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12 August 2021
Charleston Hotel Employees Charged in 21-Count Federal Indictment for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart stated today that a Federal Grand Jury has returned a 21-count indictment charging Star Barkley, 39, of Ladson, and Audrina Lincoln, 30, of Charleston, for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The indictment alleges that, from at least September 2017 through June 2019, while employees at the Days Inn hotel on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, Barkley and Lincoln conspired to devise a scheme to defraud and obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses. Namely, the indictment alleges that Barkley and Lincoln would re-open guests accounts that were checked out and with zero balances, typically one to four months after the stay, and adjust various revenues posted to the account during the stay. These revenue adjustments would result in a credit balance on the account. To check-out and close the account, the remaining credit balance would have to be issued to some method of payment.
The indictment further alleges that Barkley and Lincoln would refund the credit balances to debit cards and bank accounts they controlled as well as debit cards and bank accounts of other parties who would transfer money back to the defendants. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Barkley and Lincoln would provide false guest satisfaction complaints and other false representations in the hotel electronic database to justify the revenue adjustments.
It is alleged in the indictment that, at a minimum, $153,000 was unlawfully obtained in the scheme.
Barkley and Lincoln face up to 20 years of imprisonment on the charges.
The case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and the City of Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Allessandra E. Stewart is prosecuting the case.
Acting United States Attorney DeHart stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Bullhead Man Sentenced on Assault ChargesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Bullhead, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury was sentenced on August 09, 2021, by Judge Charles B. Kornmann, U.S. District Court.
Leland Brown, age 45, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9, 2020. He pled guilty on May 11, 2021.
On April 20, 2020, in Bullhead, Brown was arguing with his significant other. As the argument escalated, Brown assaulted the victim with shod feet and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Standing Rock Agency - Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Brown must self-report to prison by August 31, 2021.
Buffalo Man Arrested Following Months of Surveillance Pleads Guilty to Cocaine ChargeRead 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 James Terrell, 36, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that in the summer of 2019, investigators learned that the defendant was involved in bulk currency money drops. On August 20, 2019, Terrell was observed exchanging a bag. Subsequently, a traffic stop was conducted on the defendant’s vehicle, which he was operating. Investigators seized $80,110 and two cellular telephones from inside the center console of the vehicle. On April 9, 2020, Terrell was observed leaving an Earl Place residence with a package, which contained a kilogram of cocaine.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Bristol, Tennessee Man Sentenced in $499,000 Unemployment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Tennessee man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for conspiring with others to defraud the government of more than $499,000 and to commit mail fraud.
According to court documents, Jared Mitchell, 31, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud with respect to benefits authorized and paid in connection with a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency.
Mitchell participated in a conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits.
According to court documents, Mitchell, and others, conspired to collect personal identification information of more than 35 co-conspirators, including 15 inmates in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, and to file fraudulent claims of pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
Over the course of nine months, the conspiracy filed fraudulent claims for at least 37 individuals, with a total actual loss to the United States of at least $499,000.
Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia, Darrell J. Waldon, IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington DC Field Office, and Syreeta Scott, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U. S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General announced the sentence today.
The Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Norton Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian man, previously residing in Chelsea, pleaded guilty today in connection with the April 21, 2020 armed robbery of Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston.
Diego Evangelista DaSilva, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Nov. 23, 2021. DaSilva was charged in May 2020 and has been detained since.
Between Jan. 4, 2020 and April 20, 2020, a series of armed robberies occurred at commercial establishments in the Boston area, including pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. The suspect in each of the robberies appeared to be the same individual based on consistent characteristics recorded on video surveillance and described by witnesses. In many of the robberies, the robber entered the establishment, passed a demand note, made verbal demands for money and displayed what appeared to be a firearm tucked into the waistline of his pants.
On April 21, 2020, at 8:20 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston. During the robbery, the robber was observed wearing a gray knit cap, a flesh-colored mask and a gray hooded sweatshirt. Video and photo surveillance showed a red garment/jacket under the robber’s gray sweatshirt, the robber exiting the area, going in between two buildings and later emerging wearing a red jacket. The robber then left the area in a cab. The cab company’s records revealed that the robber was dropped off near Washington Park in East Boston.
On April 26, 2020, law enforcement officers surveilled the area of Washington Park and observed an individual, who fit the physical description of the robber, wearing similar clothing worn by the robber during the April 21, 2020, robbery. Law enforcement observed the individual drive away in a car, conducted a motor vehicle stop, determined that the driver – DaSilva – did not possess a driver’s license and detained him. A black semi-automatic BB gun and a gray knit cap were recovered from the car.
DaSilva’s home was searched and personal papers in his name, a red jacket, and various items of clothing and hats were recovered. DaSilva was later interviewed and admitted his involvement in the string of robberies.
The charge of armed robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. DaSilva will also be subject to deportation. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Birmingham Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Firearms CaseRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Birmingham man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Thomas Edison Douglas, 27, was arrested in September 2020 by police in Saraland, Alabama. Officers had responded to a local hotel in response to a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute involving Douglas. When police encountered Douglas outside the hotel, they recovered a loaded Glock 9mm pistol equipped with an extended magazine, which he had concealed in his waistband. Douglas admitted to officers that he had the gun for his protection and that he previously had been convicted of felony robbery. As a result of his prior felony conviction, Douglas admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.Senior United States District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade ordered Douglas to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo testing and treatment for substance abuse. The court did not impose a fine, but the judge ordered Douglas to pay $100 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Saraland Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.Birmingham Man Pleads Guilty to KidnappingRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man pleaded guilty today to kidnapping and collecting ransom money, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Johnnie Sharp, Jr., and United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
Matthew Amos Burke, 35, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He entered his plea pursuant to a binding plea agreement with the government in which the parties jointly recommended Burke be sentenced to 204 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon.
According to the plea agreement, on September 11, 2020, Burke unlawfully entered the home of the victim. Burke then abducted the victim and transported him to Burke’s residence, where the victim was forced to transfer $250,000 from his bank account into another bank account as directed by Burke. Once $250,000 was transferred, Burke drove the victim back to his residence and released him. The victim then contacted the Birmingham Police Department and the Mountain Brook Police Department.
The FBI and Secret Service investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department and the Mountain Brook Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys John Camp and William Simpson are prosecuting the case.
Birmingham Man Sentenced for Unlawful Dealing in FirearmsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Birmingham man for unlawful dealing of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Jecorey Tyshawn Edwards Allen, 26, to 21 months in prison followed by three years supervised release on one count of dealing in firearms without a license, one count of traveling interstate to acquire firearms for the purpose of dealing without a license, and seven counts of falsifying information on firearm acquisition records. Allen pleaded guilty to the charges in April.
“One of the most common ways criminals get guns is through straw purchase sales, where someone who may not legally acquire a firearm has another person buy it on their behalf,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “It is a priority of my office to stop the illegal flow of firearms used to commit violent crime in our cities.”
“ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence partnerships is effective in reducing the potential for violent firearms related crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Mickey French stated. “The illegal purchase and transfer of firearms negatively impacts our communities across the country.”
According to court documents, from November 2018 through July of 2019, Allen traveled from the Washington, D.C. area to Birmingham, and purchased at least 19 pistols from several licensed Birmingham firearm dealers. Allen falsified the ATF form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, specifically stating that he was the actual buyer when in fact he was buying the firearms for other people. Allen then traveled back to the D.C. area, where he sold the illegally purchased guns. One of the guns purchased by Allen in Birmingham in February 2019, was used in a shooting in Washington, D.C. four months later.
The ATF investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cross prosecuted.
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.
Bates City Man Sentenced for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Bates City, Missouri, man who was responsible for distributing nearly 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, has been sentenced in federal court after law enforcement officers seized nearly two dozen firearms and illegal drugs from his residence.
Daniel Dewayne Gregg, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on Wednesday, Aug. 11, to 10 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.
On April 8, 2021, Gregg pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Gregg was responsible for distributing 98 kilograms of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers identified Gregg as a major supplier of methamphetamine trafficking following several controlled drug purchases. Officers executed a search warrant at Gregg’s residence on Sept. 11,2020, and placed him under arrest.
Gregg told officers that he had been dealing crystal methamphetamine continuously for at least the past six months. Gregg stated that he was a kilogram-level dealer of crystal methamphetamine and had sold, at a conservative minimum, at least 12 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine per month for the past six months (and had been selling large amounts of methamphetamine for at least a year and a half).
Gregg stated he had several large-scale customers who purchased at least a half-kilogram of methamphetamine from him at a time. One customer, said Gregg, purchased one or two kilograms of methamphetamine each week. Gregg said he purchased methamphetamine for $12,000 per kilogram and sold it for about $13,000 per kilogram.
Officers located a large firearms safe in the basement of Gregg’s residence that contained 22 firearms and a large amount of cash; in total, officers seized $22,240 from Gregg’s residence, which has been forfeited to the government.
Officers also searched Gregg’s vehicle and found 151.6 grams of methamphetamine, 436.5 grams of marijuana, and 207 prescription pills that were identified to be either Xanax, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, or Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine pills, which were in unlabeled prescription pill bottles. Officers seized a total of 318 pills of scheduled controlled pharmaceutical prescriptions not in Gregg’s name. Officers also found methamphetamine inside a fanny pack. They found a loaded Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on top of the fanny pack. Gregg told officers he had the firearm because he had been threatened by individuals wanting to do him harm, and Gregg stated he had the firearm in case those individuals came to his residence to harm him.
According to court documents, Gregg was on supervised release at the time of this offense after serving a sentence of 100 months in federal prison for a conviction of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Gregg has numerous prior convictions, including multiple controlled substances convictions.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Anchorage Kidnapper and Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason to 50 years in prison for kidnapping and drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Macauther Christmas Vaifanua, 35, aka “Mac” and his brother, Faamanu Vaifanua, 31, aka “Junior” distributed heroin in the Anchorage area through the kidnapped victim between January 2015 and August 2017.
Believing that the victim had stolen from their residence, he was lured to Vaifanua’s home on August 13, 2017. As the victim was leaving the residence, he was led into the garage where he was forcibly bound and gagged. The victim was then beaten and tortured for nearly an hour by Vaifanua and his co-defendants in an assault that was captured on Vaifanua’s home video surveillance system. Vaifanua and his co-defendants used an aluminum baseball bat, a metal broom stick and their hands and feet to beat the defendant into unconsciousness, causing severe injuries and permanent disability. After a certain point, believing that the victim was either dead or near death, Vaifanua and his co-defendants then placed the victim inside a metal dog kennel while still bound and gagged.
Vaifanua and several of his co-defendants then threatened a person in the area at gunpoint to back his pickup truck to the garage door. The group loaded the kennel into the back of the truck with the victim still in it. The driver was told at gunpoint to leave and never be seen again. After driving away from the area, the driver stopped to see what had been loaded into his truck. Upon seeing the victim, he immediately drove to a hospital emergency room where the victim received life-saving medical attention including brain surgery.
Vaifanua pleaded guilty to federal kidnapping and drug trafficking charges in March 2020.
“This was not a random act of violence but a calculated act of savagery against another human being and a complete disregard for human life,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “Mr. Vaifanua will serve the next five decades in federal prison where there is no possibility of parole. The citizens of Alaska will not tolerate drug trafficking and the violence that is an integral part of that activity. We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served.”
“Such brutality and indifference to human life is unacceptable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Adam Pierce of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This vicious assault and kidnapping were criminal acts that happened in a residential neighborhood, a place where Alaskans should feel safe. Know that the FBI and our partners on the Safe Streets Task Force will always be relentless in our efforts to identify, locate and apprehend dangerous offenders who threaten the safety of our communities.”
“Violent crime will not be tolerated,” said Chief Kenneth McCoy with the Anchorage Police Department. “This investigation highlights the strength of our federal partnerships to keep violent offenders off the street.”
Co-defendants in this case are “Junior” Vaifanua, 35, Jeffrey Ahvan, 33, Rex Faumui, 28, and Tamole Lauina, 25. They are currently in custody awaiting their separate hearings.
The Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephan A. Collins and Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.
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.
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Amarillo Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 35+ Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
An Amarillo man has been sentenced to 35 years and five months in federal prison for gun and drug crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
In April, a federal jury in Amarillo convicted Jeffrey Rene Lopez, 52, of two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and one count of felon in possession of firearms. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Lopez was dealing meth out of two residences in Amarillo.
On October 19, 2020, law enforcement recorded a confidential informant calling Mr. Lopez to schedule a $1,000, two-ounce meth buy. Two days later, equipped with an audio/video recording device, the CI knocked at the door of Mr. Lopez’s residence.
Once inside, the CI watched Mr. Lopez pull out a large bag of crystal meth and scoop about an ounce into smaller plastic baggie. When the CI said the substance looked “shaky” (low quality), Mr. Lopez promised to get the second ounce from another location. Mr. Lopez retrieved additional meth from his brother’s residence and handed it off to the CI at a local laundromat.
About a month later, the CI informed law enforcement that Mr. Lopez was traveling back from California with a load of methamphetamine. DEA agents spotted him on Interstate Highway 40 near Amarillo, and called in Texas DPS troopers to place him under arrest pursuant to a warrant. When law enforcement searched his vehicle, they found two bundles of meth hidden inside a spare tire in the trunk. Agents also searched two residences in Amarillo, where they found a total of nine guns: seven pistols, an AR-15 style rifle, and a .22 rifle with an extended magazine.
In an interview a short while later, Mr. Lopez confessed to possession of both the guns and the drugs, stating that he got the meth from a source in California who had previously “ripped him off.”
Due to his prior felony convictions, Mr. Lopez was prohibited by law from possessing – including buying, borrowing, carrying, storing, or shooting – firearms. His former convictions include three counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale, two counts of transportation of a controlled substance, one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and obliterated firearm violation, all in California.
“This defendant smuggled drugs across state lines to distribute to Texans struggling with addiction, using firearms in furtherance of his crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “Amarillo is safer today because he is behind bars. And I expect he will spend his decades in prison regretting his choices.”
“The arrest and conviction of Mr. Lopez has undoubtedly made our Amarillo safer,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division, which is responsible for the Amarillo area. “This is a clear example of the marriage of drugs and guns and something that the men and women of DEA Amarillo and our law enforcement partners will tirelessly work to destroy.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, Amarillo Resident Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Amarillo Police Department, the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Haag and Meredith Pinkham prosecuted the case with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell.
Albert City Woman Pleads Guilty to Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
A woman who laundered funds from her illegal business pled guilty August 9, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City. Yesenia Ledesma-Ledezma, age 23, from Albert City, Iowa, was convicted of money laundering and agreed to forfeit property she acquired with proceeds from her illegal business.
At the plea hearing, Ledesma-Ledezma admitted that on April 9, 2020, she engaged in money laundering by purchasing a home for approximately $65,000 with proceeds derived from her extensive business operations which involved smuggling counterfeit goods into the United States and trafficking those counterfeit goods. The counterfeit goods known to law enforcement had an approximate domestic value of over $370,000, and defendant took in a profit of at least $65,000 from her counterfeit trafficking and smuggling activities.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Ledesma-Ledezma remains free on bond pending sentencing. Ledesma-Ledezma faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4063.
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31 Indicted in Cross-State Drug Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, PA – Thirty-one people – 29 residents of Cambria, Indiana, Allegheny, Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, one resident of Long Beach, California, and one resident of Middletown, Delaware, - have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The one-count Indictment, returned on August 10 and unsealed today, named: Mikal Davis, 44, of Philadelphia, PA; Darren Alston, 29, of Johnstown, PA; Anthony Andrews, 40, of Johnstown, PA; Debra Bailey, 58, of Johnstown, PA; Sandra Box, 55, of Johnstown, PA; Jonathan Brunson, 50, of Johnstown, PA; Hector Concepcion, 32, Johnstown, PA; Willette Cooper, 39, of Johnstown, PA; James Dotson, 43, of Johnstown, PA; Joshua Edmonds, 28, of Johnstown, PA; Azheem Ellis, 45, of Johnstown, PA; Ruby Gil, 30, of Indiana, PA; Shawn Howard, 47, of Johnstown, PA; Kevin Johnson, 35, of Johnstown, PA; Rashim Kennedy-Williams, 41, of Philadelphia, PA; Perry King, 45, of Johnstown, PA; Amber Lingafelt, 38, of Johnstown, PA; Dwight Logan, 42, of Johnstown, PA; Jeffrey Mann, 43, of Philadelphia, PA; George Mazey, 50, of Johnstown, PA; Timothy Mollett, 40, of Turtle Creek, PA; Mary Lou Nelson, 58, of Johnstown, PA; James Pearcy, 57, of Philadelphia, PA; Gina Petrucci, 51, of Conshohocken, PA; Derrick Polk, 58, of Long Beach, CA; Paul Smith, 43, of Middletown, DE; Rodney Smith, 65, of Johnstown, PA; Joseph Thornton, 31, of Johnstown, PA; Amanda Weidner, 37, of Johnstown, PA; Jessica Wilson, 35, of Johnstown, PA; and
Blake Young, 32, of Johnstown, PA.The Indictment charges all defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 280 grams or more of a mixture and substance continuing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, from April 2019 to July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“Through this indictment, we have dismantled a major drug trafficking organization operating in Johnstown and beyond,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kaufman. “Restoring safe and drug-free neighborhoods for the law-abiding citizens in our communities remains our singular goal. Today we took another important step in that effort.”
“The suspects arrested today thought they could come into a small community like Johnstown, set up shop and then leave without a trace,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “The FBI’s Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force is combining all our strengths to tackle the drug problem as a team. Groups that have been a menace for years are being stopped so our neighborhoods can reclaim their identities.”
“Drugs ruin families, communities and lives. The defendants preyed on drug addicts in Pennsylvania for their own greed without any remorse for the lives they destroyed,” said David Abbate, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations – Pittsburgh. “Today's arrests send a resounding message that HSI Special Agents are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively uncover, dismantle and disrupt criminal organizations who conspire to distribute illicit drugs.”
“Drug trafficking is a dangerous and violent enterprise,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “These traffickers were in possession of multiple deadly firearms while peddling more than 150,000 doses of fentanyl/heroin and other drugs for a profit. Thanks to the collaborative work with our local and federal law enforcement partners, 37 arrests warrants were issued to take down this drug trafficking operation. My office will continue to work with our partners to shut down these organizations -- wherever they’re found.”
Cambria District Attorney Greg Neugebauer added, “This is a perfect example of the critical partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement. The collaborative work between agencies helps protect the citizens of Cambria County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States as a whole. I thank the men and women who worked tirelessly and effectively used resources to orchestrate this operation that holds individuals who pollute our streets with drugs accountable. We will continue to fight every day to make our community the safest possible place to live, work and play. I am tremendously proud of this effort and look forward to seeing the dividends that are paid for our area.”
“Each and every day, members of our county are negatively impacted by the scourge of narcotics trafficking,” said Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi. “Crimes such as thefts, DUIs, assaults and even murder are committed for the sole purpose of obtaining money to buy more drugs. Cooperative efforts between local, state and federal law enforcement that focus our collective efforts on stopping large scale drug trafficking operations help everyone in our community. My office is committed to working with our partner agencies to stop these drug trafficking operations. We thank Acting U.S. Attorney Steve Kaufman, Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer, members of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Pennsylvania State Police, Indiana Borough Police and the Indiana County Drug Task Force for working together to make our county safer.”
The statue calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
11 August 2021
Will County Man Arrested on Federal Charges for Allegedly Transporting a Minor from Iowa to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Will County man has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly transporting a minor to Illinois from Iowa to engage in criminal sexual activity.
RYAN ZELEK, 28, of Wilmington, Ill., is charged with one count of production of child pornography and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The FBI on Tuesday arrested Zelek and conducted a court-authorized search of his residence. A detention hearing in federal court in Chicago is set for Friday at 1:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
The arrest and charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Wilmington, Ill., Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate McClelland.
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Zelek communicated with the 13-year-old girl on the social media application Snapchat. On July 30, 2021, Zelek drove to Iowa, picked up the girl outside of a movie theatre, and drove her to his home in Illinois, where he sexually abused her, the complaint states. Zelek allegedly used his cell phone to record part of the sexual encounter. Zelek then drove the victim back to Iowa, the complaint states.
If convicted on the count of producing child pornography, Zelek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years. If convicted on the transportation count, Zelek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum of life.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678 or logging on to www.cybertipline.com.
Wichita Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing MachinegunRead the Press Release
A Wichita Falls man pleaded guilty today to possessing devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machineguns, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Paul David Shaw Jr., 30, was charged via criminal complaint in May and indicted in July. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
According to plea papers, Mr. Shaw admitted that he used Snapchat to advertise the sale of Glock “switches.” Also known as “auto sears,” switches are small, easy-install devices designed to convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic firearms, classified under federal law as machineguns.
A federal agent, acting in an undercover capacity, purchased two Glock switches from Mr. Shaw for $600 each. Investigators test-fired the Glock switches, and confirmed that they functioned as designed, causing the gun to fire more than one round of ammunition with a single depression of the trigger.
Law enforcement also conducted a search of a commercial building Mr. Shaw used, where they found several additional switches.
“Switches allow criminals to fire off multiple rounds with a single squeeze of a trigger,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing an influx of switches on our streets, where they are inflicting serious harm. ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to keeping our communities safe by keeping these dangerous items out of the wrong hands.”
“Someone selling tools that make firearms fully automatic is one of law enforcement’s greatest fears. Automatic weapons in the hands of those aiming to cause harm is what keeps cops up at night. The fact that Mr. Shaw was selling these on social media should cause us all grave concern. I applaud the efforts of all of those involved in the arrest of this reckless individual,” stated ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
Mr. Shaw now faces a maximum of ten years in prison, as well as possible fines.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation with assistance from the Wichita Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Boudreau prosecuted the case.
Visit to Parole Officer Leads to Arrest and Conviction for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Sirtajro Tourei Heard, 31, of Shreveport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 69 months (5 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced.
On October 1, 2019, Heard reported to his parole officer and was subsequently arrested and taken to the Caddo Correctional Center (CCC). Once at CCC, Heard made a phone call instructing an unknown individual to go to the residence where Heard was living and pick up a backpack and the thing on top of the kitchen cabinet. The next day, his parole officers went to that residence and obtained permission to search the residence from the owner. Officers located a Nike backpack containing a large quantity of clear baggies, digital scales an envelope filled with marijuana, and two baggies of marijuana. Also found on top of the kitchen cabinet was a pistol with a Glock switch attached and an extended magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition. Heard admitted to possessing the firearm and knowing that as a convicted felon he was prohibited from doing so.
Heard’s prior felony convictions are for simple criminal damage to property (2008); possession of narcotics (2011); possession of marijuana (2012); possession of a narcotics (2016); and possession with intent to distribute narcotics and felon in possession of a firearm (2018).
The ATF and Louisiana State Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath prosecuted the case.
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Vandergrift, PA Man Charged with Robbing North Apollo BankRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A Westmoreland County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a charge of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Bradley Mondi, age 34, formerly of Vandergrift, PA 15690, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 12, 2021, Mondi robbed the Apollo Trust Bank in North Apollo, PA of $6,666.00.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher M. Cook is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Apollo Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney’s Office plans Medicolegal Symposium to discuss the case against Reta Mays, convicted VA hospital murdererRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia, is teaming up with Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and West Virginia University to hold a symposium discussing the cutting-edge methods used to convict a serial killer who preyed on veterans at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg.
In May 2021, Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg, was sentenced to seven life terms in prison plus 20 years for murdering seven patients with insulin and attempting to murder an eighth veteran. The two-year investigation that preceded the July 2020 guilty pleas was highly complex.
The symposium consists of examining the clinical, forensic, psychiatry, and legal prosecution techniques used to ensure justice for Mays’ victims and their families. The prosecution team, investigators, and experts from around the globe will be presenting during this dynamic event. The symposium has been approved for CLE and CME credits. Credits for LE in-service are pending.
“The Medicolegal Symposium on the Serial Murder Case of Reta Mays” will be held at the WVU College of Law on Thursday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The training will also be available virtually via the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/usaondwv. Medical professionals and medical students, attorneys and law students, criminal investigators and criminal justice students are welcome to attend.
U.S. Attorney's Office Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Owner of Massachusetts Sober HomesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit today alleging that Peter McCarthy, who operates residential sober homes through his company, Steps to Solutions, Inc., subjected female tenants to sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit alleges that since at least 2012 through at least 2019, Peter McCarthy, 49, of Lynn — the registered agent and sole officer of Steps to Solutions, Inc. — sexually harassed female residents of his sober homes by offering to reduce or forgive rent, granting extra house privileges, or waiving security deposits in exchange for engaging in sexual acts; requesting sexually explicit photographs and indicating that he would reduce or waive rent in exchange for the images; making unwanted sexual comments; and retaliating and taking adverse housing actions against residents who reported his conduct. The lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent future discriminatory conduct, monetary damages to compensate victims of McCarthy’s conduct and civil penalties.
“It is disappointing that a landlord who is supposed to be helping vulnerable women beat drug addiction was allegedly sexually harassing them and offering to reduce their rent in exchange for sex,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “Thankfully, the Fair Housing Act gives us effective tools to stop such despicable conduct and protect those who are being preyed upon. People who have experienced this kind of sexual harassment might be reluctant to report it, but we need to hear from them. Reporting sexual harassment is essential to stop and prevent sexual harassment.”
“The Fair Housing Act’s promise of non-discrimination applies to everyone,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “At a time when our country is experiencing record numbers of deaths related to drug overdoses, it is particularly disturbing to see sexually harassing conduct targeted at individuals who are in recovery. The Department of Justice will not tolerate landlords who abuse their power and will continue to vigorously pursue allegations of sexual harassment.”
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the Initiative in October 2017, the Justice Department has filed 22 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing.
Individuals who have information about this case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 617-748-3274, by e-mailing [email protected] or by visiting the case webpage.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell and AAG Clarke made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Dorchak and Michelle Leung of Mendell’s Civil Rights Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve Piemonte of Mendell’s Civil Division, and Deputy Chief R. Tamar Hagler of the Housing Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division are handling the matter.
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2016 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
U.s. Attorney’s Office Reminds Communities That the Americans with Disabilities Act Applies to Outdoor Dining AreasRead the Press Release
DETROIT, MI.— As part of a COVID-19 pandemic mitigation strategy, many cities and other local municipalities have allowed restaurants to create or expand outdoor dining spaces onto streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. To ensure that such new dining spaces are accessible and do not impair the ability of pedestrians who use wheelchairs to travel around the area, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced today that it will be providing the attached Dear Colleague Letter to remind communities and restaurants of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§12101 et seq.
The Dear Colleague Letter explains that under the ADA, restaurants must ensure that all dining areas (both indoor and outdoor) are accessible. It is also a reminder to municipalities, who often must approve the use or expansion of outdoor dining, that these areas must not obstruct the accessible path of travel on sidewalks. Additionally, outdoor dining spaces should not reduce the availability of accessible parking spaces in streets and parking lots.
“We know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry was hit extremely hard and we are glad that cities and townships across Michigan have supported their restaurants by allowing them to creatively utilize and expand their outdoor spaces,” said Saima S. Mohsin, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. “However, it is important for municipalities and restaurants to comply with the ADA and ensure any outdoor dining spaces are accessible to people with disabilities, and do not diminish the accessibility of surrounding areas, including sidewalks and availability of accessible parking spaces.”
The Dear Colleague Letter also includes a link to the Department of Justice’s website, ADA.gov, which provides information and technical assistance on the ADA’s requirements for public accommodations, such as restaurants, as well as state and local governments.
The Civil Rights Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan was established in 2010 and vigorously enforces a variety of federal statutes that prohibit discrimination, including the ADA. Members of the public with a complaint relating to ADA compliance may submit a complaint by email to [email protected], or by calling (313) 226-9151.Two Huntsville Men Sentenced on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced two Huntsville men on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.
U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Antonio Lavar Burton, a/k/a Fat Tony, 37, and Quincy Cortez McClendon, 37. Burton was sentenced to 156 months in prison for distributing heroin. He pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2020. McClendon was sentenced to 144 months in prison for distributing heroin, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. McClendon pleaded guilty to the charges in March.
“Alabama’s opioid crisis is eroding the quality of life for many of our residents. Misuse of prescription opioid pain medicine puts people at risk of turning to heroin and eventual overdose.” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “These defendants profited from the misery of addiction and will now spend many years in prison. We are grateful to the Huntsville Police Department, DEA, and the U.S. Marshals for their work to combat violent crime and heroin trafficking in Northern Alabama.”
“The successful prosecution of Burton and McClendon should put others who engage in this type of activity on notice: if you sell drugs you will face federal charges and a lengthy prison sentence,” SAC Byerley.
DEA investigated the case, along with the Huntsville Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Becher Sr. prosecuted the case.
Two Fairbanks Drug Dealers Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FAIRBANKS – A Fairbanks man was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to more than eight years (97 months) in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release for the possession of heroin and fentanyl with the intent distribute those drugs.
According to court documents, Michael Miller, 35, aka “Smiles,” and his co-defendant Araka Taylor, 37, were indicted in October 2020 on multiple drug charges. In March 2021, Miller and Taylor pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin and fentanyl in the Fairbanks area. In a separate hearing, Taylor was sentenced to more than five years (65 months) in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.
In May 2020 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) began an investigation into the illegal distribution of narcotics in the Fairbanks area by an individual named “Smiles” who reportedly sold heroin that had caused multiple accidental overdoses. As part of the investigation, law enforcement purchased heroin from Miller through a confidential source on three separate occasions between May 27 and June 5, 2020. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of fentanyl in all of the heroin the defendant sold to the confidential source. The buyer requested only heroin from Miller – at no time did the buyer request fentanyl nor did Miller tell the buyer that the heroin contained fentanyl.
Miller was arrested on July 9, 2020 at his Fairbanks residence. Taylor fled back to her home state of Florida where she was later arrested by federal law enforcement. While executing the search warrant at the Fairbanks residence, law enforcement found more than $32,000 cash, 315.8 grams of heroin containing fentanyl, 100.5 grams of heroin, 4.1 grams of fentanyl transdermal patches, as well as drug ledgers, scales and other drug dealing paraphernalia.
After AST arrested Miller on July 9, 2020, reports of heroin overdoses declined substantially in the Fairbanks area. Specifically, in the three months prior to Miller and Taylor’s arrest (April 10, 2020 – July 10, 2020), the DEA Fairbanks Post received seven reports of drug overdoses – a dramatic increase for Fairbanks. By contrast in the nearly three months after Miller’s arrest and Taylor’s departure from Alaska, DEA Fairbanks received only one overdose report. Data recently released by the CDC reveals that over 92,000 people died last year as a result of drug overdoses in the United States which is a nearly 30 percent increase – the largest drug related deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. Sixty-one percent of the overdose deaths nationwide involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Fentanyl is approved by the FDA for treating pain, typically in advanced cancer patients, that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
“Offenses involving fentanyl have increased at an alarming rate in recent years across the U.S. and in Alaska,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “This case demonstrates the serious threat people face with fentanyl now being commonly hidden in a variety of illicit narcotics. Drug traffickers are on notice – we are committed to going after individuals who push fentanyl laced narcotics within our communities. We are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdoses in Alaska.”
“Saving lives and keeping our communities safe are top priorities of the Drug Enforcement Administration,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “This undercover investigation revealed these defendants were responsible for the distribution of heroin tainted with potentially deadly fentanyl. Investigations like this one illustrates the commitment and sense of urgency the men and women of DEA routinely demonstrate as they carry out their mission of enforcing the federal narcotic laws of the United States. We must continue to focus our valuable resources and leverage our much needed and well established partnerships with the United States Attorney’s Office and local, state, county and federal law enforcement agencies to stem the tide of the systemic and widespread abuse of opioids in our communities.”
“This sentencing exemplifies the commitment of Alaska’s law enforcement to getting illegal drugs off our streets and holding accountable those that are responsible,” said Lieutenant Michael Roberts, Deputy Commander of D Detachment, Alaska State Troopers. “These two were preying on our community and profiting off the sale of fentanyl laced heroin that was directly linked to multiple overdoses. Alaska State Troopers along with our local, state and federal partners will continue to work diligently to dismantle illegal drug operations in the interior and throughout the state.”
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks Police Department and the North Pole Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska.
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Two Charlotte Men Are Sentenced to Prison for the Attempted Armed Robbery of A Local RestaurantRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced to prison today Deonte Marques Curry, 27, and Trevon Gregory Ricks, 26, both of Charlotte, for the attempted armed robbery of Mr. C’s Original Soul Food restaurant, during which a victim sustained multiple gunshot injuries, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Conrad ordered Curry to serve 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Ricks was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on March 5, 2020, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Curry and Ricks attempted to rob Mr. C’s Original Soul Food restaurant, located at 3726 North Tryon Street, in Charlotte. Court records show that Ricks and Curry entered the restaurant through a rear access door, and ordered an employee working in the kitchen area to get on the ground. The employee complied and the two robbers headed toward the front of the restaurant. Upon entering the front area, Curry pointed a loaded 9mm pistol equipped with an extended magazine at the restaurant owner and demanded his wallet. While the owner put his hands up, another individual, identified in court documents as M.C., tackled Curry in an attempt to disrupt the robbery. A struggle ensued and Curry fired his pistol several times, striking M.C. in the chest, stomach, left arm and right hand. Ricks fled the scene, while the restaurant owner continued to struggle with Curry, until CMPD police officers arrived and arrested Curry at the scene. Ricks was apprehended nearby shortly thereafter.
In September 2020, both Curry and Ricks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and attempted Hobbs Act Robbery and aiding and abetting. They are currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.
Two Charged with Participating in Fraudulent Schemes Related to the Covid-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Michael Rosa, 61, of Salem, and George Adyns, 50, of Sandown, have been charged with participating in pandemic-related wire fraud schemes, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to an indictment issued by a federal grand jury, the defendants allegedly executed two schemes to defraud government programs that were intended to provide economic assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The indictment alleges that Rosa and Adyns laid off employees from Enviromart and KSC Industrial, two companies they controlled. However, the indictment alleges that the defendants directed the employees to continue working for the companies while collecting Unemployment Insurance payments from New Hampshire Employment Security. These payments included the additional $600 emergency weekly benefits provided for by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The indictment also alleges that Adyns applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The indictment alleges that Adyns made multiple false representations on the loan applications and improperly used the personal identifying information of one the company’s employees to obtain the funds. In addition to the wire fraud charges, Adyns also is charged with aggravated identity theft.
Both men were arrested this morning. They have been released pending their trial, which is currently scheduled for October 5, 2021.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Labor Department’s Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with assistance from New Hampshire Employment Security and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and Special Assistant United States Attorney Alexander S. Chen.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Thoroughbred Trainer Jorge Navarro and Head of New York Veterinary Clinic Plead Guilty in Federal Doping CaseRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that defendants JORGE NAVARRO and KRISTIAN RHEIN have pled guilty to their respective roles in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs with the intent to defraud and mislead, in connection with the charges filed in United States v. Navarro et al., 20 Cr. 160 (MKV). NAVARRO pled guilty today and RHEIN pled guilty on August 3, 2021, both before U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. RHEIN will be sentenced by Judge Vyskocil on December 2, 2021, and NAVARRO will be sentenced by Judge Vyskocil on December 17, 2021.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Kristian Rhein and Jorge Navarro represent the supply side and the customer side of the market in performance enhancing substances that have corrupted much of the horse racing industry. As he admitted today, Navarro, a licensed trainer and the purported ‘winner’ of major races across the world, was in fact a reckless fraudster whose veneer of success relied on the systematic abuse of the animals under his control. Rhein previously admitted that he flouted his oath as a veterinarian to protect the animals under his care, choosing instead to pursue money through the sale and administration of unregulated substances used by trainers engaged in fraud and animal abuse. These latest convictions demonstrate the continued commitment of this Office and our partners at the FBI to the investigation and prosecution of corruption, fraud, and endangerment at every level of the horse racing industry.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, the Superseding Information charging RHEIN, prior charging instruments, and other filings in this case[1], and statements during court proceedings:
The charges in the Navarro case arise from an investigation of widespread schemes by racehorse trainers, veterinarians, performance enhancing drug (“PED”) distributors, and others to manufacture, distribute, and receive adulterated and misbranded PEDs and secretly administer those PEDs to racehorses competing at all levels of professional horseracing. By evading PED prohibitions and deceiving regulators and horse racing officials, participants in these schemes sought to improve race performance and obtain prize money from racetracks throughout the United States and other countries, including in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), all to the detriment and risk of the health and well-being of the racehorses. Trainers, like NAVARRO, who participated in the schemes stood to profit from the success of racehorses under their control by earning a share of their horses’ winnings, and by improving their horses’ racing records, thereby yielding higher trainer fees and increasing the number of racehorses under their control. Veterinarians, including RHEIN, who was the head veterinarian and owner of Empire Veterinary Group, profited from the sale and administration of these medically unnecessary, misbranded, and adulterated substances.
NAVARRO operated his doping scheme covertly, importing misbranded “clenbuterol” that he both used and distributed to others, avoiding explicit discussion of PEDs during telephone calls, and working with others to coordinate the administration of PEDs at times that racing officials would not detect such cheating. Among the horses that NAVARRO trained and doped was XY Jet, a thoroughbred horse that won the 2019 Golden Shaheen race in Dubai. Among NAVARRO’s preferred PEDs were various “blood building” drugs, which, when administered before intense physical exertion, can lead to cardiac issues or death.
Among the misbranded and adulterated PEDs promoted, sold, and administered by RHEIN were an illegally distributed prescription drug, Clenbuterol, used as a bronchodilator and the drug “SGF-1000,” which was compounded and manufactured in unregistered facilities and contained growth factors that the defendants knew to be undetectable through regular drug screens. SGF-1000 was an intravenous drug promoted as, among other things, a vasodilator capable of promoting stamina, endurance, and lower heart rates in horses through the purported action of “growth factors” supposedly derived from sheep placenta.
The horse “Maximum Security,” briefly considered the winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby (though later disqualified), was among the horses that RHEIN assisted in doping. On June 5, 2019, New Jersey racing regulators tested Maximum Security for performance enhancing drugs a short time after Maximum Security had received a shot of SGF-1000. The testing occurred in advance of a race scheduled for June 16, 2019, in which Maximum Security competed and placed second. On an intercepted call following that test, RHEIN asserted that Maximum Security would not test positive for the presence of the drug: “[t]hey don’t even have a test for it [SGF-1000] . . . There’s no test for it in America.”
Through their pleas, NAVARRO has agreed to the payment of restitution in the amount of $25,860,514, reflecting winnings obtained through his fraudulent doping scheme, and RHEIN has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $729,716 in connection with fraud committed through a false billing practice related to RHEIN’s drug misbranding scheme. RHEIN, and others working under RHEIN’s direction, created false billing records to be provided to horse owners that did not reflect the drugs that RHEIN and others had actually injected into racehorses under their “care.” Through this false billing scheme, RHEIN attempted to conceal from potential investigators and horse owners the true nature and means of administration of the PEDs that he and others provided and administered.
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Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Office’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and its support of the Bureau’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Mortazavi, Andrew C. Adams, Benet Kearney, and Anden Chow are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As to Navarro and Rhein’s codefendants, the entirety of the texts of the Indictments and the descriptions of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Third Defendant Sentenced for Fraud Against Fort Wayne CompanyRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Angela Jasinski, 31, of Granger, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon her plea of guilty to wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Ms. Jansinski was sentenced to 18 months on Probation with the first 8 months to be served on home detention and 80 hours of community service and ordered to pay $68,930 in restitution.
According to documents in this case, Jasinski worked as a receptionist and administrative assistant at a Fort Wayne dental practice from September 2010 until March 2016. Her brother, Brian Nordan, one of the co-defendants in this case, was the chief marketing officer and general manager of the dental practice. During Jasinski’s period of employment at the dental practice, she earned an hourly wage. In March 2016, she left her job and moved to Granger, Indiana. As she no longer worked at the dental practice, she was not entitled to any further wages or employee benefits from the practice. Due to her brother’s intervention, Jasinski was left on the payroll and continued to receive wages and benefits from March 2016 through September 2017 in a “ghost employment” scheme.
Last month Jasinski’s co-defendants, Brian Nordan and Dustin Coleman, were sentenced for their roles in this fraud scheme. Between the three defendants in this case, the owner dentist was defrauded of over 3 million dollars.
Brian Nordan was sentenced to 42 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,981,357.05 in restitution. Dustin Coleman was sentenced to 6 months in prison, 12 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $149,756.00 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Indiana Financial Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Organized Crime and Corruption Unit of the Indiana State Police. This case was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay and Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah E. Nokes and Luke N. Reilander.
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Teen Guilty of Shooting Port Arthur Man During CarjackingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Charles Robert Knatt, 19, pleaded guilty to carjacking and use of a firearm during a crime of violence today before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
“Today’s guilty plea represents another step forward in getting justice for the victim of this senseless and violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “I am thankful for the hard work of the Port Arthur Police Department and the ATF in helping bring this case to a successful conclusion.”
According to court documents, on March 15, 2021, law enforcement officers responded to a carjacking and shooting in Port Arthur and found a man shot in the arm at his residence. The victim told officers he remote-started his truck from his home before leaving for work at 4:30 a.m. As he left his residence, he was approached by Knatt, who was armed with a gun. Knatt demanded money from the victim and the keys to his truck. Knatt gave the keys to an accomplice, who entered the driver’s seat, while Knatt entered the passenger side of the truck. The victim ran back to his house and began to ring his doorbell, at which point Knatt exited the truck and shot him. Security cameras at the victim’s home captured the carjacking and shooting on video. Three days later, Knatt turned himself in to police after seeing news reports about the carjacking and shooting. Knatt admitted to law enforcement that he stole the victim’s keys and shot him.
Knatt was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2021. He faces up to life in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is being investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn.
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Special assistant prosecutor sworn in to continue gun crime initiativeRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Acting United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley announced today the designation of a special prosecutor to assist with federal gun cases.
Meagan W. Myers with the City of Cincinnati Law Department has been designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) and will continue an anti-violence initiative between the local and federal prosecutor’s offices.
“Meagan is an accomplished and respected prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati, and we look forward to continued success in her new role at the Department of Justice,” said Deputy City Solicitor Emily Smart Woerner.
The initiative includes a committed focus from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to work collaboratively to identify those individuals who consistently use firearms to commit crimes, who habitually possess illegal firearms, and who present a clear threat to the safety of the community.
Federally, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Defendants convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison. Offenders who possess a firearm after having been convicted of three violent felonies face between 15 years and life in prison.
The SAUSA position is dedicated as 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.
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Southwest Virginia Man Sentenced in $499,000 Unemployment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Southwest Virginia man was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with others to defraud the government of more than $499,000 and to commit mail fraud.
According to court documents, Eric Mullins, 29, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in April 2021 to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud with respect to benefits authorized and paid in connection with a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency.
Mullins participated in a conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits.
According to court documents, Mullins, and others, conspired to collect personal identification information of more than 35 co-conspirators, including 15 inmates in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, and to file fraudulent claims of pandemic-related unemployment benefits.
Over the course of nine months, the conspiracy filed fraudulent claims for at least 37 individuals, with a total actual loss to the United States of at least $499,000.
Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia, Darrell J. Waldon, IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington DC Field Office, and Syreeta Scott, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U. S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General announced the sentence today.
The Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Norton Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Shreveport Man Sentenced for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Kyion J. Washington, 37, of Shreveport, was sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to information presented to the court, Washington was involved with other co-conspirators in trafficking methamphetamine between Waskom, Texas and the Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana areas. Law enforcement agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were able to intercept phone conversations between Washington’s co-conspirators in which they arranged methamphetamine transactions.
On May 10, 2018, Washington traveled with another co-conspirator from Shreveport to Waskom to purchase methamphetamine and the men were later stopped by law enforcement agents for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, agents located and seized methamphetamine from Washington. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and the substance was confirmed to be methamphetamine and weighed approximately 40.95 grams.
The DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
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San Fernando Valley Man Found Guilty in Terror Plot to Bomb a Rally in Long BeachRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A federal jury this afternoon convicted a San Fernando Valley man for attempting to bomb a rally in Long Beach for the purpose of causing mass casualties.
Mark Steven Domingo, 28, of Reseda, was found guilty of providing material support to terrorism and attempting to use of a weapon of mass destruction.
As a result of today’s guilty verdicts, Domingo faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Domingo, who has been in federal custody since his arrest in April 2019, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson on November 1.
The investigation into Domingo was prompted by his online posts and conversations in an online forum in which he expressed support for violent jihad, a desire to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims, and a willingness to become a martyr. After considering various attacks – including targeting Jewish people, churches, and police officers – Domingo decided to bomb a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach in April 2019.
As part of the plot, Domingo asked a confederate – who actually was working with the FBI as part of the investigation – to invite a bomb-maker into the scheme. Domingo then purchased and provided to the confederate and the bomb-maker – who in fact was an undercover law enforcement officer – several hundred 3½-inch nails to be used as shrapnel for the bombs. Domingo specifically chose those nails because they were long enough to penetrate organs in the human body.
Leading up to the attack, Domingo called for another event similar to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. Following an attack on Muslims in New Zealand in March 2019, Domingo called for retribution in an online post.
Domingo selected the Long Beach rally as his target and, in April 2019, drove his confederate and the undercover officer to Long Beach to scout the location he planned to attack. While there, Domingo discussed finding the most crowded areas so he could kill the most people. On April 26, 2019, Domingo received what he thought were two live bombs, but were actually inert explosive devices delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer. He was arrested that same day with one of the bombs in his hands.
This matter is the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. JTTF members who participated in the investigation include the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Long Beach Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Reema M. El-Amamy and David T. Ryan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Trial Attorneys Lauren Goddard and Joshua Champagne of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
Readout of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta's Meeting with State Chief JusticesRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta met with over 35 Chief Justices of state supreme courts to discuss the housing and eviction crisis confronting the country. The Attorney General thanked the Chief Justices for their work on the issue and highlighted the Associate Attorney General’s recent letter outlining steps that state courts could take to raise awareness of emergency rental assistance and to implement eviction diversion strategies in their jurisdictions. The Attorney General applauded the work in states like Michigan, where the State Supreme Court has issued an order requiring courts to stay eviction proceedings for up to 45 days to allow a tenant to apply for rental assistance. In Texas, the Supreme Court modified the notices that are sent to tenants who are sued for eviction to make sure they are aware of the benefits available to them. Simple steps like these can increase the chance that tenants can stay in their homes and help courts that are being deluged with eviction filings.
The Attorney General also heard from the Chief Justices about the obstacles their courts face in combating the crisis and committed the Department of Justice to doing everything it can to support their efforts. He emphasized that the federal government has made funds available to state courts that are seeking to implement eviction diversion programs, including the $350 billion that the American Rescue Plan allocated to state and local governments and the $46.5 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The President of the National Center for State Courts spoke to the Attorney General about the work the Center has done to support eviction diversion efforts, including creating a diagnostic tool that helps courts fashion diversion programs that best suit their jurisdiction.
The Attorney General asked the Associate Attorney General and Chief Justices to continue working together on this critical issue and to identify obstacles that the federal government can help address.
Pikeville Man Sentenced to over 12 Years for Two Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Pikeville man was sentenced to 147 months in prison for committing armed robberies in Kenly and Selma, North Carolina. Richard Lavar Carter entered his guilty plea on April 13, 2021.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Carter and another unidentified subject committed two armed robberies in Johnston County in the early morning hours of October 15, 2019. Around 3:00am, video surveillance footage from a Waffle House in Kenly, North Carolina, showed Carter brandishing a handgun at employees before fleeing the store with money from the register. Just an hour later, video surveillance footage from the New Dixie Mart in Selma, North Carolina, showed Carter and another unidentified male subject brandishing a handgun and an AK-style rifle and robbing the store. During this robbery, Carter assaulted one of the store clerks with his handgun. Investigators were able to identify Carter’s face from the store video. Carter was arrested on state charges on October 18, 2019. Carter was charged federally in April of 2020 and transferred to federal custody in May of 2020.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt. The Kenly Police Department, the Selma Police Department, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-178-BR.
Phenix City Man Sentenced for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that a Phenix City, Alabama man has been sentenced for distribution of child pornography. On August 10, 2021, 37-year-old Richard Ryan Jazek was sentenced to 151 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, in the Fall of 2020, the FBI received information about a Kik messenger app user who was sharing images and videos of suspected child pornography. Law enforcement discovered that the suspected Kik account and username was linked to Jazek, along with the IP address. Further investigation revealed that Jazek’s Kik account had in fact uploaded multiple images and videos containing child pornography. In his plea agreement, Jazek admitted specifically sharing a video on September 22, 2020, and then sharing an image on October 4, 2020. After both of these Kik postings, Jazek responded to other users viewing the video and image in the chat section and made disturbing comments. In addition to his prison sentence, Jazek was ordered to pay $27,000.00 in restitution, or $3000.00 each to nine victims identified in the videos and images he was sharing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys James P. Lamb and MaryLou E. Bowdre prosecuted the case.
Pensacola Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Pensacola, Florida, man was sentenced on August 10, 2021, to 10 years in prison for his participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice.
According to court documents, Cameron Alexander Michanowicz, 42, distributed large amounts of methamphetamine ice from his residence and his business in the Pensacola, Florida, area. Many people from Baldwin County, Alabama, traveled to Pensacola to deal with Michanowicz and brought the drugs to Alabama for distribution here. When federal agents obtained a search warrant for Michanowicz’s residence and business, firearms, drugs, several cell phones, computers, and cash were seized. Michanowicz provided a statement to the agents after being advised of his Miranda rights in which he admitted his participation in the illegal distribution of drugs. Michanowicz was held accountable for the distribution of 10.4 kilograms of methamphetamine ice and one pound of heroin.Chief United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 10-year sentence and ordered that Michanowicz would also serve five years on supervised release following his imprisonment. Michanowicz will also undergo testing and treatment for drug abuse, and he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion during that time. No fine was imposed but Chief Judge Dubose ordered that Michanowicz pay $100 in special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to a federal methamphetamine charge.
According to court documents, the Parkersburg Police Department stopped Justin Andrew Beardsley, 33, on Lynne Street in Parkersburg for a traffic violation on June 1, 2019. After a drug dog alerted on the vehicle, officers searched and found methamphetamine, packaging materials, scales, three loaded firearms, body armor, a hand grenade and miscellaneous ammunition. At his plea hearing, Beardsley admitted his intent to sell the methamphetamine and acknowledged that he had sold between 200 and 350 grams of methamphetamine in the year leading up to the traffic stop and arrest.
Beardsley pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 8, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Parkersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-0060.
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Parker, Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Clifton Frank Peter, age 37, of Parker, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, pled guilty to three counts of Second Degree Murder. A sentencing hearing has been set before Chief United States District Judge Stanley Bastian to take place on December 1, 2021.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on June 1, 2020, Peter became enraged while playing a video game, subsequently attacked his mother and departed from her residence in a vehicle. As Peter was backing out of the driveway, his vehicle struck victim J.G.’s vehicle as it passed by. Shortly after J.G.’s vehicle stopped, Peter exited his vehicle and shot J.G. with a shotgun. J.G. died at the scene.
Peter then drove away from the scene and headed northbound on Yakima Street. At the same time, victims I.G. and O.V. were in a vehicle driving northbound on Yakima Street. Peter observed they were moving slowly and he intentionally rear-ended their vehicle, causing an accident. Peter then exited his vehicle and shot I.G. and O.V. with a shotgun. Both victims died at the scene. Peter was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. All three homicides occurred within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation.
This case was investigated by the Yakima Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Rick Burson and Tom Hanlon, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Nine SEPTA Maintenance Managers and Vendors Charged with Bribery and Fraud in Connection with Multiple Procurement Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Mark Irvello, 56, of Broomall, PA; Stanley Woloff, 58, of Philadelphia, PA; David Abell, 72, of Chincoteague Island, VA; Stephen Kish, 65, of Philadelphia, PA; Rodney Martinez, 50, of Blackwood, NJ; Jesse Fleck, 43, of Philadelphia, PA; Peter Brauner, 58, of Kintersville, PA; James Turner, 59, of Horsham, PA; and John Brady, 60, of Blue Bell, PA; were charged in separate Criminal Informations with bribery and fraud offenses.
The Informations allege that at various times from 2013 through 2019, management-level employees working in SEPTA’s Bridges and Buildings Department (“BBD”) engaged in bribery and theft schemes with two SEPTA vendors, defendants Mark Irvello of MSI Tool Repair and Supply (“MSI”), located in Upper Darby, PA; and Stanley Woloff of Advantage Industrial Supply (“AIS”), located in Philadelphia, PA. The SEPTA managers alleged to have engaged in the scheme are David Abell, Stephen Kish, Rodney Martinez, Jesse Fleck, Peter Brauner, James Turner, and John Brady.
According to the Informations, the BBD is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and renovating SEPTA facilities throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania region. To facilitate this work, SEPTA issues “procurement cards” (also known as P-Cards) to management-level employees working in the BBD. The P-Cards, which operate as SEPTA credit cards, are to be used for purchasing items needed for the legitimate work of the BBD.
In about 2013, defendant Abell, who was a Senior Director of Maintenance at SEPTA, agreed with defendant Irvello of MSI, and separately, with defendant Woloff of AIS (collectively “the vendors”), to exploit the P-Card system for their mutual benefit. Abell solicited the vendors to provide him with regular cash payments of approximately $1,000 to $2,000 per month. In exchange for those payments, the vendors falsely billed SEPTA through the P-Card system for items that the vendor was not providing to SEPTA. The false charges to SEPTA covered the cash payments to Abell, plus a substantial additional amount to generate fraud proceeds for the vendor. As part of the corrupt deals with the vendors, Abell encouraged other BBD managers to use and continue to use MSI and AIS for SEPTA purchases, growing the vendors’ business with SEPTA. To conceal the scheme, Irvello and Woloff billed SEPTA for items that SEPTA might use, but in fact, did not need at that time, or billed SEPTA for substantially more of certain products than they were actually providing to the agency. The vendors thus combined legitimate with fraudulent billing, making the scheme difficult to detect.
At various times, beginning around 2014, several other SEPTA BBD managers began engaging in similar fraud activity with defendants Irvello and Woloff. Those managers included defendant Martinez, who in 2016 replaced Abell as Senior Director of Maintenance and took over Abell’s legitimate role in SEPTA’s BBD, as well as his role in the fraud and bribery scheme. Martinez regularly solicited cash payments from the vendors under the same arrangement that the vendors had with Abell. The cash payments to Martinez totaled over $144,000.
Other BBD managers, including defendants Kish, Fleck, Brauner, Turner, and Brady, individually solicited the vendors for cash and personal items. The vendors agreed to provide the cash and personal items to the managers, and then fraudulently billed SEPTA to cover the cost of those payments and products and to generate additional fraud proceeds for themselves.
The most prolific participant in this fraud scheme was defendant Kish. Kish had Irvello make over $225,000 in purchases to benefit Kish. In most of these cases, Kish directed Irvello to purchase specific precious metals, particularly gold coins, each worth thousands of dollars. The purchases included several American Gold Eagle Coins, Gold American Buffalo Coins, South African Gold Krugerrand Coins, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins, Royal Canadian Mint Gold Bars, and PAMP Suisse Gold Bars. Defendant Kish is also alleged to have engaged in money laundering for using the proceeds of the scheme to purchase real estate. The other participants in the scheme also obtained numerous personal items, including a $5,000 backhoe attachment for defendant Brauner, ATV equipment for defendant Fleck, and numerous electronics, tools, articles of clothing, and automobile repairs for defendants Turner and Brady.
In connection with this scheme, the vendor companies owned by defendants Irvello and Woloff each became one of SEPTA’s largest billers through the P-Card system. In doing so, Irvello defrauded SEPTA of more than $540,000, and Woloff defrauded SEPTA of more than $330,000.
“Philadelphians deserve public employees who do their jobs honestly, without gaming the system to line their own pockets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “At a time when SEPTA is facing significant challenges to continue faithfully serving its riders, many of whom have no other reliable, cost-effective transportation options, the defendants’ alleged actions perpetrating this fraud scheme are the definition of selfish greed.”
“The FBI is committed to tracking down public officials and servants who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain,” said Brian T. Herrick, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Public corruption erodes citizens' faith in their community servants, and it will continue to be the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority. Today’s indictment sends the message that the FBI will work tirelessly to protect government entities and services from fraud, waste and abuse.”
“SEPTA is a public trust. Employees who engage in fraud violate that trust and will face serious consequences,” said D. James Bannan, the Authority’s Inspector General. “The vast majority of SEPTA’s workforce are honest, hard-working individuals who are dedicated to providing critical public transportation service to our region. We will continue to do right by them, the taxpayers, and the riding public by holding those who engage in illegal activity accountable for their actions.”
If convicted, each defendant faces maximum sentences of at least 20 and as much as 40 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of SEPTA Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Deputy United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. SEPTA’s Internal Audit Division launched an investigation after receiving tips from employees, and the Authority’s Inspector General shared the findings with the FBI.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New Haven Men Charged with Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that JOSE L. GERENA, 31, and BRIAN I. CRUZ-RODRIGUEZ, 29, both of New Haven, were arrested yesterday and charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
As alleged in court documents, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The package contained $102,450 in cash. The investigation revealed that Gerena, with the assistance of Cruz-Rodriguez and others, was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico. During the investigation, the organization regularly received cocaine shipments at 365 Poplar Street, 206 Exchange Street and other addresses in New Haven.
Prior to yesterday’s arrests of Gerena and Cruz-Rodriguez, investigators intercepted two parcels each containing a kilogram of cocaine that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to 365 Poplar Street and 206 Exchange Street. Investigators then made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to 365 Poplar Street before executing search warrants and making the arrests.
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Gerena is currently detained and Cruz-Rodriguez is released on a $150,000 bond.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Mount Vernon Baseball Coach Charged with Coercion and Enticement of A MinorRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jacqueline Maguire, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Miriam E. Rocah, Westchester County District Attorney, announced today the arrest of ROBERT POPE for persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a 16-year-old minor to engage in sexual activity. POPE was arrested yesterday morning and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison in White Plains federal court.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “The alleged conduct in this case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them. We have zero tolerance for the exploitation of children and we will prosecute and punish those who engage in this conduct. Any individuals who may have relevant information concerning Robert Pope should please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
FBI Acting Assistant Director Jacqueline Maguire said: "Adults who are entrusted with educating and instructing children usually have the child's best interest at heart. As we allege, Mr. Pope instead chose to abuse his position of authority as a baseball coach to coerce and entice a child into having sex with him. We believe there may be other victims who haven't yet come forward, and we're asking any potential victims and their parents or guardians to contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov. Your information could help our investigation, and help us hold Mr. Pope accountable."
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said: "As alleged in this case, Robert Pope abused his position of trust to take advantage of the most vulnerable for his own sexual gratification. We are proud to work together with the Southern District of New York, the New York FBI and the Mount Vernon Police Department to aggressively prosecute sexual abuse of minors and will use all of our collective resources to ensure sexual predators are stopped and held accountable.”
According to the Complaint[1] filed on August 9, 2021 in White Plains federal court and unsealed yesterday:
Between at least on or about September 1, 2020, up to and including at least on or about April 11, 2021, POPE communicated with a 16-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) by cellphone and persuaded Victim-1 to meet POPE in person in Westchester County, New York on more than one occasion to engage in sexual activities with POPE.
On or about June 15, 2021, ROBERT POPE was charged in Westchester County, New York, with three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in violation of New York Penal Law 130.40(2).
Ms. Strauss stated that the investigation is ongoing. Ms. Strauss requests that any individuals who may have relevant information concerning ROBERT POPE contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
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POPE, 30, of Mount Vernon, New York, is charged with one count of coercion and enticement, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the efforts of the FBI, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, and the Mount Vernon Police Department in connection with this investigation. She added that the investigation is ongoing.
This case began as an investigation in Westchester County District Attorney’s Office by Assistant District Attorneys Marissa Morra Wynn and Christine Hatfield. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Missouri Man Indicted on Federal Hate Crime and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, returned a two-count indictment charging a Missouri man with hate crime and firearm violations for shooting a teenager with the intent to kill because of the victim’s sexual orientation.
According to court documents, Malachi Robinson, 25, is charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and with using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Robinson allegedly shot the victim with a 9mm handgun because of his sexual orientation, causing significant non-fatal injuries.
If convicted, Robinson faces up to life in prison on the hate crime charge and a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the firearm charge. Robinson also faces a fine of up to $250,000 with respect to each charge.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office and the Kansas City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ketchmark of the Western District of Missouri and Trial Attorneys Shan Patel and Eric Peffley of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore for the Western District of Missouri and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
For more information and resources on the department’s efforts to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Menomonie Man Sentenced to 81 Months for Illegal Firearm & Heroin PossessionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that David Hartwig, 34, Menomonie, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 81 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon and for possessing heroin with intent to distribute. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On May 6, 2020, undercover officers approached Hartwig as part of a drug trafficking investigation. Upon seeing the officers, Hartwig ran, resulting in a short pursuit during which Hartwig displayed a 9mm pistol. After tackling Hartwig, officers recovered the gun along with a backpack Hartwig dropped. The backpack contained an additional magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition, heroin packaged for sale, Hartwig’s wallet, and a small amount of methamphetamine.
At the time of these offenses, Hartwig was on community supervision in connection with a 2011 Wisconsin conviction for delivery of heroin and a 2019 Wisconsin conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Under federal law, he has been prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition since 2007.
At sentencing Judge Peterson remarked that Hartwig’s persistent drug offenses, along with acts of violence in his criminal history, made him a danger to the community. Judge Peterson also noted that Hartwig’s illegal possession of the firearm demonstrated his disregard of the law, as did the fact he fled from officers.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.
Marrero Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accidents in Order to Defraud Insurance and Trucking CompaniesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DEWAYNE COLEMAN (“COLEMAN”), age 22, of Marrero, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.
According to today’s guilty plea, COLEMAN, along with his co-defendants, Erica Lee Thompson (“Erica Lee”), Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, and Aisha Thompson, conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident with Cornelius Garrison, occurring on September 6, 2017. Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” to twenty-seven (27).
COLEMAN admitted that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, he was a passenger in co-defendant Erica Lee’s 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express. After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident. The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision. COLEMAN retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000.
On March 26, 2019, COLEMAN, Donisha Lee, and Donreion Lee each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. On April 9, 2019, Aisha Thompson provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit. In these depositions, COLEMAN, Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, and Aisha Thompson lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries.
COLEMAN faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years of incarceration. Upon release from prison, COLEMAN also faces a term of supervised release up to (3) three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for January 5, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 30 Months for Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael Messina, 34, of Manchester, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 4, 2019, Manchester police detectives observed Messina engage in an apparent drug deal. Immediately after the exchange, the customer placed a small object down his pants. The two men then separated and walked in opposite directions. Suspecting another drug deal, detectives separately detained both Messina and the customer. After relinquishing a quantity fentanyl to detectives, the customer admitted purchasing fentanyl from Messina.
Messina was approached and dropped money and a cellophane wrapper containing powder that later tested positive for fentanyl. After waiving his rights, Messina admitted to selling drugs to the customer.
“Fentanyl traffickers endanger lives by selling an extremely deadly substance,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “To protect the public, we are working with the Manchester Police Department to identify and prosecute the traffickers who are distributing fentanyl and other dangerous opioids in Manchester.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Man from Mescalero charged with assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Romeo Martinez, 22, of Mescalero, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on Aug. 6 for a preliminary hearing where he was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Martinez will remain detained pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 9 Martinez allegedly showed up at his grandmother’s house on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Martinez, who is not an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, had been banished from the reservation by the Tribal Council. Martinez allegedly started screaming at his grandmother and her sister, identified as MB, accusing them of involvement in having his vehicle towed. When MB pleaded that they had not been involved, Martinez allegedly hit MB over the head and repeatedly punched her in the face. He then allegedly shook his grandmother and pinned her against the couch.
MB and Martinez’s grandmother drove to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Station to report the alleged assault. MB was taken by ambulance to Lincoln County Medical Center where she received stitches to close a wound sustained in the assault. She will require surgery to repair a fractured nasal bone and septum. MB is an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Matilda McCarthy Villalobos is prosecuting the case.
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Man Indicted for Distribution of Oxymorphone Causing DeathRead the Press Release
EL PASO – A federal grand jury in El Paso returned an indictment last week charging an El Paso man with distribution of a controlled substance causing death.
According to court documents, on or about March 11, 2019, Michael Martinez, 30, distributed oxymorphone, also known as numorphan, to another individual who died as a result.
Martinez is charged with one count of distributing oxymorphone causing death and one count of distributing oxymorphone. The defendant’s initial court appearance was held today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Castaneda. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years to life for distribution of oxymorphone causing death and up to 20 years in prison for distribution of oxymorphone. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Division made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Countryman is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Malden Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden man pleaded guilty yesterday to operating a drug trafficking enterprise in which he sold fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base to an undercover officer on multiple occasions.
Dhamari Jordan, a/k/a/ “DMO,” a/k/a “DMO Crashout,” 20, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Dec. 13, 2021. Jordan was arrested and charged on Feb. 25, 2021.
Jordan and other members of his conspiracy were captured on recording selling fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base to an undercover officer on three occasions in January 2021. During these sales, Jordan was on pretrial release for a pending firearms case in Cambridge District Court from June 2019. A loaded 9mm firearm was recovered in Jordan’s residence at the time of his arrest. During today’s hearing, Jordan also admitted to his participation in a series of shootings targeting rival gang members in November 2019 in Somerville.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of up 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Based upon the weight of suspected narcotics involved in the conspiracy, the statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for the drug trafficking crime, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiring to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, Boston Police Department and Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Sarah Hoefle of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
Lumberton Man Convicted of Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Lumberton man yesterday on a charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that occurred on December 25, 2019. At the residence, they found an individual suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement developed Michael Lane Breeden, 51, as a suspect in the shooting.
Officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Michael Lane Breeden on January 7, 2020. During the execution of the search warrant, officers recovered a loaded shotgun in Breeden’s bathroom just a few feet from where officers detained him. Breeden had previously been convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
Breeden faces a maximum penalty of 120 months in prison when sentenced in November of 2021.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge W. Earl Britt accepted the verdict. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Rhoades and John Parris are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. 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-00198-BR.
Lincoln County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Lincoln County man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.
According to court documents, the South Charleston Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Bert Tackett, 56, of Alkol, was a passenger on February 8, 2021. Tackett possessed approximately 117 grams of a mixture/substance containing fentanyl and 41.989 grams of methamphetamine and admitted that he intended to distribute the controlled substances. Law enforcement officers also recovered a Bersa Thunder 9mm handgun from inside the vehicle. When officers arrested Tackett at his Alkol residence on June 15, 2021, they found two bags of suspected fentanyl weighing approximately 31.123 grams and 1.244 grams, a bag of suspected methamphetamine weighing approximately 27.238 grams and two loaded firearms inside his residence.
Tackett pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and five grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on November 3, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the excellent investigative work of the South Charleston Police Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Marshals Service.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00097.
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Kings de Monte Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
DENVER – Felipe Nevarez of Alamosa, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and facts presented at trial and sentencing, Nevarez was a leader in the violent Kings de Monte Gang operating in the San Luis Valley. On April 3, 2019, deputies with the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department encountered Nevarez driving a black BMW near Alamosa and Monte Vista. He evaded law enforcement, reversing the BMW at top speed down a rural driveway. Nevarez got out of the car and fled into an open field. After nearly forty-five minutes of searching, law enforcement found Nevarez hiding within arm’s reach of a large bag of methamphetamine and in possession of more than $16,000 in cash. At the time, Nevarez had several state warrants for his arrest. This federal conviction was Nevarez’s ninth adult felony, including three prior drug distribution convictions.
United States District Court Judge Robert Blackburn handed down the sentence on August 10, 2021, following Nevarez’s conviction at jury trial on April 15, 2021. Nevarez was also ordered to forfeit over $16,000 in narcotics sales proceeds.
“We will prosecute violent gangsters no matter where they operate in our state, said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch. “Nevarez’s conviction and justly deserved sentence should serve as a warning to gangs in the San Luis Valley.”
“The distribution of meth in rural communities can have devasting affects that go beyond those associated with taking the drug,” said Eric Balliet, deputy special agent in charge, HSI Denver. “HSI and its law enforcement partners work tirelessly to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved in producing and selling this poison to keep our communities safe.”
Homeland Security Investigations, the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department, the Alamosa Police Department, and Immigrations Customs and Enforcement conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Graves handled the prosecution of the case.
CASE NUMBER: 19-cr-00271-REB-JMC.
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