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30 June 2021
Dominican National Arrested for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested yesterday for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Melvin Baez Peguero, 46, a Dominican national residing in Boston, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Peguero was detained following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.
According to the charging documents, Peguero was previously removed from the United States in April 2013, and subsequently found in Boston in November 2020.
The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Peguero will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathanial R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Des Moines Woman Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Damage the Dakota Access PipelineRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – A Des Moines woman was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to eight years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Damage an Energy Facility. Jessica Rae Reznicek, age 39, was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay $3,198,512.70 in restitution.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel made the announcement.
According to court documents, Reznicek, as early as November 8, 2016, and continuing until May 2, 2017, conspired with other individuals to damage the Dakota Access Pipeline at several locations within the Southern District of Iowa, Northern District of Iowa, and the District of South Dakota. Specifically, the defendant admitted to damaging and attempting to damage the pipeline using an oxy-acetylene cutting torch and fires near pipeline instrumentation and equipment in Mahaska, Boone, and Wapello Counties within the Southern District of Iowa.
Acting U.S. Attorney Westphal stated, “This was a federal crime of terrorism. Criminal acts conducted on multiple instances, at multiple locations, over a sustained period of time, resulting in over $3 million dollars in ordered restitution. After which Reznicek sought to encourage others to engage in similar conduct. As this investigation and punishment show, any crime of terrorism will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted by the federal government.”
Following the sentencing, FBI Special Agent in Charge Kowel commented, “Protecting the American people from terrorism – both international and domestic – remains the FBI’s number one priority. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring domestic terrorists like Jessica Reznicek to justice. Her sentence today should be a deterrent to anyone who intends to commit violence through an act of domestic terrorism.”
Reznicek’s co-defendant, Ruby Montoya, is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Department of Justice Begins Third Distribution of Forfeited Funds to Compensate Victims of Fraud Scheme Facilitated by Western UnionRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that the Western Union Remission Fund began its third distribution of approximately $66 million in funds forfeited to the United States from the Western Union Company (Western Union) to approximately 6,000 victims located in the United States and abroad. These victims, many of whom were elderly victims of consumer fraud, will be recovering the full amount of their losses.
This is the third in a series of distributions. The first two distributions paid more than $300 million to over 142,000 victims, all of whom received full compensation for their losses. The Department of Justice anticipates authorizing compensation for more victims in the coming months. Petitions are accepted on an ongoing basis and potential victims who have not applied for compensation will be provided the opportunity to apply this year.
“This third distribution of funds from the Western Union forfeiture demonstrates the Department of Justice’s continued commitment to compensate and serve justice to victims, many of whom suffered immense losses from this fraud scheme,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin O. Driscoll of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Divesting criminals of ill-gotten gains and returning those funds to victims are the primary goals of the Asset Forfeiture Program, which has provided over $10 billion in forfeited funds to victims over the last two decades.”
“Since 2001, our office, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting cross-border frauds where global money services companies such as Western Union facilitate fraud by transferring millions of dollars overseas into the pockets of international fraudsters,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The historic 2017 deferred prosecution agreement with Western Union, and the payments to thousands of victims to compensate them for their losses, demonstrates our commitment to hold all responsible parties accountable and to make all victims whole. I want to thank all the prosecutors and agents who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the victims.”
“Today’s $66 million distribution continues our commitment to ensuring justice for the thousands of victims who were financially harmed by multiple fraud schemes in this investigation,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division. “We are pleased that thus far over $350 million has been returned to approximately 150,000 victims, many who are among the most vulnerable: the elderly. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to protect Americans and to ensure that all remedies are explored in delivering justice.”
In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union had a criminal information filed against it acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of an international consumer fraud scheme. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission.
According to court documents, in the scheme, fraudsters targeted consumers, including seniors, through multiple scams. Three specific scams directed towards seniors included the so-called grandparent scam, where the fraudster would pose as the victim’s relative in purported need of immediate money to avoid personal harm; lottery or sweepstakes scams, where the fraudster would tell the victim that he or she had won a large cash prize but had to pay fees, such as taxes, to claim the prize; and romance scams, where the fraudster would pose as an online love interest and request funds for a visit or for another purpose. In each of these scams, the fraudsters convinced their victims to send money through Western Union.
Certain owners, operators or employees of Western Union locations were complicit in the scheme. Western Union aided and abetted the scheme by failing to suspend or terminate complicit agents and by allowing them to continue to process fraud-induced monetary transactions. Western Union fulfilled its obligations under the DPA, and the court granted the motion to dismiss the criminal information against Western Union last year.
The Department of Justice, through the Asset Forfeiture Program, works diligently to restore lost funds to victims of crime and acknowledges the significant assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office. The victim compensation payments in this case would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Southern District of Florida. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Reserve Board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, and the Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General provided valuable assistance.
More information about the Western Union compensation process is available on the Western Union remission website at www.westernunionremission.com. Further questions may be directed to the Western Union Remission Administrator by phone at 844-319-2124 or by email at [email protected].
The Department of Justice announced today that the Western Union Remission Fund began its third distribution of approximately $66 million in funds forfeited to the United States from the Western Union Company (Western Union) to approximately 6,000 victims located in the United States and abroad. These victims, many of whom were elderly victims of consumer fraud, will be recovering the full amount of their losses.
This is the third in a series of distributions. The first two distributions paid more than $300 million to over 142,000 victims, all of whom received full compensation for their losses. The Department of Justice anticipates authorizing compensation for more victims in the coming months. Petitions are accepted on an ongoing basis and potential victims who have not applied for compensation will be provided the opportunity to apply this year.
“This third distribution of funds from the Western Union forfeiture demonstrates the Department of Justice’s continued commitment to compensate and serve justice to victims, many of whom suffered immense losses from this fraud scheme,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin O. Driscoll of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Divesting criminals of ill-gotten gains and returning those funds to victims are the primary goals of the Asset Forfeiture Program, which has provided over $10 billion in forfeited funds to victims over the last two decades.”
“Since 2001, our office, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting cross-border frauds where global money services companies such as Western Union facilitate fraud by transferring millions of dollars overseas into the pockets of international fraudsters,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The historic 2017 deferred prosecution agreement with Western Union, and the payments to thousands of victims to compensate them for their losses, demonstrates our commitment to hold all responsible parties accountable and to make all victims whole. I want to thank all the prosecutors and agents who continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the victims.”
“Today’s $66 million distribution continues our commitment to ensuring justice for the thousands of victims who were financially harmed by multiple fraud schemes in this investigation,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division. “We are pleased that thus far over $350 million has been returned to approximately 150,000 victims, many who are among the most vulnerable: the elderly. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to protect Americans and to ensure that all remedies are explored in delivering justice.”
In 2017, Western Union entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the United States. Pursuant to the DPA, Western Union had a criminal information filed against it and acknowledged responsibility for its criminal conduct, which included violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and aiding and abetting wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $586 million, which has been made available to compensate victims of an international consumer fraud scheme. Western Union simultaneously resolved a parallel civil investigation with the Federal Trade Commission.
According to court documents, in the scheme, fraudsters targeted consumers, including seniors, through multiple scams. Three specific scams directed towards seniors included the so-called grandparent scam, where the fraudster would pose as the victim’s relative in purported need of immediate money to avoid personal harm; lottery or sweepstakes scams, where the fraudster would tell the victim that he or she had won a large cash prize but had to pay fees, such as taxes, to claim the prize; and romance scams, where the fraudster would pose as an online love interest and request funds for a visit or for another purpose. In each of these scams, the fraudsters convinced their victims to send money through Western Union.
Certain owners, operators or employees of Western Union locations were complicit in the scheme. Western Union aided and abetted the scheme by failing to suspend or terminate complicit agents and by allowing them to continue to process fraud-induced monetary transactions. Western Union fulfilled its obligations under the DPA, and the court granted the motion to dismiss the criminal information against Western Union last year.
The Department of Justice, through the Asset Forfeiture Program, works diligently to restore lost funds to victims of crime and acknowledges the significant assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Office. The victim compensation payments in this case would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Southern District of Florida. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Reserve Board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General and the Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General provided valuable assistance.
More information about the Western Union compensation process is available on the Western Union remission website at www.westernunionremission.com. Further questions may be directed to the Western Union Remission Administrator by phone at 844-319-2124 or by email at [email protected].
Defendants Charged with the Murder of Maurice Spagnoletti Are Now Charged with Being Members of an Enterprise Engaged in MurderRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Yesterday, a federal grand jury issued a fourth superseding indictment charging Luis Carmona-Bernacet, Yadiel Serrano-Canales, Rolando Rivera-Solis, Alex Burgos-Amaro, Alan Lugo-Montalvo, and Fabiany Almestica-Monge with being members of an enterprise engaged in murder and drug trafficking. Moreover, Carmona-Bernacet, Serrano-Canales, Rivera-Solis, and Burgos-Amaro are now charged with committing murder in aid of that enterprise. Among these murders is that of Maurice Spagnoletti, who was killed on June 15, 2011, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
The defendants were previously charged with committing murder in furtherance of drug trafficking. The new superseding indictment charges the defendants with murdering in aid of an enterprise engaged in drug trafficking and murder.
If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Alberto López-Rocafort, Chief of the Gangs Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández oversee the prosecution of the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation collaborated during the investigation.
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Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Brenton Mon’Shae Jones, age 24, was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 46 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Receipt and Possession of a Machinegun, and Receipt and Possession of an Unregistered Machinegun. This sentence is to be served consecutively to a supervised release revocation sentence of 18 months imposed the same day. Jones was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison sentence and pay $300.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
On August 12, 2020, Jones was in possession of a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol. The pistol had a switch affixed to it that converted the Glock pistol from semi-automatic to fully automatic. As a result, the Glock pistol functioned as a fully automatic machinegun. Jones was prohibited from possessing any firearms due to prior felony convictions including a 2018 conviction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa for the offenses of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On August 12, 2020, Jones was serving a period of supervised release associated with that conviction.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
The Davenport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Donell Jamar Hines, age 32, was sentenced on Monday, June 28, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 57 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture and Substance Containing Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Heroin. This sentence is to be served consecutively with a supervised release revocation sentence of 24 months for a prior offense that Hines had been sentenced to in 2016. The total sentence impose was 81 months in prison. Hines was ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
According to court documents, Hines was identified by law enforcement as a participant in drug activities. On September 25, 2019, members of the Davenport Police Department executed a search warrant on the known residence of Hines in the area of Betsy Ross Place in Davenport. During the search, officers located a large amount of United States currency, multiple plastic baggies of drugs including cocaine and heroin, and a digital scale. Following laboratory testing, the controlled substances recovered were determined to be approximately 166 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of cocaine base, and 4 grams of heroin. On February 19, 2021, Hines admitted that on or about September 25, 2019, he was knowingly and intentionally in possession of the controlled substances mentioned above and had the intention to distribute some of all the controlled substances to another person. Hines, furthermore, admitted to the currency found being proceeds from his activity in distributing controlled substances.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
The Davenport Police Department investigated the case.
Court-Appointed Pennsylvania Guardian and Virginia Co-conspirators Indicted for Stealing over $1 million from Elderly WardsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Gloria Byars, 60, of Aldan, PA; Carlton Rembert, 66, of Hampton, VA; and Alesha Mitchell, 40, of Suffolk, VA, were all indicted for their roles in scheme to defraud elderly, incapacitated people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. All three defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of bank fraud. Additionally, Rembert and Byars were charged with five counts of wire fraud, and Byars faces an additional charge of money laundering.
The Indictment alleges that between 2012 and 2018, Byars stole from dozens of incapacitated wards while serving as their court-appointed guardian. Prior to operating her own guardianship company, Byars was an office manager for a different company that was appointed to care for wards in Pennsylvania. As office manager and then as guardian herself through her own firm, Byars had unfettered access to wards’ property including bank accounts, pensions, real estate, annuities, and other assets. Byars allegedly stole money from the wards’ bank accounts by writing unauthorized checks to companies she controlled, or to shell companies controlled by Rembert and Mitchell. The Indictment further alleges that Rembert and Mitchell assisted Byars in the theft by opening bank accounts in the names of shell companies purporting to be medical billing companies and depositing the stolen checks they received from Byars into those accounts. After the stolen checks cleared, Byars, Rembert, and Mitchell are alleged to have shared the fraud proceeds.
Byars is alleged to have also stolen gold Krugerrand coins, valuable gold coins first minted in South Africa in the 1960’s to introduce the country’s gold supply onto the world market, from one elderly victim’s safe deposit box. Byars is also alleged to have stolen $131,000 from the same ward’s bank account and over $756,000 from a retired federal employee’s Thrift Savings Plan. Finally, according to court documents, Byars managed assets for an individual identified as C.G., whose heir asked for the assets’ return from Byers after C.G.’s death. But Byars had already stolen C.G.’s money. In an attempt to conceal her theft from C.G., Byars is alleged to have stolen $122,000 from yet another ward and used it to repay C.G.’s heir.
Mitchell was arrested in Virginia yesterday, has been released on bail pending trial, and will appear in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Friday, July 2. Byars was previously arrested in both Philadelphia and Delaware County for theft from her wards. Byars and Rembert are scheduled to appear for the federal charges in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, July 6.
“As a court-appointed fiduciary, Byars had a moral and legal obligation to act in her clients’ best interest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “Instead, she and her co-conspirators allegedly used her position to help themselves to the very property they should have been protecting – no better than wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
“Elder fraud cases are probably the most heartbreaking of the financial violations we work,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Here we have someone entrusted to oversee their incapacitated wards’ affairs, allegedly siphoning off money and property for herself and her co-conspirators. Anyone who targets vulnerable older folks for their assets has neither a conscience nor a moral compass. The FBI is committed to holding such crooks accountable, on behalf of those they’ve so cruelly victimized.”
If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum possible sentences. For each count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, the maximum sentence is 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. For each count of wire fraud, the maximum sentence is 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine and for money laundering the maximum sentence is 20 years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 41 months in prison for felon and drug user in possession of a firearm. The prison term is to be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Garrett Duane Hanika, age 33, of Council Bluffs, was attempting to elude officers and speeding -- 60 mph in a 35 mph zone -- down the center turn lanes on Broadway in Council Bluffs until he crashed the vehicle and attempted to run. Hanika was apprehended and a loaded Bryco Amrs, Model 48, .380 caliber pistol was found in his car.
Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.
The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Chicago Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Sharing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for sharing child pornography in an online chat room.
BENNY L. BUTLER, 36, possessed more than 2,800 videos and more than 7,600 images of child pornography on multiple electronic devices. Butler in 2017 shared several videos and images with users of Chatstep, an anonymous online chat room service.
Butler pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of transportation of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood on Tuesday sentenced Butler to 15 years and eight months in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years of court-supervised release. Judge Wood also ordered Butler to pay $47,000 in restitution to the known victims depicted in the child pornography he shared.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Angie Salazar, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service provided valuable assistance.
“It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of defendant’s conduct and the need for just punishment,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley A. Chung argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant not only possessed a staggering amount of child pornography, but also distributed, downloaded, and traded child pornography with others online.”
Burgettstown Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Benefits while Incarcerated and IneligibleRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Burgettstown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Levi Stroud, age 25, pleaded guilty to a one count of conspiracy before United States District Judge William S. Stickman
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Stroud conspired with his mother to commit mail fraud in connection with pandemic unemployment assistance benefits while he was incarcerated for a state conviction.
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to be an emergency under Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford disaster Relief and Emergency Act. Subsequently, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (which is frequently referred to as the CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provided unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits. The CARES Act also provided an emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits of $600.00 per week.
Following the guilty plea, Judge Stickman sentenced Stroud to seven months of imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Levi Stroud.
Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Charged with Sexual Abuse of A WardRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Ross Klinger has been charged in a criminal complaint with sexual abuse of a ward, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Los Angeles Field Office Special Agent in Charge Zachary Shroyer, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.
According to the complaint filed June 25, 2021, and unsealed today, at the time of the offense, Klinger, 36, of Riverside, Calif., was a correctional officer at Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Institute Dublin (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. As a correctional officer, Klinger had disciplinary authority over inmates incarcerated at FCI Dublin. He received training that inappropriate relationships with inmates, including sexual or financial involvement, were prohibited. According to the complaint, Klinger knowingly had sexual intercourse with at least one inmate while she was incarcerated at FCI Dublin and were under his custodial, supervisory, or disciplinary authority. The complaint further alleges that Klinger was also sexually involved with a second inmate. Klinger told both inmates that he wanted to father their children and that he made plans to marry them. He also gave his victims, and at times their families, either money, gifts, or both.
“Prison officials are given great power over incarcerated individuals and are entrusted to use that power to ensure the care, safety, and control of the people placed under the government’s supervision,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. “The abuse of these powers echoes through the entire criminal justice system and threatens to compromise the public’s trust in the system’s legitimacy. The allegations in the criminal complaint unsealed today describe a disturbing deviation from the responsibilities of correctional officers. Such an abuse of power will not be tolerated.”
“Correctional Officers wield great power in correctional facilities," said Special Agent in Charge Shroyer. “Klinger allegedly abused his authority to engage in sexual relations with two inmates. Sexual abuse of inmates will never be tolerated.”
“As alleged in the complaint, Klinger took advantage of his role as an officer, entrusted to supervise inmates on behalf of the government, and instead displayed an egregious abuse of power ” said Special Agent in Charge Fair. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to investigate such violations of the law and hold those responsible accountable.”
The complaint alleges that between April 2020 and October 2020, Klinger repeatedly had sexual intercourse with one of the victims in a storage warehouse at FCI-Dublin. After he transferred to a different BOP prison in San Diego, he allegedly kept in touch with the victim using the alias “Juan Garcia,” and communicated with her via email and video visits. Klinger also gave money to the victim’s mother, and visited her family, including her minor children.
According to the complaint, Klinger also had sexual intercourse with the second victim in a Conex box on FCI Dublin’s campus, while another inmate acted as a lookout. After the victim was released to a halfway house, Klinger remained in contact with her via text message and Snapchat. Klinger visited the victim at the halfway house, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim and proposed to her with a diamond ring.
Klinger is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a ward, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b). Klinger was arrested this morning and made an initial federal court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. His first appearance in the Northern District of California has not yet been scheduled.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted of the charge, Klinger faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Priedeman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Social Security Benefits Delivered to Deceased FatherRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADOLFO VARGAS, 43, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally receiving Social Security benefits.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Vargas’ father lawfully received Social Security Administration (“SSA”) monthly Retirement and Survivor Insurance benefit payments. When Vargas’ father became ill, he gave Vargas access to his bank accounts so Vargas could make purchases on his behalf and take care of his affairs after his death. Vargas’ father died in 2006, but the SSA was never informed of his death. Between 2006 and 2019, the SSA deposited approximately $111,000 into Vargas’ father’s account. During that time, Vargas used the account to make numerous ATM cash withdrawals, personal debit transactions and personal online purchases.
Judge Bryant ordered Vargas to pay $93,092 in restitution.
On March 29, 2021, Vargas pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds.
Vargas, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 25, 2021.
This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.
Bridgeport Man Charged with Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL NASTU, 62, of Bridgeport, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with multiple child exploitation offenses.
Following his arrest, Nastu appeared via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti and is currently detained.
As alleged in the complaint, in March 2021, Nastu, using the Kik social media application, initiated a chat with an FBI Online Covert Employee who was posing as a 14-year-old female from Connecticut. Between March 31 and June 25, 2021, Nastu sent the OCE sexually explicit messages and several pictures and videos of male genitalia, and he attempted to entice the OCE to send him child pornography in return. Nastu and the OCE had multiple text exchanges about meeting in person to engage in sexual activity, but Nastu ultimately decided not to meet the OCE due to the risk of being caught.
The complaint charges Nastu with attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; attempted receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a criminal complaint 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Amanda S. Oakes.
Boston Gang Associate Pleads Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston gang associate pleaded guilty on Monday, June 28, 2021 to his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Michael Toussaint, 40, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Nov. 2, 2021.
In June 2020, Toussiant was charged along with 23 others as part of Operation Snowfall. According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
The investigation also targeted large-scale drug suppliers and their associates. It is alleged that the targets continued to distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Toussaint is the fifth defendant to plead guilty in the case.
During the investigation, investigators identified Toussaint as a drug customer and distributor for co-defendant Hassan Monroe, who was a significant supplier to co-defendant Kenji Drayton, the leader of the drug-trafficking organization. Over the course of the investigation, Monroe provided a large quantity of cocaine to Toussaint for the purpose of drug trafficking. Monroe has agreed to plead guilty and Drayton pleaded not guilty.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin O’Donnell and Timothy Moran of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Belle Plaine Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Accessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who accessed child pornography was sentenced on June 29, 2021, to ten years in federal prison.
Jared Daily, age 35, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, received the sentence after a January 11, 2021 guilty plea to one count of accessing child pornography. At the plea hearing, Daily admitted that, between January and June 2020, he used a cell phone to access child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent children.
Daily was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Daily was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He was also ordered to make $5,000 in restitution to a victim depicted in child pornography he accessed. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term, and he must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 20-73.
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Belle Chasse Man Pleads Guilty to Bank FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSHUA HOCKLESS, age 29, a resident of Belle Chasse, pled guilty to one count of bank fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. HOCKLESS faces maximum penalties of up to 30 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing is currently set for November 17, 2021 before the Honorable Sarah S. Vance.
According to court records, HOCKLESS was an Army Sergeant in the Headquarters Company, 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse. HOCKLESS had a bank account at the United Services Automobile Association Federal Savings Bank (USAA) and learned that USAA allowed service members to withdraw deposits before the funds formally cleared the issuing bank. Knowing this, HOCKLESS opened bank accounts at third-party banks with minimal funding, made online wire transfers from those banks to USAA, and withdrew the deposits from USAA before it detected that there were insufficient funds in the issuing bank account. HOCKLESS obtained approximately $36,119.47 as a result of these fraudulent transfers between his accounts. HOCKLESS then asked other enlisted personnel to open USAA and third-party bank accounts, and give him their online banking passwords. HOCKLESS used these passwords to make similar fraudulent transfers to their USAA accounts and instructed them when to withdraw the cash to split with HOCKLESS. These transfers resulted in approximately $102,739.74 being fraudulently withdrawn from USAA – approximately half of which ($51,369.57) was received by HOCKLESS.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Army Criminal Investigations Command. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.
Belgian Security Services Company and Three Former Executives Indicted for Bid Rigging on U.S. Department of Defense ContractsRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Belgium-based Seris Security NV (Seris) and three executives for their roles in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for defense-related security services, including a multimillion-dollar contract issued in 2020 to provide security services to the U.S. Department of Defense for military bases and installations in Belgium. This is the second charge and first indictment involving an international conspiracy obtained by the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) and follows G4S Secure Solution NV’s (G4S) agreement to plead guilty in the investigation.
“The companies and individuals indicted are alleged to have rigged bids submitted to the U.S. Department of Defense and others, and abused the public trust placed in them as providers of security services at critical locations,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Richard A. Powers of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “We are committed to prosecuting procurement collusion that victimizes U.S. government agencies, wherever it occurs, and we are determined to hold those who seek to exploit U.S. government programs accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the culmination of extremely well-coordinated, diligent and tireless efforts by the FBI and our law enforcement partners working on the Procurement Collusion Strike Force to root out collusion that targets U.S. taxpayer dollars funding contracts overseas,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office.
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense procurement system,” said Deputy Director Paul K. Sternal of DCIS. “This indictment demonstrates our resolve, alongside Department of Justice and Procurement Collusion Strike Force partners, to bring those who corrupt the competitive DoD contracting process and endanger U.S. national security to justice.”
The indictment, returned in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charges former G4S Chief Executive Officer Jean Paul Van Avermaet; Seris Security NV (Seris); former Seris Chief Executive Officer Danny Vandormael; and former Seris Director of Guarding & Monitoring Peter Verpoort with conspiring to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for contracts for the provision of security services that protect the national security interests of the United States in Belgium. All of the defendants worked in Belgium and are Belgian nationals.
According to the indictment, the charged individuals, on behalf of their companies, along with other co-conspirators, participated in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate customers for contracts to provide security services in Belgium, including contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Those services included protecting military buildings and installations via the physical presence of guards, mobile monitoring and electronic surveillance. As part of the conspiracy, the conspirators agreed in advance which company would win certain security services contracts, and the price that each would bid for the contracts. As a result, the government received non-competitive and inflated bids, and was deprived of a competitive bidding process. The charged conspiracy began as early as spring 2019 and continued until as late as summer 2020.
The defendants are each charged with a violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals and a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine for a Sherman Act charge may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine.
The Antitrust Division’s New York Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated with the assistance of the FBI’s International Corruption Unit New York Field Office, the DCIS’ New York Resident Agency and the Transnational Operations Field Office, the U.S. Army CID’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and other PCSF partners in Europe. Special thanks to the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of State for their assistance.
In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. In fall 2020, the Strike Force expanded its footprint with the launch of PCSF: Global, which is designed to deter, detect, investigate and prosecute collusive schemes that target government spending outside of the United States.
To contact the PCSF, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to the security services industry, go to https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bangor Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
According to court records, on November 12, 2020, agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency executed a search warrant on a motel room in Bangor where Nikolas J. Raines, 29, was staying. Upon searching Raines’ motel room, agents found 310 grams of fentanyl, along with a digital scale, a blender and other drug paraphernalia. They also found a loaded .22 caliber revolver close to the fentanyl. Raines was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of prior Maine felony convictions.
On the drug trafficking charge, Raines faces a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and a supervised release term of between five years and life. On the charge of possessing a firearm in relation to drug trafficking, he faces a minimum of five years and up to life in prison, in addition to the sentence of imprisonment on the drug trafficking charge. On the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, he also faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.
Armed Forces Services Corporation Pays $4.3 Million to Resolve Anti-Kickback Act and False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Armed Forces Services Corporation d/b/a Magellan Federal (“AFSC”), located in Alexandria, agreed to pay $4,342,651 to resolve allegations that three former AFSC executives accepted kickbacks in exchange for awarding subcontracts on federal government contracts, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The United States alleged that from 2010 to 2015, a former AFSC executive directed a subcontractor to mark up the cost of services that the subcontractor provided to AFSC primarily in support of various Wounded Warrior programs. The United Sates further alleged that the former AFSC executive directed the subcontractor to divide the proceeds of the scheme between the subcontractor, the former AFSC executive, and two other former AFSC executives in exchange for awarding the subcontracts.
AFSC’s current ownership submitted a written contractor disclosure to the U.S. Small Business Administration describing potential kickbacks to the former executives, and cooperated in full in the ensuing investigation. The settlement resolves federal civil claims under the Anti-Kickback Act and the False Claims Act.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Hochul and Kristin S. Starr.
The civil claims settled by the settlement agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Albany Man Sentenced for Scamming Charities with Elaborate Drug Diversion SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Defendant Lorenzo Hodges, 62, of Albany, NY, was sentenced today to one and a half years in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $537,769 restitution and to forfeit $40,000 by United States District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain donated medications and return them to the pharmaceutical companies for profit.
The defendant pleaded guilty in May 2019 to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. According to court documents, Hodges and others duped humanitarian organizations into believing that he had selflessly organized international relief missions to deliver medicines to the sick and injured in war-torn areas, but the missions were phony. At the time he was conducting this scheme, Hodges was the General Manager of a legitimate relief agency which provided donated clothing, personal care items, and durable medical equipment to approximately 17 conflict-affected nations worldwide. As such, Hodges was in a unique position to obtain donated pharmaceuticals.
Over a two-year period from 2012 to 2014, the defendant submitted applications under the auspices of his employer asking for donations of antibacterial agents and other medications for serious conditions such as diabetes. Hodges conjured up relief missions that would seem believable, identified fake destinations, and requested medications consistent with the purpose of the bogus trips so as not to raise any red flags. He arranged for the donated drugs to be transported from the donation site to his employer; concealed the drugs in the employer’s warehouse; and then hired a trucking company that transported the drugs to a returns processor using the pharmacy license of a co-conspirator. The returns processor issued refunds to the pharmacist on behalf of the drug manufacturers, believing that the drugs had been legitimately purchased. As a result of the scheme, Hodges and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained refunds totaling approximately $540,000 for medications that had been donated to help suffering people around the world.
“It is difficult to imagine a fraud scheme more callous than scamming a charity on behalf of people suffering in the midst of war,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “But that is exactly what this defendant did to satisfy his own callous greed. Thanks to the investigative work of our law enforcement partners, Hodges will now spend time behind bars for his crime.”
“Under the guise of charity, Lorenzo Hodges amassed donated medications meant for vulnerable people in conflict zones, returned them, and banked the proceeds,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Imagine profiting by purposely exploiting the mass suffering of others. The selfishness on display here is breathtaking. The FBI is gratified to help bring Mr. Hodges to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney M. Beth Leahy.
48-Year-Old Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Jesus Navarrate, 48, a Mexican citizen, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in February 2009, a federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee returned a one count indictment charging Navarrate with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §846.
The investigation into his drug trafficking organization began in September 2007. The organization was found to be responsible for importing approximately 1,950 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico to the Western District of Tennessee utilizing vehicles with hidden compartments. Navarrate was extradited from Mexico to the Western District of Tennessee to face charges.
In November 2020, the defendant pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 450 kilograms or more of cocaine.
On June 28, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr., sentenced Navarrate to 240 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. This prosecution is part of an investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations and organized criminal enterprises, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Kimbril-Parks and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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29 June 2021
司法部就得克薩斯州本德堡縣法院的語言訪問和報復調查達成和解Read the Press Release
華盛頓——今天，司法部宣布與本德堡縣（FBC）達成和解協議，以改善英語水平有限 （ LEP）的人的法庭使用情況。
該協議解決了司法部對以下指控的調查：FBC法院基於民族血統歧視 有限英語人士 （LEP ） 的法院用戶，並對投訴人進行報復，兩者都違反了《1964年民權法案》第六章。第六章禁止聯邦財政援助的接受者如 FBC進行種族、膚色或民族歧視。該部門的調查發現，語言障礙使LEP人士難以有效地使用法院系統。這些障礙包括要求LEP刑事被告在認罪程序中使用雙語律師而不是合格翻譯，以及在兒童監護案件中導致LEP父母的法庭費用增加的政策。
“當英語水平有限的人士面臨語言障礙，無法有效我們的司法系統時，他們可能會失去他們的孩子、家庭和基本權利，”民權司助理檢察長克里斯汀·克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示。“民權司將繼續奮鬥到底，以確保法院消除使人們無法獲得平等司法的障礙。我讚揚本德堡縣採取必要的行動，確保法院用戶的語言使用權利，以遵守《民權法案》第六章 。”
“本德堡是我們地區最多樣化的縣之一，”德克薩斯州南部地區的代理美國檢察官馬克· 唐納利（Mark Donnelly）認為。“這項協議將確保每個人都能訴諸我們的法庭，而不論其民族血統或英語水平如何”。
根據該協議，FBC將在FBC法院的民事和刑事案件中免費為LEP個人提供翻譯服務。FBC法院還將在明年審查其語言訪問計劃，為FBC法院制定強制性的第六章培訓，提供第六章報復培訓，並發布公告，用非英語語言解釋第六章的非歧視政策和投訴程序。該部門將對這些要求和其他要求進行為期兩年的監測。FBC還同意向LEP法庭使用者支付法庭費用和向聲稱受到報復的人士支付賠償金。
執行第六章是民權處的首要任務。有關民權處的其他信息可在其網站 www.justice.gov/crt 找到，有關英語水平有限和第六章的信息可在 www.lep.gov 找到。公眾可以通過 https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 舉報可能侵犯其公民權利的行為。
司法部对得克萨斯州本德堡县法院关于语言公平与报复的调查达成和解Read the Press Release
华盛顿——司法部今日宣布与本德堡县 (FBC) 达成和解协议，以改善英语能力有限 (LEP) 人士获取司法服务的机会。
该协议结束了司法部对 FBC 法院存在针对 LEP 司法服务对象的基于国籍的歧视，并报复投诉人的指控的调查，这两项指控均违反了 1964 年《民权法案》第六章。第六章禁止联邦财政援助接受方（如 FBC）进行基于种族、肤色或国籍的歧视。司法部的调查发现语言障碍使 LEP 人士难以有效地使用司法系统的服务。语言障碍包括要求 LEP 刑事被告在认罪程序中使用双语律师而非合格口译员，以及导致 LEP 父母在儿童监护案件中需要支付更高法庭费用的政策。
民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 说：“英语水平有限的人在面临语言障碍，无法有效使用司法系统时，可能会失去孩子、家庭和自身的基本权利。民权司将继续努力确保法院消除阻碍人们获得平等司法的障碍。 我赞扬本德堡县采取的必要行动，确保司法服务对象能够根据《民权法》第六章获得语言支持。”
“本德堡是我们地区最多元化的县之一，”德克萨斯州南区美国联邦代理检察官马克·唐纳利（Mark Donnelly）说。 “该协议将确保每个人，无论其国籍或英语水平如何都可以使用我们的司法服务。”
根据该协议，FBC 将在其法院的民事和刑事案件中为 LEP 个人免费提供口译服务。FBC 法院还将在明年审查其语言服务计划，制定针对《民权法案》第六章的强制性培训，提供第六条下报复行为的培训，并发布用非英语语言解释第六条非歧视政策和投诉程序的公告。司法部将监测以上计划和其他要求的执行情况，为期两年。 FBC 还同意向 LEP 个人支付诉讼费用的赔偿金，以及向涉嫌受到报复行为的个人支付赔偿金。
《民权法案》第六章的执行是民权司的首要任务。 关于民权司的更多信息可在其网站 www.justice.gov/crt 上获得，有关英语能力限制和第六章的信息可在 www.lep.gov 上获得。 公众可以在 https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 投诉任何可能侵犯其民权的行为。
‘Doctor Bitcoin’ Pleads Guilty to Illegal Cash-to-Crypto SchemeRead the Press Release
A Richardson man who calls himself “Doctor Bitcoin” has pleaded guilty to illegally operating a cash-to-cryptocurrency conversion business, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Mark Alexander Hopkins, 42, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. (He was charged via a criminal information on July 29, 2021.)
“This defendant ignored federal law and allowed fraudsters to use Bitcoin to operate under the radar of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “We are determined to rid the Bitcoin marketplace of anyone who knowingly helps criminal actors stash illegal profits inside crypto wallets.”
According to plea papers, Mr. Hopkins admitted he ran a business that converted U.S. dollars to cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin, for a fee. He frequently sent BTC to customers’ crypto wallets without taking additional steps in verifying the source of the cash, he admitted.
In September 2019, a customer identified in court documents as “M.H.” approached Mr. Hopkins to convert U.S. dollars to BTC. The money Mr. Hopkins received from M.H. stemmed from a lottery scam he was running with a coconspirator in Nigeria.
Mr. Hopkins admitted he promised not to get involved in the details of M.H’s business dealings, but told M.H. how to circumvent financial institution reporting requirements by keeping deposits under $9,500, and directed M.H. to lie to financial institutions about the purpose of the business:
“I’m set up as a marketing company, so tell them you’re paying for a marketing campaign,” he said.
Over the course of about a year, Mr. Hopkins conducted 37 transactions with M.H., converting between $550,000 and $1.5 million, he said.
The defendant admitted he was not licensed to engage in the business of transmitting money within the states where he practiced, nor was he registered as a money transmitting business with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He failed to follow federal laws that require money transmitting businesses to verify customers’ names, date of birth, and address – a law aimed at identifying those engaged in unlawful activity – and failed to file currency transaction reports for high-value cash-in transactions.
Mr. Hopkins now faces up to five years in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sid Mody is prosecuting the case.
ടെക്ാസിടെ ഫ ാർട്ട്ടെൻഡ്കൗണ്ടിയിടെ ഫകാെതികളുടെ ഭാഷാആക്സുും പ്രതികാരഅഫവേഷണവുും വീതിവയായ വകുപ്പ തീർപ്പാക്കുന്നുRead the Press Release
Download Malayalam DOJ FBC MOA Press Release
ન્યાય વિભાગ, ટેક્સાસના ફોટટબેન્ડ કાઉન્ટીમાાંઅદાલતોની ભાષાની ઉપલબ્ધી અનેબદલા તપાસની પતાિટ કર ેછRead the Press Release
Download Gujarati DOJ FBC MOA Press Release
फोर्ट बेंड काउंर्ी, र्ेक्सास में न्यायालयों की भाषा पहंच और प्रतिशोध जांच का तिपर्ारा करिा है जस्टिस तडपार्टमेंर्Read the Press Release
वाश िंगटन - जस्टिस शिपाटटमेंट ने आज सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता (LEP) वाले लोगोिं के शलए न्यायालयोिं तक पहिंच में सुधार के शलए फोटट बेंि काउिंटी (FBC) के साथ एक समझौते की घोषणा की।
यह समझौता उन आरोपोिं के शलए जस्टिस शिपाटटमेंट की जािंच का समाधान करता है शजसमें कहा गया था शक FBC न्यायालयोिं ने सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले न्यायालय उपयोगकताटओिं के साथ उनके राष्ट्र ीय मूल के आधार पर भेदभाव शकया और एक श कायतकताट के स्टिलाफ प्रशत ोधात्मक कारटवाई की, ये दोनोिं ही आरोप 1964 के शसशवल राइट्स एक्ट के ीषटक VI का उल्लिंघन करते हैं। ीषटक VI में FBC जैसी सिंघीय शवत्तीय सहायता के प्राप्तकताटओिं द्वारा नस्ल, रिंग या राष्ट्र ीय मूल के आधार पर भेदभाव को प्रशतबिंशधत शकया गया है। शवभाग की जााँच ने भाषा अवरोधोिं को उजागर शकया जो सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले लोगोिं के शलए न्यायालय प्रणाली को अथटपूणट ढिंग से एक्सेस करना कशिन बनाते हैं। इन अवरोधोिं में ऐसी आवश्यकताएिं ाशमल थी शजसके अनुसार सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले आपराशधक प्रशतवादी के शलए याशचका कायटवाही में योग्य दुभाशषया के बजाय शद्वभाषी वकील का उपयोग करना जरूरी था, और ऐसी नीशतयािं थीिं शजसके पररणामस्वरूप बाल शहरासत मामलोिं में सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले माता-शपता के शलए न्यायालय के िचट उच्चतर हो जाते थे।
शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन के सहायक अटॉनी जनरल शििन क्लाकट ने कहा, "सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले लोग अपने बच्चोिं, घरोिं और मौशलक अशधकारोिं के नुकसान का सामना कर सकते हैं, जब वे भाषा सिंबिंधी बाधाओिं का सामना करते हैं जो हमारी न्याशयक प्रणाली तक साथटक पहिंच से विंशचत करते हैं।" " शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन यह सुशनशित करने के शलए सिंघषट जारी रिेगा शक न्यायालय उन बाधाओिं को दू र करें जो लोगोिं को समान न्याय तक पहिंच से विंशचत करती हैं। शसशवल राइट्स एक्टके ीषटक VI के अनुपालन में न्यायालय के उपयोगकताटओिं के शलए भाषा की पहिंच सुशनशित करने के शलए आवश्यक कारटवाई करने पर मैं फोटट बेंि काउिंटी की सराहना करती हिं।"
"फोटट बेंि हमारे शजले में सबसे शवशवधतापूणट काउिंशटयोिं में से एक है," टेक्सास के दशक्षणी शजले के शलए कायटवाहक अमेररकी अटॉनी माकट िोनेली ने कहा। "यह समझौता सुशनशित करेगा शक राष्ट्र ीय मूल या सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता के बावजूद सभी व्यस्टियोिं की पहिंच हमारे न्यायालयोिं तक हो।"
समझौते के तहत, FBC न्यायालयोिं में दीवानी और आपराशधक मामलोिं में सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले व्यस्टियोिं को मुफ्त दुभाशषया सेवाएिं प्रदान करेगा। FBC न्यायालय अगले वषट अपनी भाषा पहिंच योजनाओिं की समीक्षा करेंगी, FBC न्यायालयोिं के शलए अशनवायट ीषटक VI प्रश क्षण शवकशसत करेंगी, ीषटक VI प्रशत ोध प्रश क्षण देंगी, और सावटजशनक नोशटस जारी करेंगी जो गैर-अिंग्रेजी भाषाओिं में ीषटक VI की गैर-भेदभाव नीशत और श कायत प्रशिया की व्याख्या करती हैं। शवभाग के द्वारा इन और अन्य आवश्यकताओिं की दो वषट तक शनगरानी की जाएगी। FBC ने सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता वाले उपयोगकताट को न्यायालय के िचों के शलए और प्रशत ोध का आरोप लगाने वाले व्यस्टि को हजाटने का भुगतान करने पर भी सहमशत व्यि की।
ीषटक VI को लागू करना शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन की सवोच्च प्राथशमकता है। शसशवल राइट्स शिवीजन के बारे में अशतररि जानकारी उनकी वेबसाइट www.justice.gov/crt पर उपलब्ध है और सीशमत अिंग्रेजी दक्षता तथा ीषटक VI के बारे में जानकारी www.lep.gov पर उपलब्ध है। जनता नागररक अशधकारोिं के सिंभाशवत उल्लिंघन की ररपोटट https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ पर कर सकते हैं।
یئاوراک یماقتنا روا یئاسر ےس ےلاوح ےک نابز ںیم ںوتلادع یک ساسکیٹ ،یٹنؤاک ڈنیب ٹروف ےن فاصنا ہ مکحمRead the Press Release
واﺷﻧﮕﭨن – آج ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ ِ اﻧﺻﺎف ﻧﮯ ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯽ )Fort Bend County, FBC( ﮐﮯﺳﺎﺗﮭ اﯾﮏ ﺗﺻﻔﯾﮯ ﮐﮯ ﻣُﻌﺎﮨدے ﮐﺎ اﻋﻼن ﮐﯾﺎ ﺗﺎﮐہ اﻧﮕرﯾزی زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت (limited English proficiency, LEP) رﮐﮭﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ اﻓراد ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﻋداﻟت ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮐو ﺑﮩﺗر ﺑﻧﺎﯾﺎ ﺟﺎﺋﮯ۔
ﯾہ ﻣﻌﺎﮨده ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ ِ اﻧﺻﺎف ﮐﯽ ان اﻟزاﻣﺎت ﮐﮯ ﻣﺗﻌﻠﻖ ﺗﻔﺗﯾش ﮐو ﺗﮑﻣﯾل ﺗﮏ ﭘﮩﻧﭼﺎﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ ﮐہ FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﻧﮯ ﻋداﻟت ﮐﮯ LEP ﺻﺎرﻓﯾن ﮐﮯ ﺧﻼف اُن ﮐﯽ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﮐﯽ ﺑﻧﯾﺎد ﭘر ﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﯽ اور اﯾﮏ ﺷﮑﺎﯾت ﮐُﻧﻧده ﮐﮯ ﺧِ ﻼف اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﯽ، ﯾہ دوﻧوں اﻗداﻣﺎت 1964ء ﮐﮯ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس اﯾﮑٹ ﮐﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺧِ ﻼف ورزی ﮨﯾں۔ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI وﻓﺎﻗﯽ ﻣﺎﻟﯽ ﻣﻌﺎوﻧت ﮐﮯ وﺻُول ﮐُﻧﻧدﮔﺎن، ﺟﯾﺳﮯ FBC، ﮐﯽ ﺟﺎﻧب ﺳﮯ ﻧﺳل، رﻧﮓ ﯾﺎ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﮐﯽ ﺑُﻧﯾﺎد ﭘرﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﯾﮯ ﺟﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ ﻣُﻣﺎﻧﻌت ﮐرﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ۔ ﻣﺣﮑﻣﮯ ﮐﯽ ﺗﻔﺗﯾش ﺳﮯ اﯾﺳﯽ ﻟﺳﺎﻧﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐﺎ اﻧﮑﺷﺎف ﮨوا ﺟو LEP ﻓوﺟداری ﻣدﻋﺎ ﻋﻠﯾﮩﺎن ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﻧظﺎم ﺗﮏ ﺻﺣﯾﺢ ﻣﻌﻧوں ﻣﯾں رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺣﺎﺻِ ل ﮐرﻧﮯ ﮐو ﻣﺷﮑل ﺑﻧﺎﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں۔ اِن رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﻣﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ ﺷراﺋط ﺷﺎﻣل ﺗﮭﯾں ﮐہ درﺧواﺳت ﭘر ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﮯ دوران LEP ﻓوﺟداری ﻣدﻋﺎ ﻋﻠﯾﮩﺎن اﯾﮏ ﻣﺳﺗﻧد ﺗرﺟُﻣﺎن ﮐﮯ ﺑﺟﺎﺋﮯ دو زﺑﺎﻧﯾں ﺑوﻟﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ وﮐﯾل ﮐﯽ ﺧدﻣﺎت ﺣﺎﺻل ﮐرﯾں اور اﯾﺳﯽ ﭘﺎﻟﯾﺳﯾﺎں ﺟن ﮐﮯ ﻧﺗﯾﺟﮯ ﻣﯾں LEP واﻟدﯾن ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﺑﭼوں ﮐﯽ ﺗﺣوﯾل ﮐﮯ ﻣﻘدﻣﺎت ﮐﮯ ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ اﺧراﺟﺎت ﺑڑھ ﺟﺎﺗﮯ ﺗﮭﮯ۔
اﻧﮕرﯾزی زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت رﮐﮭﻧﮯ واﻟﮯ اﻓراد اﭘﻧﮯ ﺑﭼّوں، ﮔﮭروں اور ﺑُﻧﯾﺎدی ﺣﻘوق ﮐﮭوﻧﮯ ﮐﺎ ﻧُﻘﺻﺎن اُﭨﮭﺎ ﺳﮑﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں ﺟب اُﻧﮩﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ ﻟِﺳﺎﻧﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐﺎ ﺳﺎﻣﻧﺎ ﮨوﺗﺎ ﮨﮯ ﺟو ﮨﻣﺎرے ﻗﺎﻧوﻧﯽ ﻧظﺎم ﺗﮏ ﺻﺣﯾﺢ ﻣﻌﻧوں ﻣﯾں رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮨوﻧﮯ
ﺳﮯ ﻣﺣروم ﮐر دﯾﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں،" ﯾہ ﺑﺎت ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﯽ اﺳﺳﭨﻧٹ اﭨﺎرﻧﯽ ﺟﻧرل ﮐرﺳﭨن ﮐﻼرک ﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ۔ "ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن اس ﺑﺎت ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ اﭘﻧﯽ ﺟﻧﮓ ﺟﺎری رﮐّﮭﮯ ﮔﺎ ﮐہ ﻋداﻟﺗﯾں اﯾﺳﯽ رُﮐﺎوﭨوں ﮐو دُور ﮐرﯾں ﺟو ﻟوﮔوں ﮐو ﯾﮑﺳﺎں اﻧﺻﺎف ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺳﮯ ﻣﺣروم ﮐرﺗﯽ ﮨﯾں۔ ﻣﯾں ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯽ ﮐﯽ اﯾﺳﮯ ﺿروری اﻗداﻣﺎت ﮐرﻧﮯ ﭘر ﺗﻌرﯾف ﮐرﺗﯽ ﮨُوں ﺟو ﺳِول راﺋﭨس اﯾﮑٹ ﮐﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗﻌﻣﯾل ﻣﯾں ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﺻﺎرﻓﯾن ﮐو ﻟِﺳﺎﻧﯽ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﻣِﻠﻧﮯ ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں۔"ﻓورٹ ﺑﯾﻧڈ ﮨﻣﺎری ڈﺳﭨرﮐٹ ﻣﯾں ﺳب ﺳﮯ زﯾﺎده ﻣﺗﻧوع ﮐﺎؤﻧﭨﯾز ﻣﯾں ﺳﮯ اﯾﮏ ﮨﮯ،" ﯾہ ﺑﺎت ﭨﯾﮑﺳﺎس ﮐﯽ ﺟﻧوﺑﯽ ڈﺳﭨرﮐٹ
ﮐﮯ ﻗﺎﺋم ﻣﻘﺎم اﻣرﯾﮑﯽ اﭨﺎرﻧﯽ ﻣﺎرک ڈوﻧﯾﻠﯽ ﻧﮯ ﮐﮩﯽ۔ "ﯾہ ﻣُﻌﺎﮨده اِس ﺑﺎت ﮐو ﯾﻘﯾﻧﯽ ﺑﻧﺎﺋﮯ ﮔﺎ ﮐہ آﺑﺎﺋﯽ ﻗوﻣﯾت ﯾﺎ اﻧﮕرﯾزی
زﺑﺎن ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﻗﺎﺑﻠﯾت ﺳﮯ ﻗطﻊ ﻧظر ﮨر اﯾﮏ ﮐو ﮨﻣﺎری ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﺗﮏ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﺣﺎﺻل ﮨو۔اِس ﻣُﻌﺎﮨدے ﮐﮯ ﺗﺣت FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﻣﯾں دﯾواﻧﯽ اور ﻓوﺟداری ﻣُﻘدّﻣﺎت ﻣﯾں LEP اﻓراد ﮐو ﺗرﺟُﻣﺎﻧﯽ ﮐﯽ ﺧِ دﻣﺎت FBC ﻣﻔت ﻓراﮨم ﮐرے ﮔﺎ۔ FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗﯾں اﮔﻠﮯ ﺳﺎل ﺑﮭر ﻣﯾں اﭘﻧﮯ ﻟﺳﺎﻧﯽ رﺳﺎﺋﯽ ﮐﮯﻣﻧﺻوﺑوں ﮐﺎ ﺟﺎﺋزه ﺑﮭﯽ ﻟﯾں ﮔﯽ، FBC ﮐﯽ ﻋداﻟﺗوں ﮐﮯ ﻟﯾﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﻻزﻣﯽ ﺗرﺑﯾت ﻣرﺗب ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ، اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﮯ ﺣواﻟﮯ ﺳﮯ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗرﺑﯾت ﻓراﮨم ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ اور ﻋواﻣﯽ ﻧوﭨﺳوں ﮐﺎ اﺟرا ﮐرﯾں ﮔﯽ ﺟو ﮐہ ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﯽ ﺗﻔرﯾﻖ ﮐﮯ ﺧﻼف ﭘﺎﻟﯾﺳﯽ اور ﺷﮑﺎﯾت ﮐﮯ ﻋﻣل ﮐﯽ اﻧﮕرﯾزی ﮐﮯ ﻋﻼوه زﺑﺎﻧوں ﻣﯾں وﺿﺎﺣت ﮐرﯾں ﮔﮯ۔ ﻣﺣﮑﻣہ اِن ﺷراﺋط اور دﯾﮕر ﺷراﺋط ﮐﯽ دو ﺳﺎل ﺗﮏ
ﻧِﮕراﻧﯽ ﮐرے ﮔﺎ۔ FBC ﻧﮯ اﯾﮏ LEP ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ ﺻﺎرف اور اﯾﮏ اور ﻓرد ﺟس ﻧﮯ اﻧﺗﻘﺎﻣﯽ ﮐﺎرواﺋﯽ ﮐﺎ اﻟزام ﻋﺎﺋد ﮐﯾﺎ ﺗﮭﺎ، ﮐو ﻋداﻟﺗﯽ اﺧراﺟﺎت ﮐﯽ ﻣد ﻣﯾں ﮨرﺟﺎﻧﮯ ﮐﯽ اداﺋﯾﮕﯽ ﮐرﻧﮯ ﭘر ﺑﮭﯽ اﺗﻔﺎق ﮐﯾﺎ۔
ﭨل VI ﮐﺎ ﻧِﻔﺎذ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﯽ اوّ ﻟﯾن ﺗرﺟﯾﺣﺎت ﻣﯾں ﺳﮯ ﮨﮯ۔ ﺳِول راﺋﭨس ڈوﯾژن ﮐﮯ ﺑﺎرے ﻣﯾں اِﺿﺎﻓﯽ
ﻣﻌﻠوﻣﺎت اِس ﮐﯽ وﯾب ﺳﺎﺋٹ www.justice.gov/crt ﭘر دﺳﺗﯾﺎب ﮨﯾں، اور اﻧﮕرﯾزی ﮐﯽ ﻣﺣدود ﺻﻼﺣﯾت اور ﭨﺎﺋﭨل VI ﮐﮯ ﻣﺗﻌﻠﻖ ﻣزﯾد ﻣﻌﻠوﻣﺎت www.lep.gov ﭘر دﺳﺗﯾﺎب ﮨﯾں۔ ﻋوام اﻟﻧﺎس ﺷﮩری ﺣﻘوق ﮐﯽ ﻣﻣﮑﻧہ ﺧﻼف ورزﯾوں ﮐﯽ رﭘورٹ https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ ﭘر ﮐر ﺳﮑﺗﮯ ﮨﯾں۔وزارة العدل األمريكية تبرم اتفاقية تسوية بشأن التحقيق الخاص بإزالة الحواجز اللغوية واالنتقام في محاكم مقاطعة فورت بيند، تكساسRead the Press Release
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Whittier Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. —Antonio Castellanos, 38, of Whittier, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Castellanos, Genaro Serrato-Calles, aka Alejandro, aka Meno, 51; Antonio Valencia-Hernandez, aka Tito, 65, both of Modesto; and Jose Reyes-Pineda, 48, of Anaheim were charged with conspiring over a two-year period to distribute methamphetamine in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. In pleading guilty, Castellanos admitted to working with individuals in Mexico to distribute methamphetamine in the United States and, on one occasion, arranging for the shipment of over 20 pounds of methamphetamine to Serrato-Calles.
Castellanos is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Oct. 18. Castellanos faces a statutory mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
A jury trial is set for Serrato-Calles, Valencia-Hernandez, and Reyes-Pineda for Sept. 8. They are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force; the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force; the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency; and the Orange County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
West Union Methamphetamine Dealer Who Sexually Assaulted a Woman Sentenced to More Than Sixteen Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sexually assaulted a woman after he distributed methamphetamine to her was sentenced on June 25, 2021, to more than sixteen years in federal prison.
Herman Lee Ronnfeldt, age 56, from West Union, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 15, 2021 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Information from sentencing showed that Ronnfeldt, a convicted sex offender, was living in West Union, Iowa, in late 2018. In December 2018, law enforcement officers searched his apartment and located more than eighty grams of methamphetamine. Witnesses testified at sentencing that Ronnfeldt regularly distributed methamphetamine to people at his apartment. On one such occasion, Ronnfeldt distributed methamphetamine to a woman that caused her to feel ill. He then sexually assaulted her.
Ronnfeldt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. In sentencing Ronnfeldt, Judge Williams noted that Ronnfeldt’s criminal conduct had not slowed down with age, and that Ronnfeldt had continued to distribute dangerous drugs and commit sexual assaults. Judge Williams found that the appropriate sentence was 224 months’ imprisonment. Judge Williams adjusted the sentence to account for time Ronnfeldt had spent in custody for related offenses to 194 months and 20 days’ imprisonment. Ronnfeldt must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ronnfeldt is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the West Union Police Department, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2026.
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Watertown Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Daniel J. Borg, 43, of Watertown, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possession of controlled substances (heroin/fentanyl and eutylone) with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna Mills.
As part of his guilty plea, Daniel J. Borg admitted that on January 21, 2021 he was in possession of 305 grams of eutylone as well as 30 separate bags of a heroin/fentanyl mixture in an Audi automobile that he parked at a self-storage area in Watertown where he leased a unit. Detectives from the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force (Met-Jeff) surveilled Borg as he was about to enter his locked storage unit. After taking Borg into custody and recovering the drugs from the Audi, Met-Jeff Detectives obtained Borg’s consent to search his locked storage unit. Inside the storage unit Met-Jeff Detectives located a safe containing 500 separate small plastic bags, each holding a small quantity of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. Also recovered from the storage unit was a sawed-off .410-gauge shotgun illegally possessed by Borg, who was previously convicted of five (5) prior felony offenses.
Sentencing is scheduled October 19, 2021, at which time Borg faces a maximum sentence of up to 20-years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a minimum term of supervised release of 5 years and up to life for his conviction for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. He faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5-years, and up to life for his conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and up to 10-years imprisonment for possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case is being investigated by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, consisting of Detectives from the City of Watertown Police Department, Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, and Special Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Used Motor Vehicle Dealers Sentenced in Odometer Tampering SchemeRead the Press Release
Yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Shmuel Gali was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 60 months’ imprisonment for his role in a long-running odometer tampering and money laundering scheme and ordered to pay $3,936,000 in restitution. The defendant pleaded guilty in August 2020 to conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit odometer tampering, making false odometer statements and securities fraud.
“An automobile is one of the biggest purchases many consumers make,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Misrepresenting used car mileages defrauds buyers and hides important information concerning safety and reliability. The Department of Justice will continue to work with law enforcement partners to prosecute odometer fraud.”
“This sentence sends a warning that this office will prosecute those who engage in odometer tampering and deliberately dupe consumers into unknowingly paying inflated prices for their motor vehicles,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis for the Eastern District of New York. “With the defendant being sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution to his victims, he is being held to account for his greed in contriving this fraudulent scheme.”
“Automobile sales stand as one of the pillars of the American economy, requiring transparency and integrity,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “The financial expertise of IRS-CI was needed to uncover this criminal enterprise perpetuated by Shmuel Gali who received a just sentence relative to his criminal activity.”
Between 2006 and June 2011, Shmuel Gali, while conspiring with his brother Chaim, defrauded buyers of used motor vehicles by misrepresenting the mileage of approximately 690 vehicles that they sold. They used fictitious dealer names to purchase high-mileage, used motor vehicles from a national vehicle-leasing company; altered the odometers of the vehicles to reflect false, lower mileages; and then sold the vehicles at wholesale automobile auctions. On average, the odometers on the vehicles were rolled back by close to 70,000 miles. Consumers who purchased the vehicles at dealerships did not know the true mileage and paid inflated sales prices.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation and IRS-CI.
Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine M. Mirabile of the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.
NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud in the United States results in consumer losses of more than $1 billion annually. Individuals with information relating to odometer tampering should call NHTSA’s odometer fraud hotline at (800) 424-9393 or (202) 366-4761. More information on odometer fraud is available on the NHTSA website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/odometer-fraud.
Used Car Dealer Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Odometer Tampering SchemeRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Shmuel Gali was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 60 months’ imprisonment for his role in a long-running odometer tampering and money laundering scheme, and ordered to pay $3,936,000 in restitution. The defendant pleaded guilty in August 2020 to conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit odometer tampering, making false odometer statements and securities fraud.
Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Brian M. Boynton, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and Thomas Fattorusso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced the sentence.
“The sentence sends a warning that this Office will prosecute those who engage in odometer tampering and deliberately dupe consumers into unknowingly paying inflated prices for their motor vehicles,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Kasulis. “With the defendant being sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution to his victims, he is being held to account for his greed in contriving this fraudulent scheme.”
“An automobile is one of the biggest purchases many consumers make,” stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Boynton. “Misrepresenting used car mileages defrauds buyers and hides important information concerning safety and reliability. The Department of Justice will continue to work with law enforcement partners to prosecute odometer fraud.”
“Automobile sales stand as one of the pillars of the American economy requiring transparency and integrity,” stated Acting IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso. “The financial expertise of IRS-CI was needed to uncover this criminal enterprise perpetuated by Shmuel Gali who received a just sentence relative to his criminal activity.”
Between 2006 and June 2011, Shmuel Gali, while conspiring with his brother Chaim, defrauded buyers of used motor vehicles by misrepresenting the mileage of approximately 690 vehicles that they sold. They used fictitious dealer names to purchase high mileage, used motor vehicles from a national vehicle leasing company, altered the odometers of the vehicles to reflect false, lower mileages, and then sold the vehicles at wholesale automobile auctions. On average, the odometers on the vehicles were rolled back by close to 70,000 miles. Consumers who purchased the vehicles at dealerships did not know the true mileage and paid inflated sales prices.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Catherine M. Mirabile of the Eastern District of New York and Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.
The Defendant:
SHMUEL GALI (also known as “Sam Gali”)
Age: 48
Brooklyn, New York; IsraelE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CR-652 (KAM)
United States Attorney’s Office Resolves False Claims Act Investigation into Improper Submission of Federal Health Care Claims by Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern VermontRead the Press Release
UPDATE
The HCRS Settlement Agreement has been attached to this Press Release.
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that it has resolved its investigation into whether Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont (“HCRS”) failed to screen its employees and improperly submitted to the government claims for services provided by an individual barred from receiving payments from federally funded health care programs.
“It is imperative that organizations such as HCRS that provide important mental health, substance abuse, and developmental services to Vermonters, carefully vet their employees to ensure that all requirements are followed and taxpayer money is not paid out improperly,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. “I commend HCRS for bringing this issue to the government’s attention and committing to make changes to the ways in which it screens prospective and current employees so that it does not happen again.”
As a health care entity submitting claims to federally-funded health care programs, HCRS must ensure that its employees are not included on the exclusion list created and maintained by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG-HHS”). OIG-HHS may exclude individuals and entities from participation in these programs for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to fraud. For a period of nearly 10 years, HCRS employed an excluded individual and submitted claims on the person’s behalf for reimbursement to Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare, thereby violating the federal False Claims Act. In addition, the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office (“MFRAU”) concluded that HCRS also violated the Vermont False Claims Act.
To resolve the claims against it, HCRS has agreed to pay to the United States and State of Vermont a total of $170,037.76 and already has begun the payment process. The settlement amount reflects a cooperation credit in light of HCRS’s self-disclosure of the violation, assistance with the investigation, and voluntary adoption of remedial measures to guard against improper employment and claim submission in the future.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Almquist Lively handled this matter for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, in partnership with Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth L. Anderson, Director of MFRAU. Anne E. Cramer and Kevin M. Henry of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC represented HCRS.
HCRS Settlement AgreementU.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, and AARP Nevada Partner to Protect Nevadans from Gift Card FraudRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, FBI Las Vegas Field Office, and AARP Nevada will host an interactive telephonic town hall on June 30, at 10 a.m. PDT, to share information about common gift card fraud schemes and prevention tips.
During the hour-long town hall, an Assistant U.S. Attorney and FBI Supervisory Special Agent will discuss common scams to be aware of and provide tips to protect you and your loved ones. Following the presentations, callers will have the opportunity to ask questions.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2020, Nevadans over the age of 60 lost more than $36.5M. In fact, Nevada ranked first among all states for the number of total fraud reports in 2020 with 35,533.
To join the toll-free telephonic town hall, register at https://aarp.cvent.com/events/aarp-nv-gift-card-scams-tth-statewide-6-30-2021/event-summary-8b14e7f171034e6fb1c3fb7278fee296.aspx. In addition to joining the town hall by phone, AARP members and the community at large may join online by going to the AARP Nevada Facebook page at facebook.com/aarpnv.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
In addition, you can report potential elder fraud to the FBI at www.ic3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324). Similarly, you can call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam. You can also find tip sheets and sign up for fraud alerts at the Fraud Watch Network site, www.aarp.org/fraud.
To learn more about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop elder fraud, please visit the Elder Justice website at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
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Two felons sentenced to prison for scheme to steal thousands in COVID-19 unemployment insurance fundsRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Two Florida residents who crashed their car while fleeing from a traffic stop have been sentenced to federal prison for colluding in a scheme to steal pandemic unemployment funds.
Malik Abdul McCaully, 43, of Tampa, Fla., and Tamesha Lashelle Brown, 41, of Dade City, Fla., were sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to Informations charging each of them with conspiring to commit various offenses, including mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, disaster relief fraud, and access device fraud, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. also ordered each defendant to pay $137,195 in restitution to the state of Pennsylvania, and to serve three years of supervised release after completion of their prison terms.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“These two criminals used access to technology to scam money out of unemployment benefits programs created specifically to help people who were struggling during the pandemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “But all their high-tech scheming came to a crashing halt when they tried to outrun police officers on I-95.”
As described in court documents and proceedings, McCaully and Brown’s criminal history spanned decades. McCaully has 39 prior convictions, including convictions for cocaine trafficking, robbery, and aggravated assault with a firearm. Brown, meanwhile, has 17 prior convictions that included offenses for grand theft, delivering cocaine, and aggravated child abuse. From about July to October 2020, the two worked together to obtain victims’ personal identifying information, without those individuals’ knowledge or consent, and then used that information to file fraudulent applications for unemployment assistance, including with the State of Pennsylvania. The two posed as the applicants when communicating with banks distributing the payments. After fraudulently obtaining bank cards preloaded with more than $130,000 in unemployment insurance funds, Brown and McCaully traveled to various ATMs in Pennsylvania, withdrawing thousands of dollars.
The two came to the attention of law enforcement in the early morning hours of Oct. 3, 2020, when a vehicle driven by McCaully sped from an attempted traffic stop by Jasper County, S.C., sheriff’s deputies on Interstate 95. McCaully eventually crashed the vehicle in Pooler, Georgia, and he – and his passenger, Brown – were taken into custody. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement recovered more than $20,000 in cash, dozens of prepaid debit cards issued by states’ unemployment insurance funds in the names of others, as well as several false identifications that the two had used.
“These sentences take two career criminals off the street for a substantial amount of time, effectively removing a threat against our law-abiding citizens,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Had it not been for the awareness of our local and state law enforcement partners, and our federal partners, these two would have continued to target those in need of assistance and every American taxpayer.”
“Those who prey on systems created to help our fellow man are among the most dastardly people we have the duty to bring to justice,” said Steven Baisel, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service. “They can’t outrun the long arm of the law.”
“Malik McCaully and Tamesha Brown engaged in a scheme to defraud the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by submitting fraudulent claims for benefits using PII belonging other individuals. Unemployment insurance programs exist to provide needed assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed or underemployed due to no fault of their own. Fraud against these programs causes state workforce agencies, like the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, to redirect valuable resources to address fraud to ensure benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and our many law enforcement partners to investigate those who exploit the unemployment insurance program,” said Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Pooler Police Department, Port Wentworth Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol investigated the case. It was prosecuted for the United States by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
Please report COVID-19 fraud, hoarding or price-gouging to the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s National Hotline at (866) 720-5721, or go to justice.gov/disastercomplaintform.
Two brothers sentenced in scheme to use drone to smuggle contraband into a Georgia state prisonRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: Two brothers have been sentenced in U.S. District Court after admitting to a scheme to use a drone to smuggle contraband into a Georgia state prison.
George Lo, 27, of Powder Springs, Ga., was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Owning an Unregistered Aircraft that was Operated, Attempted to be Operated, or Allowed to be Operated by another person, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Lo’s brother, Nicholas Lo, 25, of Dallas, Ga., was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Serving or Attempting to Serve as an Airman Without an Airman’s Certificate. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. also ordered each man to serve one year of supervised release after completion of their prison terms.
There is no parole in the federal system.
The criminal prosecutions of the Lo brothers, and of co-defendant Cheik Hassane Toure, 24, of Austell, Ga., who is awaiting sentencing after also pleading guilty, are among the first in the nation under federal law regulating non-passenger aircraft. The prosecution of Nicholas Lo is believed to be the first in the nation for illegally serving as a commercial drone pilot.
“For as long as there have been prisons, inmates and their allies have attempted to circumvent security measures to introduce contraband inside the walls,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “In recent years, the increasing use of remotely operated aircraft has added complexity to this challenge, but in coordination with our law enforcement partners we will continue to work to maintain secure incarceration facilities.”
As described in court documents and testimony, George Lo was serving a state sentence for armed robbery at Telfair State Prison in Telfair County when he began conspiring with Nicholas Lo and Toure, and others, to own and operate a Storm Drone 4 kit-built unmanned aircraft without registration or licensing. The Lo brothers discussed using the drone to deliver contraband to Telfair State Prison, and Nicholas Lo and Toure practiced flying the aircraft. George Lo planned to pay the two to fly the aircraft to deliver the contraband, which he intended to sell to other inmates.
At 1:30 a.m., on Aug. 26, 2019, Telfair County Sheriff’s deputies observed an approaching vehicle turn off its lights and park about 100 yards from Telfair State Prison. During a search of the area, Deputies encountered Nicholas Lo and Toure in a wooded area between the road and prison. The pair possessed a large duffle bag containing the drone, a controller, a video monitor and a headset. In addition, the bag contained 14 cell phones, at least 74 grams of tobacco, a digital scale and earbud headphones. Both men were taken into custody.
Federal law requires registration of unmanned aircraft weighing 0.55 pounds or more, and the Storm Drone 4’s weight was in excess of that requirement. Also, federal law requires the pilot of any unmanned aircraft to hold an airman’s certificate when operating the unmanned aircraft for compensation or hire.
“Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning that violating Federal regulations related to owning and operating drones will not be tolerated,” said Todd Damiani, Special Agent-In-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Southern Region. “As drones continue to be a more prevalent presence in our nation’s airspace, we are committed to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to ensure that protecting public safety and security remains paramount.”
“Any type of criminal activity perpetrated from behind the walls of our facilities will not be tolerated, and we are proud of our Special Agents for their diligence in stopping the introduction of dangerous contraband into Telfair State Prison,” said Georgia Corrections Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “With the assistance and support of our law enforcement partners on every level, we are pleased to see that justice is being served on these individuals, and a message is being sent to others who may be contemplating similar actions that could pose a threat to the safety of the public and the secure operations of our facilities.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John P. Harper III and E. Greg Gilluly Jr.
Two Charged Federally in Connection with CarjackingsRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned an indictment on June 16, 2021, charging two Louisville men with carjacking and brandishing firearms.
According to court documents, Cameron Burnett, 30, carjacked a Toyota Camry while brandishing a firearm on January 18, 2021, in Louisville Kentucky. Additionally, Burnett and Timothy McCurley, 33, carjacked a Hyundai Tucson on January 22, 2021, in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. During the course of that crime, McCurley brandished a firearm.
Burnett is charged with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The defendant made his initial court appearance on June 22, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina S. Edwards of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, he faces a mandatory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each carjacking and a mandatory minimum penalty of 7 years in prison for brandishing a firearm.
McCurley is charged with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The defendant will make his initial court appearance on July 29th at 1:30 pm, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colin H. Lindsay of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for carjacking and a mandatory minimum penalty of 7 years in prison for brandishing a firearm. For each defendant, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky; and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Office Robert Brown made the announcement.
The FBI, Louisville Metro Police Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Elizabethtown Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Blaylock is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Turtle Creek Woman Admits Role in Fentanyl Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of narcotics trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Marleka Robinson, age 26, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on September 11, 2016, Marleka Robinson obtained a large quantity of fentanyl from a distributor in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh at Robinson’s brother and co-defendant Jerry Coker’s request. Robinson returned the drugs to the residence she shared with Coker and their other sister, codefendant Monique Robinson. A search warrant executed at the Coker residence the following day resulted in the seizure of more than 285 grams of fentanyl and small quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Drug packaging, weighing, and distributing materials were found strewn through the house, along with two Smith & Wesson pistols and $8,900 in cash, all of which were seized by law enforcement.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for October 19, 2021, at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered Robinson on bond pending appeal.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Robinson.
Tulsa Man Sentenced for Killing a Sand Springs Woman in a Drunk Driving CollisionRead the Press Release
A drunk driver who killed a woman in a 2019 collision was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Terence C. Kern sentenced Hector Manuel Hernandez, 37, of Tulsa, to 11 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Hernandez pleaded guilty to second degree murder in March 2021.
In his written plea agreement, Hernandez admitted that he rear-ended a car while driving on South Garnett Road, and as he fled the first accident, hit the victim’s automobile head on. Jennifer Holt died from injuries sustained in the collision. Hernandez had a blood alcohol level of .250. He was also convicted for DUI in Rogers County in 2007.
The Broken Arrow Police Department, FBI and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Bish prosecuted the case.
Traffic Stop Leads to Man Pleading Guilty to Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
A man who possessed nearly a half-pound of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute pled guilty June 22, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
David Naberhaus, 57, Deloit, Iowa, was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In 2000, Naberhaus was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, evidence showed that on November 18, 2020, Naberhaus was stopped by law enforcement for traffic violations in Woodbury County, Iowa. Due to Naberhaus’ nervous behavior, a K-9 was deployed and indicated the presence of controlled substances from within the car. Law enforcement then searched the car and discovered 222 grams (nearly a half-pound) of pure methamphetamine in 5 separate baggies, 12 grams of marijuana, 3 grams of cocaine, and $6,501 in 4 bundles. On February 15, 2021, while on routine patrol, Iowa State Patrol noticed a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 20. A check of the license of the registered owner revealed the owner to be Naberhaus, who had a federal warrant for his arrest. A later search of Naberhaus’ car revealed bags of meth, bags of marijuana, lidocaine patches, a pipe a lighter, and Ziploc baggies.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Naberhaus remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Naberhaus faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Ida County Sheriff’s Department, Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4010.
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Town of Mishicot Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison Following Decades of Sexually Abusing ChildrenRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on June 28, 2021, Timothy J. Tetzlaff (age: 59) of the Town of Mishicot, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.
In March 2021, Tetzlaff pled guilty to Transportation of a Minor with the Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and Production of Child Pornography. The facts introduced at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that Tetzlaff sexually abused at least eight Manitowoc area children beginning in 1987.
In October 2020, an underage victim came forward and reported abuse by Tetzlaff to Manitowoc authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). An investigation revealed that Tetzlaff often took minors on camping trips throughout the United States and Canada, abusing them numerous times during the journeys. Tetzlaff also assaulted the children at his home in the Town of Mishicot. Law enforcement also discovered digital images of one of the victims on a digital camera belonging to Tetzlaff. Teztlaff had surreptitiously photographed the child while he slept in 2015. Following his arrest, several additional victims came forward to report being abused by Tetzlaff.
When sentencing Tetzlaff, Judge Griesbach noted the horrendous nature of the crimes and Tetzlaff’s pattern of preying on children. Judge Griesbach explained that a 30-year prison sentence was lengthy enough to protect the community given Tetzlaff’s advanced age. Upon the completion of his prison sentence, Tetzlaff will serve the remainder of his life on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Green Bay office of the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Public Information Officer
(414) 297-1700
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Tangipahoa Parish Man Indicted for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JAMES WATTS, age 49, a resident of Amite, Louisiana, was charged June 11, 2021 in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
The defendant had his initial court appearance on June 23, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. If convicted, WATTS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Myers.
Statement of United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.Read the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051This Office and our federal partners remain in regular contact with the leadership of both the Buffalo and Rochester Police Departments as well as both the Erie County and Monroe District Attorney’s Offices, as we assist them in addressing the increasing violence, gun crimes, and homicides we are experiencing in both cities. District Attorney Sandra Doorley and I are meeting with Rochester Police Chief Herriott-Sullivan tomorrow morning to discuss how increased federal prosecutions and resources might help to address the problem there. Similar discussions are and have been ongoing with both the BPD and District Attorney Flynn here in Buffalo. On Thursday, I am convening a meeting of federal agency heads in the District, including the ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, and the USMS, so that we can fine-tune our federal strategy and response, which we will publicly announce next week.
# # # #South Windsor Man Charged with Defrauding Grandparents of $679KRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging DOUGLAS SENERTH, 32, of South Windsor, with offenses related to his alleged theft of approximately $679,000 from his grandparents.
The indictment was returned on June 7, 2021. Senerth appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained in state custody since February 10, 2021, when he was arrested on unrelated charges.
As alleged in the indictment, Senerth defrauded his grandmother and his late grandfather by falsely claiming to be a college student and inducing them to give him approximately $419,000 to pay for nonexistent college tuition and other related expenses, and an additional approximately $260,000 by falsely claiming that he would invest their money into an investment fund run by one of his nonexistent professors. As part of the scheme, Senerth created fraudulent college transcripts, letters and email accounts that he used to corroborate his lies.
The indictment charges Senerth with three counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment 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 investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.
The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
Sixty Defendants Charged in Nationwide Takedown of Sinaloa Cartel Methamphetamine NetworkRead the Press Release
For more information contact:
Assistant U. S. Attorney Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Bredariol (619) 546-8419, and Assistant U. S. Attorney Amy B. Wang (619) 546-6968
Click
HERE for the indictment
Click HERE for the search warrantSAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed today in federal court charging 60 members of a San Diego-based international methamphetamine distribution network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel with drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses.
During the last month, hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents and officers have arrested dozens of defendants and searched multiple locations throughout San Diego County and in five states. As of today, 44 of the 60 defendants are either in federal or state custody, and the search continues for 16 defendants. In addition to these arrests, law enforcement has seized more than 220 pounds of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs; 90 firearms; and more than $250,000 in cash. Law enforcement officials are also seeking the forfeit of residences, high-end vehicles, and bulk cash belonging to these defendants.
According to the indictment and other publicly filed documents, over the last several years, this complex San Diego-based network obtained thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine from the Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle across the international border concealed in hidden compartments in passenger cars and motorcycles. The defendants then used these cars and motorcycles, along with trains, commercial airlines, the U.S. Mail, and commercial delivery services like FedEx and UPS to distribute that methamphetamine to dozens of sub-distributors located throughout San Diego County, the United States, and the world, including Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Kentucky, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
In return, tens of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds were returned to the network’s leaders via shipments of bulk cash, structured cash deposits into bank accounts, and money transfer systems like MoneyGram, Western Union, PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App. And to protect their illegal operations, the defendants allegedly possessed dozens of firearms and used encrypted communication providers to communicate with each other. This drug trafficking and money laundering continued unabated throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Despite their sophisticated efforts, law enforcement successfully penetrated this network with a variety of investigative techniques, including physical surveillance, obtaining phone records and financial documents, undercover agents, search warrants, as well as a six-month federal wiretap to intercept the communications and track the locations of the defendants.
Today we have dealt a serious blow to this San Diego-based international drug trafficking network with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The intersection of drug dealing and gun possession inevitably leads to violence in our communities. By dismantling this network, the Department of Justice reaffirms its unwavering commitment to reducing violent crime and building a San Diego where all our citizens are safe.”
“DEA is enhancing its efforts to disrupt, dismantle and destroy the most violent drug trafficking organizations across the country under Operation Crystal Shield,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “By dismantling this sophisticated drug trafficking network, DEA and our law enforcement partners have prevented significant quantities of methamphetamine and numerous firearms from making their way to the streets of San Diego and other neighborhoods throughout the United States. Drug trafficking is a violent crime, that impacts the safety and security of our communities – and the drug and firearm seizures made in this investigation are testament to that.”
“The primary motivation of drug traffickers is greed,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge for IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to work tirelessly alongside our partner agencies to stop the flow of narcotics and narcotics proceeds that are killing innocent Americans, and to ensure that crime doesn’t pay—that those individuals, like the 60 defendants indicted and arrested in this case, are brought to justice.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to preserving the integrity of the mail by ridding the mail of involvement in drug trafficking,” said US Postal Inspection Service Acting Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the Los Angeles Division. “This operation clearly shows that by combining our strengths and resources with all the involved agencies which include, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies we can disrupt their drug trafficking organizations to protect our communities.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Grossman also praised federal, state, and local law enforcement for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. This case was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotics Task Force (NTF), the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The NTF is a DEA-led task force comprised of federal and local law enforcement from the DEA, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the San Diego Police Department, the Escondido Police Department, the United States Border Patrol, and the San Diego County Probation Office. Agents and officers from the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, also provided vital assistance for the investigation. Attorneys from the Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit, likewise provided critical work as part of the investigative team.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton, Nicole Bredariol, and Amy B. Wang of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Kathleen Jordano and Leticia Adams.
An indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 21cr1559-H
(D1) Reyes Espinoza Age: 35 San Ysidro, CA
(D2) David Villegas Age: 49 San Diego, CA
(D3) John Bomenka Age: 54 San Diego, CA
(D4) Dennis Jones Age: 49 San Diego, CA
(D5) Darren Mosier Age: 59 San Diego, CA
(D6) Frank Tucker Age: 63 San Diego, CA
(D7) Charles Miller Age: 52 San Diego, CA
*(D8) Carlos Espinoza Age: 28 Tijuana, MX
(D9) Mario Espinoza Age: 20 Tijuana, MX
(D10) Jaron Hillyer Age: 30 San Diego, CA
(D11) Kristina Brown Age: 32 San Diego, CA
(D12) Danny Miller Age: 52 San Diego, CA
(D13) Shawn Morrill Age: 49 San Diego, CA
*(D14) Hilleal Grant Age: 51 San Diego, CA
*(D15) Lewis Rich Age: 59 San Diego, CA
(D16) Cameron Graff Age: 29 San Diego, CA
*(D17) Terry Haith Age: 60 San Diego, CA
(D18) Tansy Steinhauer Age: 51 San Diego, CA
*(D19) Jessica Pomeroy Age: 30 San Diego, CA
*(D20) Shadow Segura Age: 23 Houston, TX
(D21) Jasmine Lucas Age: 50 San Diego, CA
(D22) Philip Abbas Age: 42 San Diego, CA
*(D23) Peter Fuller Age: 63 San Diego, CA
(D24) Eduardo Osuna Age: 41 San Diego, CA
(D25) Frank Carrillo Age: 45 San Diego, CA
(D26) Stephen Myrick Age: 45 San Diego, CA
(D27) Gloria Sandoval Age: 40 San Diego, CA
*(D28) Ashley Hilton Age: 42 Houston, TX
(D29) Joseph Occhiogrosso Age: 44 Brooklyn, NY
(D30) Gary Beasley Age: 39 San Diego, CA
*(D31) Arnulfo Rodriguez Age: 38 San Diego, CA
(D32) Alexandro Larios-Flores Age: 24 San Diego, CA
*(D33) Jose Vargas Age: 31 San Diego, CA
(D34) Michael Nagle Age: 50 San Diego, CA
*(D35) Raymond Sterling Age: 51 San Diego, CA
(D36) Terry Tyler Age: 49 San Diego, CA
(D37) Victor Yamasaki Age: 59 San Diego, CA
(D38) Chris Paschke Age: 57 San Diego, CA
(D39) Charles Gerardi Age: 57 Houston, TX
(D40) Christian Lopez-Villegas Age: 34 San Ysidro, CA
(D41) David Santa Maria Age: 49 San Diego, CA
(D42) Melvin Johnson Age: 44 San Diego, CA
(D43) Daniel Babuata Age: 34 San Diego, CA
*(D44) Garrett Steele Age: 40 San Diego, CA
(D45) Vien Trinh Age: 62 San Diego, CA
*(D46) Troy Prater Age: 46 San Diego, CA
*(D47) Sharon Landhan Age: 44 San Diego, CA
(D48) Gabriel Askay Age: 44 San Diego, CA
(D49) Patrick Lane Age: 57 San Diego, CA
(D50) Kevin Tobin Age: 65 San Diego, CA
(D51) James Ellerbe Age: 68 San Diego, CA
(D52) Hope Stoneking Age: 35 San Diego, CA
(D53) Tasha Almanza Age: 42 San Diego, CA
*(D54) Jason Ferguson Age: 48 San Diego, CA
(D55) Kelle Ferguson Age: 52 San Diego, CA
*(D56) Roger Desroche Age: 74 San Diego, CA
(D57) Steven Brandt Age: 57 San Diego, CA
(D58) Esteban Gastelum-Sanchez Age: 42 San Diego, CA
(D59) Tara Scroggins Age: 45 San Diego, CA
(D60) Debbie Hill Age: 59 San Diego, CA
*Fugitives
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(1) and (h))
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C., § 841(a)(1))
Importation of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 952 and 960)
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges, term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine and a lifetime of supervised release. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release. For the firearms charges, term of custody up to 10 years imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.
AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration, Narcotics Task Force
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation
United States Postal Inspection Service
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
Escondido Police Department
United States Border Patrol
San Diego County Probation Office
United States Marshals Service
Homeland Security Investigations
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Federal Bureau of Prisons
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan
Sioux City Man Sentenced to More than Five Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing and Firing a GunRead the Press Release
A convicted felon who unlawfully possessed a firearm was sentenced June 22, 2021 to more than five years in federal prison.
Brandon Miller, age 35, from Sioux City, Iowa received the prison term after a February 16, 2021, guilty plea to a one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Miller was previously convicted of robbery in Jefferson County, Colorado and forgery, eluding and assault with weapon on a peace office in Woodbury County, Iowa.
Evidence at Miller’s detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed Miller was with two groups of people who met at an apartment complex in Sioux City, and after a short time, several gunshot were exchanged between the two groups. A person in Miller’s group was struck twice by gunfire. Miller can be seen on a video returning fire towards the initial shooter as that person drove away.
Miller was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Miller was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Miller is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4069.
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Second Former Deutsche Bank Commodities Trader Sentenced to Prison for Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A former commodities trader was sentenced Monday to 12 months and a day in prison for a scheme to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution.
Cedric Chanu, 42, of France and the United Arab Emirates, was convicted by a federal jury on Sept. 25, 2020. Based on the evidence presented at trial, Chanu, who was employed as a precious metals trader at Deutsche Bank in Singapore and, later in London, engaged in a scheme to defraud other traders on the Commodity Exchange Inc., which was a public exchange. The defendant, together with James Vorley and other Deutsche Bank traders, defrauded other market participants through a deceptive trading practice known as “spoofing.” Specifically, Chanu placed fraudulent orders that he did not intend to execute in order to create the false appearance of supply and demand and to induce other traders to transact at prices, quantities, and times that they otherwise would not have traded. Vorley was sentenced on June 21, also to 12 months and a day in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Brian Young, Acting Principal Assistant Chief Avi Perry, and Trial Attorney Leslie S. Garthwaite of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Santa Barbara Man Who Allegedly Ran $12 Million Ponzi Scheme Indicted on Federal Fraud and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury today returned an 11-count indictment that alleges a Santa Barbara man stole approximately $12 million from victims who were promised their money would be used to purchase annuities from Swiss insurance companies.
Darrell Arnold Aviss, 63, of Santa Barbara, was charged today with five counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering. Aviss was arrested June 18 pursuant to a criminal complaint, and he was subsequently ordered held without bond.
According to the indictment filed this afternoon in United States District Court, Aviss ran the scheme from at least 2012 through last summer, soliciting money from people who wanted to purchase annuities from insurance companies based in Switzerland. Aviss claimed the Swiss annuities he offered were safe and secure, and, in some instances, he allegedly told victims the annuities would pay interest rates ranging from 5 to 7 percent.
But, the indictment alleges, Aviss did not use the victims’ money to purchase annuities, even though he arranged for the victims to receive statements showing the purported value of the annuities, which the false documents showed were increasing over time.
Victims, most of whom were over the age of 60, gave Aviss more than $12 million, with most of that money coming from just one victim, according to court documents. Some money was paid back to victims to keep the scheme running.
Instead of purchasing annuities, Aviss allegedly used the victims’ money for his own purposes and to support his lavish lifestyle. Court documents indicate that he used the money for, among other things, Ponzi payments to victims, mortgage payments, luxury car leases, expensive watches, trips to Monaco, more than $100,000 in purchases at a Santa Barbara nightclub, and 20 tickets to a U2 concert and after-party.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Aviss is scheduled to be arraigned in this case on July 9.
The indictment charges Aviss with five counts of wire fraud, each of which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison; one count of concealment money laundering, which has a maximum sentence of 20 years; and five counts of laundering criminal proceeds in excess of $10,000, each of which carries a potential sentence of 10 years.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation in this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Monica E. Tait of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. In addition to English, Spanish and other languages are available to callers.