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2 June 2021
Houston gang member charged for trafficking young teen for sexRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A local gang member has been ordered into custody on charges of child sex trafficking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.
Today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon ordered Porter Bush, 44, Houston, into custody pending further criminal proceedings.
The indictment, returned May 13, alleges Bush trafficked a 14-year-old girl from February to June 2018.
On June 25, 2018, authorities allegedly found and recovered the young girl near the Bissonnet Track after she got into a car with a potential client. The charges allege law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle, at which time Bush pretended to be the 14-year-old’s stepfather.
The Bissonnet Track is a known area near 59 Southwest Freeway and Bissonnet Street where traffickers place minor and adult victims for commercial sex, according to the charges.
If convicted, Bush faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The Houston Police Department conducted the investigation as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA).
HTRA law enforcement also includes members of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Attorney General’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Department of Labor (DOL), DOL – Wage and Hour Division, Department of State, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General (OIG), Social Security Administration – OIG and Sheriff’s Offices in Harris and Montgomery counties in coordination with District Attorney’s offices in Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties.
Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Suh is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Highland Park Police Detective Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl-laced HeroinRead the Press Release
A Detective with the Highland Park Police Department and her co-conspirator were charged in a criminal complaint with distributing and conspiring to distribute fentanyl-laced heroin, Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin announced today.
Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tiffany Lipkovitch, 45, of Detroit, and Amber Bellamy, 38, of Detroit, stand charged with distribution and conspiring to distribute controlled substances. Lipkovitch is a detective with the Highland Park Police Department, where she has been a police officer since 2011. According to the complaint, federal agents recorded numerous calls and meetings between Lipkovitch and a confidential source about a drug transaction. Lipkovitch gave the source “samples” or “pictures” of the drugs that were available from her associate, Bellamy, explaining that one was “$80 a gram” and the others were $100 per gram. When Lipkovitch asked what they were diluting or “cuttin” the drugs with, the confidential source responded that people used “fentanyl.” This did not surprise Lipkovitch, who explained that Bellamy was getting “a package of fentanyl . . . from overseas.” Lipkovitch eventually introduced the confidential source to Bellamy, who sold the source 45 grams of a fentanyl / heroin mixture. The confidential source later met with Lipkovitch, who was on duty and in her police uniform, about the transaction, and gave her $300 for facilitating the drug deal.
Acting United States Attorney Mohsin stated, “These charges affirm our office’s commitment to hold all individuals accountable for the distribution of dangerous drugs like heroin and fentanyl.” And, “While the vast majority of our police officers work honorably and faithfully to protect and serve the citizens of this region, our office continues to prosecute those corrupt officers who put their own greed above the public good and abuse their position violate the law.”
Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp stated, “We do not condone this type of activity. The citizens of Highland Park have expectations, as they should, that law enforcement officers obey the laws they swore to enforce. Like anyone else in the community, if a person violates the law they should be brought to justice.”
DEA Detroit Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin stated, “While the vast majority of law enforcement officers are honest and hardworking, this officer chose to push a deadly drug onto our streets in exchange for personal profit. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure these individuals are rooted out and brought to justice.”
"The arrests this morning by state and federal agents are an example of the law enforcement community's joint effort in prosecuting police officers that abuse their authority and abandon their oath to serve and protect our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Detroit Division of the FBI. "Today shows the commitment of law enforcement to root out police corruption and abuse of authority within its ranks. The officer's betrayal of her sworn duty should not diminish the exemplary work conducted every day by the men and women in law enforcement. This case is an example of the importance the criminal justice system places on prosecuting its own who have abused their positions of trust in dereliction of duty."
The South Oakland Narcotics Intelligence Consortium (SONIC) task force assisted in the investigation. SONIC is a task force of local police departments. The Michigan State Police will continue to provide resources to multi-agency task forces consisting of federal and local partners” stated Michigan State Police F/Lt. Michael Shaw, Second District Public Information Officer. “While any criminal activity is detrimental to our communities, it is far worse when the alleged suspect is a police officer.”
Upon conviction for a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 or 846, Lipkovitch and Bellmany face a maximum of twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
The case was investigated by the FBI Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, in collaboration with the SONIC task force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Cares.
Guadalajara Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Approximately 21 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – U.S. District Judge Alia Moses sentenced 40-year-old Ramon Antonio Yanez-Gonzalez, aka “Junior,” of Guadalajara, Mexico to 235 months in federal prison today for distributing about 21 kilograms of methamphetamine and money laundering.
On July 31, 2018, Yanez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, from January 2011 to April 2015, the defendant conspired with others to smuggle methamphetamine into the Eagle Pass area from Mexico and distribute it to San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. On December 12, 2019, Yanez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments that was transferred from the Northern District of Texas. By pleading guilty to that charge, Yanez-Gonzalez admitted that he laundered proceeds from drug sales in December 2012.
During this investigation, authorities seized approximately 17 kilograms of methamphetamine attributable to Yanez-Gonzalez and his organization.
U.S Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas, Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah of the Northern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Office made today’s announcement.
Yanez-Gonzalez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on August 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The DEA together with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department and Garland Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation named “Operation Guatemala Freeze.” 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydni Connell, Sarah Spears and Amy Hail prosecuted this case with assistance from Northern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal.
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Grant County man sentenced for meth distributionRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Lawrence Allen Keplinger, of Lahmansville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 136 months incarceration for methamphetamine distribution, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Keplinger, 39, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” involving more than 50 grams of “crystal meth” or “ice.” Keplinger admitted to having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in March 2019 in Grant County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Grant County man pleads guilty to meth distributionRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Caleb Haggerty, of Petersburg, West Virginia, plead guilty to a drug distribution charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Haggerty, 36, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine.” Haggerty admitted to distributing the methamphetamine in March 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Former Financial Advisor Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for FraudRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John L. Badalamenti today sentenced David Aaron Rockwell (45, Cape Coral) to five years in federal prison for wire fraud and bank fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $1,018,000, the proceeds of his wire and bank fraud.
Rockwell had pleaded guilty on January 14, 2021.
According to court documents, Rockwell, a financial advisor, managed investment and retirement accounts for his clients. Beginning in October 2017, Rockwell began to defraud clients and misappropriated his clients’ funds for his own purpose. Rockwell also defrauded a federally insured bank when he applied for two lines of credit, totaling $700,000, in the names of his clients, without their knowledge or permission. Rockwell forged the clients’ signatures on the loan applications and pledged the clients’ assets as collateral for the loans, all without their knowledge or authorization. Rockwell used the funds that he had obtained from the loans for his own use and benefit.
Furthermore, Rockwell persuaded another client to invest in low-income housing in Florida. However, once the client transferred approximately $400,000 to fund the investment, Rockwell used the money to pay his personal credit cards and to purchase a home.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
Former City of Cleveland Demolition Bureau Chief Sentenced to 21 Months for Bribery and ExtortionRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Rufus Taylor, 62, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher A. Boyko to 21 months imprisonment, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Taylor, the former head of the city of Cleveland’s Demolition Department, pleaded guilty to bribery in federally funded programs and extortion under color of official right in September of 2018.
According to court documents, from 2012 through 2017, Taylor was employed by the City of Cleveland as Chief of the Demolition Bureau. Among other duties, Taylor was responsible for assigning “board-up” of vacant properties to contractors, emergency demolition jobs and conducting inspections, which had to take place before a contractor could receive payment.
From November of 2013 through September of 2017, court documents state that Taylor received and solicited cash bribes from Contractor 1 and Contractor 2 in exchange for preferential treatment and advantageous information on city of Cleveland demolition projects.
On or about November 2, 2013, through September 1, 2017, Taylor received cash payments from Contractor 1 in return for assistance placing Contractor 1 on the city of Cleveland bid list for a demolition job. Taylor also sought payment from Contractor 1 in return for notification of an emergency demolition job. At various other times between November 2013 and November 2015, Contractor 1 provided Taylor with cash payments.
Additionally, from August of 2015 through July of 2016, Taylor received cash payments from Contractor 2 in return for a list of companies bidding on a demolition job, information concerning the then-current lowest bids for the job and a list of bid numbers for another pending demolition job.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea Rice and Elliot Morrison.
Fargo Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for His Involvement in a Violent RobberyRead the Press Release
FARGO - Acting United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced today that U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter D. Welte sentenced Shelton Lee Moseby, IV, age 21, Fargo, ND, to 51 months in federal prison for the charge of Interfere with Commerce by Threats and Violence – Hobbs Act Robbery. Judge Welte also sentenced Moseby to three years of supervised released and $100 in special assessment fees.
On May 30, 2019, Moseby and a group of others robbed a customer seeking commercial sex. Moseby’s co-defendants posted an advertisement on "Skip the Games" promoting prostitution with adult women. The victim arranged to meet an individual for the purpose of commercial sex at an apartment building in Fargo. Using a taser, Moseby and his co-defendants robbed the commercial sex customer by threats of force after he arrived at the apartment building. Moseby sought to take advantage of a customer of commercial sex whom he believed would be unwilling to go to law enforcement if he was robbed, but the victim called 911 immediately following the robbery.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigation and the Fargo Police Department, and Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Puhl prosecuted the case.
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Employee of Autism Services Agency Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESSICA STUART, 38, of Fairfield, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to health care fraud and identity theft offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Stuart was employed by Helping Hands Academy, LLC, in Bridgeport, which provided applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Helping Hands Academy enrolled as a participating provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”) in approximately September 2018.
Medicaid requires that ASD treatment services be provided under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. BCBAs are also required to be credentialed in writing by the state. Stuart does not have a college degree, was not a BCBA or licensed medical practitioner, and did not have any formal training in applied behavior analysis for ASD. Between approximately May 2019 and September 2020, Helping Hands Academy paid Stuart at least $143,0000 and submitted to Medicaid numerous fraudulent claims for applied behavioral analysis services that Stuart performed but was not qualified to provide. Stuart used the name of an individual without the individual’s knowledge or authorization so that Stuart could impersonate a BCBA when she knew she was not a BCBA.
Medicaid suffered a loss of $369,439.96 as a result of Stuart’s conduct.
Stuart pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of using false identification in connection with health care fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for August 31, 2021.
Stuart is released pending sentencing.
On April 28, 2021, Nicole Balkas, the owner of Helping Hands Academy, pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. She awaits sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle acknowledged the valuable cooperation of the Connecticut Department of Social Services in the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Eight Members of Armed Drug Trafficking Organization Charged by Federal IndictmentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of an indictment charging eight individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute MDMA, also known as “ecstasy” or “molly”, and α‑Pyrrolidinopentiophenone, also known as “alpha-PVP” or “flakka.” If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit property that was used to facilitate the offense or that is traceable to proceeds of the offense, including approximately $185,000 in cash, a 2015 BMW 550i, a 2015 Lexus IS 250, a 2013 Audi A8 L Quattro, a 2020 Ryker Rally Edition motorcycle, two Rolex watches, numerous pieces of jewelry, and five firearms.
The individuals charged in the indictment are: Kimberly Michelle Claridy Walker (44, Jacksonville); Neal Merrell Walker (50, Jacksonville); Marcus Antonio Peterson (35, Lake City); Ramone Lazai Astin (35, Jacksonville); Alfred Eugene Bell (36, Jacksonville); Mar’quez Maurice Mickler (20, Jacksonville); David Lee Geathers (24, Jacksonville); and Brandiesa Tylese Williams (24, Jacksonville).
According to the indictment and other court documents, the defendants were part of an armed drug trafficking organization that distributed illegal narcotics, primarily out of a “trap house” on 14th Street in Jacksonville, beginning in July 2018 and continuing until April 13, 2021, when six of the defendants were arrested. During the course of the conspiracy, the conspirators obtained kilogram quantities of the drugs, which were broken up into small amounts and re-packaged for sale to numerous individuals.
Bank account records and public documents reflect that on two occasions Kimberly Walker and Neal Walker, with the assistance of co-defendants, laundered approximately $98,000 through financial institutions from which they had obtained cashier’s checks to buy tax deeds for five properties in Jacksonville. Bank records also reflect that between June 13, 2019, and November 30, 2020, approximately $330,000 was deposited, almost entirely in cash, into an account in the name of a business entity owned by the Walkers.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.
Edgewood Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for RobberyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Jaquan Day, age 21, of Edgewood, Maryland to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on May 27, 2021 for robbing an individual engaged in drug trafficking of controlled substances.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to his plea agreement, on April 25, 2019 Day conspired with at least six others to rob an individual engaged in drug trafficking. After convening at a retail parking lot, Day and his co-conspirators drove to a nearby apartment complex and assaulted three victims including a pregnant woman, a minor male, and an adult male.
Upon arrival, Day and his co-conspirators knocked on the door to ultimately force entry into the unit. As an adult male (Victim 1) opened the door, a co-conspirator ran past the three victims to a rear bedroom where he proceeded to take U.S. currency and a prescription of suboxone. At that time, a second co-conspirator tackled and physically restrained Victim 1. Day proceeded to aim a firearm at an eight-month pregnant female (Victim 2). When Victim 2 attempted to help Victim 3 (a minor male), Day kicked Victim 2 in her abdomen. He then struck Victim 1 repeatedly with his firearm. A third co-conspirator repeatedly asked, “Where’s the money at?” The fourth co-conspirator remained outside as a lookout for law enforcement or witnesses. Once the co-conspirator returned from the bedroom, the intruders fled to their vehicles.
After Day and his co-conspirators left the unit, Victim 2 was treated at a nearby hospital where she underwent an emergency caesarian section to deliver her child as a result of the injuries she obtained from the assault.
Day admitted the robbery followed an unlawful agreement between himself and at least one other person to commit robbery of an individual trafficking marijuana. Day also admitted the objective of the robbery was to obtain marijuana, and that the intruders ultimately took suboxone and Victim 1’s marijuana trafficking proceeds by force.
Co-defendant Tyqwell Booker, age 24, has pleaded guilty to the same offense and is expected to receive a sentence between 60 and 96 months at his sentencing in September 2021. Antoine Rich, age 24, and Jesse Walton Jr., age 49, have been sentenced to 72 months and 30 months in federal prison, respectively.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner praised the ATF and the Maryland State Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Austin who prosecuted the case.
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Dominican National Charged with Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was charged last week in connection with trafficking fentanyl.
Ana Checo, 39, was charged on May 27, 2021 by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, Checo was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 3, 2021.
According to the charging documents, in 2019, Checo delivered $58,510 in suspected drug proceeds to an undercover officer. In July 2019, a search warrant at Checo’s residence resulted in the recovery of eight kilograms of fentanyl, one of which also contained valeryl fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue. Four kilograms of tramadol, one kilogram of “2C-B”, a schedule I controlled substance, and $18,325 were also seized. In addition, Checo allegedly possessed approximately 55 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and several thousand dollars at the time of her arrest.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Ferguson and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Detroit Man Arrested on Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A Detroit man was arrested and charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a machine gun, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.
Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Charged was Delmarco Craig, 22. Craig is a prior convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
According to the criminal complaint and information provided during a court hearing, ATF agents began an investigation into Craig for the illegal possession of firearms. As part of that investigation, agents reviewed an Instagram account utilized by Craig where he would post photographs and live stream videos. In those photographs and videos, Craig is seen posing with several different firearms, including a Glock pistol equipped with a Glock conversion device which, when affixed to a Glock pistol, converts the firearm from a semi-automatic pistol to a fully automatic machine gun.
According to testimony provided during a court hearing, agents executed a federal search warrant at Craig’s residence where they recovered the Glock equipped with a Glock conversion device and six other firearms, two of which were stolen. One of the firearms recovered was a tan and black Palmetto State Armory 5.56 caliber AR rifle with an obliterated serial number partially covered by a black Skull decal. On May 25, 2021, CRAIG streamed an Instagram Live Video in which CRAIG brandishes what appears to be the same rifle. Using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), agents were able to connect the firearm to seven (7) shootings since October 2020, including a homicide and double non-fatal shooting on May 25, 2021 at approximately 11:20 pm in the area of 8576 Strathmoor Street in Detroit, Michigan (several hours after the live video). Additionally, NIBIN connected the rifle to a shooting at a CVS on Grand River Avenue on April 16, 2021 in which surveillance video captured the suspect vehicle as a newer model white escalade with black tires and rims and a black grill. During the search warrant at Craig’s residence, agents recovered a stolen 2021 White Cadillac Escalade from the backyard containing a purple LA Dodgers hat frequently worn by CRAIG on Instagram.
“This case highlights how NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that allows law enforcement to link firearms from multiple crimes scenes allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “Criminals should take notice that law enforcement stands ready to remove those terrorizing our neighborhoods.”
“Every trigger-puller in Detroit should be put on notice. Gun Violence in our community will not be tolerated and those who choose to use a firearm to commit any type of violent act will be held to account for their misdeeds,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “NIBIN is the linchpin for ensuring accountability in eradicating gun violence.”
Craig is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. If convicted, Craig faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being investigated by special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert VanWert and Trevor Broad.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dayton residents charged in identity & financial fraud schemeRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged two Daytonians with federal crimes related to identity fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of U.S. mail, Social Security fraud and access device fraud. The defendants allegedly conspired to steal checks, credit cards, debit cards, bank account information and Social Security numbers to enrich themselves.
Myrtle Lynn “Mi Mi” Jackson, 38, and Joshua Dylan “Jo Jo” Chapman, 29, each appeared in federal court today, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter B. Silvain, Jr. ordered them both detained pending trial. The case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.
According to the 17-count indictment returned on May 11, the defendants stole victims’ personal information from occupied and unoccupied residences, vehicles and mailboxes. Jackson and Chapman then allegedly used stolen credit cards, debit cards and checks to illicitly acquire cash, drugs, and other goods and services.
The charging document alleges the co-conspirators used victims’ information to fraudulently apply for personal loans, student loans, unemployment benefits, credit cards, debit cards and checks.
Jackson and Chapman allegedly used the proceeds of their fraud scheme to buy illicit drugs and make purchases at Walmart, Dollar General, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Lees Famous Chicken. It is alleged the fraudulent funds were also used to pay for motel rooms and for gambling activities at a casino in Dayton.
No trial date has been set yet.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the charges and commended the investigation of the United States Secret Service and Dayton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller is representing the United States in this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Couple Who Falsely Claimed to be Farmers Sentenced in $1.1 Million COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A Florida couple was sentenced to prison today for their participation in a scheme to file four fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $1.1 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Latoya Stanley, 38, and Johnny Philus, 33, both of Miami, were sentenced today to 18 and 30 months in prison, respectively. They each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on March 8. As set forth in court documents, in Stanley’s PPP application, she claimed to employ 18 individuals from her company, Dream Gurl Beauty Supply LLC. Philus, meanwhile, stated that he employed 29 individuals at his company, Elegance Auto Boutique LLC. In actuality, Stanley and Philus did not employ anyone at their respective companies.
According to court documents, in her EIDL application, Stanley claimed to generate over $800,000 in income and to employ five individuals from a farm based in the yard of her Miami home. In his EIDL application, Philus claimed to generate $400,000 in income and to employ 10 individuals from a farm located in the yard of a small residential home. But, in reality, Stanley and Philus employed no one and the farms did not exist.
As they admitted in their plea agreements, Stanley and Philus worked together to effectuate the fraud and ultimately received over $1 million in funds from the fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications before their schemes were uncovered.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio “Tony” Gonzalez of the Southern District of Florida; Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) J. Russell George; Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware of the SBA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG); and Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Miami Division made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the SBA-OIG, USPIS, and TIGTA.
Trial Attorney Louis Manzo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtains a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds cannot be used as the same purpose as the PPP funds.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Correctional Officer Admits Signing False Report in Connection with Assault of Federal Pretrial DetaineeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County correctional officer today admitted signing a false report following another officer’s assault of a federal pretrial detainee, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Angel Chaparro, 38, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with filing a false report. Officers Luis Ortiz and Damion James and Sergeant Herman Pride were previously charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to violate a pretrial detainee’s civil rights. Those charges remain pending.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On the evening of Aug. 17, 2020, a federal pretrial detainee at Essex County Correctional Facility squirted a substance onto a correctional officer. The detainee subsequently was transported to a disciplinary cell, where Chaparro, Ortiz, and James began to conduct a strip search of the detainee. They never completed it. Chaparro admitted that during the strip search, James assaulted the detainee, striking him multiple times in his face, head, and chest area. Multiple supervisory officers, including Pride, watched the assault, but no one intervened to stop it. At the end of the assault, Pride said, “Okay, that’s enough.”
Following the assault, the detainee asked for, and was initially denied, medical assistance. Two days later, the detainee was finally taken to the emergency room at University Hospital in Newark. He was diagnosed with large swelling and tenderness in the right side of his face and discoloration and bruising around his right eye.
Chaparro admitted that, in connection with the assault, he was given a blank “Strip/ Body Cavity Search Report” to sign. After he signed the blank report, it was ultimately filled out and submitted by a supervising officer. Chaparro admitted that the report was false in that he signed it as “reporting officer,” even though he did not write it. Chaparro also admitted that by signing the report, he falsely indicated that a strip search of the detainee had been completed, when, in fact, the officers never completed the strip search. Chaparro admitted that the report that was ultimately submitted was additionally false because it said “N/A” in the section of the report titled, “If applicable, reason for use of force,” when, in fact, Officer James struck the detainee multiple times while Chaparro, Ortiz, Pride, and other supervising officers watched and did not intervene.
The false report charge to which Chaparro pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2021.
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; and the Essex County Correctional Facility Internal Affairs Bureau, under the direction of Director Alfaro Ortiz and the Office of the Warden, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Acting Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal.
The charges and allegations in the criminal complaint against the other defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Charlotte Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Falsely Obtaining Coronavirus Relief LoanRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jasmine Johnnae Clifton, 24, of Charlotte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a COVID-19 loan for almost $150,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Mona Passmore, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI), and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, join Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents and today’s plea hearing, Clifton engaged in a scheme to defraud the SBA by obtaining an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) based on false information. Court records show that Clifton created Jazzy Jas LLC, an online retail clothing sales business, in April 2019. On July 24, 2020, Clifton submitted a fraudulent loan application to the SBA for Jazzy Jas, despite the fact the company had been dissolved by Clifton several months prior. As a result of the fraudulent application, which included false information about revenues and a fraudulent tax document, Clifton obtained $149,900 in disaster relief funds that were intended to be provided to an existing business harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. On or about August 14, 2020, the EIDL funds were deposited directly into Clifton’s bank account. Clifton used the government funds to make purchases at multiple diamond stores and at numerous retail stores, including at Nordstrom, Ikea, Neiman Marcus, Rooms To Go, Louis Vuitton, Best Buy and other retail shopping outlets.
Clifton remained on bond following today’s guilty plea. The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a $500,000 fine. A sentencing date has not been set.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted March 29, 2020, and it is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others, including the EIDL program, which is an SBA program that provides low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters.
In making today’s announcement Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer thanked IRS-CI and USPIS for their investigation which led to the charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, is prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina remain vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you think you are a victim of coronavirus fraud or have information pertaining to fraud involving COVID-19, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or submit a complaint online using the NCDF Web Complaint Form. Members of the public in the Western District of North Carolina are also encouraged to call 704-344-6222 to reach their local Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator.
Carnegie Man Pleads Guilty to Throwing Concrete Pieces and a Pipe at Pittsburgh Police during May 30, 2020 Pittsburgh ProtestRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Andrew Augustyniak-Duncan, 25, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 30, 2020, Augustyniak-Duncan knowingly and willfully threw projectiles, including pieces of concrete and a pipe, at several Pittsburgh police officers, causing the obstruction, impediment and interference of law enforcement officers engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Oct. 13, 2021. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Judge Schwab continued the defendant’s detention pending sentencing,
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
Cannon County, Tennessee Resolves ADA Complaint over Sports FacilityRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Cannon County, Tennessee has resolved a complaint that it was constructing a school sports facility that did not comply with the accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“We appreciate the willingness of the County and Cannon County Schools Director William Curtis to resolve these issues so that all individuals with disabilities – students and spectators – can utilize a sports facility that complies with the ADA for years to come,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stewart. “This successful resolution was achieved because of concerned citizens, who are the eyes and ears of their communities and help this Office ensure that there is equal access in all areas of the Middle District.”
On April 23, 2019, the United States notified Cannon County that it was investigating a complaint that the sports facility was not being constructed in accordance with ADA standards, and specifically did not comply with parking, signage, and accessibility requirements. The United States sought information on the status of the construction, including photographs and architectural plans to demonstrate ADA compliance. Cannon County promptly responded to the requests.
Despite delays for budgetary reasons and the pandemic, Cannon County continued to update the United States as to its progress in constructing the facility and resolved the issues the United States identified in the construction phase. Cannon County then entered into a Letter of Resolution whereby it agreed to make certain remaining changes to the facility to comply with ADA accessibility requirements, including parking, signage and accessibility of the entrance and restrooms. Once the facility and parking areas are completed, Cannon County has agreed to provide evidence that the remaining items are in compliance with the ADA.
General information about the ADA, is available through the ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (voice), 800-514-0383 (TTY), or on the ADA homepage at www.ada.gov. If you believe your civil rights have been violated, including ADA rights, you may submit a report to the Department of Justice at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
The Letter of Resolution does not constitute a finding by the United States that Cannon County is in full compliance with the ADA, nor does it constitute an admission by Cannon County of fault or noncompliance with the ADA.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara F. Sweet represented the United States in the matter.
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California man sentenced to prison for in-flight assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alton James Johnson, 43, of Yuba City, California, was sentenced on May 26 in federal court to six months in prison for assaulting two flight attendants while he was a passenger. Johnson pleaded guilty on Jan. 12.
According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 23, 2019, during a flight from San Diego, CA, to Albuquerque, Johnson repeatedly touched a female flight attendant up and down the backs of her legs. After she told him to stop, Johnson then grabbed the flight attendant by the buttocks. When a second flight attendant stepped in and asked Johnson not to touch any flight attendants, Johnson forcefully grabbed the second flight attendant by the arm. Johnson admitting to being under the influence of alcohol but conceded that he was in control of his actions when he committed the assaults.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal prosecuted the case.
Butte man admits drug trafficking conspiracy after receiving two packages totaling 10 pounds of methRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Butte man today admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in Montana after telling law enforcement that he received meth totaling 10 pounds in two separate packages and worked with others to distribute the drug, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
David Ray Shaver, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. Shaver faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Sept. 29. Shaver was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents in the case, the government alleged that law enforcement learned Shaver was involved in drug trafficking in Montana and was accepting packages of meth through the mail and then distributing the drug. When interviewed, Shaver admitted to purchasing meth for $6,000 a pound. He also said he accepted one package containing six pounds of meth in December 2018 and another package containing four pounds of meth in January 2019. The government further alleged that Shaver worked with other co-conspirators to distribute meth from about August 2018 until about February 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Bixby Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Trade SecretsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, JOSHUA DECKER, 37, of Bixby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal trade secrets from an oil and gas company, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On May 26, 2021, the government filed against Decker a one-count Superseding Information charging him with conspiracy to steal, download, and possess trade secrets. According to the Superseding Information, Decker was a controller for the valve division of an oil and gas company that serves customers engaged in drilling and production. With its valve operations headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company manufactures compact manifold ball valves sold across the United States. In March 2017, while employed as the controller at the company, Decker registered with the Oklahoma Secretary of State a new company called Legacy Valve Systems (“Legacy”). He then recruited co-workers at the victim company to join him at Legacy.
The Superseding Information alleges that from March to September 2017, Decker conspired to steal numerous trade secrets from the victim company. Specifically, it alleges Decker and others acting at his direction downloaded the technical drawings, material specifications, and manufacturing instructions for the victim company’s valves, and Decker transmitted the victim company’s detailed financial information—including cost information and sales by product and customer—by email to himself. The Superseding Information further alleges that Decker provided the victim company’s drawings to an individual who copied them and replaced the victim company’s logo with a Legacy logo to begin manufacturing and selling valves to compete with the victim company. Decker then allegedly directed others to delete all their text messages and files, including messages on an encrypted application, to conceal their theft from the victim company.
At today’s hearing, Decker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal trade secrets. Decker admitted that the victim company undertook several measures to protect their information as trade secrets. Decker admitted that he, along with others, planned to take and use the drawings of the victim company’s valves to create products for Legacy. He also admitted that he possessed many of the drawings on his own laptop. Decker also admitted that he instructed those working with him to delete their communications about the drawings they took.
At sentencing, Decker faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, restitution to the victim company, and up to three years of supervised release.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys K. McKenzie Anderson and Daniel Gridley.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
6 Defendants Charged with Laundering Millions of Dollars in Proceeds Derived from Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Patrick J. Freaney, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Secret Service (“USSS”), and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging ABUCHI SHEDRACH FELIX, NADINE JAZMINE WADE, OLUWATOMIWA AKINTOLA, GREGORY OCHIAGHA, HABIBA FAGGE, and OLANREWAYU AJIBOLA with conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with their involvement in laundering millions of dollars in proceeds derived from romance fraud schemes.
FELIX, AKINTOLA, and AJIBOLA were arrested last night at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. OCHIAGHA was arrested earlier today in the Bronx. WADE and FAGGE are currently fugitives. FELIX, AKINTOLA, AJIBOLA, and OCHIAGHA will be presented in Manhattan federal court later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, the conspirators preyed on the emotions of their numerous online romance fraud victims to fleece the victims out of millions of dollars. Thanks to the Secret Service and IRS Criminal, the defendants have dates in court to face federal charges.”
USSS Deputy Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Freaney said: “Cyber enabled romance schemes continue to harm innocent and unsuspecting people, and the U.S. Secret Service remains committed to investigating those who perpetuate these acts. In this instance, the conspirators allegedly utilized online aliases and created shell companies in furtherance of their scheme to defraud. Through a collaborative investigative effort by the Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New York City Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, the accused will answer the charges brought against them in the Southern District of New York. For further information on ways to better avoid romance scams, please visit www.secretservice.gov/romancescams.”
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said: “The arrests of the alleged perpetrators of this $3.5 million scheme deal a death blow to the vast criminal activity in which the defendants were allegedly engaged. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to aggressively pursue those who profit from illegal activity and ensure they are brought to justice.”
According to the allegations in the Complaint:[1]
Using online aliases, the defendants’ co-conspirators contacted victims on various dating sites, and convinced those victims, under false pretenses, to transfer funds to the defendants and others. One online alias used in the schemes frequently employed the names “Diego Francisco,” “Richard Francisco,” or “Tom Francisco” (the “Francisco Alias”). The conspirators used online photos of a male model when providing victims with photos of the Francisco Alias. After engaging in conversation with the victims via phone, text, and email, the conspirators, posing as the Francisco Alias, would ask victims for money. The reason offered for why the Francisco Alias needed money could vary. In one version of the scheme, the Francisco Alias was supposedly an architect who had traveled to Dubai and needed funds in order to receive several million dollars in payment. In another version of the scheme, the Francisco Alias supposedly worked on an oil rig and needed funds to repair the rig. The Francisco Alias would then instruct the victims to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the defendants. The means of transfer varied. For example, in some cases, the Francisco Alias instructed victims to obtain cashier’s checks or money orders made payable to one of the defendants’ companies and then either mail the check to the conspirators – at addresses that included one in the Bronx – or to deposit the cashier’s check directly into a bank account held in the name of one of the defendants’ companies. The Francisco Alias would instruct the victims to send him photographs of any cashier’s checks and any mailing labels.
Each of the defendants created a shell company and opened bank accounts in the name of his or her respective shell company (the “Shell Company Accounts”). The Shell Company Accounts received funds from victims of the romance fraud scheme described above and rapidly depleted those funds through cash withdrawals, cashier’s checks, and the purchase of vehicles, among other means. The Shell Company Accounts received over $4.5 million between in or about 2018 and 2020, over $3.5 million of which came from victims of the romance fraud scheme.
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ABUCHI SHEDRACH FELIX, 29, of Newark, New Jersey, NADINE JAZMINE WADE, 28, of the Bronx, New York, OLUWATOMIWA AKINTOLA, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, GREGORY OCHIAGHA, 55, of the Bronx, New York, HABIBA FAGGE, 24, of Towson, Maryland, and OLANREWAYU AJIBOLA, 36, of Newark, New Jersey, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of USSS and IRS-CI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Micah F. Fergenson and Matthew J. King are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
1 June 2021
Wilkinsburg Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Conspiring to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to two years (24 months) in prison and four years of supervised release for violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentenced on Pressley Calhoun III., age 58.
Calhoun III, was sentenced based on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroeville Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Maryland Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Calhoun.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Weare Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Karl Messner, 65, of Weare, was sentenced on Friday to 46 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, starting in June 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a number of CyberTipline Reports regarding suspected child pornography activity. The internet protocol, or IP, addresses associated with those reports all resolved to Messner’s residence in Weare. In October of 2016, investigators obtained a federal search warrant for that residence. During an interview at his house, Messner admitted to viewing child pornography, and that images could be found on his laptop and thumb drives. Investigators seized a laptop and thumb drive on which they later found images of child pornography following a forensic analysis.
Messner previously pleaded guilty on April 1, 2019. After the completion of his sentence, Messner will be under supervised release for five years.
“In order to protect children from exploitation, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute crimes involving child pornography,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This sentence should send a message to those who collect these horrific images that child pornography crimes are serious offenses that can lead to significant federal prison time.”
“Thanks to the Court’s sentencing, Karl Messner will be held to account for his crimes,” said Acting Special Agent In Charge William S. Walker, Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “HSI and our partners at the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Hampshire, the Weare Police Department, and countless other law enforcement agencies will continue to pursue offenders like Messner in the interest of protecting children.”
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Weare Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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United States and Tennessee File Suit Against Curo Health Services and Related EntitiesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – The United States and Tennessee today filed a consolidated complaint in intervention alleging violations of the False Claims Act and the Tennessee Medicaid False Claims Act by Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., Curo Health Services, LLC, TNMO Healthcare, LLC (d/b/a Avalon Hospice), and Regency Healthcare Group, LLC, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III. The complaint also states common law claims, including unjust enrichment and payment under mistake of fact.
As set forth in detail in the complaint, since at least 2010, the defendants violated the False Claims Act and the Tennessee Medicaid False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing to be submitted false claims, and knowingly and improperly concealing or avoiding Avalon’s obligation to repay overpayments, for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible for the Medicare or Medicaid hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill.
The complaint alleges that the defendants pressured staff at their Tennessee hospice agencies to maximize admissions and census through aggressive financial targets and incentives, while simultaneously discouraging the discharge of patients who were no longer eligible for the Medicare or Medicaid hospice benefit. Moreover, the complaint alleges that the defendants failed to ensure that physicians who provided legally required and material certifications and recertifications of patients’ terminal illnesses received or adequately considered complete and accurate information regarding patients’ conditions. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that even after the defendants were made aware through internal complaints and audits that they had billed for hospice services provided to Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries who were not hospice-eligible, they did not return Medicare or Medicaid payments they had received.
The governments began investigating the wrongdoing alleged in today’s complaint in response to lawsuits filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act and the Tennessee Medicaid False Claims Act, which allow private citizens with knowledge of false claims to bring civil suits on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery.
The matter was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin E. Hazard and Wynn M. Shuford represent the United States, and Assistant Attorney General Scott Corley represents Tennessee.
The claims alleged by the United States and Tennessee are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The lawsuit is captioned United States and the State of Tennessee ex. rel. Lisa Pence, et al. v. Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-00672 (M.D. Tenn.).
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Shares Resources for Reporting Anti-Asian Hate IncidentsRead the Press Release
For Further Information, Contact: Cindy Cipriani 619-546-9608
SAN DIEGO – During the month of May, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California (SDCA) joined in commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are an important part of our country, our community, and our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. “They contribute to all aspects of our society and have a strong tradition of leadership, strength, and courage.”
In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, SDCA presented a public webinar titled “Understanding AAPI Discrimination in Our Past and Present to Reclaim our Future,” which was co-sponsored by the Pan-Asian Lawyers San of Diego and the Federal Bar Association, San Diego Chapter. The webinar recognized that anti-Asian hate incidents have risen recently and are likely severely underreported. To report a suspected hate crime or incident, call or visit one of the attached resources.
“This last year we have seen a significant rise in anti-Asian hate incidents across the country, including in our community. Hate crimes and acts of bigotry and xenophobia are disgraceful and have no place in the Southern District of California,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Grossman. “My office condemns such acts of violence and remains committed to ensuring that the AAPI community is protected by holding accountable perpetrators of crimes fueled by hate, and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners hold the same commitment.” Acting U.S. Attorney Grossman thanked SDCA’s AAPI Special Emphasis Program Managers Connie Wu, Brandon Kimura, and Janaki Chopra, who organized AAPI Heritage Month events with SDCA Diversity Management Committee members Amy Wang, David Chu, and Kim-Thoa Hoang.Download the
Report Contacts for AAPI hate incidents
Two Portland Area Residents Face Federal Charges for Crimes Committed During Portland ProtestsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—In separate criminal cases, two Portland area residents are facing federal charges for crimes committed during recent riots near local federal facilities, including the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Portland Field Office.
Richard Timothy Hernandez, 56, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with three counts of destruction of government property. Rowan McManigal, 19, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, has been charged with conveying false or misleading information about possessing incendiary chemical agents on federal property.
U.S. v. Hernandez
According to court documents, federal investigators obtained evidence showing that, during three separate riots, Hernandez broke more than a dozen windows at the Hatfield Courthouse and ICE Portland Field Office. In the early morning hours of March 14, 2021, Hernandez and others threw 13 objects at Hatfield Courthouse windows, causing more than $143,000 in damage. On March 20 and April 29, 2021, Hernandez threw a total of 74 rocks at ICE Portland Field Office windows, causing more than $21,000 in damage.
U.S. v. McManigal
According to court documents, on December 19, 2020, a group of approximately 30 people gathered at the ICE Portland Field Office and proceeded to vandalize the facility. During the gathering, an individual later identified as McManigal was seen pulling the wiring from the building’s card reader and intercom. McManigal stood in a walkway in front of the building’s main entrance for several minutes before their arrest. A search of McManigal’s belongings returned a hoax explosive device with a hand-drawn hazmat placard. McManigal later confessed the device contained water and that “it was meant to waste people’s time” if they were arrested.
Both defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and were released pending further court proceedings.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
These cases are being investigated by ICE and the Federal Protective Service and prosecuted by Gregory R. Nyhus, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Indicted, Third Person Sought in Schemes to Defraud Rhode Island BanksRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two Providence men indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday were arraigned today while a third person is being sought for allegedly leading schemes to create and deposit nearly a quarter of a million dollars in counterfeit business and personal checks, and quickly withdrawing the funds before banks determined that the checks were created using stolen personal identifying and bank account information.
It is alleged in the indictments that Terrance Richardson, aka Teebobe Juheard, 29, and Richard Koboi, aka Sunnyboy Taylor, 26, obtained stolen checks and stolen banking information of actual businesses and individuals they used to create fraudulent checks. It is alleged that the two men recruited and paid individuals with actual bank accounts to allow the counterfeit checks to be deposited into their accounts. It is alleged that as part of the scheme, once the counterfeit checks were deposited and prior to banks discovering that the checks were counterfeit, Richardson and Koboi made rapid withdrawals of cash, made cash transfers, and made debit card purchases.
It is alleged in an indictment that between April 27, 2020, and March 3, 2021, Richardson executed schemes to deposit and withdraw funds represented by at least eleven counterfeit checks for between $2,824 and $60,322.
It is alleged in a separate indictment that between January 23, 2020, and March 3, 2021, Koboi executed schemes to deposit and withdraw funds represented by seven counterfeit checks for between $2,896.43 and $9,637.02.
Additionally, it is alleged that Koboi, previously convicted and sentenced on felony charges of breaking and entering and domestic violence, purchased, possessed and later sold a 9mm pistol.
On Friday, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Koboi with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and felon in possession of a firearm. The grand jury returned a separate indictment charging Richardson with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, eleven counts of bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
As part of this investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI, a third individual, Patrick Johnson, 36, previously of Providence, has been charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Johnson whose whereabouts are unknown.
It is alleged in court documents that in addition to participating in bank fraud schemes with Koboi and Richardson, Johnson mailed counterfeit Home Equity Line of Credit checks throughout the country from Post Offices in and around Providence.
A federal indictment and criminal complaint are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges brought against Terrance Richardson, Richard Koboi, and Patrick Johnson are announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.
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Two Detained, Three Kilos of Fentanyl Pills SeizedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two men have been ordered detained in federal custody following a Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force investigation into the trafficking of fentanyl pills that resulted in the seizure of more than three kilograms of fentanyl pills.
According to court documents, in April and May, an individual assisting DEA task force agents arranged for two deliveries of large quantities of fentanyl pills. On April 29, the individual arranged for the delivery of 1000 fentanyl pills for $5,000. The pills were delivered in the parking lot of a Pawtucket restaurant by one of two men who arrived in a car bearing Massachusetts license plates. Shortly after the delivery, the pills were seized by task force agents while other agents followed the vehicle to apartment complexes in Lawrence, MA.
On May 24, the same individual arranged to purchase 25,000 fentanyl pills for $125,000. Two days later, as the delivery of the pills was allegedly in progress inside a passenger van in the parking lot of a Dorchester, MA, restaurant, Rhode Island DEA task force agents moved in and seized from two men inside the van a large plastic garbage bag containing 3.4 kilograms of fentanyl pills. The pills were packaged in numerous clear plastic bags.
The investigation determined that the two men inside the van in Dorchester, Roberto Anibal Nieves Zayas, aka Jose Diaz, 35, of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, and Mervin Roberto Cabral Roche, 46, of Soltero, Dominican Republic, are the same men that allegedly delivered the 1,000 fentanyl pills a month earlier in Pawtucket.
Nieves Zayas and Cabral Roche appeared in U.S. District Court in Providence on Friday and were ordered detained in federal custody on a federal criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA; United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General; Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; Rhode Island State Police; the East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket Police Departments; and Amtrak Police Department.
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Three Convicted Felons Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition in Connection with ShootingRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Three Essex County, New Jersey, men have been charged with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition in connection with a May 14, 2021 shooting, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Gilbert Bermudez, aka “Troub,” 28; Brian Elijah Mitchell, aka “Slash,” 31; and Jaahan Mitchell, 32, all of Newark, are each charged by criminal complaint with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Brian Mitchell made his initial appearance today by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre, and was detained. Bermudez’s initial appearance is expected to be scheduled later this week. Jaahan Mitchell remains at large.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 14, 2021, members of the Newark Police Department were dispatched to the Pennington Court housing complex in Newark on a report of shots fired. Officers reviewed surveillance videos from cameras located near the shooting, which showed Bermudez and Brian Mitchell, together with another man, shooting at a fourth man, who had shot into the courtyard of the housing complex. The footage also showed that the third shooter dropped a cellular phone as he fled from the scene of the shooting. A lawful search of the cellular phone showed that the phone belonged to Jaahan Mitchell.
Bermudez was arrested on May 20, 2021. During a lawful search of Bermudez’s residence, officers recovered a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, loaded with nine rounds of ammunition. Ballistics testing determined that six of the 9mm shell casings found at the crime scene were discharged from the firearm found in Bermudez’s residence.
The count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara; members of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; and special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey E. Zyriek Enriquez, of the Violent Crimes Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Charged in $2M Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – One Ohio resident and two Pennsylvania men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The six-count Indictment, returned on May 25 and unsealed today, named Kevin Carney, 59, of Euclid, OH 44123, Jonathan Freeze, 62, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, and Robert Irey, 59, of Clarksville, PA 15322, as defendants.
According to the Indictment, the defendants offered victims an opportunity to loan funds to their company, Alternative Energy Holdings, LLC, on a short-term basis and at a high rate of return. The defendants falsely represented that the funds would be used for expenses associated with building a plant that would be capable of turning certain types of waste into energy. The defendants, however, used the majority of the funds for their own personal use and enjoyment. Approximately 22 victims lent approximately $2,017,228.44 to the defendants, but only $63,000 was repaid. The repayments, however, were made using other victims’ loan proceeds.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison for each count, a fine of $250,000 for each count or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. A Magistrate Judge granted the government's request for $50,000 unsecured bond for each defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Thirty-Two Members and Associates of Norteños Charged in Methamphetamine, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking with CJNG Drug CartelRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – The grand jury issued a 27-defendant, 34-count indictment on Wednesday, charging twenty-seven individuals associated with the Nortenos gang for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin across the Wasatch Front. Previously, it returned five other indictments relating to this investigation and operation. The charges follow joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operations conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Metro Narcotics Task Force (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit (MGU), the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS), and the United States Marshals Service.
These charges are the result of an investigation beginning in September of 2020 in Utah. During the investigation, law enforcement demonstrated extensive cooperation across the Salt Lake Valley, as the DEA, ATF, Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit, IRS, and the United States Marshals Service conducted a proactive investigation targeting drug and firearms trafficking activities of Salt Lake City gang members, specifically Norteños and their associates This operation follows a previous 38-defendant federal investigation and indictments of Norteños and their associates trafficking in methamphetamine and heroin with the Sinaloa Cartel in February 2019.
During this new operation, law enforcement officers seized more than 42 pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of heroin, 5,000 fentanyl pills, 71 grams of fentanyl powder, 15 firearms, and more than $25,000. Using court-authorized investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that the primary narcotics supplier for this group was Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Investigators further estimate that the organization and its members are responsible for more than 420 pounds of methamphetamine and 50 pounds of heroin being transported to, and distributed in, the Salt Lake Valley during 2020 and 2021. Evidence gathered during the investigation demonstrate that the defendants were involved in transporting drugs from Mexico into the United States; moving the drugs to Salt Lake City; distributing the drugs to re-distributors who distributed the drugs throughout the community; and collecting and transporting drug proceeds back from Utah to Mexico.
Acting United States Attorney for the District of Utah Andrea T. Martinez announced the charges today along with DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jay Tinkler, ATF Resident Agent in Charge Michael Minichino, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Utah Matthew Harris, and IRS-Criminal Investigations Special Agent Stephen Washburn.
The largest indictment returned on Wednesday charges 27 individuals with 34 federal counts, including continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, conspiracy to launder money, along with several distribution and possession with intent to distribute narcotics charges, and several additional firearms charges.
Those charged in the indictment are:
- Luis Cuna-Vigil, 35, of Rosarito, Mexico;
- Jesus Avila-Garcia, 46, of Salt Lake City;
- Joe Robert Rael, aka “Jojo,” 52, of Salt Lake City;
- Jerry Philip Vigil, aka “Nino,”47, of Bountiful;
- Jennifer Lopez-Lopez, 20, of San Marcos, California;
- Maria Isla-Avila, aka “Sky,” 22, of Escondido, California;
- Martin Verduzco-Muro, aka “Lalo,” 28, of Bountiful;
- Edward David Lucero, 54, of Sandy;
- Linda Hernandez-Alvarez, 34, of Salt Lake City;
- Brian Michael Fioravanti, 34, of Salt Lake City;
- Jeffrey Kraig Ellis, 60, of West Valley City;
- Patrice Raelynn Estes, 49, of Salt Lake City;
- Leandro Cortez Ochoa Lovato-Howells, 40, of Salt Lake City;
- Mario Alberto Lovato, aka “Grump,” 40, of Salt Lake City;
- Joseph Raymond Trujillo, aka “Qujo,” 31, of West Valley City;
- Celina Alexandra Garcia, “Baby G,” 26, of Salt Lake City;
- Pete Vince Espinoza, 37, of Salt Lake City;
- Judy Ann Maestas, 30, of Salt Lake City;
- Felicia Nicole Mingura, aka “Fela,” 34, of Salt Lake City;
- Erika Rachelle Vigil, 30, of West Valley City;
- Jessica LeAnn Vigil, 30, of Sandy;
- Anthony James Runion, aka “Lil Ace,” 19, of Salt Lake City;
- Richard Lawrence Trujillo, 32, of Salt Lake City;
- Brandon Jay Perrault, aka “Trip,” 42, of Salt Lake City;
- Pedro Jurado, 56, of Midvale;
- Kyle Jimenez-Cuna, 18, of Bountiful.
The grand jury previously returned five indictments for defendants relating to this operation. Included in those additional five indictments are:
- Linda Rose Garcia, 33, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
- Joseph Paul House, aka “Chino,” 36, of Taylorsville, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
- Victor Jurado, 34, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
- Daniel Maestas, 48, of Salt Lake City, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;
- David Soto-Acosta, aka “Droops,” 26, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen L. Nelson, Jamie Z. Thomas, and Stewart M. Young in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case, along with Assistant District Attorney Adam Blanch from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Special Agents from the DEA’s Metro Narcotics Task Force, ATF, and IRS Criminal Investigation Division, investigators from the Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit, and Deputies from the United States Marshals Service, conducted the investigation.
Indictments are not findings of guilt. Defendants charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
St. Croix Man Convicted of Attempting to Smuggle Two Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
ST. CROIX – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that, after a week-long trial, a St. Croix federal jury convicted Keithley Parris, age 33, of St. Croix of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. The verdict was returned by the jury on Friday.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Parris conspired with co-defendants Don-Luke George and Zion Hazel in April of 2018 to smuggle 2 kilograms of cocaine thru the St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with the intent to transport the cocaine to Miami via an American Airlines flight. Evidence presented at the trial showed that Parris organized and planned the operation; recruited George and Hazel to participate; supplied the cocaine to George; paid George $1,000 to bring the cocaine into the airport; and subsequently directed and monitored the operation via text messages with George and Hazel while the operation was unfolding at the airport. On April 12, 2018, George, who was employed at the airport, smuggled the four bricks of cocaine into the passenger waiting area of the airport and delivered them to Hazel in the handicap stall of the men’s restroom. Hazel was a passenger on the outgoing American Airlines flight but was intercepted with the cocaine prior to boarding his flight by Customs and Border Protection officers.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. The DEA Southeast Laboratory in Miami analyzed the cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Seven Defendants Charged in East Bay-Centered Fentanyl Distribution CaseRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged six East Bay residents and one Oregon resident with a drug trafficking charges related to the distribution of fentanyl in the Bay Area, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. The arrest of the members of the drug trafficking organization was paired with the largest ever seizure of fentanyl in the Northern District of California.
The charges are set out in two simultaneously filed complaints. The complaints describe how law enforcement investigators conducted a wiretap investigation to develop evidence regarding the distribution of fentanyl by an organization referred to in the complaint as the Castro DTO. Specifically, the first complaint alleges Javier Castro Banegas-Medina, a/k/a Gio, 39, conspired with Elmer Rosales-Montes, 28, and Jose Ivan Cruz-Caceres, 31, to distribute fentanyl to numerous re-distributors who, in turn, disseminated the drugs to others. The re-distributors charged are Jihad Jad Tawasha, 34, William Joseph Laughren, 25, and Heather Borges, 33. The second complaint alleges that Keny Alduvi Romero-Lopez, 23, lived with Castro and possessed with intent to distribute over one-half kilogram of fentanyl. The defendants reside in Oakland, San Leandro, Alameda, and Tracy, Calif., as well as in Oregon.
According to documents filed in these cases, the fentanyl distributed by the Castro DTO was kept in stash houses in Oakland and San Leandro, and its distribution chain flowed throughout the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Concord, and Oakland, and beyond to re-distributors outside of the Northern District of California.
Law enforcement executed arrest warrants at the Castro DTO stash houses on May 25, 2021, where they found approximately 19 kilograms of fentanyl, much of it hidden in fence posts surrounding one of the residences. Law enforcement also discovered dyes likely used to color the fentanyl prior to sale, and approximately $36,000 in bulk currency. Fentanyl, a highly potent drug, is often referred to by the color emitted when the drug is burnt. In this case, the complaint alleges the Castro DTO sold blue, pink, purple, green, and yellow varieties of fentanyl.
The complaints and documents filed in the cases describe numerous transactions that occurred in the Spring of 2021. For example, the complaints describe how after intercepting wire communications in which Castro stated that “guys” would transport drugs ordered by a re-distributor, investigators observed Rosales-Montes or Cruz-Caceres, or both, leave one of Castro’s residences. On one such occasion, investigators intercepted approximately eight ounces of fentanyl being transported from Rosales-Montes and Cruz-Caceres to a re-distributor. Similarly, the complaint describes numerous transactions in which other people, including Laughren, distributed drugs or received drugs for further distribution. According to the complaints, it is estimated the DTO has filled over 100 orders for suspected fentanyl between approximately April 21, 2021 and May 19, 2021. Searches conducted in connection with the arrests of the defendants has resulted in the seizure of approximately 19 kilograms of fentanyl, including bricks concealed within the fence posts of one property. This seizure represents the largest federal seizure of fentanyl ever in the Northern District of California. In court filings requesting detention pending trial, the United States also describes how four of the defendants were recorded discussing their plans to flee to Honduras if released.
In sum, the defendants are charged with the following crimes and face the following maximum statutory penalties:
Castro, Rosales-Montes, and Cruz-Caceres are charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § § 846, 841(b)(1)(B). If convicted, the defendants face a maximum prison term of 40 years, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years.
Laughren is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) &(b)(1)(C). If convicted, Laughren faces a maximum prison term of 20 years.
Tawasha, Romero-Lopez, and Borges are charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(B). If convicted, Tawasha, Romero-Lopez, and Borges each face a maximum prison term of 40 years, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years.
The court also may order additional terms of supervised release, fines, forfeitures, and restitution, however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The complaints contain allegations only and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Castro, Rosales-Montes, Cruz-Caceres, Romero-Lopez, and Laughren were arrested May 25, 2021, and made their initial appearances on May 26, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore. Magistrate Judge Westmore, scheduled detention hearings on June 2, June 3, and June 4, 2021. The United States has moved for detention of the defendants pending trial. Borges was arrested in Oregon and made her initial appearance on June 1, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah Stern, Special Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Kleinman, and the Oakland Branch Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI (through its Safe Streets Violent Gang Taskforce), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Concord Police Department with assistance from the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force, the United States Marshal Service, the Walnut Creek Police Department, the Richmond Police Department, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney, California Highway Patrol, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
This investigation and prosecution is part of OCDETF, which 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.
Seattle man charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organizationRead the Press Release
Seattle – A Seattle man was arrested on Friday, May 28, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on criminal charges related to his alleged efforts to join Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in order to engage in violent acts of terrorism in the Middle East or the United States.
According to court documents, Elvin Hunter Bgorn Williams, 20, of Seattle, was arrested as he prepared to board an international flight following a lengthy investigation into his efforts to join ISIS.
“As alleged, Williams was determined to support ISIS either by traveling overseas to join and fight with the terrorist organization, or by conducting an attack here in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The FBI was just as determined to stop him, and he was intercepted as he tried to make his way abroad. The threat of terrorism at home and abroad remains, and the National Security Division is committed to holding accountable those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”
“This defendant proved persistent in his efforts to join ISIS – speaking with enthusiasm about acts of horrific bloodshed in the Middle East and here at home,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington. “I want to commend those citizens who contacted law enforcement – including his family and faith community - expressing concerns about the defendant’s radicalization. Their courage to speak up and work with law enforcement was important to ensure public safety.”
“This individual self-radicalized, pledged loyalty to ISIS, and became consumed with activities to join the cause overseas,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald M. Voiret of the FBI Seattle Field Office. “We are grateful for the concerned citizens and family members who reported his behavior on multiple occasions and all of the law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly on this case. These combined efforts no doubt saved lives.”
In November 2020, a member of a Seattle-area mosque contacted the FBI with concerns about Williams. The mosque had attempted to provide support and guidance to Williams, but members became aware he was deeply involved in ISIS propaganda. Williams was using mosque-provided electronic devices to engage in online chats with ISIS radicals and to view ISIS propaganda videos of beheadings and other acts of violence. In November 2020, Williams allegedly swore an oath of allegiance to ISIS.
Using confidential sources close to Williams, the FBI monitored his activity and became aware of his efforts to travel to the Middle East and join ISIS. Williams expressed to his associates that if he could not travel overseas, he would commit an attack in the U.S. on behalf of ISIS. Williams began communicating with those he believed were ISIS recruiters who could get him to an ISIS terror cell in the Middle East or other parts of the world.
In early May 2021, Williams booked airline travel from Seattle to Amsterdam and on to Egypt to join ISIS. On Friday May 28, 2021, he went to Sea-Tac Airport to catch the first leg of his international flight. Williams was arrested at the departure gate.
Williams is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Seattle with assistance from the King County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Air Marshals; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; U.S Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Transportation Security Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Seattle Police Department; Bellevue Police Department; and Port of Seattle Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg of the Western District of Washington’s Violent Crimes and Terrorism Unit, and Trial Attorney Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
williams_complaint_0.pdfPreviously Convicted Drug Trafficker Facing Federal Indictment for a Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Lamar Prilliman, a/k/a “Block”, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal charges related to a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. The indictment was returned on May 27, 2021.
The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the two-count indictment, from December 2020 to January 12, 2021, Prilliman conspired with others to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. The indictment alleges that on January 12, 2021, Prilliman possessed with the intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.
As detailed in the indictment, Prilliman previously was convicted in February 2008 on the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base (“crack”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Prilliman was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Prilliman later received sentencing reductions, and he was released from federal custody in March 2019.
If convicted, Prilliman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison each for the fentanyl distribution conspiracy and for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore has not yet been scheduled. Prilliman is currently detained on state charges.
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The specific mission of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the IRS-CI, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their assistance. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James T. Wallner, Matthew DellaBetta, and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Pawtucket Man Admits to Attempting to Send Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pawtucket man today pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to attempting to send obscene material to a minor.
Tomy J. Fitton, 41, admitted that he sent photographs of his exposed genitalia to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl with whom he had been communicating with online. The person he was communicating with was a member of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
According to court documents, during the chatroom communications, in addition to sending the images of his genitalia, Fitton arranged to meet the supposed 14-year-old girl at a location in Providence. When he arrived at the location, Fitton was taken into custody by members of the ICAC Task Force. A cursory search of a cellphone in Fitton’s possession at the time of his arrest revealed the chatroom communications with a member of the ICAC Task Force and the digital images sent to the person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Fitton pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
If accepted by the court, a plea agreement filed in this matter recommends that Fitton be sentenced to serve a 24-month term of incarceration in federal prison. Fitton, who is currently detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit, agents from Homeland Security Investigations, and detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department.
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Parolee Pleads Guilty to Jailhouse COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Christina Smith, 38, who was on parole and had previously been incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for the submission of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) in the names of current CCWF inmates, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Sholanda Thomas, 37, a current CCWF inmate, sent her own and several other inmates’ personally identifiable information (PII) to Smith to submit the unemployment insurance claims in their names. The underlying applications represented that the inmates had been working various jobs, which was untrue because they were incarcerated and therefore ineligible for benefits. The loss to the EDD and the United States is over $250,000. Smith split the proceeds with her co-conspirators.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Investigative Services Unit, and the EDD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Aug. 23. For the conspiracy charge, Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For the aggravated identity theft charge, she faces a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Thomas was indicted on December 17, 2020, along with Smith and is also facing federal prosecution. The charges are only allegations; Thomas is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Parma Man Charged with Stealing $80,000 in Federal Income and Employment Assistance BenefitsRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a 52-count federal indictment was unsealed today charging Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir, 42, of Parma, Ohio, with devising and enacting a scheme to defraud the State of Ohio and steal public funds.
The Defendant is charged with various counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and theft of public money.
According to the indictment, from on or about November 22, 2016, to on or about December 7, 2018, the Defendant is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud the state of Ohio by submitting fraudulent applications and receiving funding for employment and income assistance while gainfully employed.
The indictment states that the Defendant was employed at a religious center located in Parma, Ohio. As part of his employment, the Defendant was paid a yearly salary, provided health insurance and received performance and seniority-based bonuses and incentives.
According to the indictment, around October of 2016, the Defendant submitted a fraudulent application for participation in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Ohio Works First (OWF) program by falsely listing his income as “0” in order to qualify for employment and income assistance. The OWF program is a federally funded initiative.
From November 22, 2016, to on or about December 7, 2018, the indictment alleges that the Defendant filed monthly ODJFS OWF program forms claiming that he worked in a volunteer capacity for the religious center. It is alleged that on every form submitted to the program, the Defendant listed fictitious volunteer work hours while receiving payment for these hours from the religious center. It is also alleged that on each of these forms, the Defendant used a forged or fraudulent signature of a person he claimed to be his volunteer supervisor.
As a result of these fraudulent submissions, the indictment alleges that the Defendant illicitly obtained more than $15,000 in federal funds through the OWF program.
In addition, the indictment alleges that from on or about July 2016, through on or about July 2019, the Defendant fraudulently applied for and received approximately $41,559.24 in Medicaid benefits and approximately $23,599 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
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 investigation was conducted by the FBI, CBP and Parma Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan T. Brown.
Oneida Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Greg Gauthier, age 55, of Oneida, New York, pled guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Nicholas Boshears, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Acting New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen.
At sentencing Gauthier faces at least 15 and up to 60 years imprisonment on the charges. The Court must also impose a term of supervised release of between five years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Sentencing is set for October 5, 2021.
As part of his guilty plea, Gauthier admitted that he used a social media messaging application to distribute images of child pornography over the internet, and that he possessed child pornography on his cellular telephone. A forensic review of Gauthier’s cellular telephone revealed that it contained 71 image files and 98 video files depicting child pornography.
Gauthier was previously convicted in Oneida County Court in 2014 for Possessing A Sexual Performance by A Child, and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, in violation of the New York State Penal Law. He was sentenced to 16 months to 4 years in state prison for those offenses, and is registered with the New York State Sex Offender Registry as a Level 2 sex offender.
Gauthier’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) with assistance from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Ohio County man indicted on drug chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Travis E. Vossen, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted today on drug charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Vossen, 31, was indicted today on two counts of “Distribution of Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location,” one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” Vossen is accused of distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine near Ritchie Elementary School in April and May 2021 in Ohio County.
Vossen faces at least one and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Nine Individuals Charged for Roles in Fraud Scam Involving 200 VictimsRead the Press Release
Victims Defrauded of at Least $2.5 Million
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Three indictments returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Charleston have been unsealed that charge nine men for their involvement in illegal schemes alleged to have defrauded at least 200 victims, many of whom are elderly, of at least $2.5 million. The nine defendants are charged with various fraud-related crimes, including mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and receipt of stolen property. As of today, all nine of the defendants have been apprehended in operations executed by the United States Secret Service and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in seven states.
According to the indictments, from 2016 to 2020, the defendants allegedly participated in a series of romance and other online scams designed to coerce vulnerable victims into sending money to various bank accounts controlled by them. The indictments describe romance scams as online schemes that target individuals looking for romantic partners, friendship, and other close personal and business relationships on dating websites and other social media platforms. The defendants created profiles using fictitious names, locations, and images which allowed them to cultivate relationships with the victims. To carry out the schemes alleged in the indictments, victims were often led to believe that the defendants were U.S. residents working abroad. However, the investigation revealed that these defendants were actually located in the United States. At the early stages of the romance scams, defendants frequently requested relatively small gifts, such as gift cards and cell phones from their victims. As the relationships continued, they requested increasingly larger sums of money from their victims. The defendants allegedly opened bank accounts and laundered the proceeds of the romance scams through those accounts. The defendants also occasionally used cryptocurrency and celebrity meet-and-greet scams to obtain money from their victims.
“This investigation and subsequent indictments demonstrate the commitment the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners have in aggressively pursuing those who engage in online fraud scams and prey on vulnerable members of our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “Crimes involving romance scams and other online scams are increasing at an alarming rate. This case is a reminder that users of email, texts and social media should be aware of such scams and exercise extreme caution.”
“The Secret Service is committed to protecting our nation’s financial institutions and the citizens of West Virginia,” said United States Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Robert W. Pyle. “While this does not undo the harm that was brought upon each victim, we feel that our investigative efforts ensure that those who committed this fraud will be held accountable. We would also like to thank the West Virginia State Police, the South Charleston Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FDIC-OIG for their cooperation and partnership in this case.”
The following individuals were charged in the indictments:
- Kenneth Emeni, 29, a citizen of Nigeria, residing in Martinsburg, West Virginia;
- John Nassy, 27, a citizen of Nigeria, residing in a suburb of Washington, D.C.;
- Kenneth Ogudu, also known as Kenneth Lee, 28, a citizen of Nigeria, residing in Columbus, Ohio;
- Oluwagbenga Harrison, 30, a citizen of Nigeria, residing in Stone Mountain, Georgia;
- Romello Thorpe, 25, a United States citizen, residing in Washington, D.C.;
- Ouluwabamishe Awolesi, also known as Oluwabamise Johnson, 28, a citizen of Nigeria and the United States, residing in Beltsville, Maryland;
- Augustine Amechi, 24, a citizen of Nigeria, residing in Huntington, West Virginia;
- Banabas Ganidekam, 24, a citizen of Ghana, residing in Westerville, Ohio; and
- Abdul Osumanu, 26, a citizen of Ghana, residing in Omaha, Nebraska.
The United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), the West Virginia State Police, the South Charleston Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia conducted the long-term investigation that spanned approximately two years.
The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams at https://www.ic3.gov/.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:21-cr-00068 (Emeni, et al), 3:21-cr-00069 (Amechi) and 3:21-cr-00071 (Osumanu, et al).
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Nevada Bottled Water Companies and Owners Ordered to Stop Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded Water ProductsRead the Press Release
A federal court permanently enjoined a Henderson, Nevada, company from preparing, processing and distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water.
In a complaint filed on May 19, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States alleged that AffinityLifestyles.com Inc. and Real Water Inc., along with company officers Brent A. Jones and his son, Blain K. Jones, violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water. The companies formerly distributed bottled water under the brand names “Re2al Water Drinking Water” and “Re2al Alkalized Water.” While the companies marketed their products as a healthy alternative to tap water, the government alleged that the products in fact consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of current good manufacturing practices, relevant food safety standards and hazard prevention measures.
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, the FDA received information that at least five children experienced acute non-viral hepatitis (resulting in acute liver failure) after drinking Re2al Water. The FDA documented other consumer complaints of illness, including nausea and vomiting, related to the Re2al Water. Subsequently, the agency warned consumers, restaurants, distributors and retailers not to drink, cook with, sell or serve the product.
“Food and water sold to consumers must be safe,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that bottled water and other products we eat and drink are manufactured in compliance with the law.”
“As consumers, we count on bottled water companies to take appropriate measures in ensuring their water doesn’t make our families sick, particularly children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “The permanent injunction imposed on Real Water reflects the Department of Justice’s and FDA’s commitment to protecting the health of Nevadans and consumers across the country.”
The complaint alleges that FDA inspections found: (a) multiple regulatory violations in the companies’ manufacturing processes, including significant deviations from preventative control requirements intended to control the risk of hazards in food; and (b) multiple failures to follow current good manufacturing practice requirements for water bottling facilities.
“We are committed to preventing harmful products from entering the nation’s food supply, and we will take enforcement action when a company fails to follow the law,” said FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D. “The FDA, together with our federal counterparts at the U.S. Department of Justice, aggressively pursued this injunction and we will continue to take swift action to protect consumers.”
The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and requires that they destroy any food, including any bottled water products, still in their possession. As part of the settlement, the defendants represented that they are no longer engaged in processing, preparing, packing or distributing water or any other type of food. Before processing or distributing any food in the future, the defendants first must notify the FDA in advance, comply with specific remedial measures set forth in the injunction, and permit the FDA to inspect their facilities and procedures.
Trial Attorneys Brianna Gardner and Sarah Williams of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Flake of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and Associate Chief Counsel Jennifer Argabright of the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel.
Nevada Bottled Water Companies and Owners Ordered to Stop Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded Water ProductsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A federal court permanently enjoined a Henderson, Nevada, company from preparing, processing, and distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water.
In a complaint filed on May 19, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States alleged that AffinityLifestyles.com Inc. and Real Water Inc., along with company officers Brent A. Jones and his son, Blain K. Jones, violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water. The companies formerly distributed bottled water under the brand names “Re2al Water Drinking Water” and “Re2al Alkalized Water.” While the companies marketed their products as a healthy alternative to tap water, the government alleged that the products in fact consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of current good manufacturing practices, relevant food safety standards and hazard prevention measures.
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, the FDA received information that at least five children experienced acute non-viral hepatitis (resulting in acute liver failure) after drinking Re2al Water. The FDA documented other consumer complaints of illness, including nausea and vomiting, related to the Re2al Water. Subsequently, the agency warned consumers, restaurants, distributors and retailers not to drink, cook with, sell or serve the product.
“Food and water sold to consumers must be safe,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that bottled water and other products we eat and drink are manufactured in compliance with the law.”
“As consumers, we count on bottled water companies to take appropriate measures in ensuring their water doesn’t make our families sick, particularly children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “The permanent injunction imposed on Real Water reflects the Department of Justice’s and FDA’s commitment to protecting the health of Nevadans and consumers across the country.”
The complaint alleges that FDA inspections found: (a) multiple regulatory violations in the companies’ manufacturing processes, including significant deviations from preventative control requirements intended to control the risk of hazards in food; and (b) multiple failures to follow current good manufacturing practice requirements for water bottling facilities.
“We are committed to preventing harmful products from entering the nation’s food supply, and we will take enforcement action when a company fails to follow the law,” said FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D. “The FDA, together with our federal counterparts at the U.S. Department of Justice, aggressively pursued this injunction and we will continue to take swift action to protect consumers.”
The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the federal court permanently enjoins the defendants from violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and requires that they destroy any food, including any bottled water products, still in their possession. As part of the settlement, the defendants represented that they are no longer engaged in processing, preparing, packing or distributing water or any other type of food. Before processing or distributing any food in the future, the defendants first must notify the FDA in advance, comply with specific remedial measures set forth in the injunction, and permit the FDA to inspect their facilities and procedures.
Trial Attorneys Brianna Gardner and Sarah Williams of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Flake of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and Associate Chief Counsel Jennifer Argabright of the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel.
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Nebraska Man Sentenced for Sioux Falls RobberiesRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that an Omaha, Nebraska, man convicted of two counts of Bank Robbery was sentenced on June 1, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Ferris Valentine, age 54, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, restitution to First National Bank in the amount of $217,966, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Valentine was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 6, 2019. He was found guilty as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls on March 3, 2020.
On November 15, 2016, Valentine, aided by a partner, robbed the First National Bank branch bank located on West 26th Street in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The day before the robbery, Valentine rented a car in Omaha, Nebraska, and drove to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with his accomplice. When they robbed the bank, each wore a mask covering their faces. Valentine was armed with a handgun and demanded the bank employees give him the money in the teller drawers and the vault. Both robbers left the bank before the police arrived.
On November 24, 2017, Valentine robbed the same bank again, but without a partner. He wore the same mask and once again, used a firearm to order the bank employees to comply. He grabbed money from the vault and escaped.
After the second robbery, a DNA match connected Valentine’s partner to the first bank robbery, which subsequently led to the charges against Valentine.
The total monies taken from the bank robberies amounted to around $278,000. First National Bank’s deposits were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy R. Jehangiri and Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Valentine was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Monmouth County Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Natquan T. Johnson, 26, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an indictment charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Shipp imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 27, 2019, officers of the Asbury Park Police Department and detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confronted Johnson, a previously convicted felon, at his residence after observing online social media postings depicting Johnson in possession of a handgun earlier that same day. During a consensual search of the residence, law enforcement located the firearm, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Johnson is not permitted to possess firearms under federal law.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Johnson to three years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; officers of the Asbury Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police David Kelso; and detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
McKees Rocks Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Fire to Pittsburgh Police Vehicle and Interfering with Law Enforcement during Civil UnrestRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiring to set fire to property of an organization that receives federal funding and unlawful interference with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Da’Jon Lengyel, 23, of McKees Rocks, PA 15136 pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that West attended a protest march held on May 30, 2020, in the downtown Pittsburgh area. The march was related primarily to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The march in Pittsburgh began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Liberty Avenue in the downtown area, and eventually finished at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Centre Avenue near the intersection with Washington Place above the PPG Paints Arena. At that time, many of the participants were agitated, and one of them began vandalizing a marked Pittsburgh Bureau of Police vehicle (Unit 3212) on Centre Avenue. The crowd was thereby incited to join in vandalizing and destroying that vehicle, and eventually set fire to that vehicle. Lengyel and West climbed onto Unit 3212, and then jumped up and down on the roof of the vehicle. West also sat on the roof and attempted to kick out a window of Unit 3212. Shortly thereafter, Lengyel and West, along with two white males who have not yet been identified (WM1 and WM2) began efforts to set fire to Unit 3212. WM1 attempted to open the hood to the engine compartment but had difficulty with it. He was then joined by WM2 and West. As they were doing this, another vocal member of the crowd, who used a megaphone throughout the destruction of Unit 3212, announced to the crowd that "they are going to light the vehicle." Finally, West was able to disengage the hood’s locking mechanism. The hood of Unit 3212 was lifted, thereby exposing the engine compartment. At that point, WM1 lit a small flame with a lighter and then tossed that lighter inside the engine compartment. However, WM1’s attempt failed, and the engine compartment did not catch fire. A few minutes later, West, Lengyel, WM1 and WM2 placed pieces of cardboard and crumpled paper into Unit 3212’s passenger compartment. WM2 then leaned into the backseat area and ignited the combustible materials that had been placed there. After the fire got going, both Lengyel and WM2 continued to add more paper products to the fire, which eventually spread throughout Unit 3212 and destroyed it.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for October 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total
sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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 defendant is being detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Da'Jon Lengyel.
Massachusetts Man Admits to Trading Firearms for Fentanyl in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Franklin, MA, man today admitted to a federal court judge in Rhode Island that on at least four occasions he traveled to Rhode Island and traded a firearm for fentanyl.
Appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence today, Timothy J. Valle, 37, of Franklin, MA, admitted that between December 2018 and November 2020, he sent various photographs of firearms he owned to an individual he knew to be involved in selling drugs, proposing to trade firearms for fentanyl. Valle admitted that on at least four occasions he reached a deal to trade a firearm for fentanyl and, after obliterating the serial numbers, he exchanged firearms for fentanyl.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Valle pleaded guilty to possessing or receiving a firearm which has had the serial number removed, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Valle is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI for their assistance in the investigation of Timothy Valle.
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Marshall County man indicted on firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Mitchell R. Arbogast, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted today on a firearms charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Arbogast, 59, was indicted today on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Arbogast, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior conviction, is accused of having a double-barrel 20-gauge Chinese shotgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, a 6-shot .22 caliber revolver, and a .380 semi-automatic pistol in March 2021 in Marshall County.
Arbogast faces 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 Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.