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Friday 16 April 2021
U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – The United States Attorney’s Office, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 18–24, 2021, is hosting a Virtual Ceremony to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available.
The faces of crime victims are those of our family, friends, neighbors, and community members. According to the most recent National Crime Victimization Survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1.2 million people were victims of violent crime in 2019, a significant decrease from the year before. Now is the time to redouble our efforts so that victimization continues to decline, and fewer and fewer North Carolinians become victims of crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office will commemorate the advancement of victims’ rights and highlight issues surrounding victimization by holding a Virtual Ceremony on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 11:00 am. This program is co-hosted by the other two United States Attorney’s Offices in North Carolina, the Victim Services Interagency Council of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Justice, Durham, and Raleigh Police Departments. Our keynote speaker is Ms. Deanna Walters, a survivor of intimate partner violence whose story was featured on the 2014 award winning documentary titled “Private Violence.” If you would like to register for this training use this link: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0bb75a52a534a276abd6c3647b5a5d67.
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme— Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities. —celebrates the contributions that we all can make toward building trust in our community’s capacity to support the healing journeys of crime victims. Trust is collective as well as individual, so we are honoring both the individual victims in our community and the groups engaged in building networks of understanding and support.
Acting United States Attorney G. Norman Acker, III stated: “Together we can build a society of healing and hope if we come together to support, protect, and restore victims and survivors who suffer harm at the hands of others.”
For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the United States Attorney’s Office website. For more ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.
Two Maple Heights men charged with drug trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland returned a six-count indictment charging Anthony L. Anderson, 45, and Eben D. Anderson, 38, both of Maple Heights, Ohio, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack, fentanyl and methamphetamines in the Cleveland area.
Both Anthony and Eben Anderson are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, crack, fentanyl and methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Defendant Eben Anderson was charged as a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Stopping the flow of drugs and drug manufacturing equipment at our borders is an important part of curbing the flow of illegal drugs to and within our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners’ sustained efforts to combat illegal narcotics trafficking.”
“International criminal organizations working with their local contacts have once again tried to exploit U.S. borders for profit,” said Vance Callender, special agent in charge, HSI Detroit. “HSI specializes in investigating cross-border related crimes and brings unique national and international resources to bear against these types of offenders.”
Court records state that in January of 2021, a parcel was intercepted and searched by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers that was allegedly found to contain two pill press die sets. The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint states that the importation of pill press die sets is prohibited as they are considered drug paraphernalia. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cleveland was subsequently contacted by the CBP, and a controlled delivery of the parcel was arranged and executed.
After the controlled delivery was executed, law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant at the address and located both Defendants inside the residence. A search of the home was conducted, and officers recovered approximately 1.34 kilograms of cocaine, 136 grams of fentanyl, 324 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a high-speed pill press, pill press dies, bulk currency and five firearms.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including Defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, Defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick P. Burke.
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Tulare County Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Eleuterio Rosario Martinez, 49, of Porterville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 42 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, an investigation into drug trafficking primarily in the Tulare County area led to the arrest and indictment of Martinez and 10 others for a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between June 7, 2018, and Jan. 19, 2019. Martinez delivered the methamphetamine for the conspiracy. During a one-month period of the conspiracy, Martinez made approximately 258 deliveries of methamphetamine at the direction of co-defendant Manuel Delgado-Montenegro, 48, of Porterville. The deliveries were in quantities of 1 ounce or less and totaled at least 3.7 pounds of methamphetamine.
On Oct. 29, 2020, Hector Antonio Ochoa Ruiz, 39, of Strathmore, pleaded guilty to his participation in the conspiracy and was sentenced on Feb. 19 to seven and a half years in prison. Charges are pending against Delgado-Montenegro and the other eight defendants. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants 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 with assistance from the Porterville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen A. Servatius and Katherine E. Schuh are prosecuting the case.
Tifton, Georgia, Bank Robber Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A man who robbed a Tifton bank in 2018, telling the bank clerk he was in possession of a bomb, has been sentenced to federal prison without parole for his crime, said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Randy Angelo Hill, 35, of Tifton, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Wednesday, April 14. Hill previously pleaded guilty to one count bank robbery. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The penalty is federal prison time for individuals who choose to commit violent acts of crime that terrorize our citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leary. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners at the federal and local levels who worked seamlessly to quickly arrest the defendant and restore peace to the Tifton community.”
“Innocent citizens terrorized by acts like this never fully recover from the trauma it causes,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The best we can do for them is to make sure the individuals who cause the trauma are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. That was only possible in this case because of our partnerships and the quick reaction of the Tifton Police Department and the Tift County Sheriff Office.”
According to the facts he admitted under oath before the Court, Hill robbed the South Georgia Banking Company located at 725 West 2nd Street on October 2, 2018. Undisguised, Hill dropped a plastic bag over the teller counter and told an employee, “This is a robbery. I have a bomb. Put money in the bag. I will blow everybody up here.” Hill fled on foot with stolen cash and was apprehended by Tifton Police that day.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Tifton Police Department and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office. Criminal Division Chief Michael Solis is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Thirteen Drug Traffickers Sentenced to More than 235 Years Combined in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Thirteen individuals with ties to a Mexican drug cartel have been sentenced to federal prison following an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah.
The thirteenth defendant, 30-year-old Jorge Llanas of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to a total of 28 years confinement on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Each defendant charged has pleaded guilty and sentenced to their respective roles in a drug distribution conspiracy and money laundering scheme that operated in North Texas, Mexico, and elsewhere from March of 2018 to August of 2018. These defendants were associates or members of a Dallas based drug trafficking organization with ties to a cartel in Mexico associated with the Zeta Cartel.
During the investigation, agents seized more than 55 kilos of cocaine with a wholesale value of $1,457,500, 92 kilos of methamphetamine with a wholesale value of $570,400, and 822.8 pounds of marijuana. Cash seizures in this case totaled $145,229.
According to court documents, some defendant’s in this case imported the cocaine and methamphetamine from a Mexican based drug cartel with prior ties to Los Zetas. Large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana were then stored at an apartment located in the Dallas Design District. The defendants would sell drugs locally throughout the Dallas area before transporting the drug proceeds to other areas of the country. The money from the sale of these controlled substances was then sent back to cocaine and methamphetamine suppliers in Mexico.
“We will not allow drug traffickers, members or their affiliates to bring their nefarious and deadly activities into our neighborhoods,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Shah. “Working with our state and local partners and using the tools of our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, we are determined to dismantle drug trafficking networks.”
“For years, Los Zetas, and its successor, El Cártel del Noreste, have tried to use the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as a hub to distribute drugs throughout the United States,” stated DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez. “These convictions and prison terms should send a strong message to others that drug trafficking and its related violent crimes are not welcome here. DEA Dallas and our partners at the Texoma HIDTA as well as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, will continue to identify, disrupt, and destroy, these criminal organizations that choose to distribute drugs to our streets.”
The defendants sentenced in connection with this case are as follows:
- Chrystian Hernandez, 23, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced on October 8, 2020 to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiring to launder monetary instruments.
- Veronica Angeles, 51, Fort Worth, Texas
Sentenced on September 28, 2020 to 97 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Jose Sanchez, 36, of Little Elm, Texas
Sentenced on June 25, 2020 to 151 months in federal prison for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Cesar Ortiz, 40, Chihuahua, Mexico
Sentenced on September 8, 2020 to 46 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiring to launder monetary instruments.
- Jakovan Lewis, 39, Desoto, Texas
Sentenced on September 2, 2020 to 70 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Roberto Rodriguez Salinas, 39, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Sentenced on June 12, 2020 to 57 months in federal prison for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiring to possess with intent to distribute.
- Marcus Morones, 58, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced 0n May 6, 2020 to 41 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Jose Guadalupe Silva, 32, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced on August 23, 2019, to 210 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Moris Franco, 34, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced on March 3, 2021 to 135 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Daniel Don Juan, 30, Cleburne, Texas
Sentenced on March 16, 2021 to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Tomas Salinas, 51, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced on March 17, 2021 to 210 months in federal prison for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
- Pete Torres, 31, Dallas, Texas
Sentenced on March 25, 2021 to 46 months in federal prison for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
All of the defendants arrested have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced and one defendant remains a fugitive.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Investigation and was investigated by a Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (DEA HIDTA) task force. DEA, the Dallas Police Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Irving Police Department, Richardson Police Department, and Carrollton Police Department all assisted in the investigation of this case.
The OCDETF program was established in 1982 in order to attack and reduce the supply of illegal drugs entering the United States and to diminish violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. The OCDETF program works with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, disrupt, and dismantle, drug traffickers and drug trafficking networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found here.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Leal and Rachael Jones were in charge of these prosecutions.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Iowa-Minnesota Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty April 15, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City. Robert Board, 45, originally from Brownsville, Texas, more recently living in Medalia, Minnesota, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Board admitted that from July 2019 through June 2020, he was involved in the distribution of more than 500 grams of mixed methamphetamine and more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. In July and August 2019, Board was involved in the distribution of over one pound of pure methamphetamine to an informant in controlled drug operations with law enforcement. Board also admitted to obtaining at least 12 kilograms of methamphetamine and at least 73 pounds of marijuana from sources in California and Washington to transport to Minnesota and Iowa for further distribution.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Board was taken into United States Marshal custody and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Board 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 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4065. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Ten Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. –Ten individuals have been arrested pursuant to federal indictments unsealed today as part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation fighting drug trafficking in the Southern District of Mississippi, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca, Brad L. Byerley, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, Colonel Steven Maxwell, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
- John Moore, 53, of Lawrence, MS, is charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. He he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
- Michael Ledbetter, 41, of Lake, MS, is charged with two counts of conspiracy and four counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.
- Danielle Ledbetter, 47, and Shameika Johnson, 29, both of Lake, MS, are each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and each faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.
- Nicholas Smith, 26, of Forest, MS, and John Purvis, Jr., 51, of Morton, MS, are each charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. They each face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment and a $5,000,000 fine.
- Malinda Pope, 42, of Forest, MS, is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Pope faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.
- Lorenzo Sutton, 41, of Jackson, MS, is charged with one count of conspiracy and two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sutton faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.
- Jermaine Gray, 39, of Forest, MS, is charged with one count of using a telephone in causing and facilitating a drug crime. Gray faces a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
- Erica Rhodes, 32, currently in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Rhodes faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine.
John Moore, Michael Ledbetter, Danielle Ledbetter, Shameika Johnson, Nicholas Smith, John Purvis, Jr., and Malinda Pope are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on Monday, April 19, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. for arraignment.
Lorenzo Sutton and Jermaine Gray are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. for arraignment. The arraignment date for Erica Rhodes has not been set as of the time of this release.
These cases are prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark. The cases were investigated as part of an ongoing OCDETF partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Public Safety including both the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Jackson High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA), Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Forest Police Department, Pelahatchie Police Department, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson Police Department, the State of Mississippi District Attorney’s Offices for the Eighth and Twentieth Judicial Districts, and the Drug Court for the Eighth Judicial District.
The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Southington Man Charged with Possessing Millions of Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RICHARD E. SMITH, 65, of Southington, with receipt and possession of child pornography.
The indictment was returned on March 29. Smith appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Smith has been detained since his arrest on a criminal complaint on October 1, 2020.
As alleged in court documents, on October 1, 2020, HSI conducted a court-authorized search of Smith’s Southington residence. At the time of the search, Smith’s computer was running and connected to a website dedicated to child pornography, and one of Smith’s four computer monitors displayed a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing numerous child pornography filenames and internet hyperlinks. Investigators seized Smith’s computer and electronic devices. Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed millions of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.
If convicted of the charges, Smith faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Southington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Doherty through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Six Individuals Sentenced for Nearly $8 Million Health Care Fraud Involving Northern Virginia PharmaciesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The last of six defendants were sentenced today for participating in multiple health care fraud conspiracies involving kickbacks and fraudulent billings that resulted in nearly $8 million in losses to federal, state, and private health care benefit programs.
“Health insurance programs, and the American public, rely on pharmacy professionals to safeguard the system from harmful kickback schemes, and to make truthful representations about the services they provide,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendants betrayed their duties as health care professionals, performed illegal kickbacks, and defrauded essential benefit programs out of millions of dollars. EDVA is committed to prosecuting those who exploit taxpayers and engage in the unacceptable fleecing of these important public institutions and programs.”
According to court documents, Mohamed Abdalla, 48, of Allendale, New Jersey, owned multiple pharmacies in northern Virginia, including Medex Health Pharmacy in Falls Church and Royal Care Pharmacy in Fairfax. As the owner of these pharmacies, Abdalla oversaw and executed two related schemes to defraud health care benefit programs. One scheme involved the payment or receipt of unlawful kickbacks for expensive drugs and devices in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Another scheme involved billing federal, state, and private health care benefit programs for numerous expensive drugs and devices that were not medically necessary, not prescribed by a physician, or were not received by a beneficiary.
“Health care professionals who use fraud and deceit to steal funds and scam the system will be held accountable for their actions,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “These individuals, who are supposed to be trusted by the American public, were fueled by greed and their own interests to exploit their profession and pad their pockets. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to root out fraud in the health care industry and protect the public from their illegal schemes.”
From at least January 2014 through at least the end of 2018, Abdalla participated in several schemes to pay kickbacks for the referral of prescriptions for compound medications and for an expensive naloxone auto-injector device used to treat opioid emergencies. Abdalla and his conspirators then billed federal health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, which is the Department of Defense’s health care program, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Abdalla obtained over $2 million from these schemes.
“This investigation is a prime example of how kickback schemes undermine the integrity of the U.S. military healthcare system, and degrade the acquisition process,” said Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “These sentencings should send a clear warning that DCIS and its investigative partners will vigorously pursue fraudsters intent on lining their pockets with tax dollars earmarked for the care of our Warfighters.”
In addition, Abdalla and employees at his pharmacies conspired to defraud federal, state, and private health care benefit programs by engaging in numerous other schemes, including billing for prescriptions in the names of themselves, family members, and other pharmacy employees that were not medically necessary and/or not prescribed by a licensed physician, and billing for prescriptions for pharmacy customers that were never filled. These additional schemes resulted in a loss to these health care benefit programs of approximately $6,216,434.39.
“Health care providers are trusted to recommend and provide prescription medications that their patients need,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, HHS Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office. “Today’s sentencing shows individuals who commit fraud and pay kickbacks will be held responsible for their illegal actions. HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to investigate allegations of health care fraud and ensure the integrity of Federal programs.”
On March 19, Abdalla was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the conspiracies. Five additional defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their respective roles in conspiring to pay kickbacks and defraud health insurance providers:
Onkur Lal, 30, of Alexandria, worked for Abdalla as a pharmacy technician and pharmacy intern before ultimately working as a licensed pharmacist. From approximately January 2014 to April 2019, Lal engaged in numerous health care fraud schemes resulting in millions of dollars in losses. At times, Lal used his specialized knowledge to circumvent audits and investigations by third parties, who were investigating fraud on behalf of health benefit programs. On March 5, Lal was sentenced to three years in prison.
Mohammed Tariq Amin, 35, of Fairfax, worked for Abdalla as a pharmacy technician and was the general manager of Royal Care for almost two years. From approximately January 2015 to November 2018, Amin conspired with Abdalla and others to pay kickbacks for the referral of prescriptions of an expensive naloxone auto-injector device. He also engaged in numerous other schemes that defrauded health care benefit programs and used his specialized knowledge to circumvent audits and investigations. Amin was sentenced today to two years in prison.
Daniel Tyler Walker, 51, of Lewes, Delaware, worked as a pharmaceutical sales specialist for a pharmaceutical company and was responsible for marketing an expensive naloxone auto-injector device used to treat opioid emergencies. From approximately August 2015 to April 2017, Walker accepted kickbacks from Abdalla and Amin for the referral of prescriptions for this device, which were then billed to federal health care programs. Walker was sentenced today to 15 months in prison.
Seth Michael Myers, 53, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, from approximately spring of 2013 to mid-2016, conspired with Abdalla, another individual who was a licensed physician, and others to accept kickbacks for the referral of expensive compound medications that were billed to federal health care benefit programs. A company that was created by Myers and the licensed physician was paid over $2.5 million during the scheme. On March 19, Myers was sentenced to two years in prison.
Michael Beatty, 53, of Finksburg, Maryland, worked as a licensed pharmacist at Fallston Pharmacy in Fallston, Maryland. From approximately the summer of 2013 to the fall of 2014, Beatty conspired with Myers and a licensed physician to pay kickbacks for the referral of expensive compound medications, which were billed to federal health care benefit programs. On March 5, Beatty was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Chris Dillard, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, HHS Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office; Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General; and Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monika Moore, Carina Cuellar, and Jamar Walker prosecuted the cases.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-cr-250.
Sioux Falls Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Myles Feather Earring, age 37, was indicted on April 6, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that Feather Earring, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime and required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, failed to do so between January 7, 2021, and February 9, 2021.
The charge is merely an accusation and Feather Earring is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Feather Earring was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Silencers into the United StatesRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man who smuggled goods into the United States pled guilty April 15, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Lloyd Clark, age 72, from Sioux City, Iowa was convicted of smuggling goods into the United States. In a plea agreement, Clark admitted in October 2020, Customs and Border Protection seized parcels coming into the United States from China, one of which was falsely labeled as “spiral tube” and addressed to Clark at his residence in Sioux City. On November 12, 2020, law enforcement seized 7 silencers, 1 modified rifle with an installed silencer, and 1 WWII-era machine gun from Clark’s home. Clark did not have legal authority to possess the silencers and firearms.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Clark remains free on bond pending sentencing. Clark faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-4030.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Shreveport Man Convicted of Firearms Charge Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jawon Montray Grant, 32, of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 42 months (3 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of firearm by a convicted felon. Grant pleaded guilty to the charge on November 19, 2020.
According to information presented to the court at the guilty plea hearing, Louisiana State Police troopers observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation on May 31, 2019 and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped abruptly in the middle of the street and the driver, later determined to be Grant, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Law enforcement officers gave chase and observed Grant throw a black object to the ground behind a residence. Officers went to that location and found the object was a loaded pistol with an extended magazine. There were other passengers in the vehicle that Grant abandoned, including three small children. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and came to the scene and told officers that she allowed Grant to use the vehicle. Grant was later arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Grant has previous felony convictions in Caddo Parish for simple burglary in 2017 and attempted possession of a firearm by a felon in 2018.
The ATF and Louisiana State Police conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Sandusky physician charged with prescribing medically unnecessary controlled substances and health care fraudRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Gregory J. Gerber, 55, of Port Clinton, Ohio, with 51 counts of distribution of controlled substances and two counts of health care fraud. According to the indictment, the Defendant was a licensed medical physician practicing in Sandusky, Ohio, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and anesthesiology with a sub-specialty in pain medicine.
“The Northern District of Ohio, like many districts throughout the country, continues to combat a staggering opioid crisis," said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. “A common theme in this crisis is that many who now struggle with opioid use disorder do so because of a physician who unlawfully prescribed medically unnecessary opioid prescriptions or, in some cases, over-prescribed in a medically unnecessary way. Physicians alleged to have engaged in such conduct will be held accountable."
"Healthcare fraud impacts the cost of medical care and more importantly, puts patients at risk," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. " Dr. Gerber allegedly abused his oath by prescribing unnecessary medications, causing harm to his patients, and over billed medical visits. "Dr. Gerber is accused of contributing to the growing opioid epidemic thru his dangerous, criminal behavior and will now be held accountable.
“Issuing prescriptions outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose only aggravates the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “Medical professionals are relied upon to perform appropriate physical exams, establish evidence-based, objective diagnoses, and prescribe medications only in a manner that will aid their patients. The OIG continues to investigate instances of alleged improper prescribing that potentially harms patients and wastes vital taxpayer dollars.”
“More Ohioans are dying from opioid overdoses than at any point in this devastating epidemic and this doctor helped put us here one prescription at a time,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Ending this scheme was vital to an area that has been devastated by the opioid crisis.”
The indictment states that the Defendant repeatedly prescribed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, including powerful painkillers such as fentanyl, oxycodone, oxymorphone and other drugs. It further alleges that from January 2010 through August 2018, the Defendant devised a scheme to defraud federal health care benefit programs by causing insurers to pay for medically unnecessary controlled substance prescriptions.
As part of the scheme, Defendant improperly performed patient physical and historical examinations, failed to establish evidence-based, objective diagnoses, and used these diagnoses to prescribe excessive doses of controlled substances for long periods of time without evidence of efficacy and while ignoring signs of addiction and drug abuse among his patients. It is also alleged that the Defendant improperly sought reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers using billing codes that reflected a service more costly than what was performed.
The indictment states that as part of the scheme, the Defendant wrote over approximately 835 prescriptions for Subsys, a fentanyl-based cancer pain treatment medication manufactured by Insys Therapeutics, Inc. According to the indictment, some of the prescriptions written for Subsys were medically unnecessary and for patients who did not have cancer pain. It is alleged that the Defendant received compensation from Insys by participating in the company’s speakers bureau, a program that paid representatives to engage with other medical professionals and promote the Subsys medication.
While working as an Insys speaker, it is alleged that the Defendant received between approximately $1,500 and $3,700 per engagement, totaling approximately $175,000 in payments and other items of value.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the Defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section and Ohio Board of Pharmacy. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller.
Saint Paul, Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty to Unemployment SchemeRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – Brittany McReynolds, a Saint Paul, Virginia woman who conspired with others to file for fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefits, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to charges she conspired with others to commit mail fraud and defraud the government of more than $182,474. Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar, Jonathan Mellone, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Acting Special Agent in Charge is Darrell J. Waldon of the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation announced the guilty plea today.
McReynolds, 32, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded to a two-count Information charging her with one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
“McReynolds took advantage of unemployment funds that were to be provided to those in need during the pandemic, defrauding these important programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar today. “We will continue to work closely with our partners at the Department of Labor and IRS to ensure that anyone who steals from these benefit programs is brought to justice.”
“The Unemployment Insurance Program exists to provide needed assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed due to no fault of their own. Fraud against the Unemployment Insurance Program causes state workforce agencies, like the Virginia Employment Commission, to redirect valuable resources to address fraud and ensure benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Virginia Employment Commission, and our many law enforcement partners, to investigate those who exploit the Unemployment Insurance Program,” said Jonathan Mellone, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“The CARES Act and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program have been a lifeline, helping to sustain taxpayers through these tough times. Sadly, as these programs were being launched to assist those in need, McReynolds and her co-conspirators found a way to fraudulently take advantage of the benefits,” said Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI Washington DC Field Office. “These type investigations remain a priority of IRS-CI. We will continue to pursue justice against those who deceptively obtain pandemic relief funds to enhance themselves financially.”
McReynolds admitted today that she and others, including her husband Travis Kilgore - who pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court to conspiracy and mail fraud charges -filed claims for pandemic unemployment benefits through the VEC website. The scheme involved submitting claims for various individuals who were not eligible to receive pandemic unemployment benefits. McReynolds and Kilgore lied on the filings as part of the scheme to appear eligible for benefits. Because pandemic unemployment benefits were paid weekly, McReynolds reverified and re-certified the false statements on numerous occasions throughout the scheme.
In all, the conspiracy filed claims for approximately 21 other individuals, causing at least $182,474 in false claims to be have been paid.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Norton Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Roanoke Rapids Man Who Shot Store Clerk During Armed Robbery Sentenced to More Than 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Roanoke Rapids man was sentenced today to 366 months in prison for interference with commerce by robbery, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, Joshua Jermaine Durante, 23, robbed the Family Dollar Store in Weldon on September 17, 2018. During the robbery, Durante and a juvenile brandished firearms and pistol-whipped the clerk while demanding money. After the clerk complied, the two fled the store. On September 26, 2018, Durante and the juvenile robbed a second store - New Dixie Mart #213 in Roanoke Rapids. After the clerk had trouble opening the safe at Durante’s command, he shot the clerk in the stomach. The clerk sustained life-threatening injuries but survived. A few days later, law enforcement in Gaston located Durante and the juvenile who ran from police leading them on a high-speed chase. During the chase, Durante drove his car down railroad tracks which ultimately disabled his car. He and the juvenile then fled from the car on foot but were captured by law enforcement after a short foot chase.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Weldon Police Department, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, and the Gaston Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-CR-00034-D.
Preston County woman admits to role in drug distribution operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Tiffany Groves, of Kingwood, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin drug distribution operation, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Groves, age 43, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Groves admitted to distributing methamphetamine in April 2020 in Monongalia County.
Groves faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda E. Wesley and Sarah E. Wagner are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI's Northern West Virginia Drug Task Force in partnership with the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The Task Forces have members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; West Virginia State Police; Monongalia County Sheriff's Office; and, the Morgantown, WVU, Granville and Star City Police Departments. The investigation was also assisted by the following law enforcement partners: the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI in Houston, Texas; the Houston Police Department's Multi Agency Gang Initiative; the United States Postal Inspection Service in Houston; and, the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, California.
This case 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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Penobscot County Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Money OrdersRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Penobscot County woman pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to theft and conversion of money orders, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
According to court records, between approximately May 2016 and April 2018, Mellony Hafford, 37, stole multiple money order forms while working as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Hafford falsified several of the money order forms to conceal other fraudulent money orders she made out to herself, and to conceal her theft of cash that had been received in sales at the post office.
Hafford faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She also faces up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) investigated this case. TIGTA’s involvement in the investigation was supervised by William Kalb, Special Agent in Charge, North East Field Division.
Ohio man sentenced for selling cocaineRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Shuntaze Harvey, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and 1 day of incarceration for a drug charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Harvey, age 23, pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine Base within 1000 feet of a Protected Location” in October 2020. Harvey admitted to selling cocaine near Wheeling Center Catholic High School in Wheeling in February 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Clayton J. Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The U.S. Marshal Service, Columbus Police Department Gang Crimes Unit, the Martins Ferry Police Department, and the Bellaire Police Department also assisted.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Ohio man sentenced for role in drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Dominique Revell Dungey, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 10 months of incarceration for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Dungey, also known as “Murda,” age 29, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base” in January 2021. Dungey admitted to selling cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in May 2019 in Ohio County.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Clayton J. Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Police, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wheeling Police Department, investigated. The U.S. Marshal Service, Columbus Police Department Gang Crimes Unit, the Martins Ferry Police Department, and the Bellaire Police Department also assisted.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Original case indictment here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/26-charged-drug-conspiracy-involving-heroin-fentanyl-crack-cocaine-and-meth-wheeling
Nigerian National Facing Federal Charges for Role in Social Media Elder Scam with Losses of More Than $474,000Read the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A criminal complaint was filed today in U.S. District Court in Maryland charging Oluwaseyi Akinyemi a/k/a “Paddy Linkin”, a/k/a “Joseph Kadin”, age 34, of Hyattsville, Maryland, for the federal charges of mail fraud, attempted mail fraud, and mail and wire fraud conspiracy, in connections with an advanced fee fraud scheme using social media to target elderly victims and causing losses of $474,145.07.
The criminal complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Interim Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, from July 10, 2018 to April 29, 2019, Akinyemi was a member of the a fraud group (the AFG), a group of Nigerian nationals who engaged in a social media-based advanced fee fraud schemes targeting elderly individuals. Allegedly, AFG members perpetrated a financial scheme in which they created fictitious social media accounts to encourage elderly victims to send cash to cover “taxes” or “fees” in order to receive substantial financial awards. The affidavit alleges that, in some instances, the AFG created fraudulent social media accounts of friends of the victims, making the victims believe they were communicating with individuals they knew and trusted. Once the victims displayed a level of interest, the AFG allegedly opened a new account or persona (“the Closers”) to carry out the fraud scheme. At times, the Closers fraudulently posed as real or fictitious government agencies offering the victims financial awards in exchange for associated taxes and fees. The affidavit further alleges that once victims sent funds to individuals in Maryland and elsewhere, AFG members forwarded the victims’ funds to co-conspirators in Nigeria. The affidavit alleges that Akinyemi is one of the individuals that received victims’ cash or gift card payments through mail services.
As detailed in the affidavit, on April 16, 2019, the Prince George’s County Police Department intercepted a package sent to “Paddy Linkin” at Akinyemi’s address. The package was found to contain $30,000 in cash wrapped in money bands and concealed inside two stuffed animal bears. The money was seized by law enforcement. As detailed in the criminal complaint, Victim 1 was identified as the sender and was subsequently interviewed by law enforcement. According to the affidavit, Victim 1 received an application for a purported federal government program from an individual that the victim believed was a “friend” on a social media platform, because the sender’s profile picture matched that of an individual with whom Victim 1 was friends. The “friend” vouched for the program. Victim 1 was allegedly contacted by a Closer, who advised that Victim 1 was approved for $100,000 in grant funds but needed to pay taxes to receive the grant funds. Once Victim 1 sent funds for the “taxes”, she received a “Certificate of Completion” with the Internal Revenue Service seal and another certificate bearing her full name and the text: “Federal Government Grants for the sum of $5,000,000.” Victim 1 was then notified that the Central Intelligence Agency was going to confiscate the grant funds if he/she did not send more money to cover the taxes on the awarded grant. Following the Closer’s specific instructions, Victim 1 allegedly sent a total of approximately $70,000 to $80,000 in cash to “Paddy Linkin” in six packages addressed to Akinyemi’s residence as well as to an address in Midland, Texas, including the $30,000 seized by the Prince George’s County Police officers. According to the affidavit, Victim 1 withdrew funds from a retirement account and obtained a bank loan in order to pay the “taxes” believing that he/she would receive federal grants.
At least 13 victims have allegedly been defrauded of a total of $474,145.07 through the AFG scheme.
If convicted, Akinyemi faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for each count of mail fraud, attempted mail fraud and mail fraud conspiracy. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan ordered that Akinyemi be detained.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajeev R. Raghavan and Erin B. Pulice, who is prosecuting this case.
The Department of Justice has an interactive tool for elders who have been financially exploited to help determine to which agency they should report their incident, and also a senior scam alert website. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.
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National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
Next week, starting Monday, April 19th, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office will join the rest of the Department of Justice in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in events that celebrate and support crime victims and their advocates.
Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a nationally recognized annual commemoration in April, set aside to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of victim advocates, as well as to promote victims’ rights and services. This year, the Center for Crime Victim Services in partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office will host an annual awards ceremony, via video conference, on Monday April 19th. This ceremony will honor survivors, advocates, and service providers. On Wednesday April 21st, they will be hosting an advanced training webinar for advocates featuring Dr. Chris Wilson of Being Trauma Informed (BTI), an expert in the field of trauma.
Criminals continue to prey on the vulnerable in our communities, and in the past year, have taken advantage of the isolation and limitations caused by the public health crisis. Despite these challenges, our advocates and service providers have continued their important work to protect victims of domestic violence, gun violence, child exploitation, fraud, and drug trafficking. As our community reopens in the next few months, isolated victims will undoubtedly be identified, and all victims will need additional support navigating an altered landscape. Victims can find valuable resources on-line at www.justice.gov/usao/vt
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: “The mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is structured around the pursuit of justice for victims and their families. Violent crime, child exploitation, drug trafficking, and financial abuses inflict significant harm on Vermonters. Victims of these and other crimes will always have devoted advocates at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and throughout the State of Vermont, seeking justice on their behalf. Working with our vital law enforcement partners, we strive to ensure victims’ rights are protected, that their voices are heard, and that they receive appropriate compensation and recovery services. We thank our community partners who provide vital assistance to crime survivors and make Vermont safer through their numerous prevention efforts. Thank you for your tireless work.”
The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, county, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America and providing grants for the implementation of crime-fighting strategies. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about National Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Vermont, Victim Witness Program at (802) 951-6725.
NDTX Round up: April 9 – 15Read the Press Release
GUILTY PLEA – SAMANTHA LONGORIA
On April 13, Samantha Longoria, 25, plead guilty to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Longoria sent the proceeds from drug transactions to Mexico via wire remittance transfers. For each transfer Longoria completed she was paid a fee. When she arrested in late September, law enforcement found receipts for money transfers in her residence she shared with a coconspirator. From May 14-18, Longoria completed 79 transactions totaling $70,000. Longoria now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for her crimes. The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull is prosecuting the case.
SENTENCING – Yotzer Harin Peraza-Navarro
On April 13, Yotzer Harin Peraza-Navarro, 32, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Peraza-Navarro was pulled over by law enforcement for a traffic violation and placed under arrest for having an active warrant. When law enforcement searched Peraza-Navarro’s vehicle, they located $26,419, a pistol, and methamphetamine. Peraza-Navarro later admitted to transporting 25 pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin. The DEA, HSI, Lubbock Sheriff’s Office, and Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING – JORGE BENITEZ
On April 13, Jorge Benitez, 21, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Benitez occupied. Officers searched the vehicle and located marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, $4,715 in drug proceeds, and a firearm. The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Jones prosecuted the case.
GUILTY PLEA – GERARDO JIMENEZ
On April 15, Gerardo Jimenez, 43, plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Jimenez utilized a storage building on his property to store large quantities of illegal narcotics. In May 2020, an undercover officer came to his residence and purchased an “eight ball” of cocaine. When law enforcement executed a search warrant of the residence, they located kilograms of methamphetamine, marijuana plants, and ten firearms. Jimenez now faces up to life in federal prison for his crimes. The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phelesa Guy is prosecuting the case.
GUILTY PLEA – PERRY HILSON
On April 13, Perry Hilson, 42, plead guilty to possessing contraband in prison. On July 27, 2018, Perry Hilson, a prisoner at FCI Seagoville, spoke with Deshea Hilson and instructed her to smuggle narcotics to him during their visit the following day. When Deshea arrived in the visitation room, she went to the vending machines and purchased a bag of chips. She later excused herself to the restroom and retrieved several balloons of methamphetamine from her person and placed them in the chip bags. When she returned to the visitation room, Perry then pretended to eat the chips, but attempted to ingest the methamphetamine. Perry Hilson now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Damien Diggs is prosecuting the case.
Monongalia County man sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Larry Bruce Heaster, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced to one year of probation for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Heaster, 55, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Base” in November 2020. Heaster admitted to working with others to distribute the drugs from March 2018 to September 2020 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
This case 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.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Related press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/seventeen-people-charged-heroin-and-crack-cocaine-distribution-operation
Mobridge Man Indicted for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Mobridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Spencer Jacob Rinehart, age 28, was indicted on April 13, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on April 15, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 40 years in prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between January 1, 2017, and April 29, 2020, Rinehart knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Mobridge, South Dakota.
The charge is merely an accusation and Rinehart is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Mobridge Police Department, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Rinehart was released on conditions pending trial. A trial date has not been scheduled.
Mineral County attorney admits to fraud chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Timothy Mark Sirk, an attorney who lives in Keyser, West Virginia, has admitted a fraud charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Sirk, 62, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Wire Fraud.” Sirk, a court-appointed attorney in Mineral County, admitted to submitting at least 33 fraudulent pay vouchers for his alleged public defender legal services. He also admitted to forging the signature of a Circuit Court Judge when submitting these vouchers. Sirk obtained at least $26,152.68 fraudulently. The crime occurred from December 2016 to June 2018 in Mineral County.
Sirk faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Massachusetts Drug Trafficker Arraigned for Selling More Than 20,000 Bags of Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Matthew A. Oquendo, 28, of Holyoke, Massachusetts was arraigned today in federal court on charges related to the selling of heroin and fentanyl during several FBI undercover operations. Oquendo entered pleas of not guilty to the charges. Oquendo remains detained pending trial.
According to court records and other information presented in court, during the months-long investigation, the FBI used a confidential source to purchase heroin and fentanyl from Oquendo. On March 8, 2021, the FBI confidential source purchased approximately 2,000 bags of fentanyl from Oquendo for $4,000. Just five days later, on March 13, 2021, the FBI confidential source purchased approximately 20,000 bags of heroin from Oquendo for $40,000. Shortly after the deal, Oquendo realized that the $40,000 was fake money. As a result, Oquendo attempted to chase down the confidential source’s vehicle. Law enforcement officers attempted to stop Oquendo by driving towards his car with their blue/red emergency lights engaged; however, Oquendo continued to chase the confidential source’s vehicle – ultimately, requiring an FBI officer to ram Oquendo’s car. Oquendo fled the area in his vehicle, speeding through an intersection and into oncoming traffic causing law enforcement to cease their pursuit. Eventually, law enforcement officers located Oquendo’s vehicle and, with the assistance of a K-9, found Oquendo hiding in a wooded area.
On April 8, 2021, the Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment against Oquendo for distributing fentanyl and for distributing 100 grams or more of heroin. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The defendant faces a five-year mandatory minimum sentence based on the allegation of distributing 100 grams or more of heroin. The actual sentence would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI, the FBI Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Vermont State Police, and the Easthampton (Massachusetts) Police Department Drone Unit are investigating the case. The United States Attorney’s Office also recognizes and appreciates the Brattleboro Police Department for the vital assistance it provided during this investigation.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis. Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth represents the defendant.
Maryland Financial Advisor Facing Federal Charges for Stealing a Client’s Life SavingsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Eddy Blizzard, age 42, of Perry Hall, Maryland, with a federal wire fraud charge and with aggravated identity theft, in connection with a fraud scheme in which he embezzled more than $1 million from a client’s retirement account. The criminal complaint was filed on April 14, 2021 and unsealed upon Blizzard’s initial appearance today.
The criminal complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Mark P. Higgins of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General.
“This defendant is charged with perpetrating a heartless scheme that preyed on a vulnerable elderly victim, allegedly stealing more than a million dollars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “As a result of the fraud the victim’s house went into foreclosure and he owed the IRS at least $63,000. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who perpetrate these despicable schemes targeting elderly victims. I encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim of financial fraud to contact the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Blizzard held several licenses that allowed him to operate as a registered broker and a registered investment adviser per the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). From 2003 to 2014, Blizzard was employed by a bank securities company (Bank 1) and from 2014 to 2017 he was employed by a bank investment services company (Bank 2), both in Maryland.
As detailed in the affidavit, victim R.M. was a resident of Maryland and was 75 years old in January 2020. On December 12, 2019, R.M. was interviewed as part of this investigation. R.M stated to investigators that beginning in 1963, R.M. went to work for a Baltimore based commercial air-conditioning company, where he enjoyed a successful career installing commercial grade air conditioning units around the country. R.M. told investigators he routinely worked approximately 15 to 30 hours of overtime per week during his career to make extra money. In 2003, after approximately 40 years of service with the air conditioning company, R.M. took a buyout and retired. Six months later, R.M. decided to invest his retirement funds in order to provide an inheritance for his grandchildren. R.M. sought investment advice from Bank 1, where he had his depository accounts.
Blizzard began working at Bank 1 shortly after R.M. began investing there and became R.M.’s financial adviser. R.M. allegedly told investigators that in about 2005, Blizzard “went on his own” meaning that Blizzard began working as an independent financial advisor and asked R.M. if R.M. wanted to leave Bank 1 and use Blizzard as a full-time financial advisor. Blizzard allegedly told R.M. that it would be a while before he had his own office, but he would continue to work out of the Bank 1 branch in Catonsville, Maryland. A review of publicly available FINRA records shows that Blizzard never went to work as an independent financial advisor. As detailed in the affidavit, approximately once a month, R.M. would drive from his new home in Chester, Maryland on the Eastern Shore to meet with Blizzard at Bank 1 in Catonsville, approximately one hour away; however, R.M. and Blizzard would meet in Blizzard’s car, not the office. These meetings lasted 30-45 minutes and R.M. was never told why they were meeting in Blizzard’s car.
In approximately 2010, the affidavit alleges that, at Blizzard’s request, R.M. gave Blizzard 15-20 signed blank checks, which Blizzard used. According to the affidavit, R.M. did not know what the checks were for, but recognized Blizzard’s handwriting when he received the cancelled checks in the mail. During the years of investment with Blizzard, R.M. stated that he believed his retirement funds were protected, meaning they would not lose value – a fact that was allegedly told to R.M. numerous times by Blizzard and Blizzard’s wife. R.M. also believed that his mortgage was being paid by Blizzard.
The affidavit alleges that on approximately 12 different instances, R.M. went to his local bank to withdraw cash and was told there was not enough money in the account. R.M. would then call Blizzard to let him know about the deficiency. Blizzard allegedly would then tell R.M. to wait a day or two and there would be funds in the account to withdraw.
In August 2019, R.M. was preparing to go on a family vacation and attempted to withdraw $1,000 to $1,500 in cash from the local Bank 1 branch and was told there were not sufficient funds in the account. R.M. attempted to contact Blizzard on his cell phone for a week with no response. R.M. then went to Blizzard’s Perry Hall, Maryland residence to talk to Blizzard in person, knocking on the front and back doors of Blizzard’s residence. No one came to the door, but according to the affidavit R.M. received a voicemail from Blizzard, while he was still at Blizzard’s home. In the voicemail, Blizzard allegedly stated that the neighbors had called him and were complaining about the banging on the door. As detailed in the affidavit, Blizzard further explained that all of R.M.’s money was gone.
According to the affidavit, a review of R.M.’s depository and investment accounts showed that between January 2013 and August 2019 there were a total of 242 distributions totaling approximately $1.4 million from R.M.’s retirement accounts. Of those, 129 distributions totaling $1.2 million were specifically requested from R.M.’s retirement accounts instead of being regular systematic annuity payments. After taxes and fees were deducted from those requested payments, approximately $1 million was deposited into R.M.’s Bank 1 account. This review allegedly also revealed that from April 2016 to April 2019 Blizzard deposited approximately 112 checks drawn on R.M.’s account into various bank accounts at Bank 1 and elsewhere that were held by Blizzard jointly with his wife or individually. These checks totaled approximately $848,000 and were written to Blizzard or Blizzard’s wife. A review of these checks showed that almost all had comments written on the memo section indicating various purposes such as payment of property taxes, construction, boat payments, and down payments for a new house.
In addition, the affidavit alleges that R.M. received a letter from the IRS, which he turned over to Blizzard as Blizzard had instructed. R.M.’s relatives later determined that R.M. owed approximately $63,000 in federal income tax due to disbursements from R.M.’s retirement accounts that were allegedly stolen by Blizzard. In the fall of 2019, R.M.’s home was put into the foreclosure process because of lack of payment which R.M. allegedly thought was being handled by Blizzard. R.M. died on March 20, 2020.
If convicted, Blizzard faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and a mandatory sentence of two years, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah L. Boardman ordered that Blizzard be released pending trial.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI and the FHFA OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron S. J. Zelinsky, who is prosecuting this case.
The Department of Justice has an interactive tool for elders who have been financially exploited to help determine to which agency they should report their incident, and also a senior scam alert website. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.
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Man Sentenced for Impersonating A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Miguel Carrasquillo-Vilches was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Francisco A. Besosa to a term of 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a restitution to be paid to the victim in the amount of $30,605.19, for impersonating a federal officer and committing wire fraud, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.
Carrasquillo-Vilches pleaded guilty on January 13, 2020, to one count of False Personation of an Officer or Employee of the United States, and four counts of Wire Fraud. The sentencing hearing was held on April 13, 2021.
From June to October 2019, Carrasquillo-Vilches devised a scheme to defraud and falsely claimed to be an agent of the Homeland Security Investigations. The impersonation of a federal officer was used to obtain a rental agreement and residency in a luxury apartment located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As part of the scheme to defraud, Carrasquillo-Vilches identified himself as the Director of Tactical Command of the Mid-South Region for Homeland Security Investigations, generated fake email threads to a nonexistent government email address, and used texts, phone calls and emails to communicate and make false representations to the realtor and owner of the apartment. The fake emails Carrasquillo-Vilches generated made it seem that supervisors at Homeland Security Investigations were aware of the Residence Lease Agreement and were in the process of approving it.
Carrasquillo-Vilches signed a Residential Lease Agreement with the owner of the apartment and agreed to pay rent of $7,500 per month for one year. Carrasquillo-Vilches moved into the apartment, failed to make any payments, and was eventually removed from the property at the time of his arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney María L. Montañez of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Section prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Edirso De Leon Frias, age 29, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania was sentenced on April 15, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 10 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin and over 500 grams of cocaine.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, De Leon Frias pled guilty to being an organizer of a drug trafficking organization operating in and around Luzerne County. De Leon Frias was responsible for more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 500 grams of cocaine, and possessed a firearm during the commission of the drug offense. One kilogram of heroin is the equivalent of approximately 40,000 individual doses.
Fourteen other defendants have previously been sentenced on charges arising from this investigation. Most notably, Jose Ramon de Leon Pineda was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment, and Juan Roman Polanco was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment. Both men were also leaders in their drug trafficking conspiracies, and both men possessed firearms during the course of the conspiracy.
This conviction was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple wiretaps, conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Keithville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Danny Ray Marable, 64, of Keithville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography.
Marable pleaded guilty on October 8, 2020 to receipt of child pornography. Evidence presented at the hearing revealed that in October 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received information from MeWe, an online social media and social networking service, that indicated a user uploaded images depicting child pornography including bondage. FBI agents began their investigation to determine who the MeWe user was and learned that it was Marable. On April 22, 2020, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on his residence and agents took possession of items including a cellphone and flash drive belonging to Marable. He admitted to agents that the email address used by the MeWe user did in fact belong to him.
After a forensic analysis of the seized items, law enforcement agents discovered that Marable received a video containing child pornography in December 2019. In addition to receiving the video, Marable received over 100 images and over 50 videos of child pornography involving prepubescent minors and/or minors under the age of 12 on his cell phone and flash drive. The videos and images specifically depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually exploited.
The FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath prosecuted the case.
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Jacksonville Man Convicted of Distribution of Heroin Resulting in Death and Other Charges Sentenced to Life Plus Five YearsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Jacksonville man previously convicted of distribution of heroin resulting in death, two counts of possessing a firearm while a felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, three counts of distribution of heroin and/or crack, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack was sentenced to life plus five years in prison today.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Randon Austin Jenkins, a/k/a Jerz, 36, provided heroin to a victim who died shortly thereafter of a heroin overdose. After the victim was discovered, detectives located bags of heroin marked with a unique stamp in the victim’s bedroom. Detectives utilized informants, cell phone evidence, and other evidence to connect Jenkins to those stamped heroin bags. They were able to search Jenkins house just two weeks later and located those same stamped heroin bags in his house. Detectives also located guns and other drugs in the house as well as conducted multiple controlled purchases of drugs from the defendant over the course of the ensuing months.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge James C. Dever III. Jacksonville Police Department, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Howard prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No 7:18-CR-0006-D.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss – Ronnie Antwoine Arnold, 20, of Jackson, pled guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and crack-cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Jackson Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
On December 19, 2018, Jackson police officers stopped a car driven by Arnold. Inside the car, Arnold possessed a backpack that contained methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine, all individually wrapped. In addition to the narcotics, Arnold possessed $1,290 cash. Arnold was arrested by Jackson police and later released by the State on bond.
On June 25, 2019, Arnold was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On June 27, 2019, Arnold again sold drugs, this time crack cocaine. Arnold was subsequently arrested by the FBI and ordered to be detained until trial on the federal indictment. While detained and awaiting trial, Arnold was indicted by a federal grand on February 12, 2020, for possessing with intent to distribute the crack cocaine he sold while out on bond in June 2019.
Arnold remains in federal custody and will be sentenced on July 27, 2021, by Judge Jordan. He faces a penalty of up to 40 years in prison and up to $4,000,000 in fines.
These cases were investigated by the Jackson Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bert Carraway is the lead prosecutor.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry, and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
Iowa Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Inwood, Iowa, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Kyle William King, age 34, was indicted on April 6, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on April 14, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on King, who had previously been convicted of a sex crime and required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, failed to do so between October 1, 2020, and February 8, 2021.
The charge is merely an accusation and King is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
King was remanded to the custody of the State pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 13 was:
Khalil Lajuan Lyons, 19, of Eastpoint, Michigan, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lyons faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Lyons was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Peck Law Enforcement Services and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
PACER case reference. 21-25.
Jason Tyrell Lee, 45, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, on charges conspiracy to possess and distribute oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lee faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Lee was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-11.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 13 was:
Leanna Martie Miranda, 52, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Miranda faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Miranda was released pending further proceedings. The FBI Transnational Organized Crime West Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-15.
Appearing on April 15 was:
Christian Mikal David Bramley, 21, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bramley faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bramley was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-09.
Larry Sylvester Hines, 41, of Billings, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hines faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hines was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-12.
Teisha Nicole West, 35, of Wichita Falls, Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, West faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud counts and two years in prison consecutive to any other crime, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the identity theft count. West was released pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-19.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Indictment Unsealed Charging Six Defendants with Conspiracy to Fraudulently Acquire Personal Protective Equipment and Event TicketsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Earlier this week, an Indictment was unsealed charging six defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to fraudulently acquire personal protective equipment and event tickets, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 8, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a sealed Indictment against STEVEN MESROP, 29, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada; MIRNA MAHROUS HABIB, 24, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; ROBERT VINNIK, 26, of Ontario, Canada; KATAYUN OSKOI, 24 of Ontario, Canada; CAROLINA MESROP, 23, of Ontario, Canada, and DIJON CORNELIUS SHEPARD, 27, of Los Angeles, California. All defendants were charged with conspiracy. In addition, Steven Mesrop and Vinnik are charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to the Indictment, Mesrop and his associates operated a scheme to use stolen credit card and identity information to induce businesses to provide goods and services, such as event tickets and personal protective equipment, to resell for a profit. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is alleged that the conspirators began targeting U.S.-based businesses selling goods that were scarce due to the pandemic. The conspirators allegedly used stolen credit card information to purchase items such as nitrile gloves, masks, and gowns and to resell them to third parties. The Indictment alleges the conspirators operated the scheme from Canada, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Greece, and Dubai. The Indictment alleges the conspirators targeted sports teams and event venues throughout the United States and Canada, including Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The Indictment further alleges that Mesrop and his associates used 21 different alias email accounts and information from 52 stolen credit cards to purchase over 1,800 tickets to Oklahoma State University athletic events between November 2019 and January 2020. In March 2020, the conspirators allegedly used stolen credit card information to purchase approximately $18,000 worth of toilet paper from a paper supply company in Oklahoma City.
Mesrop was arrested on March 18, 2021, in Georgia. On March 24, 2021, Mesrop was ordered to be detained pending trial. On April 16, 2021, Shepard was arrested in Los Angeles, California. The other defendants remain at large.
If convicted of conspiracy or any wire fraud count, each defendant faces a term of imprisonment on each count up to 20 years. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, each defendant faces an additional two years in prison per count, to be served consecutively to a sentence on any other count of conviction. Each count of conviction also includes a fine up to $250,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations New York’s El Dorado Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Irvine (California) Police Department, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Farrior.
The public is reminded these charges are merely accusations and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Attached is the Indictment the federal grand jury returned in this matter.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Hoover Criminal Gang Member Faces Drug and Gun Charges in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Aumontae Wayne Smith, 27, a known Hoover Criminal Gang member and resident of Portland, is facing federal drug and gun charges for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
On April 6, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Smith with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and testimony, Smith and an unnamed accomplice conspired with one another to distribute fentanyl disguised as oxycodone pills in and around Portland. Smith advertised selling the fake oxycodone pills and guns via Snapchat posts that were observed by law enforcement. Investigators seized six firearms from Smith and his accomplice and, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Further investigation revealed Smith purchased 16 firearms since 2019 that linked to 17 different shootings in the Portland area between April and December 2020.
Smith voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement today and made his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. A three-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on June 15, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau, FBI, and ATF. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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.
High-level organizer of notorious hacking group FIN7 sentenced to ten years in prison for scheme that compromised tens of millions of debit and credit cardsRead the Press Release
Seattle – The first high-level manager of the notorious hacking group FIN7 was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to ten years in prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa A. Gorman. Fedir Hladyr, 35, a Ukranian national, served as a high-level manager and systems administrator for FIN7. He was arrested in Dresden, Germany, in 2018 at the request of U.S. law enforcement and was extradited to Seattle. In September 2019, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit computer hacking. At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “Cybercrime has become the greatest threat to American’s financial health, and to citizens around the globe.”
“This criminal organization had more than 70 people organized into business units and teams. Some were hackers, others developed the malware installed on computers, and still others crafted the malicious emails that duped victims into infecting their company systems,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This defendant worked at the intersection of all these activities and thus bears heavy responsibility for billions in damage caused to companies and individual consumers.”
According to records filed in the case, since at least 2015, FIN7 members (also referred to as Carbanak Group and the Navigator Group, among other names) engaged in a highly sophisticated malware campaign to attack hundreds of U.S. companies, predominantly in the restaurant, gaming, and hospitality industries. FIN7 hacked into thousands of computer systems and stole millions of customer credit and debit card numbers which were used or sold for profit.
FIN7, through its dozens of members, launched numerous waves of malicious cyberattacks on numerous businesses operating in the United States and abroad. FIN7 carefully crafted email messages that would appear legitimate to a business’s employees and accompanied emails with telephone calls intended to further legitimize the email. Once an attached file was opened and activated, FIN7 would use an adapted version of the notorious Carbanak malware in addition to an arsenal of other tools ultimately to access and steal payment card data for the business’s customers. Since 2015, many of the stolen payment card numbers have been offered for sale through online underground marketplaces.
In the United States alone, FIN7 successfully breached the computer networks of businesses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, stealing more than 20 million customer card records from over 6,500 individual point-of-sale terminals at more than 3,600 separate business locations. Additional intrusions occurred abroad, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and France. Companies that have publicly disclosed hacks attributable to FIN7 include such familiar chains as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chili’s, Arby’s, Red Robin, and Jason’s Deli.
“These cyber thieves orchestrated an elaborate network of hackers and systems to infiltrate businesses and exploit consumers’ personal information,” said Donald M. Voiret, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office. “Their specialized skills to target certain industries amplified the damage exponentially. Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement partners both in the U.S. and overseas, these fraudsters are not beyond our reach and cannot hide from the law.”
Hladyr originally joined FIN7 via a front company called Combi Security—a fake cyber security company that had a phony website and no legitimate customers. Hladyr admitted in his plea agreement that he quickly realized that, far from being a legitimate company, Combi was part of a criminal enterprise. Hladyr served as FIN7’s systems administrator who, among other things, played a central role in aggregating stolen payment card information, supervising FIN7’s hackers, and maintaining the elaborate network of servers that FIN7 used to attack and control victims’ computers. Hladyr also controlled the organization’s encrypted channels of communication.
Speaking to the court, Hladyr said he had “ruined years of my life and put [his] family through great risk and struggle.”
Noting that cyber criminals must be deterred by significant sentences, Chief Judge Martinez said he was cognizant of the “ease of sitting at a keyboard and stealing money from people around the globe” and emphasized that would-be cybercriminals “must understand that, once caught, the punishment will be significant.” The judge also ordered Hladyr to pay $2.5 million in restitution.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Seattle Cyber Task Force of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, with the assistance of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Office of International Affairs, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, numerous computer security firms and financial institutions, FBI offices across the nation and globe, as well as numerous international agencies. German law enforcement authorities provided significant assistance by arresting Hladyr.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis Franze-Nakamura and Steven Masada of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorney Anthony Teelucksingh of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
High-Level Organizer of Notorious Hacking Group Sentenced to Prison for Scheme that Compromised Tens of Millions of Debit and Credit CardsRead the Press Release
A Ukrainian national was sentenced today in the Western District of Washington to 10 years in prison for his high-level role in the criminal work of the hacking group FIN7.
Fedir Hladyr, 35, served as a manager and systems administrator for FIN7. He was arrested in Dresden, Germany, in 2018, at the request of U.S. law enforcement and was extradited to Seattle, Washington. In September 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit computer hacking.
“The defendant and his conspirators compromised millions of financial accounts and caused over a billion dollars in losses to Americans and costs to the U.S. economy,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Protecting businesses – both large and small – online is a top priority for the Department of Justice. The department is committed to working with our international partners to hold such cyber criminals accountable, no matter where they reside or how anonymous they think they are.”
“This criminal organization had more than 70 people organized into business units and teams. Some were hackers, others developed the malware installed on computers, and still others crafted the malicious emails that duped victims into infecting their company systems,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman of the Western District of Washington. “This defendant worked at the intersection of all these activities and thus bears heavy responsibility for billions in damage caused to companies and individual consumers.”
“These cyber thieves orchestrated an elaborate network of hackers and systems to infiltrate businesses and exploit consumers’ personal information,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald M. Voiret of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “Their specialized skills to target certain industries amplified the damage exponentially. Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement partners both in the U.S. and overseas, these fraudsters are not beyond our reach and cannot hide from the law.”
According to documents filed in the case, since at least 2015, members of FIN7 (also referred to as Carbanak Group and the Navigator Group, among other names) engaged in a highly sophisticated malware campaign to attack hundreds of U.S. companies, predominantly in the restaurant, gambling, and hospitality industries. FIN7 hacked into thousands of computer systems and stole millions of customer credit and debit card numbers that were then used or sold for profit. FIN7, through its dozens of members, launched waves of malicious cyberattacks on numerous businesses operating in the United States and abroad. To execute its scheme, FIN7 carefully crafted email messages that would appear legitimate to a business’ employees, and accompanied emails with telephone calls intended to further legitimize the emails. Once a file attached to a fraudulent email was opened and activated, FIN7 would use an adapted version of the Carbanak malware, in addition to an arsenal of other tools, to access and steal payment card data for the business’s customers. Since 2015, many of the stolen payment card numbers have been offered for sale through online underground marketplaces.
In the United States alone, FIN7 successfully breached the computer networks of businesses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, stealing more than 20 million customer card records from over 6,500 individual point-of-sale terminals at more than 3,600 separate business locations. According to court documents, victims incurred enormous costs that, according to some estimates, totaled billions of dollars. Additional intrusions occurred abroad, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and France. Companies that have publicly disclosed hacks attributable to FIN7 include such chains as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chili’s, Arby’s, Red Robin, and Jason’s Deli.
Hladyr originally joined FIN7 via a front company called Combi Security – a fake cyber security company that had a phony website and no legitimate customers. Hladyr admitted in his plea agreement that he soon realized that, rather than a legitimate company, Combi was part of a criminal enterprise. Hladyr served as FIN7’s systems administrator who, among other things, played a central role in aggregating stolen payment card information, supervising FIN7’s hackers, and maintaining the elaborate network of servers that FIN7 used to attack and control victims’ computers. Hladyr also controlled the organization’s encrypted channels of communication.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Seattle Cyber Task Force of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, numerous computer security firms and financial institutions, FBI offices across the nation and globe, as well as a number of international agencies provided significant assistance. German law enforcement authorities provided significant assistance by arresting Hladyr.
This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Anthony Teelucksingh of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis Franze-Nakamura and Steven Masada of the Western District of Washington.
Harrison County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Dustin Cain Anderson, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Anderson, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Anderson, a person prohibited from having firearms, admitted to having a .22 caliber revolver in November 2020 in Upshur County.
Anderson is facing up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Hardin woman admits burning down house on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Hardin woman today admitted charges accusing her of burning down a house that was being renovated on the Crow Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.
Vanessa Faith Prettyontop, also known as Vanessa Faith Gunshows, 34, pleaded guilty to arson as charged in an indictment. Prettyontop faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Prettyontop was released pending further proceedings. Sentencing has been set for Aug. 19.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Oct. 3, 2020, Prettyontop started a fire in a house owned by the victim, identified as John Doe. When the fire occurred, Doe had nearly finished repairs and renovations and was planning to move back in. Prettyontop tried unsuccessfully to break into the residence through the front door, then entered through an open back door. Prettyontop intentionally lit a mattress on fire with a lighter. The fire spread to the rest of the house and Prettyontop walked out the front door. Prettyontop called 911 to turn herself in, confessed and said she was tired of people fighting over the house.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Torske is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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Greene County man who allegedly shot ODNR officer charged federally with illegal gun possessionRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Greene County man was arrested by federal ATF agents on an illegal gun possession charge that stems from an incident in which an Ohio wildlife officer was shot.
Brian R. Liming, 44, of Jamestown, Ohio, was charged by a federal grand jury on April 14. His case was unsealed today, and he appeared in federal court this afternoon.
According to the indictment, on Dec. 20, 2020, Liming illegally possessed a loaded 20-gauge shotgun. On that date, an officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was shot while investigating illegal deer hunting near Martinsville, Ohio.
Liming was previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Possessing a firearm or ammunition after having been convicted of a crime of domestic violence is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Liming is currently out on bond on charges in the Clinton County Common Pleas Court, including felony assault and misdemeanor hunting charges related to the shooting. His Clinton County charges remain pending.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato and Adam Cullman, Department of Justice Trial Attorney from the Environment and Natural Resources Division are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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GirlsDoPorn Employee Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 16, 2021
SAN DIEGO – Valorie Moser, former bookkeeper for the adult website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring with the operators of the website to fraudulently coerce young women to appear in sex videos.
Moser, who worked for GirlsDoPorn (GDP) from 2015 to 2018, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Linda Lopez to Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion. Moser, the third of six defendants to plead guilty, admitted that she served as GDP’s bookkeeper, made travel arrangements for models, provided transportation for approximately 100 models once they arrived in San Diego, and performed miscellaneous other tasks. Moser reported her accounting activities to co-defendant Matthew Wolfe, and her interactions with the models to co-defendant Michael Pratt and others.
Moser admitted she knew that GDP produced pornographic videos for publication and dissemination on the internet, and that the young women being recruited to star in these pornographic videos had been provided false assurances that the videos would not be published on the internet. For example, Moser overheard Pratt, using the alias “Mark,” telling prospective models that the video footage would only be distributed on DVDs in Australia, and that the models would remain anonymous, statements that Moser knew to be false.
Further, Pratt instructed Moser not to tell the women the truth about their video’s distribution as she drove the young women to and from the video shoots. Moser was to tell the women that she was just an Uber driver. Later, Pratt told Moser to tell the women that she was bound by a non-disclosure agreement and could not discuss it.
After the videos were posted on-line and widely available, many women contacted Moser to ask that their videos be taken down. Pratt, Wolfe and co-defendant Ruben Garcia all told Moser to block any calls from these women.
Moser also attempted to recruit potential models. Pratt gave her a list of names and numbers and showed her how to use a spoof program to conceal her actual phone number when making calls. Moser was aware that Pratt had a grading system for young women, and that she would get paid more if Pratt found the recruited women attractive. Pratt instructed Moser to tell all prospective models the same lie - that the videos would be released solely on DVD in Australia. Moser knew this to be false. Moser never actually recruited anyone and therefore never made these promises.
“This defendant was a willing participant in a scheme that has traumatized many victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We will continue to seek justice for these women, and to prevent others from becoming ensnared by sex traffickers.” Grossman commended the excellent work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Green and Alexandra F. Foster, as well as FBI agents and members of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, for their continuing effort to investigate and prosecute this important case.
“Valorie Moser’s guilty plea closes yet another chapter in this deplorable crime ring,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “The defendant used lies and deceit to help facilitate this sex trafficking conspiracy.”
Moser is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on July 2, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. The next hearing in the ongoing case is May 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., also before Judge Sammartino.
Any additional victims of the alleged crime are encouraged to call the San Diego FBI at 858-320-1800.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Michael James Pratt. Individuals with information about Pratt should contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
For further information, please see:
- Wanted Poster: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/michael-james-pratt
- Press Release: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sandiego/news/press-releases/fbi-seeks-public-assistance-in-locating-sex-trafficking-suspectDEFENDANT Case Number 19cr4488-JLS
Valorie Moser Age: 38 San Diego, CA*
*Pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information charging Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine, a special assessment of $100.
CO-DEFENDANTS
Michael James Pratt Age: 36 Fugitive
Matthew Isaac Wolfe Age 37 San Diego, CA
Ruben Andre Garcia Age: 31 San Diego, CA**
** Pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 7
Theodore Gyi Age: 42 Rancho Aliso, CA**
** Pleaded guilty to Superseding Information charging Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371
Amberlyn Dee Nored Age: 27 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1 (charging all defendants)
Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison, $250,000 fine, and a special assessment of $5,000 under 18 U.S.C. § 3014.
Count 2 (Pratt)
Production of Child Pornography, 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: 30 years in custody, $250,000 fine, and a special assessment of $5,000 under 18 U.S.C. § 3014.Count 3 (Pratt)
Sex Trafficking of a Minor by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a)(1) and (2)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine, and a special assessment of $5,000 under 18 U.S.C. § 3014.
Counts 4 (Pratt, Wolfe, Garcia), 5 (Pratt, Garcia), 6 (Pratt, Wolfe, Garcia), 7 (Pratt, Garcia, Gyi), 8 (Pratt, Garcia, Gyi)
Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a) and (b)(1)
Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine, and a special assessment of $5,000 under 18 U.S.C. § 3014.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation – San Diego Field Office
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Georgia Man Indicted on Conspiracy and Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Georgia man was arraigned today on conspiracy and fraud charges after surrendering to federal authorities, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Isaac Newton, 53, of Loganville, Georgia, is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and one count of unlawfully obtaining $5,000 or more from a federally funded local government. He appeared by videoconference before the U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III, entered a plea of not guilty, and was release on $100,000 unsecured bond.
According to the indictment:
Newton was a consultant whose family member was enrolled in a graduate program at a university in New Jersey with Willis Edwards III, a public official in the local government of the City of Orange Township, New Jersey.
From June 2015 to June 2016, Newton and Edwards conspired to dupe Orange into making payments to Newton, which were, at least in part, for academic papers that Newton arranged to have written for Edwards. Edwards plagiarized the papers that Orange paid for and passed them off as his own work to professors at the university. Between December 2015 and March 2016, Newton submitted three fraudulent invoices to Orange calling for payments of $12,000, $16,000, and $10,000 for purported professional services. Orange paid the money to Newton, and Edwards received from Newton academic papers that had been written for Edwards. On June 20, 2016, Edwards submitted to several professors papers that were virtually identical to the papers that he had received from Newton. In emails sent to the professors, to which the papers were attached, Edwards asked the professors to grade the attached outstanding assignments so that he did “not receive a failing grade for all of the hard work that [he had] done.”
On Sept. 29, 2020, Edwards was charged in a 31-count superseding indictment, Counts 17 to 25 of which are related to the charges contained in Newton’s indictment. His case is pending trial.
Each count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of unlawfully obtaining more than $5,000 from a local government receiving federal funds is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J Fortier Imbert and Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.
The charge and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Tribal Employee Sentenced to Serve Five Years of Probation for Embezzlement and TheftRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, CAYLE LEIGH KLINEKOLE, 48, of Elgin, was sentenced to serve five years of probation for embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On October 30, 2020 Klinekole pleaded guilty to a single-count felony Indictment charging her with embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.
According to court documents and public record, Klinekole worked at the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Intertribal Land Use Committee ("KCA") as the Executive Director from 2016 to 2017. The KCA is a designated representative body of each of the three tribes authorized to manage and conduct business regarding jointly owned lands. During the time of her employment, Klinekole stole funds by forging checks, entering into labor agreements with companies without proper authorization, and making unauthorized purchases on credit accounts at different vendors.
On April 15, 2021, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Klinekole to serve 5 years of probation, including home confinement for the first year, and 50 hours of community service. Judge Goodwin also ordered Klinekole to pay $194,573.18 in restitution to the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Intertribal Land Use Committee. In announcing the sentence, Judge Goodwin noted the nature and circumstances of the offense and the need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Comanche Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Cárdenas prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Former Temple Business School Dean Indicted for FraudRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced during a press conference today that Moshe Porat, the former Dean of Temple University’s Richard J. Fox School of Business and Management (“Fox”), has been indicted on charges that he conspired and schemed to deceive the school’s applicants, students, and donors into believing that the school offered top-ranked business degree programs, so they would pay tuition and make donations to Temple.
Porat, 74, of Bala Cynywd, PA, was Dean of Fox Business School from 1996 until 2018. He also was the Dean of Temple’s School of Sports, Tourism & Hospitality Management from 1998 until 2018.
The Indictment charges Porat with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. According to the Indictment, from at least 2014 until at least 2018, Porat conspired with a Fox professor named Isaac Gottlieb and a Fox employee named Marjorie O’Neill to submit false information about the school’s online MBA (“OMBA”) and part-time MBA (“PMBA”) programs to U.S. News & World Report in order to inflate Fox’s rankings in the annual U.S. News surveys of top OMBA and PMBA programs.
Among other things, the conspirators allegedly agreed to provide false information to U.S. News about the number of Fox’s OMBA and PMBA students who had taken the Graduate Management Admission Test (“GMAT”); the average work experience of Fox’s PMBA students; and the percentage of Fox students who were enrolled part-time because it was believed that better numbers for these metrics would result in better rankings for the programs.
The Indictment charges that the scheme was successful. Relying on the false information it had received from Fox, U.S. News ranked Fox’s OMBA program Number One in the country four years in a row (2015 – 2018). U.S. News also moved Fox’s PMBA program up its rankings from No. 53 in 2014 to No. 20 in 2015, to No. 16 in 2016, and to No. 7 in 2017.
According to the Indictment, Porat boasted about these rankings in marketing materials directed at potential Fox students and donors. Enrollment in Fox’s OMBA and PMBA programs grew dramatically in a few short years, which led to millions of dollars a year in increased tuition revenues.
Gottlieb and O’Neill have been charged in a separate Information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“The success of the higher education system in the United States relies not only on the academic excellence and rigor of the programs offered, and not only on the aptitude and hard work of the applicants and students,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams, “but also on transparency and honesty about the system itself. Moshe Porat allegedly misrepresented information about Fox’s application and acceptance process, and therefore the student-body itself, in order to defraud the rankings system, potential students, and donors. His conduct, as alleged, undermines the integrity of the entire academic system and forever hurts the students who worked so hard for admission.”
“Moshe Porat knew that burnishing the MBA programs’ rankings would make Fox more competitive, bringing in more students and more dollars,” said Lilian S. Perez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.“Fudging the school’s data was a means to that end. But countless applicants, students, and donors made big decisions, financial decisions, based on the lies at the heart of this alleged conspiracy. This was an extended and extensive fraud, for which those involved must be held accountable.”
“Today’s action alleges that Mr. Porat knowingly abused his position of trust to defraud the very ones he promised to serve – Temple students. That is unacceptable,” said Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Regional Office. “As the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Education, we will continue to aggressively pursue those who scam students or rig the system for their selfish purposes.”
“Leadership at institutions of higher education owe a duty to provide honest and accurate information about their schools and programs. As these leaders know, students, prospective students, prospective employees, employers, and others rely on the information they disseminate, and trust in its veracity,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood. “Unfortunately, we have seen far too many examples of these leaders breaching this duty by engaging in deceptive activity. Today, the United States Attorney charged the former Dean of the Fox School Business at Temple University with providing fraudulent information to college ranking publications and then widely sharing that information with prospective students. This fraudulent data helped propel Temple Business School’s online degree program to a number one ranking in the US News and World Report and caused the program’s application and enrollment numbers to balloon. Many of these students would not have considered Temple if not for the number 1 ranking. The team from the FBI, the US Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and the Postal Inspection Service, spent several years working together to unravel this fraud. Today, thanks to their investigation, we are holding one of those individuals who engaged in this destructive conduct responsible and accountable.”
If convicted, Porat faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine. Gottlieb and O’Neill each face a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, followed by three years supervised release; and a $500,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General; and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Member of "Head Shot Mafia" Drug Crew Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the “Head Shot Mafia” (HSM) Brockton drug crew pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 to conspiracy charges involving fentanyl.
Djoy Defrancesco, 24, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for June 8, 2021. Defrancesco and three fellow HSM members were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2019.
As alleged in court documents, law enforcement began investigating a violent Brockton-area drug crew that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The drug crew, which referred to itself as “Head Shot Mafia” (HSM) ran a fentanyl delivery service that encompassed all of Brockton as well as neighboring cities. Specifically, it is alleged that drug users/customers placed orders for fentanyl by contacting a cellphone maintained and shared by HSM crew members, which included Defrancesco. HSM members worked together to deliver the fentanyl order. Beginning in September 2019, agents introduced an undercover law enforcement officer to HSM, who made six purchases of fentanyl from members of the crew.
Defrancesco sold fentanyl to the undercover officer while on pre-trial release from a Plymouth Superior Court indictment charging him with trafficking in fentanyl and possession of a high capacity feeding device, among other offenses.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Bridgewater State University Police Departments as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is 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.
Former Credit Union CEO Pleads Guilty to Embezzling, Failure to File TaxesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of embezzlement from a federal credit union and willful failure to file tax returns, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Stacey Shaw, 47, of Industry, PA pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Shaw was the President and CEO of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 712 Federal Credit Union, and beginning in May 2017 she opened six credit cards in her name without getting approval from the Board of Directors. Over the course of approximately three years, and without authorization, Shaw raised the credit limits on her credit cards approximately 138 times, using the available credit to make personal purchases. When her conduct was discovered, the six credit cards had a total outstanding balance of approximately $2.1 million, all of which resulted in a loss to the credit union. Ultimately, the loss was so profound, the credit union went out of business. The Court was further advised that Shaw had significant income for the years 2018 and 2019, but she willfully failed to file tax returns for those years.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for August 10, 2021 at 9:30 A.M. The law provides for a total sentence of 31 years in prison, a fine of $1,100,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court released Shaw on a $50,000 bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Shaw.
Florida Drug Traffickers Convicted for Large-Scale Cocaine OperationRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – A jury in Plano, Texas has convicted two Florida men of drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Omar Daniel Garcia-Agosto and Steven Thomas Mathis were found guilty by a jury for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine following a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan.
“Today’s guilty verdict sends a clear message to drug traffickers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The Eastern District is dedicated to dismantling their organizations—from top to bottom—and disrupting the flow of illegal drugs through the State of Texas. We appreciate the hard work of the DEA as well as our state and local partners in putting this case together.”
According to evidence presented in court, from at least January 2019, and continuing until their arrests in December 2019, Garcia-Agosto, 46, of Deltona, FL, and Mathis, 34, of Orlando, FL, were involved in a drug trafficking operation that was responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine through the United States, including the North Texas area. Supplied by members of the Cartel Del Noreste in Mexico, the cocaine was sent to Laredo, Dallas, and Houston, Texas. From there, couriers transported the multi-kilogram shipments by car to Florida and locations in New York. The defendants then purchased and distributed cocaine throughout the United States. The investigation included the seizure of approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine and more than $300,000 in currency.
Following their conviction at trial, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rockwall Police Department, the Mesquite Police Department, Lewisville Police Department, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the North Texas Criminal Interdiction Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ernest Gonzalez and Colleen Bloss and Special Assistant United States Attorney Bethany R. Pickett.
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Fayetteville Man Sentenced to 12 Years After Second Federal Conviction for Firearms and Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Fayetteville man was sentenced to a total of 144 months in prison for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to court documents, Zhivargo Kinta Jenkins, also known as Fefe, 43, discharged a firearm inside an apartment where he ran a drug distribution enterprise involving marijuana, cocaine, and cocaine base (crack). On the night of December 15, 2018, Fayetteville Police Officers responded to a report of shooting inside an apartment. Upon arrival, officers found several large quantities of drugs, distribution material, and spent rounds of ammunition. Officers noted holes in the walls from the bullets, but no one was injured. At the time of the incident, Jenkins was serving a term of post-release supervision for federal convictions involving firearms and the distribution of narcotics.
For his actions in December 2018 and its corresponding federal charges, Jenkins was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan. In addition to this sentence, Jenkins was sentenced to an additional 24 months’ imprisonment for the revocation of his post-release supervision by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever, III. The twenty-four-month sentence will run consecutive to his 120-month sentence.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Fayetteville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney J.D. Koesters prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-CR-528 and 5:05-CR-204.
Enrolled member of the Navajo Nation sentenced to six years in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Steven Barbone, 38, of To’hajiilee, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to six years and four months in prison on April 12 for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.
Barbone pleaded guilty to this offense on May 12, 2020. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, in Sept. 2019, Barbone arrived under the influence of alcohol at his estranged wife’s home on the Navajo Nation and held Jane Doe against her will for two days. Barbone admitted to punching Jane Doe and using a taser to cause bodily harm. At some point, Barbone injected Jane Doe with methamphetamine under threat and without her consent. Jane Doe was hospitalized for three days to treat and recover from her injuries.
Upon his release from prison, Barbone will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fredrick T. Mendenhall prosecuted the case.