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11 May 2021
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Conspiring to Distribute Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ (60 months’) imprisonment on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Marshinneah Manning, age 28, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presented to the court, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around an area known as the Greenway Projects, located in the West End of the City of Pittsburgh. The wiretap investigation revealed that from in and around November 2017 through in and around June 2018, Marshinneah Manning conspired to distribute over 28 grams of crack cocaine.
Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Schwab stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson Township Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, and the McKees Rocks Police Department, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Manning.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Pittsburgh Felon Charged with Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, PA on charges of violating various federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Jamaar Alexander Blakey, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on September 26, 2020, Blakey is accused to have possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The Indictment further alleges that on October 19, 2020, Blakey possessed ammunition. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
North Carolina Woman Arrested for Selling Unapproved Remedies for Covid-19Read the Press Release
CONCORD - Diana Daffin, 68, of Charlotte, North Carolina was arrested today and charged with violating the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act by selling unapproved COVID-19 remedies over the internet, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to the criminal complaint, Diana Daffin owns a holistic medicine company called Savvy Holistic Health doing business as Holistic Healthy Pet. In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) learned that Daffin was selling an unapproved drug on her website, with the brand name HAMPL, that Daffin claimed was a COVID-19 remedy and treatment. In April of 2020, the FDA sent Daffin and the Australian manufacturer of the drug a warning letter explaining that the HAMPL COVID-19 drug Daffin was selling was an adulterated, misbranded, and unapproved drug and that she should take immediate action to correct the violation. Daffin responded by telling the FDA that she removed the product from her website.
In August of 2020, the FDA sent Daffin a second warning letter identifying other unapproved HAMPL brand drugs that Daffin was selling. In response, Daffin told the FDA that, regarding “HAMPL products” she would be “closing that product line.” Daffin also said that she would shut down her website while she worked to replace her product line. The complaint alleges that Daffin continued to sell unapproved HAMPL brand drugs by moving them to a password protected website.
According to the complaint, an undercover agent later contacted Daffin by email, and she provided the password to the website. The undercover agent then purchased several unapproved HAMPL brand drugs listed in the August 2020 warning letter. In email correspondence with the undercover agent, Daffin stated that the HAMPL products “work for covid, but fda shut it down.” Daffin later sold and shipped the undercover agent an unapproved HAMPL-brand COVID-19 drug.
On March 5, 2021, the undercover agent in New Hampshire received HAMPL drugs sold by Daffin, including the purported COVID-19 remedy. The label stated that it provided “a stronger immunity against CV” and promised “Immunity for Humans.”
Daffin was charged by complaint in the District of New Hampshire. She was arrested this morning outside of her home in North Carolina.
This matter was investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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New York Man Admits Unlawfully Possessing Firearm as Previously Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A New York man with prior felony convictions today admitted illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Kevon Belfon, 35, of Jamaica, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 24, 2020, Belfon knowingly possessed a Taurus 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle in Stafford Township, New Jersey. Belfon has two prior felony convictions, one of which involved a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Belfon is not permitted to possess firearms.
The charge of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; and the Stafford Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Thomas Dellane, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
Morris County Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TRENTON N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Mark Miller, 63, of Mount Arlington, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography. Judge Wolfson imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August 2018, Miller knowingly possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse, including materials depicting prepubescent minors, sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence, and sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler. Miller knowingly distributed these materials on the Internet through a publicly available peer-to-peer file sharing network.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wolfson sentenced Miller to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Trombly of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
Missoula man admits methamphetamine trafficking crimeRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Missoula man accused of dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in the community and of having nine pounds of the drug at his property and vehicle admitted to a trafficking crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Terry David Starrett, 53, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth as charged in a superseding information. Starrett faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Sept. 2 before U.S. District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy. Starrett was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that law enforcement served a federal search warrant on Jan. 7 and recovered more than nine pounds of meth from Starrett’s rental property and his vehicle. Nine pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 32,616 individual doses. The government further alleged that Starrett sold an undercover informant about two ounces of meth in December 2020 and that he trafficked meth from Washington to Montana once or twice a week. In addition, in the fall of 2020, Starrett traveled to California with another person and returned to Missoula with about 15 pounds of meth. Fifteen pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 54,360 individual doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, the Missoula Police Department, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants
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Miami Woman Arrested for Wire Fraud Arising from Small Business Disaster Relief LoanRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Miami woman was arrested today in connection with allegedly filing and obtaining fraudulent pandemic-related loans and using those funds for personal expenses.
Danielle Miller, 31, of Miami, Fla., was arrested and charged today in a criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud. Miller will appear in U.S. District Court in Miami tomorrow and will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Boston at a later date.
According to the complaint, Miller allegedly accessed the online Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) account associated with a Massachusetts resident and then used that victim’s personal identifying information to open a bank account and to apply for a federally-funded Economic Injury Disaster loan (EIDL) through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In August 2020, more than $102,000 in SBA loan proceeds were deposited into that account.
After receipt of these fraudulent loan proceeds, Miller allegedly used the bank account in the victim’s name to book a private flight from Florida to California, using a counterfeit Massachusetts driver’s license in the victim’s name but bearing Miller’s photograph, and conducted ATM transactions using the bank account in the victim’s name.
As alleged in court documents, Miller maintains an active social media presence via her Instagram account, which has more than 34,000 followers. Posts to this account include a post showing Miller at various luxury hotels in California where transactions were made using the bank account in the victim’s name. For example, the luxury hotel Petit Ermitage allegedly posted a $5,500 charge to this bank account in September 2020, a few days after Miller’s Instagram account posted a photo of Miller that was geotagged to the Petit Ermitage.
It is alleged that the same IP address used to apply for the fraudulent SBA loan was also used to access the online RMV accounts of other individuals and to apply for more than $900,000 in SBA loans under those other identities.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, 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.
Meridian Man Found Guilty under Project EJECT of Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
JACKSON, MS – After a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Meridian, Mississippi man today for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Kurt H. Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James T. Britain, 51, failed to stop at a traffic safety checkpoint on July 5, 2019. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office conducted the traffic safety checkpoint and pursued Britain after he refused to stop. Britain led the police on a two to three mile chase before stopping. After Britain was arrested, he admitted to a Sheriff’s Deputy that there was a firearm in his vehicle and that he was a convicted felon. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Britain to possess any firearm.
The ATF and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bert Carraway and Charles W. Kirkham tried the defendant.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
Marshall County man guilty of firearms chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – James Gray, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was found guilty today of a firearms charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
After a one-day trial, the federal jury found Gray, 43, guilty of one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Gray, a person prohibited from having a firearm because of prior felony convictions, had a .380 caliber pistol in October 2020 in Marshall County.
Gray faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250 ,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Perri and Jennifer T. Conklin are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Man Admits Committing Mail Fraud while Serving Federal Sentence for Previous FraudRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – The president of a company providing goods to government agencies today admitted to attempting to defraud businesses in connection with government contracting, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Keith Fisher Sr., 62, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Burlington, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of mail fraud. Fisher also pleaded guilty to violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior conviction.
According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:
On July 18, 2017, Fisher was sentenced by Judge Bumb to 60 months in prison for conspiring to commit mail fraud using various companies he owned and controlled. In that case, Fisher and his companies won bids for U.S. government contracts; subcontracted with victim-businesses to provide goods to the government pursuant to the contracts; collected payments from the government for fulfilling the contracts; and then failed to pay the subcontractor victim-businesses that actually provided the goods.
The fraud scheme charged today involved another company, Atlantic Safety Corp., controlled by Fisher, and began when Fisher was nearing the end of his previous prison sentence. Fisher used Atlantic Safety to bid on federal contracts through Unison Marketplace, a reverse auction online marketplace that enabled government agencies to post requirements for goods. Upon submitting a winning bid, Atlantic Safety was awarded a contract to provide goods to a government agency.
Fisher orchestrated his fraud by using an alias to subcontract with a third-party vendor to provide goods directly to the government agency. Fisher induced the third-party vendor to ship the goods to the government agency on credit by falsely promising to pay the vendor for the goods. Fisher also made fraudulent representations to other potential subcontractor vendors about the creditworthiness and financial status of Atlantic Safety.
The mail fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Wiest; special agents with the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations Mid-Atlantic Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Eric D. Radwick; and special agents with the U.S. Department of State Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Speckhardt, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.
Madison Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Armed Robbery & Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Nathaniel Homestead, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to a total of 84 months in federal prison for armed robbery and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Homestead pleaded guilty to these charges on February 8, 2021.
On July 19, 2020, Homestead robbed the Ground Zero Coffee in Madison. During the robbery, he raised his shirt and revealed a handgun in his waistband. An employee then gave Homestead cash from the register, and Homestead fled the shop. Madison police officers responded and arrested Homestead a few blocks away. Officers found Homestead’s handgun in a backpack at a beach not far away. Homestead had multiple prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Following his arrest, Homestead admitted to walking by the coffee shop and suddenly thinking he should rob it. He said he was motivated to rob the store to get money to quickly purchase drugs. Homestead said he was under the influence of methamphetamine and crack cocaine at the time of the robbery. He knew he was a felon and could not legally possess a firearm.
Homestead was on active state supervision at the time for two different state cases – one involving intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer and another for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges against Homestead were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson.
Lowell Woman Sentenced for Stealing Approximately $182,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell woman was sentenced yesterday in connection with embezzling approximately $182,000 from a veterinary hospital that employed her.
Sasha A. Saulnier, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $182,827.68. In January 2020, Saulnier pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud
Saulnier was employed by a full-service animal hospital as a client relations specialist from October 2011 until September 2018. During that time, she had various client responsibilities, including selling retail products to customers at the hospital. Saulnier also served in a temporary supervisory role, which gave her access to management software and the ability to manipulate account transactions and accounting data.
From March 2014 through August 2018, Saulnier entered false refund transactions into the company’s management software, and then credited her own personal debit cards, which linked directly to her personal checking account. Specifically, Saulnier occasionally entered a fictitious refund for merchandise that was legitimately purchased by a customer, but never returned, and then credited the bogus refund to her own debit card. Saulnier also fabricated refunds for wholly fictitious retail purchases that were never actually made, and then credited that amount to her own debit card. In an effort to conceal her fraud, Saulnier used dormant accounts of inactive hospital clients, such as those with deceased pets and so-called “test accounts,” set up solely for training purposes. In addition, Saulnier fabricated discounts which she applied to purchases of retail products.
Over the course of the scheme, Saulnier used her position to falsify approximately 482 transactions resulting in refunds and credits totaling more than $182,800 to her own bank account. Saulnier used this money for personal expenses and travel, including trips to Las Vegas, New York City and the Bahamas.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Mackenzie Duane of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Local man sentenced to prison for unlawfully possessing pipe bombRead the Press Release
DAYTON – A Kettering man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 30 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a pipe bomb.
Michael J. Rhea, 27, pleaded guilty in February 2021 to possessing an unregistered explosive device and to illegally possessing the explosive device as a frequent user of controlled substances.
According to court documents, in March 2020, officers with the Kettering Police Department encountered Rhea, who had a warrant out for his arrest. Officers explained to Rhea that he was going to be detained and discovered three methamphetamine pipes and a pipe bomb on Rhea and in his vehicle.
The Dayton Police Department’s Regional Bomb Squad was called to the scene and safely removed the pipe bomb, which had a protruding fuse and was filled with powder and BBs.
During a prior arrest, Rhea told law enforcement he uses methamphetamine daily.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl and Kettering Police Chief Christopher N. Protsman announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller and Deputy Criminal Chief Dominick S. Gerace are representing the United States in this case.
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Local man sentenced for smuggling 35 people in hot trailerRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 52-year-old Laredo resident has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling aliens, some of whom had lost consciousness, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Contreras pleaded guilty Feb. 3, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Contreras to serve a 110-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional information regarding the danger posed to the people trapped in the tractor-trailer Contreras drove as well as their attempts to escape. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted Contreras has been given multiple previous opportunities to not continue in criminal activity and that this was his third alien smuggling conviction.
Contreras had been on supervised release for a prior conviction of transporting an undocumented alien when he committed this crime. The court revoked the remainder of that term and ordered he serve and additional consecutive nine months. The total 119- month overall term of imprisonment will again be followed by three years of supervised release.
“The sentencing of Contreras sends a clear message that individuals who engage in criminal activity with disregard for human life will be located, arrested, convicted and sentenced for their actions said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Timothy Tubbs from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Criminals who illegally smuggle people into and throughout the United States place personal profit ahead of public safety. HSI will continue to utilize its broad authorities to dismantle human smuggling organizations.”
On June 19, 2019, authorities found Contreras with an inoperable tractor-trailer on the side of Interstate Highway 35 near Laredo. The trailer was sealed shut, but they saw a person stuck between the trailer doors attempting to escape.
They soon rescued a total of 35 undocumented aliens who were trapped inside the trailer.
The investigation revealed the aliens had been banging on the walls while the vehicle was on the side of the highway. They also tried to reach through holes they made with a crowbar. Multiple individuals even lost conscious due to lack of oxygen and high temperatures.
Contreras has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling prosecuted the case.
Local Hospital Nurse Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Craig Marranca, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on September 18, 2017, New York State Police undercover investigators downloaded an image containing child pornography from the eMule/eDonkey peer-to-peer network. Investigators traced the image to an IP address belonging to the defendant’s spouse. The image was recovered later from Marranca’s laptop seized on October 27, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. A total of 18 electronic devices were seized during the search, including the laptop which contained 1,771 files of child pornography. Some of the images included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 27, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
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Judges sentences St. Louis man for carjacking postal employee from government vehicleRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Bryant Willingham to 60 months in prison today. The 40-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking.
On April 8, 2020, Willingham approached a postal employee, inside a postal vehicle, delivering mail in the 5900 block of Tara Lane in St. Louis. Willingham tried to open the front passenger door, but the door was locked. However, the window to the door was down. Willingham climbed into passenger seat through the open window.
The postal employee began to drive away to keep Willingham from getting into the vehicle. Once he got inside, Willingham told the postal employee to keep driving. The postal employee, fearing for his life, slowed the vehicle and jumped out. Willingham climbed into the driver's seat and drove the postal vehicle away.
A few minutes later, Willingham crashed the postal vehicle at the intersection of Jennings Station and Lewis and Clark Roads. Willingham fled and boarded a Metro bus. The bus driver, a short time later, flagged down a St. Louis County Police Officer who boarded the bus and arrested Willingham.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney John Ware is handling the case.
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Jordy Robertson Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Wire Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JORDY ROBERTSON, age 37, from St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter for drug trafficking and wire fraud offenses. ROBERTSON was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $200 in special assessment fees. In addition, ROBERTSON must pay restitution in the amount of $116,216, including to those of his victims that made donations through his fraudulent charitable campaign posted on GoFundMe.
According to court documents, ROBERTSON’s drug trafficking conspiracy ran from at least May of 2017 through January of 2019, and his wire fraud scheme ran from October of 2016 through January of 2019.
“Today’s sentencing of Jordy Robertson illustrates our commitment to bring federal offenders to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. “Mr. Robertson’s criminal activities showed a blatant disregard for the generosity of others. Our office will continue to work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to protect the citizens of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
“The wreckage caused by drugs affects everyone. Drug dealers breed crime in our neighborhoods and are a danger to our children,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley. “The conviction and subsequent sentencing of Jordy Robertson demonstrates to the citizens in this parish and beyond that federal and local law enforcement, when we combine our resources, can come together and accomplish great things. We will continue to work side by side with all of our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer places to live.”
“It is through the seamless relationship with our federal partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Mr. Robertson was brought to justice,” stated Sheriff Mike Tregre, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Nicholas D. Moses are in charge of the prosecution.
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF 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.
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Johnstown Clinic Owner Sentenced for Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Bulger, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years’ probation and the forfeiture of $1.75 million on his conviction of maintaining a drug involved premises and money laundering, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Stephen K. Shaner, 71.
According to information presented to the court, Shaner was the owner and operator of SKS Associates, Inc., a buprenorphine clinic located in Johnstown, Pa. Buprenorphine is a controlled substance that is prescribed to opioid addicted patients and is dispensed under the names of Suboxone, Subutex, and Zubsolv. Two of the doctors employed at SKS Associates prescribed buprenorphine outside the course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. On many instances the doctors did not see or physically examine the patients they were treating and the patients were given pre-signed prescriptions that had been completed by non-medically licensed personnel at the facility. Shaner also committed money laundering when he deposited a $50,000 check involving funds derived from a criminal offense.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Michael Leo Ivory prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (OFADU). The Western Pennsylvania OFADU, led by federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, combines the expertise and resources of federal and state law enforcement to address the role played by unethical medical professionals in the opioid epidemic.
The agencies which comprise the Western Pennsylvania OFADU include: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Narcotic Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.
Jersey City Man Faces Multiple Charges for Illegally Possessing Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City, New Jersey, man made his initial appearance today on charges stemming from his arrest for illegally possessing two loaded firearms, another handgun, and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Davone Adams, aka “Dikim Adams,” 42, appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was released on home confinement. He is charged by indictment with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also charged by complaint today with being in possession of another handgun and more ammunition.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 23, 2021, Adams, who had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of at least one year in prison, was found by law enforcement officers to be in possession of one Ruger, Model P95, 9-millimeter Luger pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition, as well as one Windam Weaponry, Model WW-15, .223/5.56-millimeter rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 5.56-millimeter ammunition. An additional Ruger handgun and additional ammunition were found today at his residence.
Each count of illegally possessing a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; and the Belleville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Minichini, with the investigation leading to the charges.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment and complaint against the defendant are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Indianola Man Sentenced to Prison for 10 years on Federal Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
Greenville, Miss. – An Indianola man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for burglary of a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and an unrelated charge of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
According to court documents, Jermany Cordel Moton aka “Mookie”, 30, stole 31 firearms from the Mississippi Police Supply Co., Inc., in Ruleville, Mississippi, on August 16, 2018. In a separate incident on July 22, 2019, Moton, who had previously been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, possessed ammunition, which was used to fire a round through a wall of Moton’s house during an argument with another family member.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2021, United States District Judge Debra Brown sentenced Moton to 10 years imprisonment on the FFL burglary charge and 5 months imprisonment on the possession of ammunition charge, to run consecutively, in addition to 3 years of post-release supervision. Moton was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $16,312.89 in relation to the FFL burglary.
“Thefts of this kind take a great deal of dedication to investigate and prosecute,” remarked Acting United States Attorney Clay Joyner. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of ATF and our state and local partners, this thief, who wanted to profit from illegally distributing guns, is now in prison.”
“The sentence imposed today sends a message to gun traffickers that they will pay a price for their crimes,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “ATF will continue to investigate firearm thefts in order to cut the pipeline of crime guns terrorizing our communities. We will use every available resource to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case, along with Ruleville P.D., Indianola P.D. and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Robert Mims.
Hudson Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Role in Columbia County Gun Store BurglaryRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Austin Suarez, age 26, of Hudson, New York, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for aiding and abetting the theft of firearms from Zero Tolerance Manufacturing, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Ghent, New York.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also sentenced Suarez to a 3-year term of supervised release and ordered that he pay restitution of $624.
Suarez pled guilty on January 11, 2021. As part of his plea, Suarez admitted that on February 18, 2020, he and co-conspirator Duane Thompson agreed that Thompson would break into and steal firearms from Zero Tolerance Manufacturing. Suarez aided Thompson in obtaining a pry bar and two-way radios to use during the burglary. That evening, Suarez drove and dropped off Thompson outside the store, knowing that Thompson would break into the store, steal firearms, and return to Suarez’s car with the stolen firearms. Thompson did in fact break into the store and stole five (5) AR-style rifles from within the store, and returned to Suarez’s vehicle, at which point they left the area with the stolen firearms.
Thompson, age 26, pled guilty in October 2020 to stealing the firearms from the gun store. He was sentenced in March to 24 months in prison.
The stolen rifles were recovered in the course of the investigation.
This case was investigated by ATF, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Homewood Felon Charged with Possessing A Gun, Ammunition and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - One resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Keenan Young, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA 15208.
According to the Indictment, on or about April 16, 2021, Young was found to be in possession of crack cocaine. Additionally, Young was found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition. His prior felony conviction makes it unlawful for him to possess a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendants. The defendant is currently being detained at Allegheny County Jail
Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Havre man admits assaulting womanRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Havre man accused of beating and strangling a woman on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation pleaded guilty to an assault crime today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Joseph Tyler Henderson, 28, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. Henderson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Aug. 26. Henderson was released pending further proceedings.
According to court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Feb. 26, 2020 and into Feb. 27, 2020, Henderson was out drinking alcohol with the victim, a dating partner identified as Jane Doe, and a mutual friend. The three were in a pickup truck, with the friend driving. Henderson and the victim began to argue, and Henderson struck the victim several times. The assault continued after the group reached a residence, and the victim attempted to flee the property. Henderson followed, punched the victim multiple times and strangled her to unconsciousness. The victim was treated for injuries at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Rocky Boy’s Police Department.
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Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property and Fentanyl Distribution OffensesRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE NUNEZ-TORRES, also known as “Jose Nunez” and “J-Money,” 21, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to one count of theft of government property and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 29, 2019, Nunez-Torres and Dominque Perry stole a 2016 Honda Accord from a residence in Newington. The vehicle was the property of a federal law enforcement agency, and contained fully loaded firearm magazines for multiple weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and other restraints, a ballistic vest and its component parts, and raid jackets. After stealing the vehicle, Perry drove the Accord to a location in Bloomfield where he Nunez-Torres removed the vehicle’s tires and rims. Nunez-Torres and Perry subsequently sold the tires and rims, and advertised the sale of loaded firearm magazines, ammunition, ballistic vest and other items.
The vehicle and its tires and rims have been recovered, but some of the law enforcement equipment that was in the car has not been located.
Nunez-Torres was arrested on March 1, 2019, and he was subsequently released on bond.
In the afternoon of November 14, 2020, Nunez-Torres was arrested on state charges after law enforcement officers encountered him sleeping in a stolen car that was parked on an I-91 off ramp in Hartford. A search of the car revealed two stun guns, a black metal collapsible baton, and distribution quantities of fentanyl and marijuana. He has been detained since his arrest.
Theft of government property carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Nunez-Torres is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on August 3, 2021, in Hartford.
Nunez-Torres’ federal plea agreement also indicates that he will plead guilty in state court to risk of injury of a minor related to his intending to impair the morals of a minor under the age of 16, and to larceny offenses related to his earlier theft of two additional vehicles, a 2016 Nissan Maxima valued at $17,000 and a 2012 BMW 528 valued at $22,000.
Perry pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and, on February 3, 2020, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by four months of home confinement. Judge Chatigny also ordered Perry to pay $1,560 in restitution for the missing equipment.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Newington Police Department, the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.
Guilderland Man Sentenced on Marijuana and Money Laundering ConvictionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Masood Sharifipour, age 36, of Guilderland, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a marijuana trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; Acting Inspector in Charge Joshua McCallister, Boston Division, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Sharifipour pled guilty in March 2019. He admitted that from December 2013 through June 2017, he worked with others to transport at least 100 kilograms of marijuana through various means, including couriers, the U.S. Mail, and private shippers, from California to the Capital Region.
Sharifipour further admitted that during the conspiracy, he sent at least 50 packages containing drug proceeds to co-conspirators in California via the U.S. Mail and private shippers. Sharifipour used Post Office boxes in the Capital Region, as well as residences in Schenectady, Niskayuna, Loudonville, Guilderland, and elsewhere, occupied by himself, or people whom he knew, for the purpose of receiving shipments of marijuana from his co-conspirators in California.
Law enforcement searches of two of his residences, in 2017, recovered approximately 46 pounds of marijuana and $315,000.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Sharifipour to a 4-year term of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by USPIS, HSI and IRS-CI, with assistance from the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.
Gladbrook Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
A felon and convicted domestic abuser who possessed firearms pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Jason Drew, age 38, from Gladbrook, Iowa, was convicted of one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. At the plea hearing, Drew admitted that, on February 26, 2020, he knowingly possessed two revolvers after having been convicted of two crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment and after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. According to the indictment, Drew was convicted of theft in the first degree and theft in the second degree in Tama County in 2009. He also was convicted of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury in Tama County in 2016.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Drew remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Drew faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 20-74.
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Former VA Hospital Nursing Assistant Sentenced to Seven Consecutive Life Sentences for Murdering Seven Veterans and Assault with Intent to Commit Murder of an EighthRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A former nursing assistant was sentenced today in federal court for murder and assault charges in the deaths of eight veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Reta Mays, 46, of Harrison County, West Virginia, was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences, one for each murder, and an additional 240 months for the eighth victim. Mays pleaded guilty in July 2020 to seven counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of veterans Robert Edge Sr., Robert Kozul, Archie Edgell, George Shaw, W.A.H., Felix McDermott, and Raymond Golden. She pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit murder involving the death of veteran Russell Posey.
“In a case where we are confronted with the horrific crimes committed by the defendant against those who gave so much of themselves to serve this country, justice is somewhat of an elusive concept. No amount of prison time will erase the pain and loss that the families of these eight brave and honorable men have experienced. These men are heroes in our community, state, and country, and deserved so much more,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bernard. “Mays will now spend every minute of the rest of her life where she belongs, in prison.”
Mays was employed as a nursing assistant at the VAMC, working the night shift during the same period of time that the veterans in her care died of hypoglycemia while being treated at the hospital. Nursing assistants at the VAMC are not qualified or authorized to administer any medication to patients, including insulin. Mays would sit one-on-one with patients. She admitted to administering insulin to several patients with the intent to cause their deaths.
“While responsibility for these heinous criminal acts lies with Reta Mays, an extensive healthcare inspection by our office found the facility had serious and pervasive clinical and administrative failures that contributed to them going undetected,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal. “I hope that the victims’ families can find some measure of solace knowing that Mays was caught and punished, and that steps are being taken to help ensure other families do not suffer the same loss. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the West Virginia State Police for their strong partnership throughout this complex investigation.”
“It is beyond disturbing that someone would seek out the opportunity to work as a medical professional to aid the sick, and then twist their duty and willingly end the life of their patients,” said FBI Pittsburgh Acting Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples. “I hope today’s sentence brings peace and closure to the families of these veterans. It certainly sends the message that when you break the trust you are given and, in the process break the law, there are consequences, no matter who you are or what your profession is.”
This investigation, which began in June 2018, involved more than 300 interviews; the review of thousands of pages of medical records and charts; the review of phone, social media, and computer records; countless hours of consulting with some of the most respected forensic experts and endocrinologists; the exhumation of some of the victims; and the review of hospital staff and visitor records to assess their potential interactions with the victims. Today’s sentence was the result of the tireless and comprehensive efforts of both criminal investigators and healthcare experts.
Mays was also ordered to pay a total of $172,624.96 to the victims’ families, the VA Hospital, Medicare, and insurance companies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J. Douglas and Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated. The West Virginia State Police and the Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, assisted.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Watch the press conferfence here.
Former Tennessee Correctional Officer Sentenced for Covering up Staff Assault of an InmateRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A former Tennessee Correctional Officer was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison and two years supervised release for conspiring to cover up the beating of an inmate and for persuading other officers to provide false information to investigators.
On May 7, Tommy Morris, a former Corporal with the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to federal offenses arising out of the assault of R.T., an inmate in the mental health unit at the facility. Morris is the third officer to be sentenced.
"The defendant, as a supervisory correctional officer, watched other officers assault a vulnerable inmate and then he guided these officers in their efforts to cover up their criminal conduct," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who commit civil rights violations and those who conspire with their fellow officers to obstruct the ensuing criminal investigation."
"The civil rights statutes are there to protect the Constitutional rights and freedoms of everyone," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee. "Our office will prosecute those who violate these laws, regardless of the victim’s status and those who attempt to cover up these crimes."
"This sentence should send a clear message that the FBI makes it a priority to bring to justice any law enforcement officer who violates the civil rights of those in his care and custody," said Special Agent in Charge Douglas M. Korneski of the FBI Memphis Field Office. "It undermines the respect and reputation of all law enforcement officers when a correctional officer violates the civil rights of an inmate whose safety he is charged with."
On Nov. 24, 2020, Morris pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover up the beating of R.T. and to knowingly encouraging correctional officers to provide investigators with false and misleading information.
This case was investigated by the Memphis Division of the FBI with the support of the TDOC, and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah J. Bailey of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
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Former Superintendent of Rockbridge County Regional Jail Sentenced on Federal Civil Rights and Bribery ChargesRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – John Marshall Higgins, the former superintendent of the Rockbridge County Regional Jail, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for charges related to federal civil rights violations and public corruption.
According to court documents, Higgins, 62, a former member of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, was convicted following a six-day bench trial in 2020 of three counts of deprivation of civil rights for denying medical care to an inmate and failing to protect two inmates from physical abuse, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and honest services fraud, and two counts of mail and honest services fraud for accepting things of value in exchange for engaging in official acts.
“Higgins violated the public trust placed in him as jail superintendent. He repeatedly interfered with certain sentences handed down by Virginia courts, taking matters into his own hands by allowing the abuse of certain inmates, but treating another inmate favorably to enrich himself,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar said today. “As the court found today, this conduct was simply egregious and went on for years. Today’s significant sentence ought to serve as a deterrent to any public servant who may be tempted to carry out the administration of justice with anything less than fairness under the law. I thank the FBI, the Virginia State Police, the Rockbridge County Commonwealth Attorney's Office and the prosecution team for their tireless work to bring Higgins to justice.”
“The responsibility of investigating federal Civil Rights and Color of Law violations rests with the FBI, regardless of an individual's status amongst our community or law enforcement affiliation,” Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI’s Richmond Division said today. “In his official capacity, Mr. Higgins turned a blind-eye to the medical needs and security of inmates while profiting personally by helping another. A clear abuse of his position, and catalyst for mistrust in law enforcement - which cannot and should not be tolerated. We are fully committed to protecting the rights of all citizens, and appreciate the partnership of the Virginia State Police, the Rockbridge County Commonwealth Attorney's Office, and the Western District of Virginia, United States Attorney's Office during this investigation.”
According to evidence presented at his trial, Higgins, as superintendent of the jail, failed to protect the rights of inmates at the regional jail by failing to provide an inmate with medical treatment and failing to protect that inmate from physical abuse from other inmates, which resulted in bodily injury. On multiple occasions Higgins was made aware of abusive conduct towards certain inmates and did nothing to prevent the abuse from occurring. On one occasion, Higgins refused to allow an inmate with potentially serious injuries to be seen by a physician for three days. The inmate was only provided medical care after other staff members sent the inmate to the hospital emergency room.
In addition, evidence demonstrated that Higgins, while superintendent of the jail, agreed to accept things of value from the family and friends of an inmate at the Rockbridge Regional Jail in exchange for providing preferential treatment to the inmate. These family members and friends provided at least $3,000 in payments and other items to a scholarship fund operated by Higgins and his family. The evidence demonstrated that in exchange for these payments, the inmate, who had been ordered to serve a three-year sentence at the Department of Corrections for vehicular manslaughter, received significant privileges while incarcerated at the Rockbridge Regional Jail. These privileges and preferential treatment included, but were not limited to, unsupervised contact visits with family and friends at the jail and at a farm located in Rockbridge County and deliveries of ice cream from Higgins to the inmate. Higgins also upgraded the cable package at the jail at the inmate’s request and granted the inmate unfettered access to jail facilities and Higgins’ personal office. Finally, at Higgins’ direction, the inmate was never sent to the Virginia Department of Corrections to serve his sentence, as dictated by policy and procedure, but instead served his entire sentence at the Rockbridge Regional Jail.
Gary Andrew Hassler, the former head nurse at the jail, was also convicted as part of the investigation. Hassler was convicted in 2020 following a jury trial on one count of impeding a federal investigation into civil rights violations at the Rockbridge Regional Jail by falsifying a document. Evidence at trial showed that on March 5, 2017, Hassler falsified a document to claim an inmate at the jail refused medical care. Hassler was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of twelve months and one day.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police investigated the case. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for Rockbridge County assisted with the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary T. Lee and Matthew Miller prosecuted the case.
Former School Teacher Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Christopher Ted Duluk (32, Fort Myers) to seven years in federal prison for possessing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Duluk was also sentenced to a 15-year term of supervised release and ordered to register as a sex offender.
Duluk was found guilty after a bench trial on December 2, 2020.
According to court documents, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) began an investigation into Duluk for unlawfully impersonating a law enforcement officer and for using a government license plate. On December 10, 2019, deputies from the LCSO executed a search warrant on Duluk’s home and car and seized Duluk’s vehicle bearing a state tag, and a thumb drive that was in the trunk. During the subsequent search of the thumb drive, LCSO observed an image depicting child sexual abuse. A forensic analysis of the thumb drive revealed approximately 150 images and 150 videos depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
On March 10, 2020, a search warrant was executed at Duluk’s residence. Law enforcement officers seized Duluk’s laptop computer and later identified approximately 90 videos of the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
This is another case 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.justice.gov/psc.
Former President of First Mortgage Company Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Money Laundering, and False Statements to a Financial InstitutionRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, RONALD J. MCCORD, 70, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to defrauding two locally-based banks, Fannie Mae, and others through a broad range of fraudulent conduct over the course of three years, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
McCord was the Chairman and founder of First Mortgage Company, LLC ("FMC"), an Oklahoma City-based mortgage lending and loan servicing company. On June 3, 2020, a grand jury returned a 24-count Indictment against McCord. The charges included bank fraud, money laundering, and making a false statement to a financial institution.
Yesterday, McCord pleaded guilty to five counts of the Indictment.
According to court documents and yesterday’s plea hearing, McCord admitted to defrauding Spirit Bank ("Spirit") and Citizens State Bank ("Citizens")—two state-chartered financial institutions—as well as their respective residential mortgage subsidiaries, American Southwest Mortgage Corporation ("Mortgage Corp.") and American Southwest Mortgage Funding Corporation ("Funding Corp."). An independent audit discovered that McCord had sold more than $14,100,000.00 in Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans "out of trust" by failing to repay Spirit/Mortgage Corp. when certain Spirit/Mortgage Corp.-initiated loans were refinanced or otherwise paid off. At the time of this discovery, FMC carried outstanding balances of about $200,000,000.00 and $140,000,000.00 on the Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. lines of credit, respectively.
Upon learning of McCord’s conduct, Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. terminated future warehouse lending to FMC, and instituted new notification requirements that required McCord to assign FMC-funded mortgages to Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp., to ensure the title companies handling those mortgages sent payoffs directly to the banks. McCord admitted at yesterday’s plea hearing that he filed the assignments as required, but then caused the mortgages to be released on two properties—in Leland and Denver, North Carolina—after collecting the mortgage payoffs.
Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp.’s refusal to fund new FMC mortgages prompted McCord to seek out a new warehouse lender. In early 2017, McCord began negotiating with CapLOC, LLC, a North Carolina-based mortgage lending business, and offered to sell FMC’s mortgage lending business in exchange for quick funding from CapLOC. At yesterday’s plea hearing, McCord admitted that he made a materially false statement and representation to CapLOC in the course of those negotiations, in order to influence CapLOC’s actions.
Finally, in 2017, FMC serviced approximately 12,000 loans worth a total of approximately $1,800,000,000.00 for the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"). McCord admitted at the plea hearing that he defrauded Fannie Mae by diverting escrow monies intended to pay homeowners’ taxes and insurance premiums to cover FMC’s operating expenses. McCord also admitted that he then laundered the proceeds by causing a wire transfer from FMC’s operating account to a custom home builder, as payment towards construction of McCord’s home in Colorado.
At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for August 9, 2021, McCord faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count of bank fraud and false statement to a financial institution. He also faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine on the money laundering count. Per the terms of his plea agreement, the government agreed not to advocate at sentencing for a sentence above 104 months. Under the plea agreement, McCord will be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his conduct in amounts to be determined by the court at the time of sentencing. McCord must also forfeit proceeds of the fraudulent schemes and property involved in the offenses. Further, as part of the plea agreement, the government will dismiss at sentencing the remaining counts of the Indictment.
This case is the result of investigations by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Former Maryland State Government Official Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for the Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher today sentenced Mathew Palmer, age 44, of Severna Park, Maryland, to eight years in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography. Judge Gallagher also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Palmer must register as a sex offender where he resides, is an employee, and is a student pursuant to the sex offender registration and nonfiction act (SORNA). At the time of the conduct, Palmer held positions with the Maryland state government, including as Deputy Legislative Officer for the Maryland Governor’s Office and Chief Operating Officer with the Maryland Department of Commerce.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
“Individuals like Palmer who trade and possess this illegal material online are essentially facilitating an underground criminal marketplace that endangers children,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “This case should serve as a reminder that law enforcement will bring to justice anyone who endangers children. No one is above the law.”
“HSI tirelessly investigates crimes involving the online sexual exploitation of minors with every resource at our disposal.” said Special Agent in Charge James Mancuso, for the Baltimore Field Office. “We will continue to ensure any individual that participates in any form of child pornography will be held to the same accountability for these deplorable acts.”
According to his plea agreement, investigators at HSI received reports from an instant messenger application advising that multiple accounts using similar usernames, that all included “anonjohnny” as part of the name, had uploaded at least one image of child pornography or child-sensitive material between April 2019 and September 2019. Each time the application detected the child exploitative material, it shut down the offending account.
The investigation revealed that the same Internet Protocol address (IP address) was used to access the five “anonjohnny” accounts and was serviced by the same cellular service provider registered under Palmer’s phone number, e-mail address, and home address in Severna Park, Maryland. The records showed that the messaging application account had also been accessed by IP addresses that resolved to the State of Maryland, demonstrating that the user was accessing the materials from state government Internet services.
On August 11, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Palmer’s residence in Severna Park and seized several electronic devices, including Palmer’s laptop and personal cell phone. Palmer’s cell phone was also linked to his office e-mail address. Palmer’s phone was logged into a new “anonjohnny” account on the instant messaging application. Palmer admitted that he used this account to engage in chats with several other users concerning child exploitation.
For example, in a conversation with one user, in his very first message Palmer said, “Hi I have naughty thoughts about my teen daughters.” Palmer then sent the user images of two minor girls whom Palmer represented were his daughters. In fact, these minor children were not Palmer’s children. In a conversation with a second user, Palmer stated that his preference was for children aged eight and up. Palmer again sent pictures of two minor girls, falsely representing to the second user that they were his own daughters.
At least 936 images and 368 videos of child pornography were found on Palmer's cell phone, including prepubescent minors; child pornography involving toddlers; and child pornography involving bondage and other sadistic acts.
In addition to possessing hundreds of images and videos constituting child pornography, Palmer admitted that he both received and distributed child pornography. Palmer had an application on his phone which is used to send covert and encrypted messages. Palmer possessed two additional videos of child pornography on that application, and the evidence showed that Palmer used that application to distribute a video of child pornography to a chat group of 58 people. Palmer's phone also included several links under the “notes” section to active child pornographic websites.
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 Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Former International UAW President Dennis Williams Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Union FundsRead the Press Release
Dennis Williams, the former President of the international United Auto Workers union, was sentenced to twenty-one months in prison today for conspiring with other UAW officials to embezzle UAW funds announced Acting U.S. Attorney Saima S. Mohsin.
Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kelly Lewis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and Thomas Murray, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards.
Dennis Williams, 67, of Corona, California, was sentenced to twenty-one months in prison, $132,000 in restitution, one year of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine by United States District Judge Paul Borman based on his conviction for conspiring with former UAW President Gary Jones and other senior UAW officials to embezzle UAW dues money between 2010 and September 2019.
Between June 2014 and June 2018, Williams served as the President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”). The UAW represents over 400,000 active members and over 580,000 retired members in more than 600 local unions across the United States. Prior to serving as UAW President, Williams was the Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW from June 2010 through June 2014.
Williams was convicted of conspiring with at least six other senior UAW officials in a multi-year conspiracy to embezzle money from the UAW for the personal benefit of himself and other senior UAW officials. UAW officials concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenditures in the cost of UAW conferences held in Palm Springs, California, Coronado, California, and Missouri. Between 2010 and 2018, former UAW President and co-defendant Gary Jones and other UAW officials submitted fraudulent expense forms seeking reimbursement from the UAW’s Detroit headquarters for expenditures supposedly incurred in connection with UAW leadership and training conferences. In truth, however, Williams and his co-conspirators used the conferences to conceal the hundreds of thousands of dollars in UAW funds spent on lavish entertainment and personal spending for the conspirators.
As part of his conviction, Williams admitted the he and other senior UAW officials used UAW money to pay for personal expenses, including multi-month long stays at private villas in Palm Springs, cigars, golfing apparel, green fees at golf courses, and high-end liquor and meals. During the course of the conspiracy, while Williams was UAW President, co-conspirators Gary Jones, Vance Pearson, and others provided themselves and Williams with thousands of dollars in such personal items.
As part of the court’s sentence, Williams was ordered to forfeit a custom-made set of Titleist golf clubs and various golf clothing and equipment seized from Williams during an August 2019 search of his residence. In addition, Williams has been ordered to pay $15,459 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service on embezzled items that he personally received. Finally, the Court ordered Williams to pay $132,517 in restitution to the UAW.
Williams is the sixteenth defendant convicted in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into corruption within the UAW or relating to illegal payoffs to UAW officials by FCA executives. The following other individuals have already pleaded guilty to their participation in the scheme and have been sentenced: former FCA Vice President for Employee Relations Alphons Iacobelli (66 months in prison), former FCA Financial Analyst Jerome Durden (15 months in prison), former Director of FCA’s Employee Relations Department Michael Brown (12 months in prison), former senior UAW officials Virdell King (60 days in prison), Keith Mickens (12 months in prison), Nancy A. Johnson (12 months in prison), Monica Morgan, the widow of UAW Vice President General Holiefield (18 months in prison), former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell (15 months in prison), former senior UAW official Michael Grimes (28 moths), former UAW Midwest CAP President Edward “Nick” Robinson (12 months in prison), and former UAW Vice President Joseph Ashton (30 months). In addition, the following UAW officials have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing: former UAW President Gary Jones and former UAW Region 5 Director UAW Board member Vance Pearson. FCA US LLC pleaded guilty in January 2021 to conspiring to violate the Taft-Hartley Act, and the company will be sentenced in June 2021. Former senior UAW official Jeffrey “Paycheck” Pietrzyk passed away before being sentenced.
In December 2020, the United States filed a civil lawsuit against the UAW under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Act based on the criminal investigation of the UAW, FCA US LLC, and FCA’s executives. Subsequently, the United States and the UAW entered into a Consent Decree to settle the lawsuit that was approved by the U.S. District Court. The United States has proposed a candidate to the Court to serve as the Independent Monitor of the UAW for the next six years. The Monitor is tasked with providing federal oversight of the UAW concerning fraud, corruption, and misconduct within the UAW. In addition, the Monitor will conduct and oversee a referendum of all UAW members to determine if the membership wants to adopt a direct election, also known as “one member, one vote,” method of electing the members of the UAW’s International Executive Board.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mohsin commended the outstanding work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards and Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into labor corruption activities involving a vital sector of the local and national economy.
“The Court’s sentence for former UAW President Williams demonstrates that the very highest level of leadership of the UAW has been held accountable for betraying the trust of the UAW’s membership,” said Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that union leaders must strictly adhere to the highest ethical standards in running their unions.”
"Instead of serving the interests of the hard-working men and women of the UAW, Dennis Williams conspired with senior UAW officials to embezzle over $1 million in union funds. Williams spent the embezzled funds on extravagant meals, liquor, golf, and travel for personal enrichment. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate corrupt union officials who betray the union members they are entrusted to represent,” stated Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
"Today's sentencing is one more step in a long campaign of restoring the UAW to working for the rights of its members," said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Detroit. "Williams' sentencing is another chapter closed in a culture of corruption that permeated the UAW to the very top. We will continue to work alongside our partners in law enforcement to root out wrongdoing and end pervasive greed among those who abuse their positions of power for their own enrichment."
“Today’s sentencing is another step towards the honest leadership UAW members deserve,” stated Kelly Lewis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. IRS Criminal Investigation is fully committed to investigating anyone who intentionally conceals income from the IRS.”
“Safeguarding financial integrity in labor unions and combating financial malfeasance is a very high priority for the U.S. Department of Labor. While the vast majority of union officials do their work diligently and without incident, Dennis Williams betrayed the trust the UAW membership placed in him and embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from the UAW, so he could live a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the UAW and its members,” said Thomas Murray, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. “OLMS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone that unlawfully exploits their union position to enrich themselves without regard to the best interests of union members.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Gardey, Steven Cares, and Adriana Dydell.
Former Air Force Colonel Sentenced to Serve More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Accessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA – Yesterday, BRIAN WADE EDDY, 46, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced to serve 64 months in federal prison for accessing and viewing images of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On June 17, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count Indictment that charged Eddy with knowingly accessing, with intent to view, child pornography from his government-issued laptop. According to the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, at the time of the incident Eddy was a civilian employee at Tinker Air Force Base and was a ranking Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. Eddy has since been terminated.
On September 2, 2020, Eddy pleaded guilty to the Indictment. As part of his plea, Eddy admitted that he searched for and viewed images of child pornography from his government laptop in December 2019.
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Eddy to serve 64 months in federal prison for his conduct, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Eddy was also ordered to pay a total of $5,100.00 in special assessments. In imposing the sentence, Judge Heaton noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, specifically highlighting the exploitation of those who are most vulnerable.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Fentanyl Dealers Charged with Distributing Narcotics Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of a superseding indictment charging Marvin “MJ” Mitchell (36, St. Peterburg) and Christopher Hughes (43, Pinellas Park) with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, which caused an individual’s death, as well as possession with the intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. If convicted on all counts, Mitchell and Hughes each face a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison.
According to the
indictment , Mitchell and his co-conspirators, including Hughes, sold heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. In June 2019, members of this conspiracy distributed narcotics to an individual who died. The Medical Examiner’s Office for Pasco and Pinellas Counties determined that the individual’s cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pinellas Park Police Department, with assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco and Pinellas County Medical Examiners’ Offices. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Felon Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Possessing Firearm Used in 2018 Shooting in QueensRead the Press Release
Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Alonzo Shipp was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner for being a felon in possession of a firearm that wounded an individual in Queens in 2018. Shipp was convicted in November 2020 following a six-day jury trial.
Mark J. Lesko, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence is intended to serve notice to repeat offenders that wielding a loaded weapon and deliberately shooting a victim with it may result in a federal prosecution and lengthy prison sentence,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Lesko. “This Office is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.” Mr. Lesko expressed his grateful appreciation to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for their outstanding investigative work on the case.
The evidence at trial proved that on July 20, 2018, Shipp, also known as “Pump,” shot the victim in the abdomen on 147th Street in South Jamaica. The victim collapsed two blocks away and called 911. Shipp then stood over him, holding his gun as the victim begged for his life. While on the line with the 911 operator, the victim spoke directly to Shipp, stating: ‘I don't want to die, Pump. Please, I don't want to die, Pump.” Shipp’s gun jammed, and he fled the scene, tossing the gun in a dumpster. Later, a civilian found the gun and contacted the NYPD. Ballistics examiners determined that a shell casing found where the victim was shot was consistent with being fired from the gun found in the dumpster. A search of Shipp’s Facebook account also revealed a message in which he admitted to a friend that he was on the run because of the shooting. The victim survived. Prior to possessing this firearm and shooting the victim, Shipp had been convicted of more than 20 offenses in Virginia, New Jersey and New York.
This case was brought 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. As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Pilmar and Michael W. Gibaldi.
The Defendant:
ALONZO SHIPP (also known as “Pump”)
Age: 33
Richmond, VirginiaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-029 (RPK)
Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Possessing Molotov Cocktails at La Mesa ProtestRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matthew Brehm (619) 546-8983 and Joseph J. Orabona (619) 546-7951
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 11, 2021
SAN DIEGO – After a two-day jury trial, Zachary Alexander Karas of San Diego was found guilty of possessing incendiary devices known as Molotov cocktails at a protest that began on May 30, 2020 in La Mesa. After the jury returned a guilty verdict, Chief District Judge Dana M. Sabraw remanded Karas into custody. Sentencing is set for August 13, 2021, at 9 a.m. before Chief Judge Sabraw.
“No one should bring a Molotov cocktail to disrupt a protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “This was a serious crime that had potential to cause significant damage.” Grossman commended prosecutors Matthew Brehm and Joseph Orabona, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, and investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for their excellent work on this case.
“Today’s verdict sends a message to those who utilize lawful, peaceful protests to disguise their criminal acts,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “Zachary Karas was in possession of a functioning incendiary device which, thankfully, was not used. Regardless, citizens have the right to peacefully assemble without threat of disruption, criminal activity, or violence. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect those who are exercising their constitutional rights as well as protecting the safety of the community.”
“ATF is the Federal agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the federal laws pertaining to destructive devices, explosives, and arson,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Monique Villegas. “ATF will use all its resources to ensure destructive devices (Molotov cocktails) are not being used in our communities. We are glad the jury delivered the guilty verdict sending a message to those who consider creating their own devices for criminal use.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on May 31, 2020, at 2:00 a.m., hours after police had declared an unlawful assembly and given numerous dispersal orders, Karas was standing in the middle of the road at the intersection of Allison Avenue and Spring Street, blocking traffic as part of the protest in La Mesa.
At the time of the protest in La Mesa, several fires had been set, and those fires damaged buildings and property. In fact, Karas was standing in the street in front of the Chase and Union banks that had been set ablaze. In the early morning hours of May 31, 2020, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers gave orders to the crowd, including Karas, to disperse for an unlawful assembly. However, Karas and others refused, and Karas was arrested for refusing to leave his position in the middle of the street. After his arrest, officers discovered that Karas possessed two glass bottles with wicks that contained gasoline and two smoke bombs.
In video-recorded statements, after being read his Miranda rights, Karas stated that he made the Molotov cocktails and brought them to the La Mesa protest because he intended to use them to set fires, but claimed he ultimately did not cause any fires. Karas explained in the statement, “And I heard of the fires. So I came back out with the, yes, intention to start a fire, but I did not have a part in the fire.” Karas said he got the bottles from a Rite Aid parking lot and used 87 octane gasoline as the fuel. He claimed that he had acted alone.
A chemist with the ATF laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia, tested the liquid found inside Karas’ Molotov cocktails and confirmed it was gasoline. An explosives enforcement officer with the ATF received the chemist’s analysis, inspected the physical evidence, and found that the Molotov cocktails were functioning destructive devices.
A special agent with the ATF inspected the Molotov cocktails and found them to be functioning incendiary devices.
DEFENDANT Case Number 20CR1842-DMS
Zachary Alexander Karas Age: 29 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device – Title 26, U.S.C., Section 5861
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Federal Indictment Charges Chicago Man with Illegally Possessing “Switch” Devices Capable of Turning Handguns into Machine GunsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been indicted on federal firearm charges for allegedly illegally transferring and possessing “switch” devices that are capable of converting a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun.
KALIL WARNER, 24, is charged with five counts of illegal transfer and possession of a machine gun. The indictment accuses Warner of transferring and possessing the switch devices in Chicago on five occasions earlier this year. Each switch component is solely and exclusively designed to convert weapons into machine guns, the indictment states. Switch devices, once properly installed, allow a handgun to expel more than one projectile by a single pull of the trigger.
Warner pleaded not guilty Monday during his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Chicago. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman scheduled a status hearing for June 15, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry III.
Holding illegal firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the Guardian and PSN programs to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
“Switch devices pose a dangerous threat to public safety and have no place on the streets of Chicago,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Federal law enforcement will act swiftly to neutralize the threat posed by illegal machine guns and keep our communities safe.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each count in the indictment is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Eddington Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms after Domestic Violence ConvictionRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine—An Eddington man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing firearms after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
According to court records, in April 2020, law enforcement officers were called to the home of Amilio Christopher Samaroo, 56. Samaroo and his wife had been arguing earlier in the day. When the police arrived at the house, Samaroo refused to leave and engaged in a standoff. Officers obtained a warrant for Samaroo’s arrest and a search warrant for the home. During the search, officers found multiple weapons that Samaroo had placed throughout the house, including a loaded J.C. Higgins bolt-action 20-gauge shotgun. Officers later found a handgun in the ceiling of the home and two boxes of ammunition. Samaroo was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition after a 2003 Wisconsin conviction for domestic abuse.
Samaroo faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maine State Police investigated the case.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in seizures of over a half-kilogram of fentanyl.
Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel, 29, a Dominican national residing in New Bedford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and six counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8, 2021.
In May 2018, Yogey Monta-Bernabel was charged by complaint and arrested with his co-defendant brother, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel. In September 2020, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel was sentenced to five years in prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty.
Co-defendant Steven Marshall was arrested by federal authorities in June 2018. Marshall has since pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
In January and February 2018, investigators conducted surveillance of Marshall as he traveled to New Bedford to purchase fentanyl from his source of supply, Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel. After a fentanyl pick up on March 1, 2018, investigators stopped Marshall, searched his vehicle, and seized approximately 125 grams of fentanyl.
Agents conducted four controlled purchases, of approximately 100 grams of fentanyl each, from Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel in March and April 2018. For one of the controlled purchases, Miki Michael Mota-Bernabel served as the courier, delivering over 100 grams of fentanyl to an undercover agent. Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel personally delivered the fentanyl on another occasion.
A search of Hilario Yogey Mota-Bernabel’s residence and stash house in May 2018 resulted in the seizure of over 200 grams of suspected fentanyl, $12,395 and other drug-related paraphernalia. Court documents also indicate the Mota-Bernabels entered the United States illegally.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The Mota-Bernabels will be subject to deportation upon completion of their sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Council Bluffs Woman Sentenced to 120 Months for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Rose Ellen Points, 36, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on May 11, 2021, by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon, for distribution of 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Points received a sentence of 120 months with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
Beginning in mid-2018, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force started investigating the methamphetamine distribution operation of David Short in the Omaha, Nebraska, metro area. This investigation included a court ordered Title III interception of phone calls and text messages, allowing agents to identify the scope of the conspiracy and its members. Points was identified as someone receiving methamphetamine from Short. Assisted by the Omaha Police Department, on August 29, 2019, Points sold 73 grams of actual methamphetamine to a police source.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Matters involving other conspirators are still pending, with trial for David Short set for July 12, 2021, in Omaha, Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the DEA, OPD, Nebraska State Patrol, IRS’s Criminal Investigations, and the Pottawattamie County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Office.
Cleveland man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm after ambush-style shooting of a Cleveland Police OfficerRead the Press Release
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Darryl Borden, 43, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm after Borden shot a Cleveland Police Officer responding to a call for help last July.
“Borden ambushed two Cleveland Police Officers who were simply trying to do their job and assist a member of the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. “During Police Week, a time where we celebrate the accomplishments of law enforcement and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it is important to remember that situations like this are all too common, and our police officers and other law enforcement regularly risk their lives to protect and assist the communities they serve.”
“We cannot tolerate individuals who commit violent acts against either members of our community or first responders coming to their aid,” stated Roland H. Herndon, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “The Defendant’s criminal history already prohibited him from possessing a firearm, and he showed that he learned nothing from his previous brushes with the legal system. His guilty plea ensures that he will not be a further threat to the safety of our community for quite some time. The men and women of ATF’s Columbus Field Division commend the officers involved on their handling of this confrontation and trust the injured officer is making a full recovery.”
According to court records, on July 20, 2020, Cleveland Police Officers responded to a residence after a woman called police, stating that Borden was threatening her with a gun. Officers met the woman outside of the home and were told that Borden was upstairs with a firearm.
Officers entered the residence, announced themselves as police officers and attempted to search a bathroom. Borden, who was inside the bathroom, waited for the officers to open the door and then pointed his firearm at both officers and fired, striking the second officer. The first officer returned fire, and both retreated outside of the home. The second officer sustained gunshot wounds in the arm and back. Cleveland Police SWAT responded to the scene and Borden was soon thereafter taken into custody.
A handgun with five spent rounds and one live round was recovered from inside the bathroom. Borden is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions for robbery, burglary and sexual battery in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Borden has also been indicted by a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury for the attempted murder and felonious assault of the police officer and having a weapon under disability as a result of this incident.
Borden is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2021. A federal district court judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Cleveland Division of Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.
Child Sexual Predators Sentenced for Sexual Abuse and Online ExploitationRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man and woman were each sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child, including producing child pornography with the minor victim, and for distributing and receiving child pornography. A federal grand jury previously indicted them and two others in September 2019.
Bennie W. Schuck II, 46, and Amber Talley, 36, were both in a position of trust with the minor victim, who was less than 12 years of age. Both Schuck and Talley sexually abused the minor female victim, who reported that the abuse had been on-going for at least a year. Schuck and Talley created images of the abuse, which they sent to each other, depending on who took the images. According to court documents, Schuck admitted to police that he had exploited the child “fewer than 20 times.” Schuck also sent the sexually explicit images of the child victim to a woman through Kik Messenger, which led to the detection of Schuck and Talley’s crimes.
This investigation began in April 2019, when police in Louisiana investigated the online activities of a man who was accused of receiving sexually explicit images of at least one minor online. This man allegedly traded child pornography with Indiana resident Diana Roe, who was arrested and charged federally in May 2019.
When law enforcement investigated the images and chats found on Roe’s devices, they uncovered evidence showing that Schuck was sexually abusing and exploiting a child. Using social media and public records, law enforcement identified Talley as another person who participated in the sexual exploitation of that child.
The Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) executed a search warrant in August 2019. According to court documents, both Shuck and Talley admitted to engaging in illegal sexual conduct with the child. Both parties admitted to creating images of the sexual conduct, and Schuck admitted to distributing images online.
Four other defendants who were also indicted and or charged in this case have already pleaded guilty.
- Diana Roe, 50 – sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, must spend the remainder of her life on supervised release after her imprisonment, and pay $31,000 in restitution.
- Joshua Mead, 40 – sentenced to 9 years imprisonment, 10 years supervised release after his imprisonment, and pay $44,000 in restitution.
- Joshua Hart, 26 – sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, 15 years supervised release after his imprisonment
- Quinton Byassee, 35 – sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, 20 years supervised release after imprisonment, and pay $3000.00 in restitution.
“Those who sexually exploit children cause an extreme amount of harm and pain to their victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners so that predators like these individuals will never have an opportunity to victimize again.”
“The actions of these defendants were beyond heinous and what they subjected this young victim to will likely have untold ramifications for years – no child should ever have to go through something like this by those in a position of trust” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The sentence they received will ensure they can never again subject another child to sexual abuse and exploitation.”p
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case. Susie’s Place in Avon, IN also assisted with this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kristina M. Korobov, who prosecuted this case said Schuck must also pay $25,000 in restitution and serve 10 years on supervised release after his imprisonment. Talley must also pay $10,000 in restitution and serve 5 years on supervised release after her imprisonment.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online 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 better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Chico Resident Pleads Guilty to Filing False Clam for FEMA Assistance in Connection with the Paradise Camp FireRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Chico man pleaded guilty today to fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Following the 2018 Camp Fire, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance funds were available to qualified individuals who had emergency needs for housing, food, and other necessities due to losses incurred by the fire. To qualify for assistance based on home ownership, an applicant must have resided in the damaged home as their primary residence at the time of the fire.
Evan Palmer, 32, pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a claim for FEMA disaster assistance in connection with the Camp Fire. According to court documents, on Dec. 17, 2018, Palmer filed a false claim with FEMA seeking disaster assistance funds for a travel trailer in Paradise that he claimed was his primary residence at the time of the Camp Fire. Palmer owned the travel trailer, however, it was not his primary residence at the time of the fire. Rather, Palmer was living in a home that he leased in Chico. As a result of Palmer’s false statement, he received $26,490 in FEMA disaster benefits, which was to be used to repair or replace Palmer’s primary residence and to assist with two months of temporary rental housing.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelley Weger and Roger Yang are prosecuting the case.
Palmer is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Aug. 17. Palmer faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Members of the public who suspect fraud involving disaster relief efforts, including Camp Fire or COVID-19 relief efforts, or who believe they have been a victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721. Alternatively, information can be submitted via the Center’s online Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Antoine Miller, 36, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Miller admitted that on April 28, 2020, he possessed a Ruger 9 mm handgun at Renaissance Circle in Charleston. Miller is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a prior federal Hobbs Act conspiracy conviction, for which he spent over 10 years in federal prison.
Miller pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on September 7, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew is handling the prosecution.
The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00092.
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Career Offender Sentenced to over 12 Years for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Anthony Benson, 41, of Somerville, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Acting U.S. Attorney, Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in June 2016, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in Memphis, Tennessee, conducted an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Anthony Benson. Agents learned that Benson stored and trafficked cocaine out of a residence located in Somerville, Tennessee. Based upon this information, investigators began making undercover buys from Benson and other family members.
In August 2020, Benson pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of Title 21 United States Code Section 841.
On May 6, 2021, U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris sentenced Benson to 151 months in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release, based upon his career offender classification.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division and the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Raney Irwin and Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Cambridge Man Sentenced for Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cambridge man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for child pornography offenses.
Robert Wharton, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. In December 2020, Wharton pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.
Federal investigators developed evidence that a user of the Kik messaging application had electronically transmitted funds to another individual in exchange for access to internet links containing child pornography. The investigation revealed that those funds originated from Wharton and that Wharton resided in an apartment in Cambridge. During a search of Wharton’s apartment, Kik messages that Wharton had exchanged with the person to whom he had sent funds were discovered. In addition, various images and videos depicting naked children were found on Wharton’s phone, including a pornographic video that Wharton had received via the Telegram messaging application; this video depicts a young child performing oral sex on an adult.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge, Arlington, Newton and Revere Police Departments and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Bronx Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison and West New York Man Admits Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a West New York, New Jersey, man admitted to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Derrick Johnson, 49, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In addition to the prison term, he was sentenced to eight years of supervised release. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today via videoconference.
Also today, Akeil Beggs, 32, pleaded guilty by videoconference before Judge Hayden to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Beggs is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14, 2021.
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
In October 2019, Johnson and Beggs conspired with each other and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine in New York and New Jersey. On Oct. 31, 2019, Johnson traveled to Beggs’ apartment in West New York, where Johnson and Beggs coordinated to purchase approximately four kilograms of a substance they believed was cocaine from an individual. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Johnson and Beggs and seized $153,577 from Johnson’s vehicle, a loaded firearm from a hidden compartment in Johnson’s vehicle, and $23,607 from Beggs’ apartment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan in New York, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing and guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pesce of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Bessemer Couple Sentenced for Producing Fake Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Bessemer couple was sentenced today for possessing pill presses used to make fake prescription drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder.
U.S. District Court Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Earnest Lee Coleman, 44, and Tashana Lynn Sims, 38, husband and wife. Coleman was sentenced to 78 months in prison and Sims was sentenced to 36 months’ probation for their roles in the offenses. Coleman pleaded guilty to possessing punches, dies, and plates with the intent to defraud or mislead, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, holding for sale and dispensing a counterfeit drug, and adulteration of a drug. Sims pleaded guilty to illegally possessing punches, dies, and plates. The couple pleaded guilty in February.
“The defendants used dangerous drugs to make counterfeit pills that looked like legitimate prescription drugs, misleading potential buyers and exposing them to unacceptable risks.” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “My office will continue to prosecute those who take advantage of the opioid crisis to prey on vulnerable victims.”
“Counterfeiting unapproved and potentially dangerous opioids poses a serious threat to the U.S. public health and cannot be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. “The FDA is fully committed to doing our part to disrupt and dismantle illegal prescription drug manufacturing and distribution networks.”
According to their plea agreements, in April 2018, an international mail package from China was intercepted en route to 3300 Berkley Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama, the home of Coleman and Sims. The package contained two metal dies and a metal mold designed to be used to produce pressed pills. Authorities searched the Bessemer home, finding controlled substances, multiple firearms, and a pill press, powders and dyes used to make fake drugs. In October 2019, authorities again searched the home, finding an additional pill press, punch and die, and firearms. Coleman and Sims ran a counterfeit prescription pill operation out of their home in Bessemer in which Coleman used acetaminophen, fentanyl, heroin, and paverine to make pills similar in appearance to legitimate pharmaceuticals with markings such as “Lortab”, “Adderall”, “Soma”, “Xanax”, “Ecstasy”, “Oxycodone”, and “OxyContin.” Coleman sold or traded these pills to obtain other drugs.
The FDA investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Shutt and Jonathan Cross prosecuted.
Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Matthew Dion, 49, of Bedford, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about April 19, 2020, the Bedford Police Department was contacted by a representative of an organization that facilitates foreign exchange students traveling to the United States and residing with American host families. The representative reported that a 15-year-old student, who resided in Dion’s home, believed he had been recorded by Dion while he showered. The child had found what he believed to be a camera hidden inside a device that looked like a pen in the bathroom he used in the residence. The Bedford Police responded to the residence and the child was removed from the home.
On April 28, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Dion’s residence and seized various items including a Micro SD card from Dion’s vehicle. On the device, officers found sexually explicit images of the child taken in the bathroom, as the child was getting out of the shower. A forensic examiner determined that the SD card had been reformatted on or about April 21, 2020, shortly after the Bedford police responded to Dion’s home. This is consistent with someone attempting to delete items from the device on that date.
Dion is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2021.
“Protecting children from harm is one of the fundamental roles of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This case is an example of how law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire are working together to keep children safe. Thanks to that cooperation, this defendant’s disturbing and unlawful conduct was detected and stopped.”
“Matthew Dion was entrusted to provide a safe environment for a child but he violated that obligation in an extraordinary manner. Homeland Security Investigations and our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are committed to investigating cases like this to keep the children in our community safe,” said William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, Boston.
This matter was investigated by the Bedford Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. MacDonald.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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