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Thursday 1 April 2021
Texas Syndicate cocaine trafficker returns to prison for over 10 yearsRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old Robstown gang member and convicted felon has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to traffic 17 kilograms of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Rudy Reyna pleaded guilty Jan. 7.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced him to serve a 121-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional statements that described Reyna's role during the cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and membership in the dangerous Texas Syndicate gang. In imposing the sentence, Judge Ramos noted Reyna's previous violent criminal conduct.
In July 2020, Reyna was involved in a conspiracy with others to possess with intent to distribute nearly 20 kilograms of cocaine. He helped protect or transport cocaine or currency with others. During the course of the conspiracy, authorities seized over $250,000.
Reyna was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from U.S. Marshals Service, Nueces County District Attorney’s Criminal Interdiction Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety and Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning prosecuted the case.
Texas Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Tyler C. King, age 32, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for falsifying evidence and obstructing justice at his November 2019 jury trial.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, King admitted to obstructing justice by falsifying evidence for use in his November 2019 federal jury trial in Albany. Following that trial, King was convicted of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, computer fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with his hacking of a New York-based technology company, and sentenced to serve 57 months in prison. The 21-month term of imprisonment imposed today will run consecutive to the 57-month term, for a total term of imprisonment of 78 months.
For the obstruction conviction, Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced King to a 2-year term of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment, and a $7,500 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.
Statewide robbery spree lands Columbus man in federal prisonRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Columbus man who crisscrossed Georgia while committing a series of robberies has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
Lawrence Dominique Franklin, 37, of Columbus, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge William T. Moore Jr. after pleading guilty to Armed Bank Robbery, Bank Robbery, and Interference with Commerce by Robbery, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison term, Franklin will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“A previously convicted armed robber, Lawrence Franklin had been out of prison for barely four months before he took up a weapon and threatened store clerks and bank employees in multiple violent robberies across Georgia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Our law enforcement partners did an outstanding job in identifying Franklin and bringing him to justice, once again removing this menace from our streets.”
“In the course of a week, Lawrence Franklin charted a path of violence and mayhem from one end of Georgia to the other,” said Kurt R. Erskine, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. “Thankfully, quick and collaborative action on the state and federal levels led to the defendant’s capture and has brought him to justice.”
“This violent criminal will be imprisoned for many years, without parole, where he will no longer be able to threaten our communities,” said Peter D. Leary, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I commend our federal, state and local law enforcement officers for tracking this defendant across the state and bringing him to justice.”
As described in court, documents, and testimony, Franklin was released in July 2019 after serving more than 11 years in state prison for armed robbery. He then began a violent crime spree that started November 25, 2019, when he entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Columbus, Ga. wearing a construction worker vest, pointed a gun at the manager and threatened to “blast” several bank employees. Before departing, he stole thousands of dollars from multiple teller stations.
Three days later, again wearing a construction worker vest, he robbed a Dollar General store in Savannah, forced an employee to open the store safe, and fled with a large amount of cash. The next day, he robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in Newnan, Ga., again by revealing a gun from underneath a construction worker vest and threatening to shoot bank employees.
Franklin told law enforcement officials that, to facilitate his crimes, he kidnapped a woman and threatened to hurt her children unless she drove him from one robbery to the next and helped him escape.
Within three days of the Newnan robbery, Franklin was arrested in Atlanta. After grand juries returned separate federal indictments for the robberies, the cases were consolidated for plea and sentencing in the Southern District of Georgia.
“Franklin decided to continue his life of crime even after serving nearly a dozen years in prison,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “He clearly did not learn his lesson and continued to terrorize innocent civilians who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully, those victims are able to take some comfort in the fact that he is going back to prison and won't be a threat to them for a long time.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, Savannah Police Department, Columbus Police Department, Newnan Police Department, and Atlanta Police Department. It is being prosecuted for the United States by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia; by Northern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg; and by Middle District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Williams.
St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Montell Keith, 23, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Keith appeared, today, before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark.
On December 8, 2019, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were notified a white Toyota Camry, reported stolen on December 3, was parked at an apartment complex in the 5700 block of Goodfellow Place. While canvassing, officers located the Camry parked on the south parking lot, parked and exited their patrol car. Keith, identified by officers as the driver, drove away from the parking lot. The officers got back in their patrol car to follow and observed Keith running from the Camry. While running, the officers watched Keith throw a pistol on the ground.
Officers chased Keith and eventually arrested him. An officer returned to where he saw Keith throw the pistol and found a loaded 9mm pistol. The officer discovered the pistol had been reported stolen on December 2, 2019.
Prior to December 8, 2019, Keith was convicted of at least one felony crime.
Judge Clark has set sentencing for July 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling the case.
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Springdale Man Sentenced to over Nine Years in Federal Prison for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas announced that Trent Guida, age 37, of Springdale Arkansas was sentenced today to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing today in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
In January of 2020, detectives with the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force learned that Guida was staying at a hotel in Springdale Arkansas. Knowing that Guida had a search waiver on file, detectives located and approached Guida while he entered his room. While speaking with Guida, he spontaneously admitted to everything in the room belonging to him. During the search of Guida’s room and vehicle, Detectives located 2 firearms, approximately 2.2 grams of heroin, and drug paraphernalia.
Guida was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2020 and entered a guilty plea in December of 2020.
This case was investigated by the State of Arkansas Fourth (4th) Judicial District Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
South Texas pair admit to multiple counts of child exploitationRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - A man and woman have entered guilty pleas to production of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Reid Etheridge, 41, McAllen, admitted he filmed himself committing the sexual abuse and assault of two minor children from on or about Jan. 1, 2020, to approximately Oct. 1, 2020. As part of her guilty plea, Alicia Cronkhite, 29, Edinburg, admitted she took photographs of one minor victim’s exposed genitals and transmitted those photographs to Etheridge at his request.
Etheridge and Cronkhite pleaded guilty to two counts and one count of production of child pornography, respectively. Etheridge also admitted to coercion and enticement of a minor, while Cronkhite entered her plea to aiding and abetting the coercion and enticement of a minor.
The investigation led authorities to an IP address in McAllen that had uploaded images and videos depicting minor children engaged in sex acts. On Oct. 2, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant and encountered Etheridge at the residence. He soon admitted he had filmed himself sexually assaulting one minor victim.
Further investigation revealed communication between Etheridge and Cronkhite detailing the sexual exploitation of another minor victim. Authorities searched her residence, at which time she admitted she produced multiple images of a minor victim and transmitted the images to Etheridge.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing June 15. At that time, both Etheridge and Cronkhite face a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
They have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Rochester-Area Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering and Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Bartusek, age 58, of Fairport, New York, pled guilty today to wire fraud, money laundering, and filing a false tax return.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon of the Northern District of New York; United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. of the Western District of New York; Thomas Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin, Boston Division, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
As part of his guilty plea, Bartusek admitted that, from the summer of 2015 through the end of 2016, he defrauded his employer of approximately $776,000 which he used to invest in a high-risk scheme to purchase and sell diamonds from overseas, hoping to profit personally from their sale and return the money he stole from his employer before his fraud was discovered. Instead, the diamond investment failed, and the money was lost. Bartusek also admitted that, as part of his diamond scheme, he and two others solicited investments for a company called Integra Diamonds by materially false and fraudulent representations in an effort to recover investment funds that had been lost, including the money Bartusek stole from his employer.
In addition to the fraud and money laundering charges, Bartusek pled guilty to filing a false tax return for tax year 2015, and he admitted that he underreported his total income that tax year by approximately $123,000. He admitted further that he underreported his total income for the 2016 tax year by approximately $46,000.
Sentencing is set for July 28, 2021, before Senior United State District Court Judge Thomas J. McAvoy. Bartusek faces upon to 20 years in prison on the fraud conviction, 10 years in prison on the money laundering conviction, and 3 years in prison on the tax conviction. The judge also could impose a term of supervised release of up to three years. In addition to imprisonment and supervised release, Bartusek faces a fine of up to $250,000, and as part of his plea agreement Bartusek agreed to be subject to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $946,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Nicolas Commandeur of the Northern District of New York and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kruly of the Western District of New York.
Reptile Dealer Arrested on Lacey Act and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
A South Carolina man was arrested on March 30 on Lacey Act and firearms charges. A federal judge in the Middle District of Georgia, unsealed the indictment today.
Ashtyn Michael Rance, 35, of Dalzell, was charged by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Georgia on March 9 for trafficking vipers and turtles, as well as illegally possessing two firearms. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents arrested Rance in Dalzell on a warrant to face the charges in the Middle District of Georgia.
The indictment alleges that in February 2018, Rance sold 16 spotted turtles and three eastern box turtles to a buyer in Florida. He shipped the reptiles from Valdosta in a package falsely labeled as containing tropical fish and lizards. The indictment also alleges that in May 2018, Rance sent a second package to Florida with a label stating that it contained harmless reptiles and ball pythons. In reality, Rance had shipped 15 Gaboon vipers, which are venomous snakes. Finally, the indictment alleges that on May 11, 2018, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at Rance’s Valdosta home, where they recovered a Bushmaster Carbine .223 caliber rifle and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm, and Rance has a prior felony conviction.
“Rance’s reckless shipment of venomous snakes and illegal possession of firearms demonstrate the dangers of wildlife trafficking,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “I applaud our federal and state law enforcement partners for keeping the public and delivery couriers safe.”
“Illegal wildlife trafficking can have devastating effects, and our office will prosecute individuals found in violation of the Lacey Act and other environmental protection laws,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ATF and Georgia DNR for their work investigating this case.”
“Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that impacts species at home and abroad,”said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark for the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. “I would like to thank the Justice Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources for their assistance with this case. Together, we have stopped highly venomous snakes, and our nation’s own wildlife, from being smuggled.”
Rance possessed and sold the reptiles in violation of Georgia laws. The federal Lacey Act is the nation’s oldest wildlife trafficking statute and prohibits, among other things, transporting wildlife in interstate commerce if the wildlife was possessed illegally under state laws. It also is a Lacey Act violation to falsely label a package containing wildlife.
The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the eastern United States and Great Lakes region. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is endemic to forested regions of the East Coast and Midwest. Collectors prize both species in the domestic and foreign pet trade market. The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is native to central Sub-Saharan Africa. Its venom can cause shock, loss of consciousness or death in humans.
The maximum sentence under the Lacey Act and firearms charges are five and 10 years’ imprisonment, respectively, and a $250,000 fine for each charge.
The USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Vero Beach, Florida; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources conducted the investigation as part of Operation Middleman. The operation focused on the trafficking of reptiles from the United States to China.
Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit for the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise before a jury at trial.
Reptile Dealer Arrested on Lacey Act and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A reptile dealer, with a residence in Valdosta, Georgia, appeared in Columbia, South Carolina, federal court on Wednesday, March 31, for his initial appearance on Lacey Act and firearms charges arising from an indictment unsealed today in the Middle District of Georgia, said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia (USAO-MDGA).
Ashtyn Michael Rance, 35, of Dalzell (Sumter County), South Carolina, was charged by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Georgia on March 9, for trafficking vipers and turtles, as well as illegally possessing two firearms. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents arrested Rance on Tuesday, March 30, on a warrant to face the charges in the Middle District of Georgia. The maximum sentence under the Lacey Act and firearms charges are five and 10 years of imprisonment, respectively, and a $250,000 fine for each charge.
The indictment alleges that in February 2018, Rance sold 16 spotted turtles and three eastern box turtles to a buyer in Florida and shipped the reptiles from Valdosta, Georgia, in a package falsely labeled as containing tropical fish and lizards. The indictment also alleges that in May 2018, Rance sent a second package to Florida with a label stating that it contained harmless reptiles and ball pythons when in reality, Rance had shipped 15 Gaboon vipers, which are venomous snakes. Finally, the indictment alleges that on May 11, 2018, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at Rance’s Valdosta home, where they recovered a Bushmaster Carbine .223 caliber rifle and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm, and Rance has a prior felony conviction.
An indictment is a set of allegations based upon a finding of probable cause by a grand jury. A defendant is presumed innocent until convicted.
“Illegal wildlife trafficking can have devastating effects, and our office will prosecute individuals found in violation of the Lacey Act and other environmental protection laws,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leary. “I want to thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ATF, and the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources for their work investigating this case.”
“Rance’s reckless shipment of venomous snakes and illegal possession of firearms demonstrate the dangers of wildlife trafficking,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean E. Williams of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “I applaud our federal and state law enforcement partners for keeping the public and delivery couriers safe.”
“Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that impacts species at home and abroad,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Clark for the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. “I would like to thank the Justice Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources for their assistance with this case. Together, we have stopped highly venomous snakes, and our nation’s own wildlife, from being smuggled.”
The federal Lacey Act is the nation’s oldest wildlife trafficking statute and prohibits, among other things, transporting wildlife in interstate commerce if the wildlife was illegal under state laws. The indictment against him alleges that Rance possessed and sold the reptiles in violation of Georgia laws. It also is a Lacey Act violation to falsely label a package containing wildlife.
The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the eastern United States and Great Lakes region. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is endemic to forested regions of the East Coast and Midwest. Collectors prize both species in the domestic and foreign pet trade market. The Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is native to central Sub-Saharan Africa. Its venom can cause shock, loss of consciousness or death in humans.
The case is being investigated by USFWS Office of Law Enforcement in Vero Beach, Florida, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as part of Operation Middleman. The operation focuses on the trafficking of reptiles from the United States to China.
Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit of the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday of the District of South Carolina. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
An indictment is only an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven otherwise before a jury at trial.
Prison Inmate, Two Others Charged in Amphetamines Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An ACI inmate who is alleged to have continued to operate a drug trafficking business while incarcerated at the ACI, the inmate’s girlfriend, whom he allegedly instructed by telephone from inside the ACI on how to continue to operate the business, and an alleged supplier of amphetamine pills for them to sell, have been charged by way of federal criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court.
Arrested today as he exited the ACI on charges of conspiracy to possess amphetamines with intent to distribute and possession of amphetamine with intent to distribute, Ronald M. Kramer, 36, of Providence, is also charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. It is alleged in court documents that Kramer, previously convicted and sentenced on state robbery, breaking and entering/domestic, and felony assault charges, instructed his girlfriend, Rebecca L. Beauchamp, 36, of North Providence not only on how to continue his drug trafficking business, but also about how to locate and sell a firearm he owned. Beauchamp allegedly sold the gun to an undercover ATF agent.
It is alleged in court documents that on February 18, 2021, the same day Kramer was detained at the ACI on drunk driving, obstruction, and resisting arrest charges following his arrest by Providence Police, he began a long series of telephone conversations, often multiple times a day, with Beauchamp instructing her on contacting his supplier of amphetamine drugs and his customers, guiding her on executing drug transactions, and about how to locate and sell his gun.
According to court documents, at Kramer’s direction, numerous sales of varying quantities of amphetamines were allegedly conducted, including several sales made to undercover ATF agents.
As part of the investigation, on March 19, 2021, law enforcement agents executed a federal court-authorized search at the home of Davith Hoy, 41, of Cranston, the alleged supplier of amphetamines to Kramer and Beauchamp. Agents seized approximately 3,900 amphetamine (Adderall) pills, 110.6 grams of pills that tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, a pill press, and various items used in the packaging and sale of drugs. Hoy shares the residence with his wife and their three young children.
Hoy was arrested on charges of possession of amphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Hoy was ordered detained in federal custody.
Today, law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search at the North Providence residence of Rebecca Beauchamp, and arrested Beauchamp on charges of conspiracy to possess amphetamines with intent to distribute and possession of amphetamine with intent to distribute. Agents seized a small amount of amphetamine pills and approximately $11,000 in currency. Beauchamp was released on unsecured bond following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court.
The arrest and filing of criminal complaints in this matter against Kramer, Beauchamp, and Hoy are announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kelly D. Brady, and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus acknowledges and thanks the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Marshals Service, Rhode Island State Police, and the Pawtucket, Providence, Cranston, and North Providence Police Departments for their assistance in the investigation of this case.
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Ponte Vedra Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Robert H. Hendricks (64, Ponte Vedra) to six years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $2,682,924.34, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. In addition, the court ordered Hendricks to pay $3,879.881.34 in restitution.
Hendricks had pleaded guilty on September 28, 2020.
According to court documents, Hendricks was a licensed real estate broker in the Middle District of Florida. Hendricks told two of his victims, a husband and wife who were his longtime friends, that he had been successful with commercial property development and needed money for another commercial property deal in central Florida. In October 2014, the husband paid Hendricks $300,000 as an investment in two commercial property ventures. Hendricks never used the funds for an investment. Instead, he used the funds for his personal benefit.
On March 21, 2016, Hendricks received a wire of $200,000 from another victim, who was also a friend. Hendricks told that victim that Wawa, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations, was establishing locations in Jacksonville and offered the victim a deal for four to five stores. The victim believed that three of the five locations were completed based, in part, on a contract Hendricks provided referencing a Wawa at the St. Johns Town Center (SJTC), as well as other representations Hendricks made. However, the store at the SJTC had already been built at the time of the investment. Hendricks was not involved in that or any other project involving Wawa locations at the SJTC.
On April 18, 2016, Hendricks received a wire of $490,000 from a lender for a property he obtained from a longtime friend through misrepresentations. The victim had agreed to temporarily transfer the property to Hendricks to enable him to pay for cleanup and obtain special insurance, but Hendricks did not need to pay for any cleanup and no special insurance was required. Instead, once the property was in Hendricks’ name, he mortgaged the property for his benefit and failed to repay that loan. The lender then foreclosed the property and took title after an auction.
On February 13, 2017, Hendricks received a wire of $388,962.17 from a victim for another purported commercial property venture. Hendricks falsely claimed he had an interest in an LLC that owned a Home Depot and the victim could invest in it. However, the money went to an LLC Hendricks had created solely to further his scheme, and Hendricks did not own any interest in the unrelated LLC that actually owned the Home Depot.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Markeese Askew, age 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 192 months' imprisonment followed by a six-year term of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann on drug trafficking charges.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Davidson pleaded guilty in october 2020 to conspiring to distribute heroin and a mixture of heroin and carfentanil. During a three-day period in June 2017, there was a reash of drug overdoses in Williamsport. At the time, UPMC Susquehanna in Williamsport and Wellsboro reported treating 51 such cases within a 48-hour period.
Two of Davidson’s co-conspirators, Wayne Davidson and Nathan Crowder also pleaded guilty in October 2020 to the same charge. They were both sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment in March 2021. Raymond Howard was convicted after a five-day jury trial and awaits sentencing.
In total, Askew and the three co-conspirators were charged with delivering a mixture of heroin and carfentanil that resulted in serious bodily injury to eight individuals.
The case was investigated by the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Montoursville Police Department, Old Lycoming Township Police Department, South Williamsport Police Department, Williamsport Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Alisan V. Martin and Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime. This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Pekin Man Indicted for Allegedly Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – An indictment returned by a federal grand jury charges a Pekin, Ill., man, Kenin Edwards, with allegedly underreporting his income on federal and state tax returns filed for tax years 2014 to 2018. Edwards made his initial appearance in federal court in Peoria today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan E. Hawley. The indictment was returned by the grand jury on March 15, 2021, but remained sealed pending Edwards’ initial court appearance today. A trial in the case is scheduled on June 1, 2021.
According to the indictment, from early 2014 to late 2017, Edwards worked as a contractor for logging businesses and was paid a commission for the deals he negotiated between landowners and third-party timber purchasers. In late 2017, Edwards formed a partnership known as “Edwards & Sons Log Purveyors.”
The indictment alleges that from as early as April 2015 and continuing to at least the end of May 2019, for tax years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, Edwards willfully underreported the income he made in the logging business to reduce his tax liabilities. According to the indictment, Edwards underreported his personal and business income on returns he filed with the Internal Revenue Service and with the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer is representing the government in the prosecution. The IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Illinois Department of Revenue conducted the investigation.
The indictment specifically charges four counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of making a false tax return. If convicted, for the offenses of mail fraud and wire fraud, the maximum statutory penalty for each count is up to 20 years in prison; for making a false tax return, the maximum penalty is up to three years in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Oklahoma City Man Sentenced to 80 Years in Federal Prison After Five Years of Criminal ConductRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, DOMINIC EUGENE HUNT, aka "Dime Sack," 26, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to 80 years in prison on numerous firearms, ammunition, and drug-related charges after five years of criminal conduct, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On November 6, 2019, a Third Superseding Indictment charged Hunt with nine counts of various firearms, ammunition, and drug-related charges from four separate episodes of criminal conduct spanning from 2014 to 2019. The Third Superseding Indictment charged Hunt with the following: Counts 1 & 5) Drug User in Possession of a Firearm; Count 2) Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Counts 3 & 6) Possession with Intent to Distribute; Counts 4 & 7) Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Counts 8 & 9) Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
On September 4, 2020, Hunt pleaded guilty to Counts 1-3 before the case went to trial. On September 11, 2020, after a four-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on the remaining six counts.
Evidence at trial showed Hunt possessed three different firearms, including an assault rifle, on at least two separate occasions in 2014, in furtherance of his intent to distribute marijuana. Evidence also showed the ammunition Hunt possessed in Count 8 was the ammunition used in a January 2019 shooting, the victim of which survived. Finally, evidence showed the ammunition Hunt possessed in Count 9 was used in a drive-by shooting on February 2, 2019, which resulted in the death of Conilius “Tubby” Wright.
Today, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Hunt to serve 80 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
This case is the result of investigations by the Oklahoma City Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oklahoma City Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacquelyn M. Hutzell and David McCrary prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Ohio Man Enters Guilty Plea to Federal Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cleveland, Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a federal drug crime. James Lavan, 45, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lavan admitted that on June 12, 2019, members of the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant on his girlfriend’s vehicle and seized over 70 grams of heroin from his tool bag in the truck. Lavan admitted he intended to sell the heroin.
Lavan faces up to 63 months in prison when sentenced on July 1, 2021.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Charleston Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Nowles Heinrich, Jeremy B. Wolfe and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders are 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. 2:19-cr-00233.
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Oath Keeper Affiliates Charged in Superseding Indictment for Conspiracy Leading to the U.S. Capitol AttackRead the Press Release
Note: A full copy of the indictment can be viewed
here.WASHINGTON — Two individuals associated with the Oath Keepers, a large but loosely organized collection of individuals who explicitly focus on the recruitment of current and former military, law enforcement and first responder personnel, were indicted yesterday in federal court in the District of Columbia for conspiring to obstruct Congress, among other charges. James and Minuta are the 11th and 12th defendants to be charged in this case.
Joshua James, 33, of Arab, Alabama, was arrested on March 9, 2021 in Arab, Alabama; and Roberto Minuta, 36, of Prosper, Texas, was arrested on March 7, 2021, in Newburgh, New York. Both individuals were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. If convicted, James and Minuta each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the charging documents, James and Minuta communicated with co-conspirators in advance of the Jan. 6, 2021, incursion on the U.S. Capitol. The indictment alleges frequent and consistent communication leading up to the attack, such as in reserving hotel rooms and making phone calls to co-conspirators the morning of the breach.
According to the indictment, in response to a call for individuals to head to the Capitol after the building was breached, James and Minuta drove to the Capitol in a golf cart, at times swerving around law enforcement vehicles with Minuta stating, “Patriots are storming the Capitol…so we’re en route in a grand theft auto golf cart to the Capitol building right now…it’s going down guys; it’s literally going down right now Patriots storming the Capitol building…”
Once they arrived, Minuta aggressively berated and taunted law enforcement officers in riot gear guarding the perimeter of the Capitol near the East side of the building. At 3:15 p.m., Minuta and James forcibly entered the Capitol building through the same east side Rotunda doors through which their alleged co-conspirators had entered earlier.
They then stormed the building, wearing military gear. Minuta additionally wore hard-knuckle tactical gloves, ballistic goggles, a radio with an earpiece and bear spray. Video captures Minuta yelling at an officer: “All that’s left is the Second Amendment!” as he exited the building at 3:19 p.m. Not long after 4:00 p.m., individuals who breached the Capitol – including James, Minuta and many of their alleged co-conspirators – gathered together approximately 100 feet from the Capitol near the northeast corner of the building.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Texas and Northern District of Alabama. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York, Dallas, Birmingham and Washington Field Offices.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Oath Keeper Affiliates Charged in Superseding Indictment for Conspiracy Leading to the U.S. Capitol AttackRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Two individuals associated with the Oath Keepers, a large but loosely organized collection of individuals who explicitly focus on the recruitment of current and former military, law enforcement and first responder personnel, were indicted yesterday in federal court in the District of Columbia for conspiring to obstruct Congress, among other charges. James and Minuta are the 11th and 12th defendants to be charged in this case.
Joshua James, 33, of Arab, Alabama, was arrested on March 9, 2021 in Arab, Alabama; and Roberto Minuta, 36, of Prosper, Texas, was arrested on March 7, 2021, in Newburgh, New York. Both individuals were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. If convicted, James and Minuta each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the charging documents, James and Minuta communicated with co-conspirators in advance of the Jan. 6, 2021, incursion on the U.S. Capitol. The indictment alleges frequent and consistent communication leading up to the attack, such as in reserving hotel rooms and making phone calls to co-conspirators the morning of the breach.
According to the indictment, in response to a call for individuals to head to the Capitol after the building was breached, James and Minuta drove to the Capitol in a golf cart, at times swerving around law enforcement vehicles with Minuta stating, “Patriots are storming the Capitol…so we’re en route in a grand theft auto golf cart to the Capitol building right now…it’s going down guys; it’s literally going down right now Patriots storming the Capitol building…”
Once they arrived, Minuta aggressively berated and taunted law enforcement officers in riot gear guarding the perimeter of the Capitol near the East side of the building. At 3:15 p.m., Minuta and James forcibly entered the Capitol building through the same east side Rotunda doors through which their alleged co-conspirators had entered earlier.
They then stormed the building, wearing military gear. Minuta additionally wore hard-knuckle tactical gloves, ballistic goggles, a radio with an earpiece and bear spray. Video captures Minuta yelling at an officer: “All that’s left is the Second Amendment!” as he exited the building at 3:19 p.m. Not long after 4:00 p.m., individuals who breached the Capitol – including James, Minuta and many of their alleged co-conspirators – gathered together approximately 100 feet from the Capitol near the northeast corner of the building.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Texas and Northern District of Alabama. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York, Dallas, Birmingham and Washington Field Offices.
The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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Norfolk Man Convicted in Fatal KidnappingRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced that a federal jury in Omaha, Nebraska, returned guilty verdicts today against Ramon Simpson, 50, of Norfolk, for Kidnapping Resulting in Death and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping. Kidnapping Resulting in Death carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the 7-day trial and set sentencing for June 30, 2021.
Phyllis Hunhoff regularly traveled from her home in Yankton, South Dakota to her mother’s home in Utica, South Dakota. Her regular practice was to call her mother upon returning to Yankton. On November 4, 2018, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Phyllis Hunhoff left her mother’s residence, alone, to drive home to Yankton. She did not call her mother as she did not make it home. Having not heard from Phyllis, her mother began repeatedly calling her phone to determine her whereabouts. All calls were unanswered.
Simpson, Joseph James, and other men were near Phyllis Hunhoff’s mother’s residence as she was leaving. James and Simpson encountered Phyllis Hunhoff outside of the residence and got into her car. Simpson and James kidnapped Phyllis Hunhoff and took Hunhoff and her vehicle to Norfolk, Nebraska, arriving at about 11:00 p.m. When they arrived in Norfolk, James remained in the vehicle and Simpson exited the vehicle with James’s cellular phone. James drove Phyllis Hunhoff’s vehicle, with her inside, to the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska. Simpson proceeded to delete communications and location data from James’s phone detailing their travels and activities on November 4, 2018.
Video from a gas station on the Santee Reservation showed James driving Hunhoff’s vehicle and putting gasoline into her vehicle. Later, James returned in the same vehicle to the gas station and pumped gasoline into a soda bottle. James then drove to an isolated location on the Santee Reservation in Knox County, Nebraska, where he set fire to Hunhoff’s body and her vehicle to conceal evidence of the murder and kidnapping. James abandoned the body and vehicle and left the area.
On November 8, 2018, Phyllis Hunhoff’s body was located inside of her vehicle on the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation. Hunhoff had been killed by strangulation and stab wounds. Hunhoff’s body and vehicle were set on fire.
The FBI and other law enforcement officers investigated the murder and obtained evidence, including surveillance footage of James at the gas station during the early morning hours of November 5, 2018. Santee Police recovered the shirt James was wearing when he killed Phyllis Hunhoff. Her DNA was on James’ shirt. James’s DNA was on clothing Phyllis Hunhoff was wearing when he killed her.
When contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Simpson repeatedly lied about his and James’s whereabout on November 4 and 5, 2018.
James entered a plea of guilty to Murder in Indian Country on February 5, 2020, and on July 15, 2020 was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp said, “The abduction and killing of Phyllis Hunhoff was a ghastly crime. Our hearts go out to her family. Mr. Simpson is richly deserving of the sentence he will likely receive. The two-year investigation and prosecution of Mr. Simpson, and Mr. James before him, was complicated by complex jurisdictional issues and the need to analyze volumes of digital evidence. The FBI and the trial team did an outstanding job putting together the case that led to Mr. Simpson’s conviction.”
After today’s verdict, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Ramon Simpson may not have killed Phylliss Hunhoff, but his participation in her abduction and kidnapping ultimately lead to her violent and senseless death. FBI Omaha is committed to continue working with our state and local partners to apprehend violent criminals and bring them to justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jody Mullis and Sean Lynch.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nebraska State Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Yankton Police Department (South Dakota), Norfolk Police Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and the Lincoln Police Department.
New York Man Charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of Two MinorsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man is scheduled to make his initial appearance today on charges that he attempted to engage in sex trafficking of two minors and transported the minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Berry Norman, 32, is charged in a three-count complaint with attempted sex trafficking of two minors and transporting the minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. He is scheduled to appear by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor this afternoon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 24, 2021, Norman enticed the victims, both minors, to travel with him from Ohio to New Jersey. On Feb. 25, 2021, Norman housed the victims in a hotel in Hudson County, New Jersey. Norman allegedly attempted to convince the victims to engage in commercial sex acts. Norman told the victims that they could “get paid” for having sex with men and for performing sexually explicit “shows” on the computer. The victims declined. On Feb. 27, 2021, Norman engaged in sex acts with one victim.
On Feb. 28, 2021, Norman transported the victims to another hotel in New York. Norman purchased lingerie for the victims. When they returned to the hotel room, Norman allegedly encouraged the victims to put on the lingerie and perform sexual acts while a computer live-streamed the victims over the Internet. The victims declined again. Later that evening, one victim observed a laptop that was on and streaming a video of the victims in the hotel room. The victim contacted a relative for help. In turn, the victim’s relative contacted law enforcement, leading to Norman’s arrest.
Each count of attempting to engage in sex trafficking with a minor and transportation of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; members of the New York City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Terence A. Monahan; and members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Mitchell of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
New York City Man and Alabama Woman Charged with Attempting and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that JAMES BRADLEY, a/k/a “Abdullah,” and ARWA MUTHANA were arrested yesterday, March 31, 2021, at a seaport in Newark, New Jersey. A criminal Complaint was subsequently filed in Manhattan federal court charging BRADLEY and MUTHANA with attempting and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”). As alleged in the Complaint, BRADLEY, who resides in the Bronx, New York, has expressed his support for ISIS and his desire to join the group overseas or commit a terrorist attack in the United States. BRADLEY and his wife MUTHANA, of Alabama, who has also expressed her support for ISIS, were arrested while attempting to travel together by cargo ship to the Middle East to join and fight for ISIS. BRADLEY and MUTHANA were presented before United States Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “James Bradley allegedly pledged devout allegiance to ISIS, expressing his desire to ‘fight among the rank[s] for the Islamic State.’ Suspecting he may be unable to travel, Bradley instead allegedly discussed conducting terrorist attacks along with his wife, Arwa Muthana, also an ISIS supporter, against the US Military Academy at West Point or another area university where Bradley knew military recruits to be training. But in an alleged attempt to evade the watchful eye of law enforcement, the two ultimately planned to travel to Yemen by cargo ship to fulfil their wish to fight with the terrorist organization. As Bradley suspected, he and his wife were indeed on law enforcement’s radar – he was confiding in and planning their journey for terror with an undercover officer – and their plans to wage attacks against the United States have been thwarted.”
Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers said: “As alleged, the defendants planned to travel overseas to join and support ISIS. The threat of terrorism at home and abroad remains, and the National Security Division is committed to holding accountable those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Like others who followed a similar path before them, Mr. Bradley and his wife Mrs. Muthana have now learned their alleged attempts to fight on behalf of ISIS, inside the U.S. or overseas, instead begin with two pairs of FBI JTTF handcuffs and court appearances in lower Manhattan. Our goal is to interdict violence before it occurs, and once again I commend the work of the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force personnel who work 24/7 to keep their fellow citizens safe."
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “James Bradley and his wife Arwa Muthana’s alleged determination to join ISIS and carry out terrorism against Americans overseas or here in New York is well documented in this multi-year investigation. It is yet another example of the effectiveness of the undercover operatives, detectives and analysts of the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau working in seamless coordination with our partners at the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”
As alleged in the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court[1]:
BRADLEY and MUTHANA are ISIS supporters who attempted to travel to the Middle East to join and fight for ISIS. Since at least 2019, BRADLEY has expressed violent extremist views, including his desire to support ISIS by traveling overseas to join the group or committing a terrorist attack in the United States. In May 2020, BRADLEY stated to an undercover law enforcement officer (“UC-1”) that he believed that ISIS may be good for Muslims because ISIS was establishing a caliphate.[2] BRADLEY further expressed his desire to conduct a terrorist attack in the United States and discussed potentially seeking to attack the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. BRADLEY explained that if he could not leave the United States because he might be on a terrorism watch list, he would do “something” in the United States instead, referring to carrying out an attack.
In June 2020, BRADLEY stated to UC-1 that his plan to attack a military base was something he really wanted to do and that it would be his contribution to the cause of jihad. In January 2021, BRADLEY mentioned to UC-1 another university in New York State where he frequently saw Reserve Officer Training Corps (“ROTC”) cadets training. BRADLEY stated that he could use his truck in an attack, and that he along with MUTHANA could take all of the ROTC cadets “out.”
In late January 2021, BRADLEY married MUTHANA in an Islamic marriage ceremony. Beginning before and continuing after their marriage, BRADLEY and MUTHANA discussed, planned, and ultimately attempted to travel to the Middle East together in order to join and fight with ISIS. In or about early March 2021, BRADLEY traveled from New York to Alabama to visit MUTHANA. BRADLEY and MUTHANA subsequently traveled together to New York in order to begin their journey to join ISIS. Thereafter, BRADLEY raised the possibility of UC-1 helping BRADLEY and MUTHANA get on a cargo ship to travel to Asia or Africa for the purpose of ultimately joining and fighting for ISIS. UC-1 subsequently put BRADLEY in contact with a purported associate who could assist BRADLEY in making arrangements for BRADLEY and MUTHANA to travel to the Middle East via cargo ship. In reality, the purported facilitator was a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity (“UC-2”).
Later in March 2021, BRADLEY met with UC-2 and expressed his desire to travel via cargo ship and to “fight among the rank[s] of the Islamic State.” In a subsequent meeting with UC-2, BRADLEY provided UC-2 $1,000 in cash as travel costs for BRADLEY and MUTHANA to take a cargo ship to Yemen. BRADLEY told UC-2 that he and MUTHANA both planned to be “fighting” after arriving in the Middle East. BRADLEY also told UC-2 that he had a dream that he had given “bay’ah,” an Arabic term meaning the oath of allegiance, to Abu Ibrahim al-hashimi al-Qurashi, the current leader of ISIS.
On March 25, 2021, UC-2 told BRADLEY that the cargo ship would be leaving on Wednesday, March 31, from a seaport in Newark, New Jersey. BRADLEY praised Allah and confirmed he and MUTHANA planned to travel on the ship.
On March 31, 2021, BRADLEY and MUTHANA met with UC-2 en route to the seaport. During the course of this meeting, MUTHANA confirmed to UC-2 that she was traveling to the Middle East to fight for ISIS. BRADLEY and MUTHANA were arrested as they walked on a gangplank to board the cargo ship. After MUTHANA was arrested, she waived her Miranda rights and stated during an interview that she was willing to fight and kill Americans if it was for Allah. Also on March 31, 2021, in connection with a court-authorized search, the FBI seized from a bedroom previously used by BRADLEY what appears to be a hand-drawn image of a jihadi flag commonly used by ISIS and a hand-drawn map of the Pakistan region.
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BRADLEY, 20, of the Bronx, New York, and MUTHANA, 29, of Hoover, Alabama, are charged with (1) one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and (2) one count of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies; the NYPD’s Intelligence Division; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection New York Field Office Director of Field Operations (DFO) Marty C. Raybon. Ms. Strauss also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, as well as the FBI’s Birmingham, Alabama Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.
This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. DeFilippis and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
[2] Communications, conversations, and statements discussed herein are described in substance and in part.
New Orleans Tax Preparer Sentenced to Four Years of Probation for Filing False IRS ReturnRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – DANIELLE FRANKLIN, age 29, and a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon to four years of probation for assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
As charged in the indictment, FRANKLIN prepared a false tax return in 2014 for a client of Cutting Edge Income Tax, located on Airline Drive in Metairie, Louisiana. As part of the scheme, FRANKLIN allegedly falsified the return by including fraudulent business losses when in fact the customer had zero losses and expenses. In the Factual Basis that supported the guilty plea, FRANKLIN also admitted to other relevant conduct, which included preparing at least thirty-one (31) false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, Forms 1040 for her customers from 2013 through 2016. These fraudulent tax filings caused a tax loss to the United States in the amount of $215,296.43. In addition, FRANKLIN’s 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 U.S. Individual/Joint Tax Returns, which were prepared and signed by defendant and filed with the IRS, claimed reported inflated withholdings and/or false estimated tax payments. These material misstatements caused an additional tax loss to the United States in the amount of $14,277.00.
In addition to probation, FRANKLIN was also ordered to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $229,573.00.
U.S. Attorney Evans commended the special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation for their handling of the matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera.
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New Orleans Man Admits to Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug DealingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ASHONTI HALL, 30, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021 to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.
In October 2019, HALL was indicted for possessing heroin, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, and marijuana with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Court documents show that as part of his plea, HALL admitted that he fled from New Orleans Police Department Officers who were investigating HALL for a shooting that occurred the previous day. The police caught HALL and found him in possession of a backpack that contained several different types of drugs, scales, cash, and a loaded gun.
Sentencing is set for August 4, 2021 before District Judge Vance. HALL faces a sentence of at least five years imprisonment up to life, a $250,000 fine, five years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.
U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.
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New Orleans Man Admits Conspiring to Deal HeroinRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ALLEN ROBRTSON, 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021 before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
In November 2019, ROBERTSON was indicted along with numerous other defendants for conspiring to distribute heroin. Court documents show that as part of his plea, ROBERTSON admitted that he was intercepted on wiretaps purchasing heroin and that police found heroin and heroin distribution paraphernalia when he was arrested.
Sentencing is set for August 4, 2021 before District Judge Vance. ROBERTSON faces a sentence of at least five years imprisonment up to forty years, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least four years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.
U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.
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McHenry Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Dexter Kimsey, 25, of McHenry, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Louis Guirola, Jr., to transporting images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans.
In June 2019, HSI Gulfport and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office executed a state search warrant at a McHenry residence where electronic devices belonging to Dexter Kimsey were recovered. Kimsey’s on-line account and cell phone were found to contain still and video format child exploitation visual depictions.
Kimsey was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2020. He will be sentenced by Judge Guirola on June 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m., and faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stone County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Marshall County man admits to firearms chargesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Junior Watts, of McMechen, West Virginia, has admitted today to firearm charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Watts, 37, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Theft of a Firearm” and one count of “Unlawful Possession of Ammunition.” Watts admitted to stealing a semi-automatic pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in Ohio County in July 2020. Watts, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, also admitted to having 49 rounds of ammunition in July 2020 in Ohio County.
Watts is facing up to 5 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the theft charge, and faces up 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Marion County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Samuel Iaquinta, Jr., of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 84 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Iaquinta, age 47, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm” in October 2020. Iaquinta, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of a previous felony conviction, admitted to having a 9mm pistol in Marion County in March 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Marion County man sentenced for firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Willie Edward Robinson, Jr., of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 24 months of incarceration for a firearms charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Robinson, 63, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of Firearm” in November 2020. Robinson, who is prohibited from having a firearm because of a previous conviction, admitted to having a 410 gauge shotgun and a 12 gauge shotgun in February 2019 in Marion County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Man and Woman Charged with Attempting and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
Note: A full copy of the complaint can be found
here.WASHINGTON – A New York man and Alabama woman were arrested yesterday at a seaport in Newark, New Jersey on criminal charges related to their alleged attempt to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).
According to court documents, James Bradley, 20, of the Bronx, New York, and Arwa Muthana, 29, of Hoover, Alabama, are ISIS supporters who attempted to travel to the Middle East to join and fight for ISIS. As alleged in the complaint, Bradley has expressed his support for ISIS and his desire to join the group overseas or commit a terrorist attack in the United States. Bradley and his wife, who has also expressed her support for ISIS, were arrested while attempting to travel together by cargo ship to the Middle East to join and fight for ISIS. Bradley and Muthana were presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman in Manhattan federal court today.
“As alleged, the defendants planned to travel overseas to join and support ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The threat of terrorism at home and abroad remains, and the National Security Division is committed to holding accountable those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”
“James Bradley allegedly pledged devout allegiance to ISIS, expressing his desire to ‘fight among the rank[s] for the Islamic State.’ Suspecting he may be unable to travel, Bradley instead allegedly discussed conducting terrorist attacks along with his wife, Arwa Muthana, also an ISIS supporter, against the US Military Academy at West Point or another area university where Bradley knew military recruits to be training,” said U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss for the Southern District of New York. “But in an alleged attempt to evade the watchful eye of law enforcement, the two ultimately planned to travel to Yemen by cargo ship to fulfill their wish to fight with the terrorist organization. As Bradley suspected, he and his wife were indeed on law enforcement’s radar – he was confiding in and planning their journey for terror with an undercover officer – and their plans to wage attacks against the United States have been thwarted.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the commitment of the FBI and its JTTF partners that anyone who chooses to turn their backs on the United States of America in support of ISIS and its violent agenda will be held accountable,” said Assistant Director Jill Sanborn of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The charges alleged that both defendants were attempting to travel overseas to join and fight for ISIS and one even expressed desire to commit a terrorist attack on U.S. soil. In doing so, both are accused of betraying this country and will now face the consequences of these actions in the U.S. justice system.”
“Like others who followed a similar path before them, Mr. Bradley and his wife Mrs. Muthana have now learned their alleged attempts to fight on behalf of ISIS, inside the U.S. or overseas, instead begin with two pairs of FBI JTTF handcuffs and court appearances in lower Manhattan,” said Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. for the FBI New York Field Office. “Our goal is to interdict violence before it occurs, and once again I commend the work of the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force personnel who work 24/7 to keep their fellow citizens safe."
“James Bradley and his wife Arwa Muthana’s alleged determination to join ISIS and carry out terrorism against Americans overseas or here in New York is well documented in this multi-year investigation. It is yet another example of the effectiveness of the undercover operatives, detectives and analysts of the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau working in seamless coordination with our partners at the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said Commissioner Dermot Shea of the New York Police Department.
Bradley and Muthana are charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which also carries a maximum sentence 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.
Since at least 2019, Bradley has expressed violent extremist views, including his desire to support ISIS by traveling overseas to join the group or committing a terrorist attack in the United States. In May 2020, Bradley stated to an undercover law enforcement officer (UC-1) that he believed that ISIS may be good for Muslims because ISIS was establishing a caliphate. Bradley further expressed his desire to conduct a terrorist attack in the United States and discussed potentially seeking to attack the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Bradley explained that if he could not leave the United States because he might be on a terrorism watch list, he would do “something” in the United States instead, referring to carrying out an attack.
In June 2020, Bradley stated to UC-1 that his plan to attack a military base was something he really wanted to do and that it would be his contribution to the cause of jihad. In January 2021, Bradley mentioned to UC-1 another university in New York State where he frequently saw Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets training. Bradley stated that he could use his truck in an attack, and that he along with Muthana could take all of the ROTC cadets “out.”
In late January 2021, Bradley married Muthana in an Islamic marriage ceremony. Beginning before and continuing after their marriage, Bradley and Muthana discussed, planned, and ultimately attempted to travel to the Middle East together in order to join and fight with ISIS. In or about early March 2021, Bradley traveled from New York to Alabama to visit Muthana. Bradley and Muthana subsequently traveled together to New York in order to begin their journey to join ISIS. Thereafter, Bradley raised the possibility of UC-1 helping Bradley and Muthana get on a cargo ship to travel to Asia or Africa for the purpose of ultimately joining and fighting for ISIS. UC-1 subsequently put Bradley in contact with a purported associate who could assist Bradley in making arrangements for Bradley and Muthana to travel to the Middle East via cargo ship. In reality, the purported facilitator was a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity (UC-2).
Later in March 2021, Bradley met with UC-2 and expressed his desire to travel via cargo ship and to “fight among the rank[s] of the Islamic State.” In a subsequent meeting with UC-2, Bradley provided UC-2 $1,000 in cash as travel costs for Bradley and Muthana to take a cargo ship to Yemen. Bradley told UC-2 that he and Muthana both planned to be “fighting” after arriving in the Middle East. Bradley also told UC-2 that he had a dream that he had given “bay’ah,” an Arabic term meaning the oath of allegiance, to Abu Ibrahim al-hashimi al-Qurashi, the current leader of ISIS.
On March 25, 2021, UC-2 told Bradley that the cargo ship would be leaving on Wednesday, March 31, from a seaport in Newark, New Jersey. Bradley praised Allah and confirmed he and Muthana planned to travel on the ship.
On March 31, 2021, Bradley and Muthana met with UC-2 en route to the seaport. During the course of this meeting, Muthana confirmed to UC-2 that she was traveling to the Middle East to fight for ISIS. Bradley and Muthana were arrested as they walked on a gangplank to board the cargo ship. After Muthana was arrested, she waived her Miranda rights and stated during an interview that she was willing to fight and kill Americans if it was for Allah. Also on March 31, 2021, in connection with a court-authorized search, the FBI seized from a bedroom previously used by Bradley what appears to be a hand-drawn image of a jihadi flag commonly used by ISIS and a hand-drawn map of the Pakistan region.
U.S. Attorney Strauss praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, HIS, the NYPD and over 50 other federal, state and local agencies; the NYPD’s Intelligence Division; and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol New York Field Office Director of Field Operations (DFO) Marty C. Raybon. Ms. Strauss also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, as well as the FBI’s Birmingham, Alabama Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. DeFilippis and Jason A. Richman of the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorneys Jennifer Burke and Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint 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 35 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
A former executive director for a university’s donor relations and fundraising programs in New York was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for multiple child pornography crimes, including his participation in the sexual abuse of a 6-year-old.
According to court documents, on July 22, 2015, Scott Lane, 37, of New York, New York, and others were on a particular video-conferencing platform when a man in Pennsylvania, co-conspirator William Augusta, began sexually abusing a 6-year-old boy. Lane and others encouraged Augusta to sexually abuse the boy for everyone to watch live. Specifically, Lane, using the alias “NYC Perv,” instructed Augusta to “make out with him,” and further instructed Augusta to engage in specific sexual acts with the boy. An undercover Toronto Police detective constable observed the sexual abuse via the video-conferencing platform, and the following day, law enforcement rescued the child and arrested Augusta, who had been sexually abusing the child for approximately two years. A subsequent search of Lane’s electronic devices revealed that Lane possessed multiple videos of prepubescent child pornography.
“The successful prosecution of the 15 individuals in this case, many of whom were responsible for the reprehensible sexual abuse of a 6-year-old child on a live-streaming, video-conferencing platform, demonstrate the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to targeting dangerous sexual abusers of children, however they commit their crimes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We will continue to work closely with our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and hold accountable those who exploit children, no matter the technological means they use to commit their heinous crimes.”
“This defendant and his co-conspirators engaged in truly hideous behavior toward a child,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The lengthy sentence imposed today, and the lengthy sentences imposed earlier, reflect our office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and punishing individuals who engage in this type of abhorrent behavior. I want to thank all the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to make sure justice was served in this case.”
“Today’s sentence demonstrates the severity of the crimes committed in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian A. Michael for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia. “The defendant perpetuated unspeakable crimes against the most vulnerable of victims, a child. Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners are devoted to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting offenders like the defendant ensuring they will never harm another child. We hope today’s sentencing can bring some solace to the victim in their recovery.”
In May 2016, 15 individuals were charged in an 18-count superseding indictment by a grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania with multiple child exploitation offenses, many of which related to 14 co-conspirators’ involvement in using the video-conferencing website to produce, advertise, distribute, and/or receive child pornography. Twelve of the defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial, and two went to trial in January 2018. The defendants were sentenced to between six and a half years and 60 years. One defendant died after pleading guilty but before sentencing, and another defendant died before trial.
Lane pleaded guilty to six counts of child pornography crimes on Jan. 11, 2018, including conspiracy to produce and production of child pornography. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release and to pay $50,000 of restitution to the then-6-year-old victim as well as $476.95 to another victim.
HSI Philadelphia, the Toronto Police Service, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the North Middleton Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section’s (CEOS) High Technology Investigative Unit.
CEOS Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford of the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.
Man Faces First Degree Murder Charge for a 2005 Triple HomicideRead the Press Release
A man previously convicted in state court of a 2005 triple homicide appeared by video conference at a preliminary hearing today in federal court, said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“Clarance Goode Jr. has been charged for the 2005 murders of Tara Burchett-Thompson, her daughter Kayla, and Mitch Thompson in Owasso,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “My office is working diligently to ensure that violent criminals are held accountable in light of recent jurisdictional court decisions, and we will do so again in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Fries, who has more than 35 years of experience bringing violent offenders to justice, will lead the prosecution on behalf of the victims and their families.”
Clarance Rozell Goode Jr., also known as “C-Note,” 44, has been charged with murder in the first degree in Indian Country. Goode’s state conviction was overturned in March based on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals’ ruling recognizing the Cherokee Nation Reservation had never been disestablished and that crimes occurring on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants fall under federal and tribal jurisdiction.
Based on evidence presented in the criminal complaint and affidavit, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jodi F. Jane found probable cause to continue to trial and ordered Goode Jr. be held in custody as the case proceeds in federal court.
According to court documents, Goode Jr., along with accomplices Ronald Dwayne Thompson and Kenneth Dominick Johnson entered an Owasso residence and shot and killed the three victims on Aug. 25, 2005. Mitch Thompson and Tara Burchette-Thompson were asleep in the master bedroom, and 10-year-old Kyla Burchett was asleep on a pallet next to their bed when the murders occurred. The child’s primary residence was with her grandparents but had convinced them to let her stay at her mother’s home that night.
The next morning, Kayla Burchett’s grandmother went to the residence to pick up the young girl, discovered the victims and contacted authorities. At the crime scene, multiple 9 mm and .357 Sig Sauer spent cartridges were located in the master bedroom. Other smaller diameter apparent bullet holes were found in the bedroom wall.
During the investigation, authorities discovered an alleged inter-familial dispute, which involved attacks with baseball bats, occurring between the victim Mitch Thompson and Ronald Thompson. Witnesses reported hearing threats made by Ronald Thompson and Clarance Goode Jr. to “even the score” during those attacks, other harassment, and drug transactions.
Tulsa Police officers located Thompson, who allegedly named Goode Jr. and Kenneth Johnson as coconspirators. During an interview, Thompson stated that he went to another room in the house initially until he heard the gun shots and a scream. He stated that he entered the master bedroom where Goode Jr. ordered him, at gunpoint, to fire his weapon, but he claimed he didn’t aim at the victims. Goode Jr. also allegedly told his girlfriend about the killings and told her to “watch the television” if she didn’t believe him.
The FBI is the lead investigative agency in cooperation with the Owasso Police Department, who was the primary investigating department at the time of the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis A. Fries is prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Macy Man Convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Taylor Grant, 34, of Macy, Nebraska, was found guilty on March 31, 2021, following a three-day jury trial in federal court in Omaha for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., scheduled Grant’s sentencing for June 25, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. Grant faces up to ten years in prison.
In June 2020, an officer with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services responding to a report of an assault located the victim walking in the road in Macy. The victim was nearly unrecognizable due to facial swelling and the severity of her injuries. She was taken to the hospital where she eventually received surgery to repair a broken jaw. The victim reported that she had been assaulted by Taylor Grant during the previous night and that he would not let her leave to get help. Police were unable to locate Grant for approximately one month. When taken into custody, Grant told an FBI agent that he had not assaulted the victim but had seen her injuries and believed he would be blamed so he went to Sioux City and stayed in a motel.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Methamphetamine Distributors Sentenced for a Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming has sentenced eight defendants charged in a drug distribution case. RAYMOND ARTHUR CARNAHAN, KELLY MILES FINNESSEY, TERRY WILLIAM CLIFFORD, CODY LEE SHUCK, ANTONIO CORTES SAEZ, HEATHER RAE THOMAS, QUINTON MICHAEL CASE, and JENNIFER ANN MOSS were all convicted and sentenced related to their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Around September 2019, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) began receiving intelligence that Carnahan was distributing methamphetamine in the Gillette, Wyoming area. DCI Agents learned Carnahan’s source of supply was in either Colorado or Arizona. Based on this intelligence, agents determined Carnahan would travel to Denver, Colorado, or Phoenix, Arizona, to meet with his methamphetamine source. Carnahan would then bring the methamphetamine back to Gillette, Wyoming, for distribution.
To effect distribution, Carnahan relied on other individuals, including his co-defendants but excluding Finnessey, to distribute smaller quantities of methamphetamine throughout the community. Carnahan then used the proceeds of these smaller sales to purchase additional methamphetamine from his source of supply.
On January 28, 2019, after a high-speed chase with Carnahan, law enforcement recovered twelve, one-pound bricks of methamphetamine.
Through further investigation, DCI identified Carnahan’s source of supply as Finnessey of Colorado.
Ultimately, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming prosecuted eight individuals involved in the scheme, including: Carnahan, sentenced to 200 months imprisonment; Finnessey, sentenced to 168 months imprisonment; Clifford, sentenced to 200 months imprisonment; Shuck, sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; Saez, sentenced to 121 months imprisonment; Thomas, sentenced to 97 months imprisonment; Case, sentenced to 130 months imprisonment; and Moss, sentenced to 169 months imprisonment.
"Methamphetamine continues to be Wyoming’s number one drug problem. This office’s concern is not only for the users who struggle daily with addiction, but also for their family and friends. Especially children living with a meth-addicted parent who are often neglected and subjected to dangerous, unpredictable conditions," said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. "Our strategy is to reduce the availability of methamphetamine throughout Wyoming by using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat drug trafficking. We do this by targeting suspicious activity, using top-notch investigative work and tips from the local community."
"The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) uses the force multiplier of the statewide drug task forces to combat illegal narcotics distribution in our local communities. This case is a prime example of how effective these task forces can be when local, state, and federal partners work together towards a common goal," said Matt Waldock, DCI Region 1 Commander. "Drug traffickers exploit individuals with addictions, which leads to increases in other crimes within our communities. DCI remains committed to the enforcement of those who choose to profit from these addictions."
This crime was investigated by DCI, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, and Gillette Police Department. The United States was represented initially by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Healy, who left the case after receiving a Wyoming judicial appointment, and later by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Coppom.
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Lynn Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Missing Warhol PaintingsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty today in connection with taking and attempting to sell two Warhol paintings on eBay.
Brian R. Walshe, 46, pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud, interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud, possession of converted goods and unlawful monetary transaction. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Aug. 2, 2021. In May 2018, Walshe was arrested and charged.
In early November 2016, a buyer found two Andy Warhol paintings for sale on eBay. The paintings were two of Warhol’s “Shadows,” a series of untitled, abstract canvas paintings from 1978. The original listing price for the paintings was $100,000. In the advertisement, the eBay seller included a picture of an invoice for the two Warhol Shadow paintings with Warhol Foundation numbers and a purchase price of $240,000.
The buyer believed the paintings were authentic and between Nov. 3 and 5, 2016, arranged with Walshe – the seller – to purchase the artwork outside of eBay for $80,000. Walshe and the buyer signed a contract which specified that the buyer had three days to terminate the contract and get a full refund if the buyer did not accept the artwork. On Nov. 7, 2016, the buyer’s assistant flew to Boston and met Walshe to retrieve the paintings, providing him with a cashier’s check for $80,000. According to bank records, the cashier’s check was deposited that day into an account that Walshe controlled, and $33,400 was subsequently withdrawn in the following 14 days. On Nov. 8, 2016, the buyer removed the paintings’ frames and found no Warhol Foundation authentication stamps and noticed that the canvasses and staples looked new. When he compared the paintings to the photographs from the eBay listing, they did not look identical. The buyer concluded that the paintings he purchased from Walshe were not authentic. The buyer then repeatedly attempted to contact Walshe, who initially did not respond, and then made excuses for the delay in refunding the buyer’s money.
Walshe initially gained access to the paintings through a friend (the victim). Walshe was present when the victim first purchased a Warhol painting. Sometime after this purchase, the victim purchased the two Shadow paintings. Thereafter, while visiting the victim in South Korea, Walshe told the victim that he could sell some of the art for a good price. The victim agreed and let Walshe take the two Shadow paintings and other fine art pieces.
After Walshe took the items, the victim did not hear from Walshe and was unable to contact him. Eventually, the victim contacted a mutual friend, who met with Walshe and retrieved some of the art. On May 3, 2011, Walshe attempted to consign the Warhol paintings to a gallery in New York City, at which time he also had other art belonging to the victim. The gallery declined to accept the paintings because Walshe did not have a bill of sale.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of interstate transportation for a scheme to defraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of converted goods provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of unlawful monetary transaction provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. The Lynn Police Department provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran and Kunal Pasricha of Mendell’s Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lazarus, Chief of Mendell’s Asset Recovery Unit, are prosecuting the case.
Lubbock County Man Sentenced to Life for Enticement of 11-Year-Old RelativeRead the Press Release
A Shallowater, Texas man was sentenced today to life in federal prison for enticement of an 11-year-old relative, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
On December 4, 2020, just after 15 minutes of deliberation, a federal jury convicted John David Martinez, 34, of enticement of a minor. Mr. Martinez was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
“This defendant took full advantage of a vulnerable minor relative through a series disturbing actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “His admissions provide alarming insight into the methods he used to entice a young child for his own criminal gratification. Today’s sentence is the only way to guarantee that he will never again harm children.”
“We applaud the quick action of the child’s caregiver to notify law enforcement of Mr. Martinez’s reprehensible conduct,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “Today’s sentence reflects the heinous nature of the crimes committed by Mr. Martinez and removes this dangerous predator from our community. We will continue working with our partners to protect children and hold offenders accountable for their crimes.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Martinez initiated a text conversation with an 11-year-old relative in July 2018.
The two exchanged 7,702 text messages over a one-month period during which 31-year-old Martinez bullied the child into agreeing to have sex with him.
In one text message, Mr. Martinez asked the child, “you wanna have sex with me?” He followed it up with another message stating, “this stays between us.”
Fortunately, the child’s babysitter spotted the messages on her phone and notified the child’s parents and law enforcement immediately. The investigation revealed that Martinez had a history of sexually abusing minors.
The FBI Lubbock Resident Agency, Shallowater Police Department, and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Woolam and Sean Long are prosecuting the case.
Lincoln City Felon Sentenced to More than 8 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Lincoln City, Oregon man with multiple felony convictions was sentenced to federal prison today for distributing methamphetamine in and around Lincoln City, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
Jerad Joseph White, 39, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison and 5 years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 12, 2018, White and an accomplice, Patricia Rose Hendrick, 25, of Lincoln City, Oregon, arrived in a vehicle to the parking lot of the Lincoln City Outlets. As had been previously arranged, White sold three ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover agent for $900.
On December 12, 2018, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging White and Hedrick with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
By December 2020, White and Hendrick had both pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On October 29, 2020, Hendrick was sentenced to time served in prison and five years’ supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Lincoln City Police Department; and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Leicester Man Indicted in Unemployment and SBA Loan Fraud Related to Covid-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leicester man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Worcester in connection with his involvement in schemes to fraudulently obtain unemployment assistance and obtain loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in an effort to allegedly take advantage of increased federal government assistance programs created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
William Cordor, 26, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Cordor was previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on March 5, 2021.
According to the charging documents, from about June to October 2020, Cordor conspired with others to use stolen identities to file false and fraudulent claims for unemployment assistance in various states including Nevada and wire the payments into prepaid debit card accounts they obtained. It is alleged that on Aug. 18, 2020, Cordor was encountered by police in connection with a domestic violence incident and found in possession of approximately 21 prepaid debit cards in approximately 13 different names. In addition, evidence related to this scheme was found on Cordor’s computer and cell phone.
Cordor also allegedly engaged with others in a second wire fraud scheme that involved using stolen identities to fraudulently apply for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loans from the SBA and similarly deposit the loans into prepaid debit card accounts.
Charging documents allege that in May 2020 Cordor admitted to federal agents that he had fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. That same day, Cordor agreed to surrender to federal authorities the balance of $79,000 in his bank account that were proceeds of his unemployment fraud scheme in Massachusetts. This occurred before Cordor is alleged to have filed the fraudulent unemployment claim with Nevada in July 2020.
The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to another other sentenced imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; Leicester Police Chief Kenneth Antanavica; and Marlboro Police Chief David Giorgi made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Leader of Mexico’s United Cartels and Others Charged in South Florida Federal Court with Importing over 1100 Pounds of Crystal MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – South Florida federal prosecutors have charged the leader of a notorious Mexican drug cartel and five others for their alleged roles in importing into the United States over 500 kilograms (over 1100 pounds) of Mexican methamphetamine. In the largest methamphetamine seizure in Miami-Dade County history, law enforcement agents seized the over 1100 pounds of crystal meth before it ever hit the streets.
The defendants are charged in two separate complaints with drug conspiracy, drug trafficking, drug importation, and other crimes. One complaint charges Adalberto Fructuoso Comparan-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Fruto,”57, who is the former mayor of Aguililla, Mexico and, according to the allegations, the leader of the United Cartels in Michoacán, Mexico, with drug trafficking crimes. It also charges Alfonso Rustrian, 34, of Mexico, as a coconspirator. See Case No. 21-mj-2570. Both Comparan-Rodriguez and Rustrian were arrested in Guatemala on March 30, 2021, at the request of the United States.
A second criminal complaint charges another four defendants for their roles in the alleged methamphetamine scheme: Adalberto Fructose Comparan-Bedolla, 31 (the son of Comparan-Rodriguez), Carlos Basauri-Coto, 31, Silviano Gonzalez-Aguilar, 44, and Salvador Valdez, 34. See Case No. 21-mj-2614. Law enforcement officers arrested these four defendants in Miami on March 30, 2021. They have made their initial appearances and are scheduled for detention hearings in federal magistrate court in Miami on April 7, 2021.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Keith Weis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
“These significant arrests and drug seizures of crystal methamphetamine should serve notice that the United States, working hand-in-hand with our international partners, will not stop until drug traffickers at the highest levels are brought to justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Juan Antonio Gonzalez. “We will continue to work with our foreign and domestic partners to keep these poisonous substances from reaching our streets.”
“As the threat of methamphetamine continues to grow in Florida, this was yet another brazen attempt by a highly organized and dangerous foreign criminal group to set up a significant methamphetamine pipeline from Mexico directly into the Miami Metro Area.” said DEA’s Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis. “Fortunately, our dedicated foreign and domestic investigators and prosecutors from numerous agencies, interdicted this effort by making record seizures of an extremely hazardous narcotic while simultaneously removing the primary leadership.”
According to the criminal complaint affidavits, in January 2021, Comparan-Rodriguez and Rustrian met in Cali, Colombia with a person they believed to be a money launderer and drug trafficker associated with Hezbollah (“purported drug buyer”). Rustrian explained that Comparan-Rodriguez was a leader of the United Cartels, and that they could supply hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine to the purported drug buyer, say the affidavits. They ultimately agreed that Comparan-Rodriguez and Rustrian would send 500 kilograms of methamphetamine from Mexico, through Texas, to the Miami area, according to the charges.
To make the methamphetamine undetectable, members of the methamphetamine organization hid it inside different materials. On March 20, 2021, according to the allegations, a truck carrying concrete tiles filled with methamphetamine arrived in Miami. It is alleged that Comparan-Bedolla helped crack the concrete tiles open and remove approximately 200 kilograms of methamphetamine from them. The rest of the meth (over 300 kilograms) arrived in Miami on March 26, 2021, say the court documents. This time, it was dissolved within five-gallon buckets of house paint. According to the allegations, Comparan-Bedolla and two chemists (Gonzalez-Aguilar and Valdez) worked for days inside a warehouse, extracting pure crystal methamphetamine from the paint. Law enforcement agents seized the meth before it hit the streets and made arrests.
Also according to the charging documents, throughout the conspiracy, defendant Basauri-Coto was in charge of laundering the methamphetamine sales proceeds for the organization. Basauri-Coto proposed laundering the money through two of his companies and flying out over $4,000,000 in cash via private jet, say the charging documents. It is alleged that on March 30, 2021, soon before his arrest, Basauri-Coto accepted a suitcase full of cash for this purpose.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez commends the DEA for their investigative efforts. He also commends the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs along with the DEA Mexico City, Guatemala City, and Bogota Country Offices; Hialeah Police Department; Hialeah Gardens Police Department; City of Miami Police Department; Aventura Police Department; Miami Beach Police Department; Miami-Dade County Police Department; and Miramar Police Department for their assistance in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederic “Fritz” Shadley of the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section in the Southern District of Florida is prosecuting the case.
This investigation and prosecution was carried out by members of the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The South Florida HIDTA, established in 1990, is made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who, cooperatively, target the region’s drug-trafficking and money laundering organizations. The South Florida HIDTA is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which sponsors a variety of initiatives focused on the nation’s illicit drug trafficking threats.
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 numbers 21-mj-2570 and 21-mj-2614.
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Leader of Aryan Knights Prison Gang Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Harlan Hale, 55, a leader of the Idaho prison gang known as the Aryan Knights, or “AK,” was sentenced to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of participating in a RICO (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act) conspiracy and one count of committing a violent crime in furtherance of racketeering activity, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. In imposing this sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye ordered that it be served after Hale’s existing sentences from a State of Idaho case and a federal case in the District of Wyoming.
As alleged in the indictment, the AK was formed in the mid-1990s in the Idaho prison system. It is a prison gang that operates within Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) prison facilities and also outside of IDOC facilities. It was founded to organize criminal activity for a select group of white inmates within IDOC custody. The AK has white supremacist and white separatist ideologies. Since its founding, the AK has expanded and is now believed to have over 100 members, both inside and outside of IDOC custody. The AK has used violence and the threat of violence to target non‑white inmates and other targeted inmates. The AK also has used drug trafficking, extortion, and gambling to generate revenue, which was shared among members.
“The life sentence imposed on this defendant recognizes the devastating effects that prison gangs, and especially white supremacist prison gangs, have on the rehabilitative mission of correctional institutions and individual inmates who sincerely hope to use their period of incarceration to successfully reenter society,” said Mr. Gonzalez. “Violent crime will not be tolerated, whether out of prison or in prison, and I commend the FBI and investigators at the Idaho Department of Correction for creating an effective partnership to root out the type of racketeering activity uncovered through this investigation.”
According to court records, Hale held a leadership role in the AK and participated in drug trafficking and violent assaults. The drug trafficking was extensive and involved significant quantities of methamphetamine. When debts went unpaid, the gang used violence to collect. For example, in 2015, Hale assaulted another inmate for failing to pay a drug debt, then provided that inmate with additional drugs and required that he sell the drugs in order to pay back the debt. The violence was not limited to non-members. In 2016, Hale and two other gang members assaulted a former AK member with improvised knives. During the attack, Hale stabbed the victim repeatedly.
“The crimes of organized prison gangs often go beyond the prison walls, bringing more drugs and violence into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennis Rice of the Salt Lake City FBI. “This life sentence should be a message to others involved in violent gang crimes—regardless of where it takes place—that law enforcement will investigate and hold them accountable.”
Ten members of the AK were charged in this case. Seven of these defendants have pleaded guilty to date and three have been sentenced so far:
- Christopher Foss, 32, was sentenced in September 2020 to 210 months in federal prison, with 174 months to be served after his earliest possible parole date for his current state prison sentence. Foss was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
- Buck Pickens, 31, was sentenced in September 2020 to 206 months in federal prison, with 60 months to be served after his earliest possible parole date for his current sentence. Pickens was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
- Michael McNabb, 36, was sentenced in August 2020 to 28 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
A jury trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled for October 4, 2021. These defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from IDOC’s Special Investigations Unit, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Laredoan admits to transporting over 100 illegal aliensRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 59-year-old Laredo man has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
On Jan. 22, Barry Terence Harvin arrived at the I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint driving a semi-truck and trailer. A K-9 alerted to the presence of contraband in the cargo area of the vehicle which prompted authorities to refer him to secondary inspection.
Further investigation showed anomalies in the trailer. Law enforcement then opened it and discovered 104 aliens, including four unaccompanied minors.
Harvin admitted he had agreed to smuggle aliens to San Antonio for $1,000 per individual. He claimed a friend had offered him the job. He had parked the truck and trailer near some brush when several illegal aliens emerged from the brush and entered the trailer. His friend closed the trailer doors, and Harvin drove north towards San Antonio.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Harvin faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.
KC Man Involved in Fatal Downtown Shooting Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Illegal FirearmsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man who reportedly was involved in a fatal shootout between two groups outside a downtown bar was sentenced in federal court today for drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm.
Marc A. Agee, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 14, 2021, Agee pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. Agee admitted that he sold PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers or confidential informants on 19 occasions from 2016 to 2018. Agee also admitted that he illegally sold four firearms on three separate occasions during that time.
Agee was in possession of a Glock handgun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime on Aug. 18, 2017, when he sold .4932 grams of cocaine and a Glock 9mm handgun to an undercover law enforcement officer. When Agee was arrested on Feb. 4, 2019, he was in possession of a loaded firearm, approximately 500 grams of marijuana, one gram of cocaine, and eight unknown pills.
According to court documents, Agee was identified as a suspect in a robbery that occurred at a motel in Kansas City on Dec. 31, 2016. It was reported that Agee, who was armed with a firearm, robbed people in the motel room of firearms, money, and marijuana. The robbery led to a homicide when the victims of the motel robbery retaliated against Agee and his associates for the robbery. They started shooting at Agee and his associates as they left the Peanut Bar and Grill, located at 9th and Broadway in Kansas City, Mo. Gunfire was exchanged between the two groups; several people were injured and one person (among the robbery victims) was killed. At least 35 shots were fired from several different firearms.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Judge sentences St. Louis drug dealer known to carry a gun during drug dealsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS –United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Demetrius Burns-Jackson to 60 months in prison. The 24-year-old St. Louis City, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to drug trafficking.
In November 2018, Drug Enforcement Administration investigators received information from two sources that Burns-Jackson was a multi-pound methamphetamine distributor known to carry a firearm. One source confirmed buying methamphetamine, daily, from Burns-Jackson over a six-month period. The other source confirmed buying methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson over a two-month period. Both sources confirmed Burns-Jackson had a firearm during those transactions.
Investigators used a confidential source to buy methamphetamine from Burns-Jackson twice in December 2018. On December 21, 2018, agents arrested Burns-Jackson in a St. Louis hotel where they seized 428 grams of methamphetamine belonging to him.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Fairview Heights Resident Office investigated the case with the United States Marshals Service and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal is handling the case.
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Judge sentences Kewanee man to 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced David Paul Wood to 120 months in prison today. A jury convicted the 37-year-old Kewanee, Missouri man of being a felon in possession of a firearm in September 2020.
The evidence at trial revealed Wood was in possession of two firearms, one of which was stolen, and he committed an armed robbery while in possession of a firearm. The 120-month sentence was the statutory maximum sentence Wood could receive for this conviction.
This case was investigated by the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution for the Government.
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Jackson Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Gregory Wayne Haygood a/k/a “Big”, 48, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate, to 97 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Haygood was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.
On February 8, 2017, Haygood was charged in a multi-count, multi-defendant indictment that charged conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and maintaining a place for distributing or using controlled substances. Haygood and co-defendants conspired to distribute cocaine by receiving the cocaine and selling it to others in Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi, from July 2015 through February 2017. Haygood remained at large until he was arrested in September 2019.
This OCDETF operation is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed "Operation Pipeline", which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in Central Mississippi that involved the distribution of Cocaine and Marijuana. The distribution network encompassed the States of California, Texas and Mississippi.
Haygood is the final defendant to be sentenced in this indictment. The other co-defendants charged in this indictment received the following sentences:
Monyet Davell Johnson, was sentenced on February 13, 2018, to serve a term of 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a $1,500 fine in a related case.
Irvin Christopher Walker III was sentenced on June 21, 2019, to serve 25 months in prison to be followed by a four year term of supervised release and a fine of $1,500.
Luscious Latrice Neal was sentenced on August 30, 2018, to serve 21 months in prison to be followed by a two year term of supervised release.
Donte Evans was sentenced on April 23, 2018, to serve 60 months in prison to be followed by a four year term of supervised release and a fine of $1,500.
Cedric T. Collum was sentenced on April 23, 2018, to 60 months in prison to be followed by a three year term of supervised release and a $1,500 fine.
Eddie Lee Hunt was sentenced on January 17, 2018, to 14 months in prison to be followed by a two year term of supervised release.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The case was a joint investigation by the United States Immigration, Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Jackson Police Department, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Israeli National Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Bail Jumping and Participating in Conspiracy to Distribute Unlicensed Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Boaz BenMoshe, 58, of Israel, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for bail jumping and participating in a conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed wholesale distribution of prescription drugs, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2006, a federal grand jury charged BenMoshe with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiracy to engage in unlicensed wholesale distribution of prescription drugs. Members of the conspiracy unlawfully purchased Serostrim (a drug for HIV and AIDS patients) from patients and then re-sold the drugs to wholesale drug distributors at a high profit. As part of the conspiracy, the group created false drug pedigrees that suggested that the drugs had been obtained through legitimate distributors.
After an initial appearance hearing in California on January 29, 2007, BenMoshe was released on conditions including his promise to notify the pretrial services officer of any plans to change his residence and to travel outside of the Central District of California and the District of New Hampshire.
On January 9, 2009, BenMoshe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in unlicensed wholesale distribution of prescription drugs. The Court accepted his guilty plea and permitted him to continue on the same conditions of release pending sentencing. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 23, 2009. On or about April 29, 2009, in violation of his conditions of release, BenMoshe moved to Israel and failed to appear for his sentencing hearing on June 23, 2009.
On December 16, 2009, a federal grand jury charged BenMoshe with bail jumping for his failure to appear at his sentencing hearing. In August 2020, BenMoshe was extradited from Israel to the United States to face the charges pending against him in New Hampshire. He pleaded guilty to the bail jumping charge on January 27, 2021.
The Court sentenced BenMoshe to 18 months in prison for the conspiracy offense and an additional 12 months for the bail jumping offense. He will receive credit for the time he has been in custody prior to sentencing.
“Mr. BenMoshe committed a serious federal crime by participating in an unlawful scheme involving prescription drugs and committed yet another federal crime by failing to appear for his sentencing hearing,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Although he fled from the United States, he was not able to avoid being held responsible for his criminal actions. As this case demonstrates, those who fail to appear in court will be held accountable for their actions and will face additional federal prison time.”
“U.S. consumers rely on FDA oversight to ensure that the drugs they receive are safe and effective. Improper distribution of prescription drugs of unknown origin put the health of all patients at significant risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey J. Ebersole, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who put the public’s health at risk.”
“Mr. BenMoshe sought to enrich himself by engaging in illegal activity that may have put lives at risk,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “His decision to flee the country only compounded his crime and the penalty that will ensue.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service applauds the US Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, to include the Israeli government, who worked tirelessly to bring about this sentence, and we are proud to have been a partner in the furtherance of justice,” said Nick Willard, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Hampshire.
The bail jumping matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. The underlying criminal case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted in securing BenMoshe’s extradition from Israel. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hawkins.
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Indictment Charges Pawtucket Woman with Embezzling $580,000Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket woman was arraigned in federal court in Providence today and released on personal recognizance, charged by way of indictment with allegedly executing a scheme to defraud her auto body repair shop employer of approximately $580,000.
It is alleged in the indictment unsealed today that Idalee Johnston, 47, a secretary employed at Ideal Auto Body in Cranston, devised a scheme whereas she absconded with the proceeds from approximately 190 checks provided to customers by insurance companies as payment for repairs to their vehicles.
It is alleged in the indictment that as part of the scheme, for two years beginning in 2016, Johnston either did not have some customers sign direct payment forms for insurance payments to be made directly to the auto body shop, or did not forward signed payment forms to insurance companies. As a result of her actions, insurance payment checks were sent directly to customers who, in turn, provided the checks to Johnston as a representative of Ideal Auto Body as payment for repairs made to their vehicles.
It is alleged in the indictment that Johnson devised a scheme to steal and deposit some of the checks, some on which she forged signatures, into her bank account. In other instances, stolen checks were provided to family members to be deposited into their bank accounts. Johnston instructed family members to deposit the stolen checks, withdraw the funds, and provide the money to her. In return, Johnston provided the family members with a small portion of the proceeds.
Johnston, arrested earlier today by FBI agents, appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan charged with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Johnston was released on personal recognizance.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The arrest and arraignment of Johnston is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Houston Man Sentenced for Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on April 1, 2021, ALEXANDER MURIEL-DIAZ, age 55, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Barry W. Ashe after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.
According to court documents, MURIEL-DIAZ and others conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin between sometime prior to July 19, 2017 and on or about June 29, 2018.
United States District Court Judge Ashe sentenced MURIEL-DIAZ to 81 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. The court also imposed a $100 mandatory special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Carboni and Jonathan L. Shih were in charge of the prosecution.
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Hazleton Man Sentenced to 80 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Francis Vasquez-Familia, age 33, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 80 months' imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Vasquez-Familia’s activities involving drug distribution in the Hazleton, Pennsylvania area were brought to the attention of the Pennsylvania State Police, who in cooperation with the DEA initiated an investigation. Investigators utilized a confidential informant to purchase narcotics from Vasquez-Familia, including heroin. A traffic stop of Vasquez-Familia’s vehicle resulted in the seizure of 1,554 grams of methamphetamine and 530 grams (which is approximately 29,000 individual doses) of heroin.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the DEA. Assistant United States Attorneys Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime. This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Georgetown Pharmacy to Pay $24,500 to Resolve Claims of Recordkeeping Requirement FailureRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that his office has resolved claims that RPh Now, LLC d/b/a/ The Medicine Shoppe of Georgetown failed to abide by recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act. RPh Now, LLC will pay $24,500 to resolve the claims and agrees to comply with heightened reporting requirements for a two-year period.
“Pharmacies have a duty to ensure legally compliant tracking and dispersing of controlled substances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart. “Adhering to proper recordkeeping and prescription review is essential to helping fight the opioid epidemic. Our office will continue to work with our federal partners to see that doctors and pharmacies assist in preventing the abuse and diversion of controlled substances.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Columbia District Office Diversion Group and Assistant United States Attorney Beth Warren.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only. RPh Now, LLC does not admit wrongdoing or liability.
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Galesburg Man Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Nearly a Quarter Pound of Pure MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A federal jury deliberated for less than one hour before returning its guilty verdict late Tuesday evening, March 30, 2021, against Forest “Woody” Norville, 47, of Galesburg, Ill., for possession with intent to deliver at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. Sentencing for Norville has been scheduled on Aug. 10, 2021, at the U.S. Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa.
Over one day of testimony, the government presented evidence to establish that Norville was arrested and searched following a traffic stop on April 17, 2019, at approximately 1:00 a.m., when he was driving a motorized bicycle at night, without a license or lights. During the search, Galesburg police found Norville had two cellular phones, a digital scale with residue, a prescription bottle containing suspected hydrocodone, and five small empty baggies. Further, based on their search, members of the Galesburg Police Department believed Norville had concealed drugs down his pants. A subsequent search at the Knox County Jail by a Knox County Sheriff’s deputy found Norville possessed two bags of ice methamphetamine including one vacuum-sealed and the other that appeared previously sealed but opened. Subsequent testing by the Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory showed that Norville possessed 106.2 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine.
Testimony from a DEA expert established that the drugs Norville possessed were equivalent to 500 to 1,000 typical-user amounts and that the other items in Norville’s possession were indicative of drug trafficking. Norville testified that all the drugs found by law enforcement were for his personal use.
Norville remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. At sentencing, Norville faces statutory penalties of a minimum ten years and up to life years in prison for possessing with intent to deliver at least 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
The case investigation was conducted by the Galesburg Police Department with assistance provided by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Mathew and Alyssa Raya represented the government at trial.
Fresno Man Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A two-count indictment was unsealed charging Nicholas Solis, 26, of Fresno, with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to unsealed court documents, on January 6, Solis illegally possessed fentanyl pills with intent to sell them as well as a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Solis faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $1 million fine. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum and consecutive sentence of at least 5 years in prison. 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 part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.