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27 May 2021
Oregon Man Faces Federal Charges for COVID-Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An indictment was unsealed on Wednesday charging a Portland, Oregon, man with fraudulently converting to personal use loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eric Wade Lysne, 29, has been charged with one count each of wire and bank fraud.
The indictment alleges that, since April 2020, Lysne has devised and perpetrated a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) and various financial institutions by fraudulently applying for and obtaining Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using false borrower information. Lysne created fictitious entities, including Paradigm Consulting Groups (Paradigm), on whose behalf he applied for and received EIDLs and PPP loans. In order to give Paradigm the appearance of a legitimate business, Lysne applied for and received an IRS Employer Identification Number in April 2020 and registered the business with the Oregon Secretary of State the following month.
In May 2020, Lysne applied for an EIDL, falsely claiming Paradigm employed 10 individuals in the agriculture sector and realized gross revenues of nearly $1 million in the twelve months ending on January 31, 2020, and that he, as the applicant, had not been convicted of any felonies in the last five years. (In fact, Lysne had been in prison for most of that twelve-month period as the result of a felony conviction in Washington County in May 2019.) In early June 2020, SBA disbursed a $147,400 EIDL to Paradigm through Lysne’s personal bank account. The deposit was followed by an additional $10,000 advance paid several weeks later. After receiving the funds, Lysne spent them on various personal expenses, including travel bookings and extensive cash withdrawals.
In April 2021, Lysne applied to SBA for an increase in his EIDL balance, seeking to borrow an additional $302,600. That application remains pending as of Lysne’s indictment.
Lysne also applied last May for a PPP loan of $50,000 on Paradigm’s behalf from a bank in Logan, Utah. In the application, Lysne again falsely claimed he had not been convicted of any recent felonies. He further falsely represented that Paradigm employed two individuals and had an average monthly payroll of $20,000. Based on Lysne’s fraudulent misrepresentations, the bank approved the loan application in part and disbursed a $27,700 to Lysne.
Lysne made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and released pending a three-day jury trial scheduled to begin on July 27, 2021.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to twice the victim’s losses. Bank Fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan W. Bounds is prosecuting the case.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (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 PPP loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to Serve Ten Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm After Being Convicted of FeloniesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, DAVID EARL CARPENTER, JR., 40, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve ten years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On September 16, 2020, a federal grand jury returned an Indictment against Carpenter, charging him with illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. According to the Indictment, on June 20, 2020, Carpenter illegally possessed a 9mm caliber pistol. Prior to being found in possession of the firearm, Carpenter had been convicted of numerous felony convictions. Federal law prohibits prior convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Yesterday, Carpenter was sentenced to ten years in prison followed by three years’ supervised release. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick noted Carpenter’s lengthy criminal history and instances of physical violence against women, including choking.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale prosecuted the case.
This case is part of "Operation 922," the Western District’s local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s initiatives to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. "Operation 922" prioritizes firearms prosecutions connected to domestic violence, including domestic violence abusers who possess a firearm and are subject to a victim protective order or have been previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Oklahoma City Man Admits to Four Metro Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, REUBEN ONDRA ELLIS, 19, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to robbing the First Fidelity Bank in Oklahoma City, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 28, 2021, Ellis was charged by a criminal complaint for the First Fidelity Bank robbery. According to court documents, Ellis entered the First Fidelity Bank branch located at 10904 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the afternoon of April 5, 2021, wearing a baseball cap, black long sleeve shirt, and a face covering with a floral print. He handed a note to a teller demanding the money from her teller drawer, and she complied. A description of the robber and other investigative information led to Ellis’s arrest the next day.
Today, Ellis pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick. As part of his plea, Ellis admitted to robbing three other Oklahoma City banks between December 21, 2020 and April 5, 2021: (1) the Chase Bank located at 12200 N. Rockwell; (2) the Weokie Federal Credit Union located at 12720 N. Pennsylvania Avenue; and (3) the MidFirst Bank located at 13240 N. May Avenue.
At sentencing, Ellis faces up to twenty years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and mandatory restitution.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Oklahoma City Field Division and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wilson D. McGarry is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to court filings to further information.
Okemah Resident Found Guilty of Three Counts of Sexual Abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that Edmond Carl Warrington, age 71, of Okemah, Oklahoma was found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of Sexual Abuse In Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1151, 1153, 2242, 2246(2)(A), and 2246(2)(C). The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, May 24, 2021, and concluded on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 with the guilty verdicts. The defendant was acquitted on three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country.
The evidence presented at trial proved that from in or about April 2017 to on or about May 12, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country, the defendant sexually abused the victim, who was incapable of appraising the nature of the abuse.
The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Department, the District 24 Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable David Cleveland Joseph, U.S. District Judge out of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, temporarily assigned to the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. Warrington was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the sentencing hearing.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Essley and Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Nine Men Charged in Large-Scale Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Nine men were charged in connection with a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy that that involved dozens of parcels suspected of containing kilograms of cocaine sent from Puerto Rico to various addresses throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Investigators intercepted eight parcels and seized more than 16 kilograms of cocaine from the mail.
“We allege that the defendants received parcels sent via U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico and containing kilograms of cocaine -- which we allege they then sold here in our communities. That’s illegal and dangerous, of course, and it is an affront to the hard-working public servants in the U.S. Postal Service,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “The trafficking conspiracy was detected and dismantled thanks to effective investigative work by the people who protect our mail system and by local and state law enforcement. Those investigators remain on the lookout, and the public should know that people who misuse and abuse public services for criminal schemes can expect to face justice.”
“Today’s arrests are an example of our commitment and dedication to protect those we serve and to keep our communities safe from illegal drugs and those who seek to harm the public through their continued efforts to break the law,” said Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “These defendants allegedly used the mail to transport narcotics from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts and Rhode Island, introducing narcotics into the communities in which we all serve. This conduct will never be tolerated. Winning the battle against illicit drugs is a top priority for the Postal Service and the Inspection Service. Our objectives are to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking and the associated violence, preserve the integrity of the mail, and, most importantly, provide a safe environment for postal employees and Postal Service customers — the American public.”
As alleged in the charging documents, since February 2020, law enforcement has been investigating a drug trafficking organization operated by Patrick Joseph. Based on a wiretap investigation, it is alleged that Joseph coordinated the transportation of 10-20 kilograms of cocaine at a time from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, and eventually to Massachusetts and Rhode Island via the U.S. Mail. During this investigation, the cocaine seized by investigators was found concealed in two-kilogram quantities inside air fryers and locking cash boxes before being sent through the mail.
Today, investigators seized various firearms, 21 kilograms of cocaine and over $100,000 cash.
The following defendants were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base:
- Patrick Joseph, 39, of Stoughton, Mass.;
- Donald Cue, 36, of Randolph, Mass.;
- Night Menard, 36, of Randolph, Mass.;
- Christian Junior Alvarado-Deleon, 20, of Randolph, Mass.;
- Oscar Nieves-Sosa, 20, a Dominican national residing in Hyde Park, Mass.;
- Stiven Berrio Osorio, 21, a Colombian national residing in Chelsea, Mass.;
- Robert Monteiro, 37, of Brockton, Mass.;
- Patrick Snow, 43, of Harwich, Mass.; and
- Felix Baez-Munoz, 31, of Methuen, Mass., who remains a fugitive at this time.
“The multiple kilos of cocaine intercepted through the combined work of these partner agencies would have, had they reached the streets, fueled despair and violence,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher S. Mason. “The message to traffickers should be clear: the postal mail is not a safe route for you to distribute your poison and we will be as vigilant in interdicting that method of transport as we are with all other methods.”
“The Boston Police Department continues to work in partnership with our federal partners to prevent and reduce violence in our communities,” said Superintendent in Chief Gregory Long. “Today's arrests and seizure of firearms and drugs is a testament to the strong working relationships that ultimately resulted in removing dangerous firearms and drugs off the street.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, USPIS Acting Inspector McCallister, MSP Colonel Mason and Superintendent in Chief Long made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Homeland Security Investigations in Boston provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Cheng and James E. Arnold of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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.
Newport Woman Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Stealing from Federally Funded ProgramRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Newport woman was sentenced today in federal court for wire fraud and federal government program theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Sheri G. Walsh, 56, to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. Walsh also was ordered to pay approximately $325,000 in restitution. She pleaded guilty in December 2020.
According to court records, from June 2015 through April 2019, Walsh embezzled more than $325,000 from two not-for-profit organizations where she had previously been employed. Walsh carried out the scheme by fraudulently transferring funds from one organization to another, then converting the funds to her own use. During the relevant period, one of the not-for-profits received federal grant monies from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In imposing sentence, Judge Woodcock observed that Walsh had “violated not only her basic duty of loyalty” to the not-for-profit organizational victims, “but also her duty of loyalty to the missions of the two organizations.” He condemned Walsh’s offense conduct as “deplorable and inexcusable.”
“The EPA awards grants in the public trust to protect the environmental health and safety of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Earle. “This case demonstrates that a grant custodian who violates the integrity of the Agency’s taxpayer-funded programs will be held accountable by the Office of Inspector General.”
The Ellsworth Police Department, the FBI, the EPA Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
New York Woman Sentenced to 24 Months for Bank Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Diana Dyson, 59, of New York City, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting bank fraud, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Dyson was recruited by an individual in New York to drive to New Hampshire to execute a scheme to defraud TD Bank. On or about February 28, 2020, Dyson drove accomplice Ashley Washington to different TD Bank branches in New Hampshire. Washington entered the locations and withdrew or attempted to withdraw money from other persons’ bank accounts using their account numbers and false drivers’ licenses with the account holder’s personal information and Washington’s photograph. After an unsuccessful transaction at a TD Bank in Pembroke, Dyson and Washington were arrested. When she was pulled over, Dyson texted another participant in the scheme stating that “they” pulled her over and advising them to “stop all the work.”
Dyson and Washington withdrew over $11,800 and attempted to withdraw at least $1,600 from other persons’ TD Bank accounts. After her arrest, Dyson tried to deposit more than $9,400 of these fraud proceeds into her jail account. Law enforcement officers seized these funds and seized the remaining stolen funds from Washington.
Dyson pleaded guilty on January 13, 2021. Washington also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a time-served sentence on January 15, 2021. The seized fraud proceeds have been forfeited and both individuals were ordered to pay full restitution.
“Traveling to New Hampshire to commit fraud is a very bad idea,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Withdrawing money from other people’s bank accounts is a serious crime with significant consequence. We will not hesitate to bring federal charges against individuals who come to the Granite State to engage in criminal activity.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Concord and Pembroke Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck assisted with the forfeiture aspects of this matter.
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New York Man Admits Attempting to Entice Minor to Have SexRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A New York man today admitted attempting to entice a minor and traveling from New York to New Jersey to meet an individual, whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl, to engage in sexual activity, Acting U.S Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Eduardo Silva, 43, of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Rene Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and one count traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Sept. 5, 2020, Silva, while using an online social media application, sent a message to an individual he believed was an underage girl, but who was in fact an undercover federal agent. Silva asked whether the minor was “into older guys” and over the next several days sent a series of explicit online communications and text messages, discussing his intent to travel to meet the minor and engage in sexual activity with her. On Sept. 23, 2020, Silva was arrested when he traveled from the Bronx to a motel in Bordentown, New Jersey, intending to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.
The count of coercion and enticement of a minor carries a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison; the count of travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The charges also each carry a maximum fine of $250,000 per count. Silva will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina, and the Bordentown Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Pesce, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ISIAH HOLMES, age 48, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced by the Honorable Barry Ashe, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. HOLMES was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The defendant was also ordered to pay $774 in restitution.
According to court documents, on or about December 23, 2019, HOLMES entered the Capital One located at 4121 Canal St. in New Orleans. He handed the teller a note that claimed HOLMES was armed and demanded money. HOLMES obtained approximately $774 and left the bank.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.
Navistar Defense Agrees to Pay $50 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Submission of Fraudulent Sales HistoriesRead the Press Release
Navistar Defense LLC (Navistar), an Illinois based manufacturer of military vehicles and subsidiary of Navistar International LLC, has agreed to pay $50 million to resolve allegations that it fraudulently induced the U.S. Marine Corps to enter into a contract modification at inflated prices for a suspension system for armored vehicles known as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
During negotiations for the modification, Navistar was asked to provide sales information on the contract parts to assess the reasonableness of Navistar’s proposed prices. The United States alleged that Navistar knowingly created fraudulent commercial sales invoices and submitted those invoices to the government to justify the company’s prices. The sales reflected in the commercial sales invoices never occurred. The government relied on the fraudulent sales invoices in agreeing to Navistar’s inflated prices.
“We expect those doing business with the government to be truthful and transparent,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates our commitment to pursue those who knowingly provide false information to government procurement officials for their personal gain.”
“Money overcharged to the United States is money that should go to providing the very protection and security that we contracted to provide to our troops,” said the Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia. “The settlement evidences our commitment to go after any contractor who treats America’s dedication to our troops as a get rich quick scheme at the expense of the taxpayer and the safety of our military personnel.”
“This settlement sends an important message to defense contractors who hide costs and profit margins from the government to unjustly enrich themselves,” said Special Agent in Charge Cynthia A. Bruce of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “The Department of Defense must have confidence in the pricing, services and products provided by our contractors in order to protect our military members and be fiscally responsible to the public. I would like to thank the Department of Justice and our investigative partners for their resolve to hold the responsible parties accountable.”
“Fraud is not a victimless crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas Cannizzo of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Southeast Field Office. “It steals money from American taxpayers, damages the integrity of the Department of the Navy procurement process, degrades the readiness of the services by compromising the quality of goods and services used to protect the nation, and squanders more money through the funding of criminal investigations which could have been avoided simply by individuals doing the right thing. NCIS will continue to work with our partner agencies to aggressively pursue those who perpetrate financial crimes.”
“This settlement agreement is another example of our commitment of ensuring that all military contractors comply with the law,” said Frank Robey, director of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command's (CID) Major Procurement Fraud Unit. “Our organization, and our law enforcement partners, will respond robustly to protect the U.S. government from those who would take advantage of it.”
“It is always disappointing to see a contractor not fulfill their obligations in an open and fair manner,” said Director Anita Bales of the Defense Contract Audit Agency. “We are proud to have partnered with the investigative team in providing forensic audit expertise to bring this contractor to justice. We consider it an honor to be part of a team that helps protect our warfighters.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Duquoin Burgess, a former Government Contracts Manager for Navistar. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Burgess v. Navistar Defense, LLC, et al., No. 13-cv-1463 (D.D.C). Burgess will receive $11,060,000 out of today’s settlement.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Department of Defense’s DCIS, NCIS, U.S. Army CID's Major Procurement Fraud Unit, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
The matter was handled by Trial Attorneys Gary Newkirk and Brandie Weddle and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darrell Valdez and Benton Peterson.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Modesto Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. —Anthony Rodriguez, aka Anthony Rito Lara, 34, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in September and October 2020, Rodriguez used a cellphone to create approximately 49 videos and 51 images of a child under 12 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Rodriguez distributed some of these videos over the internet, including one video in which he engages in a sex act with the child.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Modesto Police Department, and assistance was provided by the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Withers and Alexandre M. Dempsey are prosecuting the case.
Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Sept. 24. Rodriguez faces a minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the two counts to which he pleaded guilty. 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.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Michigan Man Sentenced for Federal Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Michigan man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield on firearms charges.
William J. Scott, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2020, Scott pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm, making a false statement or representation with respect to information required to be kept by a Federal Firearms Licensee and making false entries in, failing to make appropriate entries in, and failing to properly maintain records as required.
Scott, who worked for Dark Horse Gunsmithing in South Hadley, Mass., received and possessed a machinegun that fired as a fully automatic weapon. The firearm was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by the National Firearm Act. On April 12, 2016 and July 20, 2016, Scott participated in two straw purchases in which he sold firearms to one individual despite knowing that another person would be the ultimate recipient. Scott also failed to complete a background check and an over-the-counter Firearms Transaction form. He falsified information on a Firearms Transaction form and failed to log firearms into the Dark Horse Acquisition and Disposition Record, leaving some such firearms potentially untraceable.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Michigan Insurance Salesman Indicted for Tax and Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan, returned an indictment charging a Michigan man with filing false tax returns, making false statements to a bankruptcy court, and making a false statement to the Department of Justice.
According to the indictment, Donald Stanley LaVigne of Lake Orion failed to report insurance commissions and other income on tax returns he filed with the IRS for the years 2013 through 2018. In addition to filing false tax returns, it is alleged that LaVigne falsely claimed in letters he sent to the IRS that these commissions were not income to him.
The indictment also alleges that when LaVigne filed for bankruptcy in 2018, he did not list the IRS as a creditor on the schedules attached to his bankruptcy petition even though he owed taxes to the IRS for the years 2008, 2009, and 2013 through 2015. On one document he filed in the bankruptcy case, LaVigne also allegedly understated his income for the years 2016 and 2017.
Finally, LaVigne is charged with making a false statement to the Department of Justice, Tax Division. After LaVigne was notified that he was the target of a federal grand jury investigation, LaVigne allegedly sent a letter to the Tax Division in which he falsely claimed that his bankruptcy attorney had reviewed his 2017 income tax return and advised him that it was “correct and complete.” In fact, the indictment alleges that his bankruptcy attorney neither reviewed LaVigne’s 2017 income tax return nor advised him that it was correct and complete.
If convicted, LaVigne faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison on each of the false tax return charges, five years in prison on each of the bankruptcy fraud charges, and five years in prison on the false statement charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Abigail Burger Chingos of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Assault on Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson sentenced Gary M. Griffith, 31, of Honolulu, Hawaii, today for one count of assault on a federal law enforcement officer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). Griffith will serve 46 months imprisonment, with three years of supervised release to follow.
Judith A. Philips, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii, stated that according to court documents and information presented in court, on September 13, 2019, defendant was driving a rental car on Nimitz Highway in the opposite direction of traffic when he came upon a Deputy U.S. Marshal operating his duty vehicle. The two vehicles stopped opposite each other with Griffith’s vehicle pointed in the wrong direction. After making a shooting motion with his hand in the direction of the Deputy, Griffith crossed the median and began driving in the correct direction. As the Deputy watched in his rear view mirror, Griffith once again crossed the median and drove opposite traffic. The Deputy turned his vehicle around and pursued with blue lights illuminated and reported Griffith to the Honolulu Police Department. During an extended pursuit, Griffith purposely rammed his rental car into the Deputy’s vehicle, and also struck and damaged vehicles belonging to bystanders. After being struck, the Deputy continued the pursuit and eventually apprehended Griffith, who was then arrested by HPD.
“As the Court observed during the sentencing hearing, the defendant’s crime was ‘egregious.’ The defendant put dozens of lives at risk, including those of the Deputy U.S. Marshal and innocent bystanders in cars and on foot. That no one was seriously hurt or killed was pure luck,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Philips.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Honolulu Police Department with assistance from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan.
Logan Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More than $200,000 from Federal Credit UnionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Dianne Richardson, 70, of Logan was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for embezzling $222,000 from the Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union in South Charleston. Richardson pleaded guilty to financial institution embezzlement in July 2020 and pursuant to her plea agreement, she will pay $222,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, for more than five years while an employee of the Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union, Richardson embezzled several thousand dollars every month and manipulated the credit union’s account records to hide the embezzlement.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the excellent investigative work of the United States Secret Service and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Chris R. Arthur handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00025.
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Justice Department Settles with New York-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination ClaimsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced yesterday that it reached a settlement with LNK International Inc. (LNK), a Hauppauge, New York-based manufacturer of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The settlement resolves the department’s claims that LNK violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it discriminated against work-authorized non-U.S. citizens.
Based on its investigation, the department determined that LNK routinely requested unnecessary and specific documents from lawful permanent residents that the company hired for work in certain departments to prove that they were allowed to work in the United States. The department’s investigation determined that LNK requested that lawful permanent residents show their Permanent Resident Cards (sometimes known as “green cards”) to prove their work authorization, but allowed U.S. citizens to choose from among various acceptable document types. According to the department, LNK also had an unlawful policy of requiring refugees and asylees, based on their immigration status, to show updated proof of their work authorization, even when they already had provided documents that demonstrated ongoing, permanent work authorization.
“Employers cannot discriminate against employees because of their citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin when verifying that employees are authorized to work in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department looks forward to working with LNK to ensure its compliance with the INA’s anti-discrimination provision, so that all employees are subject to the same rules for proving their ability to work in the United States.”
Federal law allows all work-authorized individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to choose which valid, legally acceptable documentation to present to demonstrate their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Many non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees, among others, have work authorization that does not expire, and are eligible for several of the same types of documents as U.S. citizens (such as driver’s licenses and unrestricted Social Security cards) to prove their work authorization. The INA’s anti-discrimination provision prohibits employers from requesting more or different documents than necessary to prove work authorization based on employees’ citizenship, immigration status, or national origin.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, LNK will pay the United States a civil penalty of $220,000.00. Additionally, LNK will train its employees on the requirements of the INA’s anti-discrimination provision, including an IER-provided training, and be subject to monitoring for a three-year period to ensure the company is complying with the agreement.
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. The statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation.
Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment, or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, can file a charge. The public also can contact IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688; call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email [email protected]; sign up for a free webinar; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Justice Department Settles with Maine School District to Protect Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities and English LearnersRead the Press Release
Today the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with the Lewiston Public Schools to end the district’s systemic and discriminatory practice of excluding students from full-day school because of behavior related to their disabilities.
The settlement also will require the district to provide equal educational opportunities to its English learner students. The department conducted its investigation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA) after receiving a complaint from Disability Rights Maine.
The department’s investigation found that the district routinely shortened the school day for students with disabilities without considering their individual needs or exploring supports to keep them in school for the full day. The district’s lack of training for staff on how to properly respond to students’ disability-related behavior contributed to the over-reliance on “abbreviated” school days. The district compounded the harm to students by often failing to provide them with instruction or behavior support during the time that they were out of school. The department’s investigation also revealed that the district failed to provide appropriate services to its English learner students, many of whom remained in the district’s English learner program for years without ever becoming fluent in English. As a result, many English learners, including immigrants and refugees from Somalia, Angola and other African countries, faced significant academic setbacks that can have lasting consequences.
“Students with disabilities and students who are learning English need additional support and services in school – not additional barriers to learning,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Giving students with disabilities half the education they are entitled to is unacceptable. Failing to properly serve children who are learning English limits their opportunities for success in their current school and beyond. The department is committed to enforcing the law to make sure schools meet the needs and respect the rights of all their students.”
“We are encouraged that the Lewiston Public Schools cooperated with our investigation, recognized the opportunity to improve, and are committed to the successful implementation of our agreement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark for the District of Maine. “We look forward to working with the district to improve educational opportunities for all students.”
Attorneys from the Civil Rights Division conducted the investigation in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
The enforcement of Title II of the ADA in schools and the EEOA are top priorities of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Justice Department Settles with Lewiston School District to Protect Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities and English LearnersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Today the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with the Lewiston Public Schools to end the district’s systemic and discriminatory practice of excluding students from full-day school because of behavior related to their disabilities. The settlement also will require the district to provide equal educational opportunities to its English learner students. The department conducted its investigation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA) after receiving a complaint from Disability Rights Maine.
The department’s investigation found that the district routinely shortened the school day for students with disabilities without considering their individual needs or exploring supports to keep them in school for the full day. The district’s lack of training for staff on how to properly respond to students’ disability-related behavior contributed to the over-reliance on “abbreviated” school days. The district compounded the harm to students by often failing to provide them with instruction or behavior support during the time that they were out of school. The department’s investigation also revealed that the district failed to provide appropriate services to its English learner students, many of whom remained in the district’s English learner program for years without ever becoming fluent in English. As a result, many English learners, including immigrants and refugees from Somalia, Angola and other African countries, faced significant academic setbacks that can have lasting consequences.
“Students with disabilities and students who are learning English need additional support and services in school – not additional barriers to learning,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Giving students with disabilities half the education they are entitled to is unacceptable. Failing to properly serve children who are learning English limits their opportunities for success in their current school and beyond. The department is committed to enforcing the law to make sure schools meet the needs and respect the rights of all their students.”
“We are encouraged that the Lewiston Public Schools cooperated with our investigation, recognized the opportunity to improve, and are committed to the successful implementation of our agreement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark for the District of Maine. “We look forward to working with the district to improve educational opportunities for all students.”
Attorneys from the Civil Rights Division conducted the investigation in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
The enforcement of Title II of the ADA in schools and the EEOA are top priorities of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Justice Department Announces Settlement with Ashley Home Store over Discrimination Claims of Indiana Army National GuardsmanRead the Press Release
On Tuesday, the Justice Department resolved a lawsuit in which an Indiana Army National Guardsman, Captain Christopher Robbins, alleged that The Dufresne Spencer Group, a limited liability corporation doing business as Ashley Home Store, violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Captain Robbins specifically alleged that The Dufresne Spencer Group violated USERRA when it failed to promptly offer him re-employment after a period of active duty military service.
“Federal law protects the right of servicemembers like Captain Robbins to resume their jobs when they return home,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “It guarantees that members of the armed forces are not forced to sacrifice their continued employment on top of the sacrifices they have already made in order to fulfill their military obligations.”
“The Justice Department expects employers to fully comply with their reemployment obligations under the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Childress of the Southern District of Indiana. “Where employers fall short in doing so, we will aggressively vindicate the reemployment rights of servicemembers.”
As alleged in his complaint, in 2014, Captain Robbins began working as a salesman at an Ashley Home Store in Greenwood, Indiana. During the summer of 2017, he provided notice to the company that his military service obligations with the National Guard required him to attend mandatory, out-of-state military training exercises with his unit. Robbins alleged that at the completion of his training obligation, he promptly sought re-employment, but was fired by Ashley Home Store instead. Under the terms of the settlement, the company has agreed to pay Robbins $6,000 in damages. The company will also offer comprehensive training to its supervisors and HR officials on USERRA and post a notice at the store advising employees of their rights under USERRA and the company’s intent to comply with the law.
This lawsuit stems from a complaint that Captain Robbins filed with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which, after an investigation by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, referred the matter to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at https://www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section and https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers, as well as on the DOL’s website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra.
This case is being handled by Senior Trial Attorney Christopher Woolley of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Preston of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
Jury Convicts Halfmoon Man of Firearm and Threats Charges in First NDNY Criminal Trial Since Pandemic BeganRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Following a four-day trial, a jury today found Romano McCain, age 48, of Halfmoon, New York, guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and two counts of interstate transmission of threats to injure another person.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Chief David Keevern of the North Greenbush Police Department.
This case marked the first federal criminal trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York since the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold in New York, and elsewhere, in mid-March 2020.
The evidence at trial established that in January 2020, McCain and a man had a dispute over the man’s failure to pay $65 for a motorcycle vest. In demanding payment on January 10, 2020, McCain sent the man Facebook messages threatening, “Bro..just have my money....i play with guns..no fighting....and i always have one on me...you on that bs....pay me pay money,” followed by, “i will blow your [expletive] head off.”
Later in the month, McCain had a falling out with another man over money McCain owed the man. On January 31, 2020, McCain sent the second man a Facebook message threatening, “I will kill your dauther..bro..i dont know me....we at the strip in morning..be there...me and my girl...with the heat..see you there.” The man had an infant daughter at the time and “heat” was slang for a gun.
The evidence showed that “the Strip” is an area on River Road in North Greenbush, New York, where motorsport enthusiasts rode ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles. On February 23, 2020, McCain went to the Strip with his girlfriend, was in a fistfight, and then retrieved a rifle from his girlfriend’s truck, which he fired in the direction of a crowd of people; no one was injured in the shooting.
Five days later, in the early-morning hours of February 28, 2020, the ATF and other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at McCain’s girlfriend’s house in Latham, New York, where McCain had spent the previous night. In searching a box chest at the foot of the bed in the bedroom, agents discovered a loaded .38 special caliber revolver. A box of ammunition for the revolver was discovered under a couch in the living room. In a number of text messages, McCain threatened the use of firearms and referenced his possession of firearms with his girlfriend, including after the shooting on February 23, when he texted: “We got alot [sic] of guns.” At the time he possessed the revolver and ammunition, McCain was subject to a domestic violence restraining order issued by the Albany City Court in June 2019.
At sentencing scheduled for September 28, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, McCain faces up to 10 years in prison on the firearm and ammunition conviction; up to 5 years in prison on each of the threat convictions; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of post-release supervision of up to 3 years.
This case was investigated by the ATF, North Greenbush Police Department, and Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Rachel Williams.
Jury Convicts Guatemalan National for Assaulting U.S. Border Patrol Agent Near SandersonRead the Press Release
DEL RIO – A federal jury in Del Rio yesterday convicted 24-year-old Ludwin Artemio Santizo-Escobedo, a Guatemalan national, of assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Sanderson in 2019.
Evidence presented during the two-day trial revealed that during a traffic stop on State Highway 349 between Dryden and Sanderson on October 22, 2019, a U.S. Border Patrol agent discovered and attempted to arrest the defendant for illegally entering the country. The defendant refused to be arrested and a fight ensued. During the altercation, the defendant got the agent’s baton and repeatedly struck him in the body and head and once of his right eye. The agent shot the defendant once in the left forearm and once in the left shoulder to subdue and arrest the defendant.
“This case illustrates the dangers the brave men and women of the United States Border Patrol face day in and day out while protecting our country,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Violent assaults on federal law enforcement cannot and will not be tolerated.”
“Every day Border Patrol Agents honorably serve our nation by securing the border. Too frequently, they endure physical assaults for carrying out their sworn duties,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division. “Thanks to the exemplary work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI agents assigned to the Del Rio Resident Agency Office (RA) and El Paso FBI/Midland RA, Santizo-Escobedo will be held accountable for his violent assault.”
Santizo-Escobedo, who remains in custody, faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio.
The FBI conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Kennedy and John Cooper prosecuted this case.
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Judges sentences Franklin County woman for far-reaching scheme involving fraud and money launderingRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Christen Diane Schulte to 80 months in prison today. The 35-year-old Washington, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, last year, to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.
Schulte was a former bookkeeper and office manager of a farm and trucking companies based in New Haven, Missouri. Between January 2018 and February 2020, Schulte knowingly and intentionally devised and executed a scheme to defraud, and to obtain moneys from, her former employer and others by means of material false and fraudulent representations in that the she, without the knowledge and authority of her former employer, diverted funds for her own personal use. The total loss from this scheme is approximately $727,000.
As part of her scheme, Schulte fraudulently and without permission used the companies’ credit cards for personal expenditures. Schulte also fraudulently caused American Express and FirstBank to issue her new credit cards in the names of the companies. Schulte fraudulently charged more than 1,800 transactions totaling more than $532,000 on these credit cards. Schulte also forged the signatures of the owner and several employees of companies, on checks from several different bank accounts, including personal accounts of the employees. Several of these checks were made payable to Schulte, but some of them she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme.
Other forged checks were drawn from a bank account held by the Berger Levee District of Franklin County, which is a taxpayer funded levee district responsible for creating flood control projects in Franklin County. Schulte forged the treasurer’s signature of the Berger Levee District on checks she made payable to the companies in order to conceal the lost funds related to her credit card scheme. Schulte used the fraudulently obtained funds for her own personal gain, including purchasing jewelry, a travel trailer, vehicles, and vacation travel.
“White collar crime is not a victimless crime. The court sent a clear message during sentencing that the schemes undertaken by Schulte will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “The case was a cooperative effort by many law enforcement agencies, all working together to obtain justice for the many victims affected.”
“Christen Schulte was caught an sentenced to prison yet again for defrauding others who trusted her,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The victim employer uncovered the theft after an internal audit before Schulte caused irreparable damage to the business. This case highlights the value of having robust internal controls.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Bateman is handling the case.
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Joint Law Enforcement Efforts in Union County Result in Lengthy Sentences for Five Drug and Gun OffendersRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Acting U.S. Attorney William T. Stetzer announced today that five individuals have been sentenced to date on drug and gun charges as a result of proactive investigations led by federal and local law enforcement in Union County.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) partnered with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe Police Department in joint investigations to identify drug and gun offenders operating in and around Union County. The investigative teams engaged in undercover operations including controlled buys of narcotics and illegal firearms. Over the course of the investigations, law enforcement also seized methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and 56 firearms.
Of the 13 defendants charged in connection with these investigations, five have been sentenced to date as follows:
- Princeton Patterson, 33, of Wadesboro, N.C., was sentenced today to 188 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Patterson pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. (Docket No. 3:20-cr-221)
- Markiel Tyson, 29, of Pageland, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison and four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. (3:20-cr-221)
- Cameron Jamal McManus, 29, also of Pageland, was ordered today to serve 120 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. (3:20-cr-221)
- On May 13, 2021, Rico Lorodge Brown, 32, of Monroe, N.C., was sentenced to 180 months in prison and four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. (3:20-cr-223)
- Alvin Thomas, Jr., 41, of Charlotte, was sentenced on May 13, 2021, to 120 months in prison and four years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. (3:20-cr-278)
The following defendants have pleaded guilty and are currently awaiting sentencing.
- Santuron Cureton, 39, of Lancaster, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. (3:20-cr-216)
- Jamorris Demonte Sanders, 21, of Chester, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, dealing firearms without a license, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. (3:20-cr-218)
- Timonth Antonio Flanagan, 35, of Lancaster, has pleaded guilty to crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy and distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. (3:20-cr-218)
- Chareo Demarcus Johnson, 21, of Lancaster, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. (3:21-cr-66)
- Diante Ramon Brown, 22, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. (3:20-cr-222)
- Elliott Carmel Fincher, 32, of Marshville, N.C., has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. (3:20-cr-217)
- Larry Eddie Crowder Jr., 32, of Waxhaw, N.C., has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. (3:20-cr-219)
- Bridget Cherie Chambers, 32, of Monroe, has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. (3:20-cr-27).
In making today's announcement Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer commended the ATF, FBI, DEA, the Union County Sheriff's Office and the Monroe Police Department for their investigative efforts.
The prosecution for the government was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Stephanie Spaugh. Ms. Spaugh is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Ms. Spaugh is duly sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Ithaca Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Jeffrey Blake, age 50, of Ithaca, New York, pled guilty today to attempted online enticement of a minor.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Nicholas B. Boshears, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea Blake admitted that between June 12, 2019 and August 23, 2019, he exchanged text messages with an undercover officer he believed was the mother of 9 and 13 year old girls. In those messages, Blake expressed an interest in meeting the children and engaging in sex acts with them. He also communicated by text messaging with the undercover agent posing as each of the children. In those communications Blake assured the children that sex with him would not be painful, and that he would take precautions to keep the 13-year-old from getting pregnant. On August 23, 2019, Blake drove to a pre-determined location in Broome County to meet and have sex with the children. He brought with him vibrators and VCF birth control film as well as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and stuffed animals that he planned to give to the children as gifts. Blake was then encountered by law enforcement and arrested.
As a result of his conviction, Blake faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between five years and life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28, 2021 before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as 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.
Insurance Broker Sentenced for $3.8 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A licensed insurance broker and the owner of Benefits Consulting Associates LLC was sentenced to 70 months in prison Wednesday for his role in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of more than $3.8 million.
On Nov. 8, 2019, following a two-week trial, Tarek Abou-Khatwa, aka Dean Addem, 61, of the District of Columbia, was found guilty of one count of health care fraud, three counts of making false statements related to health care matters, seven counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud and five counts of identity theft charged in a March 2018 indictment.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Abou-Khatwa was involved in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield by creating fictitious employees and altering years of birth of actual employees by as much as 40 years to lower the average age of insured groups and fraudulently obtain lower insurance premiums. He then inflated the rates charged to clients and pocket(ed) the difference, which was in excess of $3.6 million. As part of his scheme, Abou-Khatwa also stole the identities of former employees and clients, lowered their ages, and moved them in and out of shell companies in order to obtain the fraudulently lower premiums. When groups controlled by Abou-Khatwa were audited by CareFirst, he created false census reports, false D.C. wage and tax reports, and false paystubs to coverup his fraud.
In addition to the prison sentence, Abou-Khatwa was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $3,836,709.34 in restitution and forfeit $8,402,966.73.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia; Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Philadelphia Regional Office; and Commissioner Karima Woods of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case with the help of the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Trial Attorney Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset of the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Virginia Cheatham and Derrick Williams of the District of Columbia previously handled the prosecution.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Insurance Broker Sentenced for $3.8 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A licensed insurance broker and the owner of Benefits Consulting Associates LLC was sentenced to 70 months in prison Wednesday for his role in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of more than $3.8 million.
On Nov. 8, 2019, following a two-week trial, Tarek Abou-Katwa, aka Dean Addem, 61, of the District of Columbia, was found guilty of one count of health care fraud, three counts of making false statements related to health care matters, seven counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud and five counts of identity theft charged in a March 2018 indictment.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Abou-Khatwa was involved in a scheme to defraud CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield by creating fictitious employees and altering years of birth of actual employees by as much as 40 years to lower the average age of insured groups and fraudulently obtain lower insurance premiums. He then inflated the rates charged to clients and pocketed the difference, which was in excess of $3.6 million. As part of his scheme, Abou-Khatwa also stole the identities of former employees and clients, lowered their ages, and moved them in and out of shell companies in order to obtain the fraudulently lower premiums. When groups controlled by Abou-Khatwa were audited by CareFirst, he created false census reports, false D.C. wage and tax reports, and false paystubs to coverup his fraud.
In addition to the prison sentence, Abou-Katwa was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay $3,836,709.34 in restitution and forfeit $8,402,966.73.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District of Columbia; Acting Assistant Director in Charge Steven D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Philadelphia Regional Office; and Commissioner Karima Woods of the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking made the announcement.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case with the help of the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Trial Attorney Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset of the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Virginia Cheatham and Derrick Williams of the District of Columbia previously handled the prosecution.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Indiana man charged with illegally selling fireworks in OhioRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Paul Eberhard, 64, of Shelbyville, Indiana, with crimes related to illegally dealing in fireworks.
The investigation began after the July 4, 2020, death of a Mt. Healthy man. According to reports, the man died after being struck in the head by a fireworks explosive. The Hamilton County Bomb Squad confiscated fireworks from the scene.
According to the indictment, between 2018 and 2020, Eberhard illegally sold display fireworks. He is charged with two federal crimes: dealing in explosive materials without a license and distributing explosive materials to a person without a permit or license. Each crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Display fireworks are large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation. Display fireworks contain more than 50 milligrams of flash powder for ground devices, and more than 130 milligrams of flash powder for aerial explosives. Under federal law, a person must have an ATF license or permit to receive or use display fireworks. Individuals with only a permit, like Eberhard, are prohibited from selling or distributing display fireworks.
Eberhard’s case was unsealed this afternoon during his initial appearance in federal court.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the charges and commended the work of the Mount Healthy, North College Hill and Shelbyville police departments, the sheriff’s office bomb squads from Hamilton and Butler counties, and the Hamilton County Coroner. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter 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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Holyoke Man Sentenced for Heroin DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced in federal court in Springfield today for distributing heroin.
Jose Rodriguez, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 90 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In October 2020, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin.
Rodriguez sold heroin on Sept. 19 and 27, 2018 in Holyoke. Rodriguez also possessed and intended to distribute 100 or more grams of heroin on July 6, 2019 in Holyoke. The charges were the result of an investigation into heroin trafficking in Holyoke.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Heroin Dealer Sent Back to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Chicago man who intended to distribute fentanyl and a heroin/fentanyl mixture was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison.
Chanord Hawkins, age 28, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a November 30, 2020 guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Evidence at sentencing showed that on September 1, 2016, Hawkins was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of federal supervised release after he had pled guilty to distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in federal court. On September 12, 2020, while he was on federal supervised release, Hawkins was a passenger in a car that was stopped by officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During the traffic stop, officers searched a fanny pack belonging to Hawkins and recovered a small baggie that contained 0.5 grams of heroin. Hawkins was arrested and transported to the Linn County Correctional Center. After he arrived at the Linn County Correctional Center, deputies searched Hawkins’ person and located two bags of marijuana in his underwear. As a result, officers conducted a strip search and deputies located multiple small plastic baggies tucked inside Hawkins’ buttocks that contained a total of over 9 grams of fentanyl and 25 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. Hawkins intended to distribute some or all of the fentanyl and heroin/fentanyl mixture to another person.
Hawkins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Hawkins was sentenced to a total of 70 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Hawkins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA, the Linn County Sheriff's Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-00081.
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Ft. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. — Kevin R. Welsch, 48, of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky pleaded guilty today to federal charges of wire fraud and tax evasion.
In his guilty plea, Welsch admitted defrauding clients of the debt collection business he owned and operated, RCC Services, Inc. Specifically, he admitted to collecting debts on behalf of creditors and keeping the money for his own use. He also admitted to collecting more than debtors owed (sometimes making multiple, unauthorized debits from their accounts) and charging his clients for fees/expenses that he never actually incurred. Finally, Welsch admitted evading taxes in the process.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS – Criminal Investigation; James Robert Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office and Casey Kilgore, Chief of Police, Ft. Thomas Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS CI, the FBI, and the Ft. Thomas Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Elaine K. Leonhard.
Welsch is currently scheduled to appear for sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Danny C. Reeves, in Covington, on September 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Welsch faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.
Fresno Woman Charged with COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury brought a six-count indictment against Cecilia Aquino, 34, of Fresno, today charging her with mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for submitting unemployment insurance claims and applications for Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury and Disaster Loans using stolen identities, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, from June through November 2020, Aquino submitted unemployment benefit claims in at least seven states and at least four loan applications that contained misrepresentations. She claimed that the named individuals last worked as self‑employed dancers and owned interior design businesses, and that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they lost their jobs and business revenue, respectively. The state workforce agencies that administer the unemployment insurance system, the SBA, and the United States suffered an actual loss of at least $220,000 and were subject to a potential loss of more than $350,000 because of Aquino’s fraud. Aquino used the money for gambling, rent, shopping, and other personal expenditures.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Aquino faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the mail and wire fraud counts, and a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to other counts and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the aggravated identity theft counts. Any 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. The charges are only allegations. Aquino is presumed innocent until and unless she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fort Myers Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Eleven Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Edgar Vazquez (36, Fort Myers) to 11 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The court also ordered Vazquez to forfeit a firearm and ammunition that were involved in the offense.
Vazquez had been found guilty by a jury on September 15, 2020.
According to evidence presented at trial, in September 2018, Vazquez was driving a vehicle on Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers, when he was stopped by Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies for committing a traffic infraction. After a trained drug canine unit alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, law enforcement conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered approximately 500 grams of cocaine from inside the vehicle. A subsequent search warrant was executed at Vazquez’s residence, where approximately 700 grams of cocaine, cash, and a loaded gun were seized from his bedroom.
This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Simon R. Eth and David P. Sullivan.
Fort Bragg Marriage Fraud Arranger Sentenced for Marriage Fraud and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – An ex-soldier from Fayetteville was sentenced today to 44 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On August 18, 2020, Ebenezer Yeboah Asane, a/k/a “Ben” pled guilty to marriage fraud and conspiracy.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Asane, 37, operating from Fort Bragg and his home in Fayetteville, planned and organized the sham marriages of several foreign nationals from Ghana to U.S. Army soldiers based at Fort Bragg. The purpose of the conspiracy was for the foreign-born nationals to evade U.S. immigration laws and obtain lawful permanent residence status and for the soldiers to receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to live off post, as opposed to the barracks.
Asane recruited additional soldiers into the fraudulent scheme to orchestrate photographs to give the appearance the marriages were legitimate and to submit false statements to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service in support of the sham marriages. Once charged, Asane also attempted to obstruct justice by asking a witness he knew had been called to testify to lie under oath.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The investigation of these cases is ongoing and being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Bragg and the EDNC Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00423-FL-1.
Former Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Official Sentenced to over One Year in Prison for Fraud and EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Paul Dignam, 59, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 13 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $3,500 fine by United States District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno for a scheme to defraud the City of Philadelphia of approximately $119,000 over the course of several years.
In November 2020, Paul Dignam pleaded guilty to mail fraud and embezzlement from a program receiving federal funds. At the time of the charged offenses, the defendant was a long-time employee of the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (“PPR”) Department, serving most recently as the Regional Manager for the South Region. In this position, Dignam oversaw and managed the PPR programs and operations in this section of the city including activities for members of the community, fund-raising, general maintenance and supervision of personnel.
In 2011, Paul Dignam opened a bank account that purported to be for use by a recreation advisory council, a commonly used governance structure in PPR that exists to support local recreation centers and playgrounds by helping to raise funds, develop programs, and maintain play sites. Beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2019, the defendant allegedly misused this bank account by repeatedly writing checks on the account made payable to himself. He helped conceal this fraud by having bank statements mailed to his personal residence and having another individual act as a signatory on the account. The defendant then forged the other individual’s signature on the misappropriated checks and falsely noted in the memo line of the checks that they were “reimbursements” for expenses he incurred by making purchases on behalf of PPR. In sum, Paul Dignam wrote himself approximately 102 checks worth approximately $119,000.
Paul’s brother, Leo Dignam, 61, also of Philadelphia and formerly an Assistant Managing Director with the City of Philadelphia, also pleaded guilty in November 2020 to charges of wire fraud and embezzlement from a program receiving federal funds in connection with similar misuse of public money, and was sentenced last week to 15 months in prison.
“Just like his brother, the defendant abused the trust placed in him by his superiors and the citizens of Philadelphia, specifically supporters of Parks and Recreation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “Stealing money from a bank account meant to support programming and maintenance of facilities, some in desperate need of repair, is inexcusable – but now he has been held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Deputy United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.
Former Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Preston, Georgia resident and former pediatric nurse practitioner (NP) has pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography in a case involving thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
William Clinton Storey, 41, of Preston, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Clay Land today. Storey faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least five years up to a lifetime of supervision. Storey will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Storey’s sentencing is scheduled for August 17. There is no parole in the federal system.
“William Storey will spend a significant period of time in prison for his role in distributing large amounts of the most depraved depictions of child sexual abuse online—a criminal act made even more disturbing knowing he was a pediatric nurse practitioner at the time of his crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “GBI and FBI agents are to be commended for their urgent and precise investigation into Storey’s activities as a child predator, removing him from his role working with children and helping us obtain justice.”
“Children portrayed in child pornography images are victimized every time those images are distributed or viewed, and this case is exceptionally disturbing because the suspect was a nurse and a family pediatric practitioner,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will use every resource available, including the partnerships with our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, to uncover child pornography and those who create, distribute and possess it.”
“The GBI will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent victims of online exploitation. In this instance the offender was a healthcare provider. We are grateful for the relationships we maintain with our federal partner agencies to bring these predators to justice,” said Vic Reynolds, GBI Director.
According to court documents, the multimedia messaging app Snapchat detected that user clint31824 had uploaded five files of suspected child pornography while using their platform on November 21, 2019. GBI investigated the cybertip and traced the IP used by user clint31824 to the defendant, William Storey. At the time, Storey was employed as a certified family nurse practitioner. Agents executed search warrants at Storey’s home and business on February 18, 2020, seizing seven devices belonging to Storey. A forensic examination of the electronic media seized during the search warrant discovered approximately 6,000 videos and 24,000 images of suspected child pornography. The files contained depictions of babies, small toddlers, minors engaged in bondage, and male and female prepubescent children being sexually abused by adult males.
The case was investigated by the GBI and FBI with assistance from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case.
Former Owner of Michigan Home Healthcare Business Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A Michigan man pleaded guilty today to filing a false individual income tax return.
According to court documents, Robert Nakfoor, of Lansing, claimed false expenses for his home healthcare business, Jessi Kay Home Care, on his 2011 through 2015 federal individual income tax returns. Nakfoor reported fraudulent business expenses for insurance, legal and professional services, wages, and contract labor that he knew his company did not incur. In total, Nakfoor caused a tax loss to the IRS of $481,465.
Nakfoor is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Birge for the Western District of Michigan made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Melissa S. Siskind of the Justice Department’s Tax Division is prosecuting the case.
Former Minister of Government of Bolivia, Owner of Florida-Based Company, and Three Others Charged in Bribery and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. – Two Bolivian nationals and three United States citizens were arrested last week in Florida and Georgia on criminal charges related to their alleged roles in a bribery and money laundering scheme. The former Minister of the Government of Bolivia and another former Bolivian official are accused of receiving bribes paid by a U.S. company and individuals to secure a Bolivian government contract, and then using the U.S. financial system to launder those bribes.
According to court documents, Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, 57, Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal, 51, Luis Berkman, 58, Bryan Berkman, 36, and Philip Lichtenfeld, 48, engaged in the bribery scheme between approximately November 2019 and April 2020. During that time, Luis Berkman, Bryan Berkman, and Lichtenfeld paid $602,000 in bribes to Bolivian government officials for the benefit of Murillo, the former Minister of Government of Bolivia, Mendez, the former Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Government of Bolivia, and another Bolivian government official. The bribes were paid so that Bryan Berkman’s Florida-based company would obtain and retain business from the Bolivian Ministry of Defense, specifically, an approximately $5.6 million contract to provide to the Bolivian Ministry of Defense tear gas and other non-lethal equipment. To promote the bribery scheme, Bryan Berkman, Luis Berkman, and Lichtenfeld then laundered the payments to Bolivian government officials through bank accounts in Florida and Bolivia and orchestrated the payment of $582,000 in cash for Murillo and Mendez, according to the charges.
All five individuals are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami office made the announcement.
HSI Miami investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Jil Simon and Assistant Chief Gerald M. Moody Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx P. Calderón is handling asset forfeiture.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov., under case number 21-mj-06320.
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Former IT Director and Contractor Charged in Federal Court for Roles in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that the former information technology director of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST) and a contractor were each charged with their respective roles in a bribery scheme. Sven Schreiber, age 52, of Florida and North Dakota, and Arnaldo Piccinelli, age 43 of Florida, were each charged with three counts of Bribery Concerning a Program Receiving Federal Funds.
Schreiber made his appearance on May 20, 2021, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and entered a plea of not guilty. Piccinelli made his appearance on May 12, 2021, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Middle District of Florida. The charges are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Each was released pending trial.
Each charge carries the following maximum penalties: 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release following release from custody; $100 special assessment; and restitution.
According to the charging document, in or around December 2015, Schreiber became the Director of the Information Technology Department of the SRST. Schreiber’s duties included, among other things, serving as the Tribe’s primary contact with outside vendors and generating bids, contracts, and agreements relating to the work of the Tribe’s Information Technology Department.
Piccinelli provided information technology services on a sole-source, contract basis with the Tribe, by and through its Information Technology Department. Schreiber served as Defendant Piccinelli’s point of contact regarding all of the contracts with the Tribe.
Piccinelli accepted payments from the Tribe, at the direction of Schreiber, via checks made payable to Piccinelli individually or to Piccinelli’s for-profit corporation, Hexagon Code, Incorporated. It is alleged that on more than one occasion, Schreiber agreed to accept a bribe from Piccinelli, who paid the bribe to Schreiber.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Former Contract Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Stealing MailRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former contractor working for the U.S. Postal Service pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to steal gift cards from the mail.
Tyrone V. Read Jr., 27, of Warrensburg, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to one count of conspiracy to possess stolen mail matter.-
Read was employed as a driver for the trucking company that held the contract to transport mail to and from post offices in Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Odessa, and Concordia, Mo.
By pleading guilty today, Read admitted that he stole $1,820 in cash and gift cards from the mail of 30 postal customers between Dec. 1, 2019, and May 6, 2020. Read gave the stolen gift cards to his girlfriend, co-defendant Kerry K. Swisher, 35, of Warrensburg. Swisher, who pleaded guilty to possessing stolen mail matter, used gift cards to make purchases at various locations for things such as meals, groceries, and gas.
Under federal statutes, Read and Swisher are each subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Swisher is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2021. Read’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
Fleeing Felon Found in Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Angelo Joseph Fernandez, 41, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Fernandez was found to be in possession of ammunition after he led Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies on a high-speed chase throughout Fresno on Feb. 25, 2021, while he was out on bail in another case. Fernandez is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Fernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Final Defendant Sentenced in $80 Million Health Care Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Florida man was sentenced today to 210 months in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Alberto Orian Gonzalez-Delgado, 46, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud on March 4. Gonzalez-Delgado is the last remaining defendant in this case to be sentenced. Eduardo Rubal, 41, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and was sentenced to 210 months; Vicente Gonzalez Acosta, 50, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and was sentenced to 188 months; Alexander Fernandez, 49, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 120 months; Yaxing Tapanes, 24, of Hialeah, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 97 months; Jose Carlos Valladares Rivera, 43, of Miami, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 97 months; Hector Suarez Gonzalez, 45, of Hialeah, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and was sentenced to 78 months; Antonio Jimenez, 54, of Hialeah, was sentenced to 48 months.
According to court documents, these eight individuals and their co-conspirators operated a fraud and money laundering organization responsible for executing a series of frauds in Florida and Michigan through which they billed Medicare for over $80 million, actually receiving approximately $53 million for fraudulent claims.
The organization recruited and directed nominee owners to fraudulently purchase home health agencies, as well as to open sham corporations in their names, along with corresponding personal and corporate bank accounts. After the acquisition of the home health agency was completed, the group began fraudulently billing Medicare for services that were never provided. The home health agencies had no medical staff and provided no services to any beneficiaries. The group, upon receiving the Medicare money, would funnel that through several layers of shell companies and bank accounts in an effort to launder the money before converting it to cash at ATMs and check cashing stores in Miami. Once the nominee owners completed their work, the group required them to permanently move to Cuba to avoid detection and live beyond the jurisdiction of the United States.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
The FBI and Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General investigated the case, with assistance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Center for Program Integrity.
Trial Attorney Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
Federal Judge Sentences Whittier, N.C. Man to Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Michael James George, 46, of Whittier, N.C., to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for a firearm offense, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, on January 17, 2020,
a CIPD officer arrested George in Jackson County on an outstanding Tribal warrant, after the officer observed George driving in a vehicle with false tags. At the time of the arrest, the CIPD officer searched the vehicle and recovered a pistol in the floorboard under the driver’s seat and 19 rounds of ammunition. George has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On October 23, 2020, George pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer thanked the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant United States Attorney John Pritchard, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case.
Eugene Man Indicted for Stalking and Mailing Threatening LettersRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Eugene has returned an indictment charging a Eugene man with stalking and mailing threatening letters to a former teacher.
Gary Franklin, 57, has been charged with stalking and using the U.S. Postal Service to mail threatening communications.
According to court statements, Franklin sent two letters to an adult female victim between December 2020 and May 2021. The first letter contained a printout of what appeared to be a deceased, mutilated female. Handwritten wording above and below the image included racial and sexual orientation slurs and stated, “What I’d like to do to you.” The second letter contained another photograph of a deceased, mutilated female. The handwritten wording around the image stated that the photograph represented Franklin’s fantasy of what he wanted to do to the victim.
A forensic analysis conducted by the Oregon State Police Laboratory found Franklin’s fingerprints on the first letter. In May 2021, the FBI subsequently executed a search warrant on Franklin’s Eugene residence, revealing a collection of knives, violent literature, and white supremacist memorabilia. Franklin was arrested without incident.
Franklin made his initial appearance in federal court on May 21, 2021 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and scheduled for a jury trial to begin on July 27, 2021. On May 24 and 25, 2021, a U.S. Magistrate Judge held detention hearings for Franklin and detained him pending the jury trial.
If convicted, Franklin faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison for each count, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam E. Delph is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Stalking is a serious federal crime involving a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. For more information about stalking, including resources for victims, please visit the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC) at www.stalkingawareness.org.
Anyone with information about real or perceived threats of violence should call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
For immediate threats to life and safety, please call 9-1-1.
El Paso Doctor Indicted for Distributing Controlled Substances and Health Care Fraud Resulting in Five DeathsRead the Press Release
EL PASO – Today federal authorities arrested 60-year-old Dr. Brian James August of El Paso for allegedly committing health care fraud and distributing controlled substances that resulted in the overdose deaths of five individuals.
A 15-count federal grand jury indictment, unsealed upon his arrest, charges Dr. August with five counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death or serious bodily injury, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance and five counts of health care fraud resulting in death. Upon conviction, Dr. August faces 20 years to life in federal prison for the drug charges resulting in death; up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the remaining drug charges; and up to life in federal prison for each of the health care fraud charges.
The indictment alleges that between December 2012 and March 2018, Dr. August, who practiced Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation aka “physiatry,” prescribed and dispensed controlled substances, including methadone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone, outside the usual course of medical practice and without legitimate medical purpose, resulting in the deaths of five victims. Dr. August is also alleged to have committed health care fraud by billing for services he did not perform.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff, Special Agent in Charge Kyle Williamson of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) El Paso Field Office and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Coburn of the FBI’s El Paso Division made today’s announcement.
The DEA and the FBI with assistance from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety Special Investigation Services and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation called “Operation Murder He Wrote.”
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 Debra Kanof and Phillip Countryman are prosecuting this case.
August remains in federal custody. His initial appearance is expected to take place at 2 p.m. tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne T. Berton in El Paso.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con una compañía de fabricación farmacéutica con sede en Nueva York que resuelve acusaciones de discriminación relacionada con la inmigraciónRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo con LNK International Inc. (LNK), un fabricante de farmacéuticos sin receta médica con sede en Hauppauge, Nueva York. El acuerdo resuelve las acusaciones del Departamento de que LNK vulneró la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad («INA», por sus siglas en inglés) al discriminar a individuos con autorización para trabajar que no eran ciudadanos de los EE. UU.
Con base en su investigación, el Departamento determinó que LNK, de forma rutinaria, pedía documentos innecesarios y específicos a residentes permanentes legales que la compañía contrataba para trabajar en ciertos departamentos para demostrar su permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos. La investigación del Departamento determinó que LNK solicitaba que residentes permanentes legales mostraran sus tarjetas de residencia permanente (a veces conocidas como «tarjetas verdes») para demostrar su autorización para trabajar pero permitía a ciudadanos estadounidenses a escoger entre varios tipos de documentos aceptables. Según el Departamento, LNK también tenía una práctica ilegal de requerir que, con base en su estatus migratorio, refugiados y asilados presentaran una prueba actualizada de su autorización para trabajar, incluso cuando ya habían facilitado documentos que demostraban una autorización continua y permanente para trabajar.
«Los empleadores no pueden discriminar a empleados por motivos de su estatus de ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen a la hora de comprobar que sus empleados cuentan con la autorización debida para trabajar en los Estados Unidos», afirmó la Fiscal General Auxiliar Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles. «El Departamento de Justicia anticipa la colaboración de LNK para garantizar su cumplimiento con la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA para que todo empleado quede sujeto a las mismas normas a la hora de demostrar su permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos».
Las leyes federales permiten a todo individuo con autorización para trabajar, independientemente de su estatus de ciudadanía, elegir los documentos válidos y legalmente aceptables que desea presentar para demostrar su autorización para trabajar en los Estados Unidos. Muchas personas que no son ciudadanos de los EE. UU., incluyendo a residentes permanentes legales, refugiados y asilados, entre otros, tienen una autorización para trabajar que no vence y son elegibles para varios de los mismos tipos de documentos como lo son los ciudadanos de los EE. UU. (tales como carnets de conducir y tarjetas de seguro social sin restricciones) para demostrar su autorización para trabajar. La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA prohíbe que los empleadores pidan documentos adicionales o diferentes a los necesarios para demostrar la autorización para trabajar con base en el estatus migratorio o de ciudadanía del empleado o bien por su nacionalidad de origen.
Conforme los términos del acuerdo conciliatorio, LNK pagará una sanción civil a los Estados Unidos que asciende a 200.000,00 $. Asimismo, LNK capacitará a sus empleados en cuanto a los requisitos de la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA, incluyendo una capacitación dirigida por la Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados («IER», por sus siglas en inglés), y será supervisado durante un período de tres años para garantizar que la compañía esté cumpliendo con el acuerdo.
La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. La ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación.
Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su estatus de ciudadanía o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688; llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés o español. Para recibir las últimas noticias de la IER, inscríbase a GovDelivery.
Eagle Butte Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Jasyn Curley, age 26, was indicted on May 11, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 20, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on each count. Restitution may also be ordered.
Curley was convicted of Sexual Contact With a Minor in October 2016. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. The Indictment alleges that between February 25, 2021, and March 13, 2021, Curley, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Curley is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Curley was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Dominican National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Antonio Curio-Ruiz, 53, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. Curio-Ruiz also faces deportation upon completion of his sentence. On Feb. 3, 2021, Curio-Ruiz pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
Curio-Ruiz was previously deported in December 2007, April 2011 and November 2012. On Oct. 12, 2017, officers encountered Curio-Ruiz and determined him to be illegally present in the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for fentanyl conspiracy charges.
Francis Jimenez Minyetty, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to eight years in prison and four years of supervised release. Jimenez Minyetty will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In October 2020, Jimenez Minyetty pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more fentanyl, distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
Investigators conducted a total of seven controlled purchases of fentanyl from Minyetty, who was working with co-defendants Enmanuel Brioso Fabal and Guillermo Aybar-Guerrero. On Nov. 2, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at a stash house on Jackson Street in Lawrence associated with this drug organization and encountered co-defendant Nieves Guzman, who had a kilogram brick of fentanyl in her purse. At the stash house, investigators also located various drug distribution paraphernalia, including a mixing bowl containing fentanyl, sifters and blenders. In total, Minyetty was responsible for approximately 1,109 grams of fentanyl and 146.6 grams of acetyl fentanyl (a fentanyl analogue).
On May 12, 2021, Guzman was sentenced by Judge Casper to time served (approximately 18 months in prison). Guzman will be subject to deportation upon completion of her sentence.
Brioso Fabal pleaded guilty on April 7, 2021 and is awaiting sentencing.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit, Michigan man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 11, 2017 Calvin Allen, 44, sold oxycodone to a person who was working with law enforcement as a confidential informant. The drug sale occurred in Allen’s vehicle in the parking lot of Tractor Supply in Oak Hill, Fayette County.
Allen pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on August 23, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Hamner is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-0116.
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Convicted murderer, gang member who led drug trafficking organization from inside state prison is sentenced to federal termRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A former Savannah resident serving a life sentence in state prison for murder has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for operating a drug trafficking organization while incarcerated.
Eugene Allen, a/k/a “Poncho,” 44, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine and 50 Kilograms or More of Marijuana, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Allen was convicted of the charge by a U.S. District Court jury in August 2019. After completion of his prison term, Allen must serve eight years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Using contraband cell phones to circumvent prison monitoring of his conspiracy, Eugene Allen directed nearly two dozen others outside the prison to bring large amounts of drugs to the Savannah area for distribution throughout the region,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Our diligent law enforcement partners shut down this poison distribution network, and Allen is the final member of this conspiracy to now find himself in federal prison.”
As described in court documents and testimony, Allen – a high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang – has been in state prison since 2004 after violating parole on a prior state conviction. In 2006, he was convicted of multiple violent crimes, including murder, and sentenced to life in prison. While incarcerated in Autry State Prison and at Coffee Correctional Facility, Allen used cell phones – dropped in by remote-control drone aircraft, or smuggled via prison guards – to direct the other members of the conspiracy.
In an investigation dubbed Operation Five Hole started in 2014, the FBI, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) and the Savannah Police Department determined that those co-conspirators shipped or delivered kilogram amounts of drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana, from California to Atlanta, and then to Savannah for distribution throughout the area, often concealing the shipments in candy machines. Co-conspirators also shipped large quantities of vacuum-sealed cash to pay the sources of supply.
Allen and 19 co-defendants were indicted in U.S. District Court in 2017 for their roles in the drug trafficking conspiracy. All have been adjudicated, with17 found guilty and sentenced and two cases dismissed. Another 12 related defendants also have been sentenced. Many of the defendants also were convicted and sentenced for related state charges.
“This sentencing is the result of the hard work and dedication of multiple federal state and local law enforcement agencies, as part of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. As a result, Allen, who continued to wreak havoc in the community even after his state prison sentence will now face federal prison time, without the possibility for parole. Hopefully, this sends the message that the FBI and our partners will go to any length to uphold the law.”
“By directing a drug trafficking network from prison, Allen has shown an obvious disregard for the law which cannot be ignored,” said CNT Director Michael G. Sarhatt, “CNT continues to focus our efforts on targeting criminal organizations such as this one in order to keep these toxic substances from reaching our community. I am thankful for the assistance from our federal, state, and local partners during this investigation.”
Operation Five Hole was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
The case was investigated by the FBI, CNT, the Savannah Police Department, the Chatham and Effingham County Sheriffs’ Offices, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah J. Abrams, Frank M. Pennington II, and E. Gregory Gilluly Jr.