idiomas. A Divisão de Direitos Civis e a Procuradoria Geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey investigaram-no nos termos da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974.
"Os distritos escolares devem fornecer serviços eficazes para que todos os estudantes possam criar o seu próprio sonho americano", disse a Procuradora-Geral Adjunta Kristen Clarke, da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça. "Continuaremos lutando para garantir o cumprimento de nossas leis federais de direitos civis enquanto defendemos o direito de cada estudante a oportunidades educacionais igualitárias em todo o nosso país". As exigências globais deste acordo criarão uma mudança duradoura e oferecerão acesso à educação a milhares de estudantes de inglês em Newark".
"O nosso escritório apóia firmemente os direitos civis de todos os estudantes, incluindo os que aprendem inglês", disse a Procuradora Geral Federal em exercício Rachael A. Honig para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. "Estamos felizes de que o Conselho de Educação de Newark tenha concordado em abraçar plenamente a sua obrigação de atender às necessidades linguísticas de seus alunos de inglês e resolver as graves violações da lei federal reveladas durante esta investigação. Continuaremos a responsabilizar os distritos escolares e outras agências educacionais para que todos os estudantes de Nova Jersey tenham igual acesso às oportunidades educacionais".
O Departamento de Justiça monitorará a implementação do acordo por, pelo menos, três anos letivos completos até que o distrito tenha cumprido plenamente as suas obrigações.
Observação: Uma cópia completa do acordo de solução pode ser vista aqui em inglês.
Este comunicado de imprensa também está disponível em espanhol, português, crioulo haitiano e francês.
A aplicação da Lei de Igualdade de Oportunidades Educacionais de 1974 é uma prioridade máxima da Divisão de Direitos Civis e da Procuradoria-Geral dos Estados Unidos para o Distrito de Nova Jersey. Informações adicionais sobre a Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça estão disponíveis em seu site: www.justice.gov/crt e informações adicionais sobre o trabalho da Seção de Oportunidades Educacionais estão disponíveis em https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Membros do público podem relatar possíveis violações de direitos civis em https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ou com a Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jersey em http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint ou podem ligar para a Linha Direta da Procuradoria do Ministério Público dos EUA: (855) 281-3339.
North Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Kidnapping and Sexually Exploiting A MinorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years and four months in prison for kidnapping a girl in Arizona and repeatedly sexually assaulting her at his house in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage.
“The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the serious nature of the defendant’s crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Our office is grateful to the victim in this case for exemplifying strength and courage, and we’re thankful for the FBI’s and North Las Vegas Police Department’s hard work, which helped ensure the defendant’s conviction.”
“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to ensure this defendant was brought to justice and will no longer be able to harm children again,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI. “Knowing that the defendant will serve the next 16 years in federal prison, ensures there is one less predator victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community. Our community is a lot safer because of today’s sentencing.”
According to court documents, Jimmy Carter Kim, 32, met and communicated with a 14-year-old girl through a social media application. Sometime between November 2 and 3, 2015, he and the victim met in person in Bullhead City, Arizona. Kim kidnapped the girl and drove them to his residence in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage in a locked room for one month. He repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, and took photos and videos of the assaults. On December 3, 2015, the victim escaped and called the police. Kim was arrested the same day.
Kim pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Kim to 36 years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Chiou and Special Agent in Charge Rouse made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance by the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals, federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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New York Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jaquan Jeremiah Wright, 22, of New York, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for a federal gun crime. Wright previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, officers with the Charleston Police Department stopped Wright’s vehicle on July 28, 2020. During the traffic stop, the officers found a Polymer80 PFC9, 9mm pistol in Wright’s car between the console and passenger seat. At that time, Wright was subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order that was entered in the Jamestown City Court, County of Chautauqua, New York.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the U.S. Marshals Service and the West Virginia State Police.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00039.
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Native Mob Gang Members Sentenced to Prison for Assault in Aid of Racketeering, Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Three Native Mob gang members have been sentenced to prison for methamphetamine distribution and assault.
According to court documents, Robin Lee Lussier, a/k/a Ratchet, 32, Willard Duane Reed, III, a/k/a Left, a/k/a Leftfield, 26, and Joshua Adam Hanks, a/k/a Souless, 25, were active members of the Native Mob gang, a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engage in and have engaged in acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and assault. Between December 1, 2015 and January 1, 2019, Lussier and Reed conspired with each other and others to traffic pound-quantities of methamphetamine throughout northern Minnesota, including but not limited to Cass Lake, Bemidji, and the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
According to court documents, in November 2018, after receiving information about another fellow gang member’s failure to abide by the rules of the Native Mob, Lussier directed Hanks to carry out an assault against the individual. Hanks admitted that on December 5, 2018, he intentionally assaulted the individual, in part, to maintain or increase his own position within the Native Mob.
Lussier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 192 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Reed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Hanks pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering activity and was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk for the District of Minnesota made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced the defendant.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Red Lake Tribal Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott.
Mexican national stopped at border sentenced for possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Luis Felipe Salazar-Sanchez pleaded guilty May 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. The court considered statements from seven victims describing the trauma they have endured. In handing down the prison term, Judge Olvera additionally ordered Salazar-Sanchez to pay $9,000 in restitution which will be divided equally amongst victims who requested restitution.
The investigation revealed Salazar-Sanchez had been purchasing child pornography. On Oct. 20, 2019, authorities suspected he was going to attempt to enter the United States from Mexico.
As he approached the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville, law enforcement identified him and referred him to secondary inspection. There, they conducted a search of his cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of nearly 600 images and videos of child pornography including numerous images depicting prepubescent minors and sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Salazar-Sanchez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Maryland Man Previously Charged in Washington, D.C. for His Alleged Participation in the Capitol Riot Now Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Elias Nick Costianes, Jr., age 43, of Nottingham, Maryland, for the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and for possession of firearms and ammunition by an unlawful user of any controlled substance. The criminal complaint was filed on August 23, 2021, and unsealed today upon Costianes’s arrest. Costianes had an initial appearance scheduled today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson. Costianes was released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
The criminal complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 8, 2021, the FBI received an online tip reporting that Costianes had used a mobile social media application to broadcast videos of his participation in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Based on the video evidence, in addition to other information developed during the investigation, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an arrest warrant for Costianes pursuant to a criminal complaint alleging various offenses relating to his participation in the Capitol riot. As part of the investigation, search warrants authorizing the FBI to search Costianes’s residence, vehicle, and the cellphone believed to have been used by Costianes during the riot, were executed on February 12, 2021. Costianes was at home on a couch in the living room, was taken into custody, and transported to U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. for his initial appearance on the criminal complaint.
The affidavit alleges that during the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement recovered Costianes’s cellphone, which was located within arms’ reach of Costianes, and four firearms: a 9mm pistol; a M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle; a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle; and a shotgun. The 9mm pistol and M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle were registered to Costianes, but the other two firearms were not. Officers also found 9mm, .22-caliber, .223 caliber, and shotgun ammunition, and recovered three vials of testosterone enanthate and one vial of testosterone cypionate, both controlled substances. In the cushions of the living room couch where Costianes had been observed during the search warrant execution, officers found a used hypodermic needle. Hypodermic needles are often used to inject testosterone into muscle by illegal users of synthetic testosterone. In Costianes’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered 28 grams of marijuana in a mason jar and a silver digital scale with trace amounts of marijuana on its surface. All of the evidence was transported to the FBI, which subsequently conducted a forensic review of the phone.
Although the search warrant for Costianes’s cellphone authorized the search of the entire phone, based on the recovery of the firearms and controlled substances found at the residence, as well as photographs of firearms and controlled substances found during the forensic review, a separate search warrant was obtained authorizing the seizure of evidence relating to firearms, ammunition, or controlled substances. A search warrant was also obtained for Costianes’s online storage account.
According to the affidavit, Costianes’s phone allegedly contained screen captures of text message conversations between Costianes and other individuals containing slang terms for quantities and types of cocaine and other references to weights of controlled substances, including “Eights,” which refers to an eighth of an ounce, usually of cocaine, and “QP’s,” which refers to quarter pounds, usually in the context of marijuana. As detailed in the affidavit, these weights were referenced in conversations in which dollar amounts were also mentioned, allegedly reflecting discussions concerning controlled substance transactions.
The online storage account allegedly contained approximately 300 messages beginning in January 2019 with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of marijuana and more than 450 messages beginning in March 2020 with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of cocaine. Recovered text messages reflect that Costianes allegedly continued using cocaine through February 2021. According to the affidavit, the storage account also contained more than 350 messages with contacts involved in Costianes’s purchase or use of testosterone beginning as early as February 2020 and continuing through February 2021.
As detailed in the affidavit, the electronic evidence, including photographs and text message conversations, revealed that Costianes also conspired to traffic cocaine and testosterone by acquiring controlled substances from his suppliers to distribute to friends and associates. For example, in a text message conversation from October 30 to November 1, 2020, Costianes allegedly agreed to obtain four half-gram bags of cocaine from Costianes’s supplier on behalf of cellphone contact “S.C.” In addition, the data allegedly showed that Costianes was facilitating the distribution of testosterone from his testosterone supplier to a cellphone contact “D.M.” For example, in text messages between May 10 and May 15, 2020, Costianes allegedly arranged to buy three 10-ml bottles of testosterone from his supplier on behalf of D.M.
If convicted, Costianes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey J. Izant, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Martinsburg man admits to drug distributionRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kasem Damone Humphrey, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Humphrey, 37, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Heroin.” Humphrey admitted to distributing heroin in October 2017 in Jefferson County.
Humphrey faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of British National for Participation in Online Film and TV Piracy GroupRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GEORGE BRIDI, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was extradited to the United States from Cyprus on August 31, 2021. BRIDI was extradited on charges of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, wire fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, for his involvement in the Sparks Group, an international piracy group that illegally distributed movies and television shows on the Internet.
BRIDI was arrested on August 23, 2020, in Paphos, Cyprus. BRIDI will be presented and arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. Codefendant Jonatan Correa, a/k/a “Raid,” previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and was sentenced on May 19, 2021, to three years and three months of supervised release, with the first three months to be served in community confinement. Codefendant Umar Ahmad, a citizen of Norway, remains at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, George Bridi was a member of an international video piracy ring that circumvented copyright protections on nearly every movie released by major production studios, as well as television shows, and distributed them worldwide on the Internet. Thanks to the assistance of our law enforcement partners, the piracy ring has been busted and Bridi is now in U.S. custody.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictments[[1]]:
Between 2011 and the present, Umar Ahmad, a/k/a “Artist,” GEORGE BRIDI, Jonatan Correa, a/k/a “Raid,” and others known and unknown were members of the Sparks Group, a criminal organization that disseminated on the Internet movies and television shows prior to their retail release date, including nearly every movie released by major production studios, after compromising the content’s copyright protections.
In furtherance of its scheme, the Sparks Group fraudulently obtained copyrighted DVDs and Blu-Ray discs from wholesale distributors in advance of their retail release date by, among other things, making various misrepresentations to the wholesale distributors concerning the reasons that they were obtaining the discs prior to the retail release date.
Sparks Group members then used computers with specialized software to compromise the copyright protections on the discs, a process referred to as “cracking” or “ripping,” and to reproduce and encode the content in a format that could be easily copied and disseminated over the Internet. They thereafter uploaded copies of the copyrighted content onto servers controlled by the Sparks Group, where other members further reproduced and disseminated the content on streaming websites, peer-to-peer networks, torrent networks, and other servers accessible to public. The Sparks Group identified its reproductions by encoding the filenames of reproduced copyrighted content with distinctive tags, and also uploaded photographs of the discs in their original packaging to demonstrate that the reproduced content originated from authentic DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.
Ahmad and BRIDI arranged for discs to be picked up, mailed, or delivered from distributors located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey to other members of the Sparks Group, including Correa, prior to their official release date. Ahmad, BRIDI, and Correa then reproduced, and aided and abetted the reproduction of, these discs by using computer software that circumvented copyright protections on the discs and reproducing the copyrighted content for further distribution on the Internet.
The Sparks Group has caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to film production studios.
On August 26, 2020, in coordination with law enforcement authorities in 17 countries and supported by Eurojust and Europol, dozens of servers controlled by the Sparks Group were taken offline around the world, including in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Sparks Group utilized these servers to store and disseminate copyrighted content illegally to members around the globe.
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BRIDI, 50, is charged with copyright infringement conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. She also thanked Europol and Eurojust as well as law enforcement authorities in the following countries for their assistance in the investigation: Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, Mollie Bracewell, and Christy Slavik are in charge of the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant and ongoing assistance with facilitating the execution of dozens of mutual legal assistance requests in 18 different countries necessary for taking down servers and gathering evidence. OIA also provided critical support in working with Eurojust and Europol in planning the coordinated operation in August 2020 and provided critical assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Cyprus.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and BRIDI and Ahmad are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Dealing Shotguns and Other Firearms in ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a man to more than six years in prison for unlawfully dealing shotguns and other firearms in Chicago.
PARIS STEELE illegally sold five firearms in Chicago in 2016 and 2017 to an individual who, unbeknownst to Steele, was cooperating with law enforcement. The firearms included two shotguns, two handguns, and a rifle. The serial number on one of the handguns had been obliterated to prevent tracing by law enforcement. In addition to the unlawful gun deals, Steele also sold to the cooperating individual more than 30 grams of crack cocaine.
In 2017, while Steele was on bond and awaiting trial in this case, he appeared in videos on social media holding a firearm and threatening violence against others.
Steele, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to federal firearm and drug charges. U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman on Tuesday sentenced Steele to six years and eight months in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher V. Parente represented the government.
Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Knowingly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material Through Dark Web SitesRead the Press Release
An Illinois man was sentenced today in the Southern District of Illinois to 151 months, or 12 and a half years, in prison for knowingly receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet.
According to court documents and statements made in connection with the sentencing, Kory R. Schulein, 37, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving child pornography over the internet. According to court documents, Schulein first came to the attention to law enforcement in 2018 during an FBI investigation of child pornography on the dark web. Agents were able to track his internet protocol address and executed a federal search warrant at his home. Schulein served as a moderator of a dark web site dedicated to child exploitation and had been an active participant on other sites. Schulein had posted 13,733 messages, many of which included links to child exploitation images and videos. Schulein also collected and stored over 9,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on an encrypted hard driveThe FBI’s Springfield Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Lowell Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing A Firearm as A FelonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Roger Casillas, 29, of Lowell, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 92 months of imprisonment following his guilty plea to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
According to documents filed in the case, in March and April of 2016, in Hammond, Indiana, Roger Casillas sold three firearms, a laser sight, and multiple firearm magazines including a twenty-round magazine to a confidential informant and undercover law enforcement officer. One of the firearms had an obliterated serial number. At the time of the offense, Casillas had three prior felony convictions for theft, and he was on pretrial release for a felony intimidation charge for which he was subsequently convicted.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Padula.