Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
23 April 2021
Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Charleston, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to a federal firearms offense that was charged in an indictment in February 2021.
According to court documents, Casey Douglas Saunders, 30, was in possession of three semi-automatic pistols and one semi-automatic rifle at his residence in Parkersburg on May 14, 2020. The firearms were located by law enforcement officers who entered Saunders’ residence in order to arrest him on an outstanding warrant for violating his parole on several prior felony convictions. Saunders had previously absconded from parole that he was serving pursuant to felony convictions in Wood County Circuit Court for burglary, delivery of a controlled substance and escape. Saunders’ escape conviction was the result of him stealing and then fleeing in the police vehicle of a law enforcement officer who had attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant. Saunders is not legally permitted to possess firearms due to his previous felony convictions.
Saunders pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on August 4, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
The Parkersburg Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger 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. 2:21-cr-00014.
###
Owner of Illegal Racehorse Doping Websites Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SCOTT MANGINI pled guilty today to conspiring to unlawfully distribute adulterated and misbranded drugs with the intent to defraud and mislead, in connection with the charges filed in United States v. Robinson et al., 20 Cr. 162 (JPO). MANGINI pled guilty before U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken, and will be sentenced on September 10, 2021, before Judge Oetken.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Scott Mangini created and flooded the supply side of a market of greed that continues to endanger racehorses through the sale of performance-enhancing drugs. Mangini designed and created dozens of products intended for use by those engaged in fraud and animal abuse. His products were manufactured with no oversight of their composition, in shoddy facilities, despite prior efforts by state and federal regulators to shut down Mangini’s operation and strip his license. Mangini’s guilty plea underscores that our Office and our partners at the FBI are committed to the prosecution and investigation of corruption, fraud, and endangerment in the horse racing industry.”
According to the prior Indictments, the Superseding Information to which MANGINI pled guilty, and other court documents, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:
From at least in or about 2011 through at least in or about March 2020, MANGINI and his conspirators manufactured, sold, and shipped millions of dollars’ worth of adulterated and misbranded equine drugs, including performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”) intended to be administered to racehorses for the purpose of improving those horses’ race performance in order to win races and obtain prize money. MANGINI, a former pharmacist whose license was suspended in 2016, sold these drugs through several direct-to-consumer websites designed to appeal to racehorse trainers and owners, including, among others, “horseprerace.com” and “racehorsemeds.com.”
MANGINI contributed to the conspiracy by, among other things, using his training to design and create custom PEDs that were advertised and sold online, using misleading labels, packaging, and return address information, including sales to customers in the Southern District of New York. Among the drugs advertised and sold during the course of the conspiracy were “blood builders,” which are used by racehorse trainers and others to increase red blood cell counts and/or the oxygenation of muscle tissue of a racehorse in order to stimulate the horse’s endurance, which enhances that horse’s performance in, and recovery from, a race, as well as customized analgesics that are used by racehorse trainers and others to deaden a horse’s nerves and block pain in order to improve a horse’s race performance. MANGINI and his co-conspirators repeatedly touted illegal drugs sold on these websites as substances that “WILL NOT TEST” in the event of drug screens by racing officials. For example, MANGINI’s pain-numbing product “Numb It Injection” was advertised as a “proprietary formula and without question the most powerful pain shot in the market today AND WILL NOT TEST,” and customers were expressly directed to administer the drug by “injection as close to the event or extreme exercise as possible.”
The drugs distributed through the defendant’s websites were manufactured in non-Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) -registered facilities and carried significant risks to the animals affected through the administration of those illicit PEDs. For example, in 2016, MANGINI and his co-conspirator, Scott Robinson, who was previously convicted and sentenced in this case, received a complaint regarding the effect of his unregulated drugs on a customer’s horse: “starting bout 8 hours after I give the injection and for about 36 hours afterwards both my horses act like they are heavily sedated, can barely walk. Could I have a bad bottle of medicine, I’m afraid to give it anymore since this has happened three times.” Commenting on this complaint to MANGINI, Robinson wrote simply, “here is another one.”
MANGINI is among 29 individuals charged to date in a series of Indictments arising from an investigation of a widespread scheme by racehorse trainers, veterinarians, PED distributors, and others to manufacture, distribute, and receive adulterated and misbranded PEDs and to secretly administer those PEDs to racehorses competing at all levels of professional horseracing. By evading PED prohibitions and deceiving regulators, horse racing officials, and the FDA, among others, participants in these schemes sought to improve race performance and obtain prize money from racetracks, all to the detriment and risk of the health and well-being of the racehorses.
* * *
MANGINI, 55, of Boca Raton, Florida, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the federal drug misbranding and adulteration laws. This offense carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York FBI Office’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and its support of the FBI’s Integrity in Sports and Gaming Initiative. Ms. Strauss also thanked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department for their support of this investigation, and the FDA and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance and expertise.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Mortazavi, Anden Chow, Benet Kearney, and Andrew C. Adams are in charge of the prosecution.
North Fort Mitchell Family Dentistry Agrees to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The federal government has reached an agreement with a northern Kentucky dentistry practice, which will increase access to dental services for patients with disabilities.
The settlement agreement resolves a compliance investigation, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), into North Fort Mitchell Family Dentistry. The investigation was initiated by a complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice, asserting the dentistry office was not accessible to people who used wheelchairs. The ADA prohibits places of public of accommodation, including the professional offices of health care providers, from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and requires them to remove architectural barriers to access.
As part of the agreement, the practice’s owner has agreed to add accessible parking, install a wheelchair lift, and post signage. Some of the required work under the agreement has already been completed.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, in partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, enforces a variety of federal statutes that prohibit various forms of discrimination, including the ADA, through its Affirmative Civil Enforcement (“ACE”) section. This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Pond.
For more information on the ADA, visit ADA.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
– END –
North Carolina Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – A North Carolina man was sentenced on April 22, 2021, to 63 months in prison for perpetrating three fraud schemes between March and July 2020 connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, through which he defrauded consumers and the federal government’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL), created to assist small business owners during the pandemic.
Brandon Lewis, 35, of Greensboro, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on Aug. 31, 2020.
According to court documents, in March 2020, Lewis created a fake website for orders for pandemic-critical goods, defrauding consumers of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lewis also created a fake “COVID-19 Relief Fund,” which he used to defraud dozens of small business owners, and submitted approximately 68 fraudulent applications for loans and non-refundable grant “advances” of up to $10,000 through the SBA-EIDL program.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina; Acting Special Agent in Charge Mona Passmore of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division; Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the SBA Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region; and Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the USPIS, IRS-CI, SBA-OIG, and TIGTA. Trial Attorney David A. Stier, formerly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith C. Ruggles prosecuted the case with valuable assistance from the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit.
In light of the large volume of victims, the court set a deadline of July 21, 2021 for issuance of a final order of restitution. Victims may find additional information here: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/brandon-lewis, and may contact the Victim Assistance Line toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at [email protected].
###
North Carolina Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Failing to RegisterRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Daniel Arnold, 50, was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty on November 4, 2020, to one count of failing to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
Arnold was previously convicted on two occasions for failing to register in North Carolina. As a result of outstanding warrants in Georgia, investigators examined his sex offender registration status. Thereafter, Arnold was located and arrested in the Panama City, Florida area.
Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the United States Marshals Service with assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Don Ladner, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Florida, stated “the "U.S. Marshals are fully committed to finding and arresting sex offenders who fail to follow registration requirements. The safety of our local communities is always a foremost priority."
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
New York man arrested after traveling to Seattle to sexually abuse a childRead the Press Release
Seattle – A Brooklyn, New York, man was arrested late yesterday in SeaTac, Washington, on criminal charges related to his alleged plan to travel to Washington State for sexual abuse of a minor.
According to court documents, Rajesh Singh, 28, began communicating with an undercover officer in August 2020 about his desire to travel to Washington State to sexually abuse a child under the age of 12. The undercover officer was participating in an internet-based chat platform known to be used by individuals interested in child exploitation and child exploitation imagery. The undercover agent created a fictitious daughter under the age of 12, and Singh communicated extensively about his desire to rape the child and film the sexual assault. At various times in the chats, Singh indicated he had previously molested children. Singh was observed in New York getting on a flight to Seattle, arrived at Sea-Tac, and took a shuttle to an area hotel and was arrested there by agents with Homeland Security Investigation. Singh appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle today and remains detained.
Rajesh Singh is charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child Under Twelve, Attempted Production of Child Pornography, and Attempted Enticement of a Minor. If convicted, Singh faces a mandatory minimum 30 years in prison and up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman of the Western District of Washington and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer made the announcement.
Agents with Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hampton is prosecuting 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 United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Hanover Gang Member Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Qwanelle Ruffin, also known as “El Patron,” 28, of New Hanover County was sentenced today to 132 months in prison for: 1) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute One Hundred (100) Grams or More of Heroin; 2) Three Counts of Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin and Aiding and Abetting; 3) Seven Counts of Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin; and 4) Possession With Intent to Distribute One Hundred (100) Grams or More of Heroin and Aiding and Abetting. On July 8, 2020, Ruffin pled guilty to these charges.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, on June 28, 2019, a search warrant was served by the Wilmington Police Department at an apartment at River Front Place. Ruffin, Darion Graham and a third person lived at the apartment. While the police were conducting the search, Graham and the other person arrived at the apartment complex. They fled upon seeing the police but were ultimately taken into custody. The search revealed approximately 761 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, a quantity of bagged heroin and $16,281 in United States currency. Ruffin was arrested at a nearby bank.
The investigation uncovered that Ruffin had also been packaging and storing heroin for distribution at residences on Spring Street and 13th Street in Wilmington. Ruffin had been robbed of Heroin on two occasions.
Between November 2018 and June 2019, the Wilmington Police Department assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Unit conducted numerous controlled purchases of heroin from Ruffin and people that he had deliver for him. The locations were throughout Wilmington. According to law enforcement, Ruffin was a validated gang member.
Darion Graham was sentenced previously for his role in this drug trafficking organization and received a prison sentence of 365 months in prison.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This OCDETF focuses on a Multi-State Drug Trafficking Organization and Gang Activity that has been responsible for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine throughout the United States.
G. Norman Acker, III, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing before U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilmington Police Department, Holly Ridge Police Department and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:19-CR-126-FL-3.
###
New Hanover County Gangster Disciple Member Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Maurice “Gotti” Bellamy 29, of New Hanover County was sentenced today to 132 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin and Distribution of a Quantity of Heroin. On June 4, 2020, Bellamy pled guilty to these charges
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, on June 11, 2019 Bellamy sold a quantity of heroin to someone working at the direction of law enforcement in Wilmington. The investigation uncovered that Bellamy was involved in the distribution of more than 2 kilograms of heroin.
According to a civil injunction filed in 2017 against the Folk Nation-720 Gangster Disciples in New Hanover County Superior Court, Bellamy was a member of this gang.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This OCDETF focuses on a Multi-State Drug Trafficking Organization and Gang Activity that has been responsible for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine throughout the United States.
G. Norman Acker, III, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing before U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilmington Police Department, Holly Ridge Police Department and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:19-cr-00126-FL-6.
NDTX Round up: April 16 – 22Read the Press Release
SENTENCING – MARIA DEL ROSARIO ANTUNEZ-GARCIA
On April 19, Maria Del Rosario Antunez-Garcia, 35, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. In June 2018, law enforcement intercepted telephone calls which revealed that Antunez-Garcia and a coconspirator had taken shipment of 2 kilos of heroin. Later that month, an undercover agent purchased a kilogram of methamphetamine from Antunez-Garcia. During the meeting, Antunez-Garcia informed the undercover agent that she would soon be receiving 70 kilograms of methamphetamine. The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING – STEVEN JALLOUL
On April 20, Steven Jalloul, 43, was sentenced to 6 years in federal custody and ordered to pay $14,100,029.87 in restitution for preparing false tax returns. Jalloul prepared and submitted to the IRS false income tax returns on behalf of his clients through his business, Royalty Tax and Financial Services LLC. Jalloul added false or inflated education expenses to client tax returns to make them eligible for larger American Opportunity education credits. He also added false or inflated business income or losses to client tax returns to maximize the Earned Income Credit. The IRS- CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sid Mody prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING – EDDIE LEE BUSBY
On April 21, Eddie Busby, 30, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Busby conspired with multiple individuals to possess and distribute methamphetamine. On three different occasions in August 2019, Busby and his co-conspirators sold methamphetamine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Magliolo prosecuted the case.
SENTENCING – ARGELIA AGUIRRE
On April 21, Argelia Aguirre, 42, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. On February 4, 2020, Aguirre possessed approximately 85 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drugs for profit. The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl prosecuted the case.
Miami Man Indicted for Investment FraudRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. – A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment yesterday charging 34-year-old Larry Ramos Mendoza (“Ramos”), the owner of a Miami-based financial services company, with defrauding investors out of more than $21 million.
According to the indictment, from about December 2013 through June 2020, Ramos and his co-conspirators convinced victims to invest their money with Ramos’s company, The W Trade Group (“TWT”). The indictment alleges that Ramos lured clients by misrepresenting that: the company’s investment strategy was based on a commodities trading algorithm that he had developed, clients could earn investment returns as high as 19 percent, and investment losses were limited two percent. Once Ramos received the clients’ money, he did not invest it as promised and, instead, used it for his own benefit, says the indictment. It is alleged that to make the fraudulent scheme appear legitimate, Ramos created a TWT telephone application where clients could monitor the supposed progress of their investments. In fact, when clients logged into their accounts, they would see fake account statements generated by the application. When investors sought the return of their investment funds, Ramos used new investment money to pay earlier investors, according to the allegations.
The indictment charges Ramos with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Ramos faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the charges.
FBI Miami investigated this case. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation, under Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III, assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Perwin is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is a charging instrument containing allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov., under case number 21-cr-20244.
###
CONTACT: Marlene Rodriguez
Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney
www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl
Public Affairs Officer
Twitter @SDFLNews
Methuen Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Methuen man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fentanyl distribution charges.
Anthony Holloway, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2022, when Holloway is set to complete the Court-run RISE (Repair, Invest, Succeed, Emerge) Program, which is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of applicable defendants who have pleaded guilty and are under pretrial supervision prior to sentencing. In December 2019, Holloway was arrested and charged with co-defendant Steven Perez, who was sentenced in February 2021 to 70 months in prison.
Over the course of several months, agents investigated Perez and Holloway’s fentanyl distribution operation. Perez and Holloway sold fentanyl to a confidential informant. Upon an execution of a search warrant at Perez’s residence, agents seized 61 grams of fentanyl.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Field Office; and Methuen Acting Police Chief Kristopher McCarthy made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Member of Violent Street Gang “11 Hunnit” Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (commonly known as (RICO), Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Sydney Pack, 23, formerly of Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood, pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
In connection with the guilty plea, Mr. Pack acknowledged that he was a member of the violent street gang known as "11 Hunnit," which operated in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Mr. Pack acknowledged that he, along with alleged codefendants Dionte Griffin, Richard Kelly, and others, conspired to conduct and participate in the conduct in the affairs of the 11 Hunnit gang through a pattern of racketeering activity consisting generically of acts involving murder, robbery, and the distribution of controlled substances. Mr. Pack acknowledged his personal participation in certain overt acts that were done in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy, which included an April 2015 shooting of a rival gang member, a January 2016 shooting of a rival gang member, an October 2016 shooting of a rival gang member, a November 2016 shooting of a rival gang member, the unlawful possession of heroin, fentanyl, and firearms on various dates, and his participation – along with other members of 11 Hunnit – in several publicly available rap music videos designed to intimidate rival gangs and enhance 11 Hunnit’s reputation as a violent enterprise.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for August 17, 2021, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the court remanded Mr. Pack to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, together with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mr. Pack. 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.
Marshalltown Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On April 22, 2021, United District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Tanner Jo Halverson-Weese, age 36, of Marshalltown, to 211 months in prison for Possession With Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Halverson-Weese was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
On January 1, 2020, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in which Halverson-Weese was a passenger. After a brief struggle with officers, Halverson-Weese was detained. Halverson-Weese possessed two loaded firearms, $2,280 in cash, and over 300 grams of methamphetamine in a container on the passenger floorboard in front of him.
This matter was investigated by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Marshalltown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Manager in Major Baltimore Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Desmond Ringgold, a/k/a Worm and Fool, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role as a supervisor in a prolific drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in and around Baltimore.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Ringgold’s plea agreement, from October 2018 to April 2019, law enforcement investigated a DTO operating in the Baltimore metropolitan area that sold heroin, cocaine base (crack cocaine), and fentanyl to drug users and drug redistributors from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The DTO sold thousands of dollars in narcotics on a daily basis, with street-level distributors in the DTO working in shifts and sharing the phones they used to communicate with DTO leadership and customers. Customers of the DTO believed they were purchasing heroin, but the DTO adulterated all heroin it sold with fentanyl.
Investigators identified Ringgold as a supervisor and manager in the drug trafficking organization. As such, Ringgold managed daily supplies of narcotics and the collection of drug proceeds from distributors. Investigators regularly overheard Ringgold arranging to resupply co-conspirators with heroin and cocaine base to sell to drug customers. Ringgold also communicated about the DTO business with a leader in the DTO, serving as a conduit between street-level dealers and DTO leadership. Ringgold admitted that over the course of the conspiracy he distributed more than one kilogram of heroin to street-level distributors.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner praised the FBI, the DEA, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta, who prosecuted the case.
# # #
Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to Foreign Terrorist OrganizationsRead the Press Release
A New York man pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front, both designated by the U.S. Department of State as foreign terrorist organizations.
According to court documents, Elvis Redzepagic, 30, of Commack, New York, began communicating in early 2015 with an individual he believed to be both the commander of a battalion in Syria and a member of ISIS or the al-Nusrah Front, and made attempts to join that individual’s battalion to engage in violent jihad. In July 2015, Redzepagic traveled to Turkey and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to cross the border into Syria. Unable to enter Syria from Turkey, Redzepagic traveled to Jordan in August 2016, but was stopped and deported by Jordanian authorities.
“Redzepagic has admitted to travelling overseas to try to join and provide material support to ISIS and the al-Nusrah Front, two foreign terrorist organizations that were engaged in fighting in Syria,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The threat from these terrorist organizations has not ended, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of fighters and bring to justice those who provide material support to these groups.”
“Redzepagic, a Long Island resident, admitted that he attempted to travel to Syria on several occasions to wage jihad on behalf of ISIS and other organizations dedicated to violence and mass destruction,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Lesko for the Eastern District of New York. “This Office is committed to preventing the spread of terrorism by stopping individuals like the defendant in their tracks and prosecuting them before they are able to harm the United States and its allies.” Acting U.S. Attorney Lesko praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies.
In Facebook messages from October 2015, Redzepagic explained that “jihad” is when “you fight for the sake of God” and “die for the sake of Allah.” Redzepagic stated that he traveled to Turkey to “perform Jihad and join Jabhat Al-Nusra.” He predicted, “there will come a time where people will only know to say Allahu Akbar.” In subsequent interviews with law enforcement, Redzepagic admitted that at the time he attempted to enter Syria, he was prepared to strap a bomb to himself.
Redzepagic pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s New York Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Stephanie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and Artie McConnell are prosecuting the case.
Madison Man Sentenced to 42 Months for CARES Act & Access Device FraudsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that yesterday Ahmad Kanan, 49, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced in two separate cases for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act fraud and access device fraud. Kanan was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 42 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $147,060.
Kanan committed the CARES Act Fraud while under indictment and awaiting trial in the access device fraud case. He pleaded guilty in both cases on October 2, 2020.
While acting on behalf of Altin Labs, Inc. as its Chief Executive Officer and majority owner, Kanan applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans funded by the CARES Act. Specifically, in April 2020, Kanan applied for a $72,500 PPP loan through the Bank of Kaukauna in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The Bank of Kaukauna noted a discrepancy in the spelling of Kanan’s name in the application, and Altin Labs did not receive these funds. In May 2020, Kanan again applied for a PPP loan, requesting $47,060 through Cross River Bank located in New Jersey. This time, Altin Labs received the funds. In his PPP applications, Kanan used a false spelling of his name and indicated that he was not under indictment on criminal charges, when in fact he was the subject of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin in October 2019, charging him with access device fraud.
The separate access device charges related to two family-owned gas stations that Kanan operated in Janesville, Wisconsin. Kanan admitted to using the routing and account numbers from the bank account of the Embassy of Libya-Military Attaché to pay to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue sales and use tax, penalties, and interest owed by his gas stations in the amount of $83,783.41 in July 2017, and $108,053.02 in December 2017. The Libyan Embassy did not give Kanan permission to use their bank account to make these payments.
The charges against Kanan are the result of investigations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the U.S. State Department, and the Small Business Administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Libyan Embassy for its cooperation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and Meredith Duchemin handled the prosecution.
Lubbock Woman Sentenced to 210 Months in Prison for Trafficking MethRead the Press Release
A Lubbock woman who received shipments of methamphetamine via mail has been sentenced to 210 months in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Vanessa Rena Torres, 35, pleaded guilty in September to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. She was sentenced on Thursday before U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to court documents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection assigned to the FedEx hub in Memphis, Tennessee identified a package inaccurately labeled as food products destined for Lubbock, Texas. CBPO x-rayed and opened the package and located 3.15 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside seasoning packets.
HSI agents conducted a controlled delivery of the package to its original destination in Lubbock, Texas. Ms. Torres accepted delivery of the methamphetamine-filled parcel.
Later that evening, agents executed a search warrant at the Lubbock residence and located the package in the master bedroom closet. During asearch of the residence, agents were able to obtain receipts from money transfer to Mexico via Western Union.
When questioned by law enforcement, Ms. Torres admitted that she had been distributing methamphetamine in Lubbock for approximately two years. A male from Mexico known as “El Tio” sent her the parcel for drug trafficking. Torres also stated that “El Tio” had previously sent her one kilogram of methamphetamine which she had sold for approximately $10,000.
In March, Roger Pinon, 30, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for international money laundering in connection to his role in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt prosecuted the case.
Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to TerroristsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Elvis Redzepagic pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and the al-Nusrah Front, both having been designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations. When sentenced, Redzepagic faces up to 20 years in prison. The guilty plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson.
Mark J. Lesko, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“Redzepagic, a Long Island resident, admitted that he attempted to travel to Syria on several occasions to wage jihad on behalf of ISIS and other organizations dedicated to violence and mass destruction,” stated Acting United States Attorney Lesko. “This Office is committed to preventing the spread of terrorism by stopping individuals like the defendant in their tracks and prosecuting them before they are able to harm the United States and its allies.” Mr. Lesko praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies.
Mr. Lesko also thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché Office for Serbia, and the Government of Montenegro Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor’s Office, and Special Police Unit for their assistance in this case.
“Redzepagic has admitted to travelling overseas to try to join and provide material support to ISIS and the al-Nusrah Front, two foreign terrorist organizations that were engaged in fighting in Syria,” stated Assistant Attorney General Demers. “The threat from these terrorist organizations has not ended, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of fighters and bring to justice those who provide material support to these groups.”
In early 2015, Redzepagic began communicating with an individual he believed to be both the commander of a battalion in Syria and a member of ISIS or the al-Nusrah Front, and made attempts to join that individual’s battalion to engage in violent jihad. In July 2015, Redzepagic traveled to Turkey and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to cross the border into Syria. Unable to enter Syria from Turkey, Redzepagic traveled to Jordan in August 2016, but was stopped and deported by Jordanian authorities.
In Facebook messages from October 2015, Redzepagic explained that “jihad” is when “you fight for the sake of God” and “die for the sake of Allah.” Redzepagic stated that he traveled to Turkey to “perform Jihad and join Jabhat Al-Nusra.” He predicted, “there will come a time where people will only know to say Allahu Akbar.” In subsequent interviews with law enforcement, Redzepagic admitted that at the time he attempted to enter Syria, he was prepared to strap a bomb to himself.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy and Artie McConnell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Stephanie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The Defendant:
ELVIS REDZEPAGIC
Age: 30
Commack, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-228 (DRH)
List Broker Pleads Guilty to Facilitating Elder Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
A New York man pleaded guilty today to supplying lists of consumers’ names and addresses for use in schemes that targeted vulnerable victims.
According to court documents, Norman Newman, 74, of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, was part of a conspiracy to supply lists of potential victims to those conducting fraudulent mass-mailing schemes. From 2005 to 2016, Newman worked as a list broker and senior vice president at Macromark Inc., a Connecticut direct mail services firm. Macromark pleaded guilty to facilitating elder fraud schemes in September 2020. The conspiracy resulted in at least $9.5 million in losses to consumers.
In pleading guilty, Newman admitted to assisting clients in obtaining victim lists for deceptive mailing campaigns. These fraudulent mass mailer clients sent out deceptive letters that appeared to be personalized, when, in actuality, the same letters were sent to thousands of consumers on the mailing lists that Newman provided. Each letter was intended to mislead the consumer into believing that he or she would receive a large amount of money, a valuable prize, or personalized psychic services upon payment of a fee to the mass mailers, who often operated under false names. Fraudsters paid commissions to Newman’s employer, Macromark, for brokering the sale of lists of potential victims. Newman then received a percentage of the commissions. Newman knew the content and fraudulent character of the mass-mailings, that they were intended to defraud thousands of consumers, and that some of the consumers were vulnerable to the scams.
While brokering lists, Newman also assisted fraudulent mass mailing clients by engaging the services of data brokerage companies that operated cooperative databases, or “co-ops,” which stored large volumes of demographic and transactional data on American consumers. During the conspiracy, Newman and others routinely provided samples of clearly fraudulent letters to employees of data brokerage companies, who then provided data to fraudulent mass mailer clients.
“Providing victim lists and other data to help fraudsters target elderly or otherwise vulnerable consumers is a crime,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice can and will hold responsible individuals and companies who knowingly commit or facilitate these schemes.”
“While working for a large data firm, the defendant purposefully supplied the names and addresses of vulnerable Americans to known fraudulent clients targeting consumers via mass-mailings. He knew each name he provided would result in another fraudulent mailing being delivered to the consumers’ mailbox,” said Inspector in Charge Delany De León-Colón of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service holds individuals responsible for their criminal actions when using the U.S. Mail. Today’s plea agreement demonstrates the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s steadfastness in protecting consumers, especially the most vulnerable, from criminals who exploit them.”
Newman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Alistair Reader and Ehren Reynolds of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you are a victim in this case and would like to opt-in to receive notifications or if you have any questions about your rights, please contact a Victim Witness Coordinator at (203) 821-3757 / (203)-985-9129 or through our website (https://www.justice.gov/civil/case/united-states-v-norman-newman).
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
La Iniciativa para la Aplicación de la Ley y la Prevención de Delitos de Odio del Departamento de Justicia anuncia la llegada de la traducción de recursos virtuales contra los delitos de odioRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hoy, en conmemoración del 40º aniversario de la Semana para los Derechos de Víctimas de Delitos (NCVRW, por sus siglas en inglés), la Iniciativa para la Aplicación de la Ley y la Prevención de Delitos de Odio del Departamento de Justicia anunció la traducción reciente a ocho idiomas de recursos contra los delitos de odio para el sitio web contra los delitos de odio del Departamento, www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
El sitio web, que ha sido visitado por más de un millón de usuarios desde su lanzamiento en el 2018, ahora ofrece nuevas páginas en chino simplificado, chino tradicional, vietnamita, coreano, tagalo, árabe y japonés. Estas páginas incluyen información básica sobre los delitos de odio, recursos en el idioma extranjero e instrucciones sobre cómo denunciar los delitos de odio usando la línea informativa del FBI, con la ayuda de intérpretes cualificados. La experiencia ha demostrado que la comunicación con personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés) en su idioma es un paso fundamental en la lucha nacional contra los delitos de odio.
Ha hubo un incremento preocupante en la violencia, el acoso y la discriminación contra la comunidad estadounidense de origen asiático y de las islas del Pacífico (AAPI, por sus siglas en inglés). Las nuevas páginas en idiomas extranjeros pueden ayudar a víctimas y testigos cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado a reconocer y denunciar delitos de odio. El sitio web también tiene una nueva página en inglés con enlaces a recursos y noticias sobre incidentes de odio dirigidos a las comunidades AAPI. www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/addressing-hate-crimes-against-AAPI (en inglés). La página incluye un enlace a la guía del FBI contra amenazas de delitos de odio. La guía contra amenazas, una tabla de una única página, describe los tipos de amenazas de delitos de odio (físicas, verbales, por teléfono, electrónicas, por escrito o visuales) y enumera las respuestas recomendadas, incluyendo los pasos para la preservación de pruebas.
La guía está actualmente disponible en chino simplificado y tradicional.
Por otra parte, se ha ampliado el contenido en el sitio web en español contra los delitos de odio, www.justice,gov/hatecrimes-espanol, para incluir estadísticas actualizadas sobre los delitos de odio, ejemplos de casos y un mapa de los estados que disponen de leyes contra los delitos de odio, entre otras cosas.
«El apoyo de víctimas de delitos de odio es una parte esencial de la misión del Departamento y representa una medida de nuestro éxito», declaró la Fiscal General Auxiliar Adjunta Principal Pamela Karlan, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado, así como los defensores y los líderes comunitarios que trabajan con ellos, se enfrentan a barreras adicionales a la justicia. Esperamos que estos nuevos recursos en idiomas extranjeros ayuden al Departamento y a nuestros socios a apoyar mejor a las víctimas de delitos de odio, crear confianza y conseguir la participación de las comunidades. Seguiremos expandiendo el número de idiomas en www.justice.gov/hatecrimes».
Los anuncios de hoy son solamente una parte de los esfuerzos del Departamento por combatir la discriminación y violencia mediante el fomento de la capacidad, la capacitación, el apoyo y el alcance a nuestros socios, incluyendo aquellos que trabajan con las comunidades AAPI o miembros del público cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado.
El 26 de enero, el presidente Biden emitió el «Memorando presidencial para la condenación y el combate del racismo, la xenofobia y la intolerancia dirigidos a los estadounidenses de origen asiático y de las islas del Pacífico en los Estados Unidos», que estipula que el «Fiscal General hará lo siguiente:
- explorará oportunidades para apoyar, conforme a las leyes aplicables, los esfuerzos de agencias locales o estatales, así como de comunidades y organizaciones comunitarias AAPI para prevenir la discriminación, la intimidación, el acoso y los delitos de odio contra personas AAPI y
- ampliará la recopilación de datos y la información pública en lo que se refieren a incidentes de delitos de odio infligidos a tales individuos.
Para más información sobre los esfuerzos del Departamento de Justicia por combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, vaya a www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: un único portal con enlaces a recursos contra los delitos de odio para la policía, los medios de comunicación, investigadores, víctimas, grupos de apoyo y otras organizaciones y personas. Para más información sobre cómo garantizar el acceso lingüístico y la concentración de/idiomas hablados por personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado en un condado, estado o distrito judicial, vaya a www.lep.gov/.
لقد حل الأسبوع الوطني لحقوق ضحايا الجرائم. هذا الأسبوع، وعلى مدار العام، نود أن يعلم ضحايا جرائم الكراهية أنهم ليسوا وحدهم. لمعرفة المزيد من المعلومات عن جرائم الكراهية والتعرف على كيفية طلب المساعدة، يرجى زيارة الموقع: www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-arabic (Arabic)
本周是“全国犯罪受害者权利周”。 本周，乃至全年，我们想要让仇恨犯罪的受害者知道他们并不孤单。 要了解更多关于仇恨犯罪的信息和了解您可以如何求助，请访问：www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-simplified-chinese (Simplified Chinese)
本週是「全國犯罪受害者權利週」。本週，乃至全年，我們想讓仇恨犯罪的受害者知道他們並不孤單。要瞭解更多關於仇恨犯罪的資訊和瞭解您可以如何求助，請訪問：www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-traditional-chinese (Traditional Chinese)
全国犯罪被害者の権利週間です。今週そして年間を通じ、自分は一人ではないということをヘイトクライム被害者に知っていただきたいです。ヘイトクライムの詳細および助けの求め方を知るには：www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-japanese (Japanese)
전국 범죄 희생자의 권리 주간입니다. 이번 주 그리고 연중 내내, 저희는 증오 범죄의 희생자들이 혼자가 아니라는 것을 알게 되길 바랍니다. 증오 범죄에 대해 더 자세히 알고 도움을 요청할 수 있는 방법에 대해 알아보려면 다음을 방문해 주십시오: www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-korean (Korean)
Pambansang Linggo ng mga Karapatan ng Biktima ng Krimen ngayon. Ang linggo ito, at sa buong taon, nais naming iparating sa mga biktima ng poot na hindi sila nag-iisa. Para malaman pa ang tungkol sa mga krimen ng poot at para malaman kung paano kayo hihingi ng tulong, bisitahin ang: www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-tagalog (Tagalog)
Đã đến Tuần lễ Quyền của Nạn nhân Tội phạm Quốc gia. Tuần này, và trong suốt cả năm, chúng tôi muốn các nạn nhân của tội ác thù hận biết rằng họ không đơn độc. Để tìm hiểu thêm về tội ác thù hận và tìm hiểu cách bạn có thể yêu cầu trợ giúp, vui lòng truy cập: www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/translated-get-help-vietnamese (Vietnamese)
Knoxville Man Arraigned in Federal Court for Multiple Hobbs Act Robberies and CarjackingRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On April 22, 2021, DeShawn Whited, 23, of Knoxville, was arraigned before the Honorable Judge Debra C. Poplin, United States Magistrate Judge, in the Eastern District of Tennessee, for six counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of carjacking, seven counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Whited was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 17, 2021. Trial has been set for June 29, 2021, before the Honorable Judge Katherin Crytzer, United States District Judge, in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
The indictment alleges that, between December 2, 2020 and January 20, 2021, Whited robbed convenience stores and restaurants across Knoxville. The indictment also alleges that on January 20, 2021, Whited committed a carjacking when he stole a motorist’s car. The indictment alleges that Whited committed these crimes by brandishing a gun and threatening his victims.
If convicted for the Hobbs Act Robberies, the defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to three years, any applicable forfeiture, and a $100 special assessment for each count of robbery. If convicted of the carjacking, the defendants faces up to 15 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and $100 special assessment. If convicted of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years up to life, which must be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for each count of brandishing a firearm. If convicted of felon in possession of a firearm, the defendant faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and $100 special assessment.
The arrangement was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee Francis M. Hamilton III.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knoxville Division, the Knoxville Police Department, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Alan S. Kirk will represent the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
###
KC Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, MO. – A Kansas City, Missouri, woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.
Erin D. Bisby, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Bisby was present during an exchange of gunfire between multiple people on the morning of July 18, 2019. She was seen driving a stolen PT Cruiser near Truman and Prospect on July 27, 2019. A Kansas City police officer recognized the vehicle as having been reported stolen at gunpoint by an unknown man two days earlier. The officer attempted to stop the PT Cruiser, but Bisby fled at speeds up to 90 miles per hour. Bisby came to a stop at Independence and Ewing Avenue, where she exited the driver’s seat holding a loaded Jimenez Arms .380-caliber handgun, which had been reported stolen. Bisby ran on foot and dropped the handgun before she was taken into custody.
Bisby admitted that she possessed the Jimenez Arms handgun during the July 18, 2019, shootout. She also admitted that she was present when an acquaintance stole the PT Cruiser.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bisby has a prior felony conviction for tampering with a motor vehicle, for which she was on probation at the time of this offense.
Under federal statutes, Bisby is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Justice Department Releases $58 Million in Solicitations to Combat the Distribution of Illicit Drugs and Improve Officer WellnessRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in three grant solicitations that will advance community policing, help combat the dual scourges of opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement officers.
“The grant solicitations announced today will help law enforcement agencies in their continuing struggles on two fronts – fighting against the public health and safety crisis of illegal drug use, and safeguarding the mental health and wellness of our law enforcement officers,” said Acting Director Robert Chapman of the COPS Office. “The COPS Office is pleased to make these resources available that will not only help to protect our nation’s citizens, but also the law enforcement officers who do so much to protect them.”
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program provides funding to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. The program will fund projects that develop knowledge, increase awareness of effective mental health and wellness strategies, increase the skills and abilities of law enforcement, and increase the number of law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders using wellness programs.
The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement to locate and investigate illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. Funding is available only to state law enforcement agencies with primary law enforcement authority over heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids seizures and investigations.
The COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement agencies to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Funds must be used to locate or investigate illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine traffickers.
For more information on COPS Office funding, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to agency for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers.
Jury Convicts Pasco Man of Trafficking Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A federal jury has found Justin Case Lebarron (28, Pasco County) guilty of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in death, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and maintaining a drug premises. Due to a prior felony drug conviction, Lebarron faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2021.
Lebarron had been indicted on May 20, 2020.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Lebarron and others operated a drug house in New Port Richey where they sold fentanyl and methamphetamine. They also allowed addicts to use narcotics and sleep there. On the night of January 7, 2020, a fatal overdose occurred in the house. Lebarron ordered three people to carry the victim’s body outside and dump it in an empty lot as he fled the area. A few hours later, Lebarron resumed distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine and continued to do so until his arrest on March 5, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.
Judge sentences Caruthersville man for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamineRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Matthew Schelp sentenced Bobby Black to 77 months in prison today. The 46-year-old Caruthersville, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty, in November, to six counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. One of the counts being conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Beginning on January 22, 2020 through March 11, 2020, Black conspired with others and sold methamphetamine through several controlled buys with an undercover agent. Black would agree to meet with the undercover agent at different locations and sell the methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Keith Sorrell handled the prosecution.
#####
Jamestown Man Indicted on Sex Trafficking ChargesRead 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 a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Anthony Burris, 30, of Jamestown, NY, with sex trafficking and enticing travel to engage in sexual activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on January 21, 2021, a mother contacted the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and reported the possible sex trafficking of her daughter (Victim 1). The mother reported that her daughter was involved in drug use and prostitution and had to perform sexual acts with others in exchange for drugs and other items from the defendant. In addition, the mother stated Burris was physically abusing her daughter. The mother provided Victim 1’s Facebook profile, which an investigator reviewed and recognized Victim 1 from ads he previously saw on a website used to post advertisements for commercial sex acts or other illicit business like the sale of controlled substances.
On February 28, 2021, Victim’s 1’s mother told investigators that she learned her daughter was assaulted by the defendant and was at a medical clinic in Erie, Pennsylvania seeking medical treatment for her injuries, which included significant bruising and swelling to her left eye and a laceration above her left eye. Victim 1’s mother stated that Victim 1 was assaulted because she was going to try and leave Burris. A law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania went to the medical clinic to speak with Victim 1 who was uncooperative, stating that she sustained her injuries from falling and refused any help. While in the parking lot of the medical clinic, the officer observed the defendant in a vehicle.
On March 3, 2021, an undercover law enforcement officer contacted Victim 1 and set up a “car date.” Investigators set up surveillance in the vicinity of the agreed upon meeting location and observed Burris driving a vehicle in the area. Investigators approached the vehicle and the defendant was identified as the driver and Victim 1 was identified as the front passenger. During a search of the vehicle, a bag full of condoms and lubricants, suspected controlled substances including a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, and marijuana, three cellphones, and $2,216 in cash were seized. After the search was completed, Burris was released and given an appearance ticket for Permitting Prostitution.
Subsequent investigation identified a second victim (Victim 2), who also suffered from drug addiction. On March 11, 2021, an undercover officer set up an appointment with Victim 2 using a contact number from an online ad. Once again investigators set up surveillance in the vicinity of the agreed upon meeting location, and once again Burris was observed in a vehicle in the area with a female passenger. Investigators approached the vehicle and arrested the defendant. Observed in plain view on the floor near the driver’s seat was a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance suspected to be heroin. Additionally, two cellular phones were seized from the vehicle.
Burris rarely gave Victim 1 and Victim 2 any of the money obtained through sex trafficking activities. The defendant would provide the victims with heroin. However, he would withhold drugs until they did what he wanted them to do, calling it “starving.” A preliminary review of cell phones recovered from Victim 2 contained voluminous daily contact with sex buyers discussing details of sex acts, pricing, meeting locations, and times. Both phones also contained photographs of Victim 1 and Victim 2.
The defendant was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was detained.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin; and the Millcreek, PA, Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Heidt.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Jackson Preparer Charged with Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Louis Morris, 69, was charged April 12, 2021, with preparing false returns through his business L&L Tax Service. Acting United States Attorney, Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., announced the indictment today.
According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2018 Morris executed a scheme to prepare false returns for clients which included fabricated deductions in order to claim higher refunds.
Morris is also accused of filing his own false return for several years, reporting a false filing status and inflating expenses from his tax preparation business in order to claim a higher refund.
Morris appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Jon York on April 22, 2021.
The charges and allegations contained in indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Wilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
###
Inmate Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Assaulting Jail OfficialRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – An inmate serving a federal sentence pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for assaulting an officer at the local jail where he was being held pursuant to a contract with the U.S. Marshals.
Daniel Lee Wade Jr., 35, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Abingdon to one count of forcibly assaulting and resisting an officer of the United States Government. The assault happened on April 4, 2021, at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon, just three days after Wade was sentenced to a four-year sentence in federal court for possessing a weapon in a federal prison. The officer did not require any medical treatment.
Wade was sentenced to an additional six-month term of imprisonment to be served consecutively to his prior sentences.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 19 was:
Joel Zamora, 40, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zamora faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug counts and a mandatory minimum five years to life consecutive to any other crime, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearms count. Zamora was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI Transnational Organized Crime West Task Force and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-22.
Appearing on April 20 was:
James Posey Fisher, Sr., 34, of Lame Deer, on charges of voluntary manslaughter. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fisher faces a maximum 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fisher was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-11.
Orville James McIntire, 20, of Livingston, on charges of illegal receipt of firearm by a person under indictment, possession of stolen firearm and controlled substance user in possession of firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, McIntire faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. McIntire was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-14.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 21 was:
Gordon Lee Connelly, 20, of Cut Bank, on charges of attempted kidnapping, strangulation, assault resulting in substantial bodily injury and interstate violation of protection order. If convicted of the most serious crime, Connelly faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Connelly was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-21.
Appearing on April 20 was:
Roy Allen Shostak, 28, of Polson, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Shostak faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Shostak was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Helena Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-02.
Christina Westcott, 37, of Great Falls, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth and heroin. If convicted of the most serious crime, Westcott faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Westcott was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Great Falls Police Department and Cascade County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-15.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
XXX
Illinois Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Role in $1.4 Million Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Illinois man was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for his role in a bank fraud scheme resulting in $1.4 million in losses, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced.
Dwayne Modeliste, 41, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman in Camden federal court to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Hillman imposed the sentence today by videoconference.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2016 to 2018, Modeliste conspired with Larry McGee and Adam D. Arena to defraud Synchrony Bank. Modeliste and his conspirators used the personally identifiable information of others, most of whom were incarcerated, to obtain credit cards from Synchrony Bank. Modeliste and his conspirators submitted to Synchrony Bank merchant applications so those enrolled merchants could accept Synchrony credit cards as a form of payment. After the merchants were enrolled with Synchrony Bank, the conspirators used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to conduct transactions at the merchants. The proceeds from the fraudulent transactions were deposited into bank accounts controlled by Modeliste and his conspirators.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hillman sentenced Modeliste to three years of supervised release. He also ordered Modeliste to make restitution to Synchrony Bank in the amount of $1.43 million and ordered forfeiture in the amount of $133,330.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine R. Murphy of the
U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit in Newark.
Houston man sent to prison for possessing over 56,000 images of child pornographyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 41-year-old Houston-area man has been ordered to federal prison for 40 years after producing videos of his sexual abuse of a minor, possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Miguel Rivera pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 2020, to production, receipt and possession of child pornography.
Today, U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge ordered him to serve a 480-month sentence. The court also heard additional information today including a statement from the victim detailing how Rivera’s heinous acts affected her childhood and to this day. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness of the offense, promoting respect for the law and deterrence of such criminal conduct. Rivera will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
In June 2019, law enforcement located an IP address with a folder containing child pornography using a publicly available peer-to-peer file-sharing network. The IP address was linked to Rivera and his residence.
Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 56,250 images of child pornography on his electronic devices. Approximately 412 videos were over five minutes in length, the longest of which was nearly an hour.
Rivera also produced 3,200 images and over 160 videos of sexually abusing a minor while the child was unconscious.
He admitted he had been downloading child pornography for at least a decade.
Rivera has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zahra Jivani Fenelon prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Grand Jury - April 2021Read the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 23 unsealed Indictments charging 29 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Cynthia Abarca-Barajas, a/k/a Cynthia Barajas, age 22, of Omaha, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl on or about March 18, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Socorro Alejandres Alvarez, age 31, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about June 2020 and continuing to on or about April 5, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Michael Aponte, age 31, of Liverpool, New York, and Rawy Correa-Perez, age 30, of Cudahy, Wisconsin, are charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine beginning on or about February 24, 2021 and continuing to on or about February 26, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendants with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on or about February 26, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Adan Casillas-Aguilar, age 37, is charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 9, 2020 and continuing on or about December 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment. Count II charges the Casillas-Aguilar with distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 9, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about November 24, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment. Count IV charges the defendant with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment. Count V charges the defendant with use and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about December 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about December 2, 2020.
* Luis Alberto Castro-Santos, age 33, of Pomona, California; Tomas De La Cruz-Perez, age 33, of Fremont, Nebraska; Martin Alonzo Castro, age 38, of Fremont, Nebraska; and Estuardo Hernando Ruiz-Orozco, age 50, of Wakefield, Nebraska, are charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendants with conspiracy to unlawfully produce/transfer/possess with intent to use or transfer five or more false identification documents on or about May, 2020, and continuing to on or about April, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges De La Cruz-Perez with possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents on or about June 21, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Ruiz-Orozco with possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents on or about October 15, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Castro with possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents on or about February 24, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about April 14, 2021.
* Michael Copeland, age 51, of St. Paul, Nebraska, is charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure law enforcement officers on or about April 13, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Kylan Wayne Dale, age 30, of Sioux City, Iowa, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender on or about January 16, 2021 continuing to on or about February 19, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and $5,000 additional special assessment.
* Armando B. Daniels, age 32, of Commack, New York, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with coercion and enticement on or about April 6, 2021, and continuing to on or about April 8, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Daniels with coercion and enticement of a minor on or about April 6, 2021 and continuing to on or about April 8, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity on or about April 6, 2021 and continuing to on or about April 8, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Wilmer Raymond Flyinghawk, Jr., age 42, of Norfolk, Nebraska, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 11, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Catherine Gibson, age 43, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about February 2021 and continuing to on or about March 3, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Kristina Marie Gomez, age 36, and Alvaro Nunez-Nunez, age 32, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about June 22, 2019. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Javier Hernandez-Romano, age 29, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 3, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Javier Hernandez-Romano, age 29, and Gustavo Perez-Heurerta, age 21, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana on or about March 3, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years’ imprisonment, $5,000,000 fine, a four-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Thomas E. Johnson, Jr., age 30, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 8, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Rickey G. McAlevy, Jr., age 33, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Gabriel S. Goss, age 40, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about September 4, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $20,000,000 fine, a ten-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Agustin Manuel Pablo, age 30, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about April 20, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Quevedo, age 56, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Juan Sanchez-Bautista, age 42, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about February 4, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Martin Silva-Bravo, age 31, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about March 20, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Babe L. Sipes, age 40, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about January 11, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, $100 special assessment.
* Michael M. Thomas, age 33, is charged with domestic assault by an habitual offender on or about February 27, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Adam Stuart Vannoy, age 40, of Denver, Colorado, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges the defendant with receipt or possession of a unregistered firearm on or about April 8, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with receipt or possession of a firearm unidentified by serial number on or about March 14, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges the defendant with unlawful user in possession of a firearm on or about March 14, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Charles Warrior, age 54, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender on or about January 16, 2021 continuing to on or about February 19, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and $5,000 additional special assessment.
Four Sentenced for Advanced Fee Scheme that Promised to turn Dirt into GoldRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY – Marc Tager, Jonathon Shoucair, Matthew Mangrum, and Kenneth Gross have all been sentenced for their role in an eight million dollar telemarketing fraud scheme that promised investors, most of them elderly, that their business could extract gold from dirt.
Marc Andrew Tager, 55, of Sandy, Utah, was sentenced on April 14, 2021, to 43 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Jonathon Edward Shoucair, 69 of North Hills, California, was sentenced on October 23, 2020, to 72 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and money laundering.
Matthew Earl Mangum, 51, of South Jordan, Utah, was sentenced on November 18, 2020, to 48 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
Kenneth Stephen Gross, 75, of Porter Ranch, California was sentenced on January 16, 2020, to 24 months of probation for failing to disclose to federal authorities that he had knowledge that securities fraud was occurring.
Tager, Shoucair, and Mangum posed as the leaders of the scheme and told victim-investors they had created a plan to make money by extracting gold from dirt using a revolutionary process developed by Mangum--who was held out to investors as an expert in metallurgy and the refining of precious metals. Investors were told that the defendants controlled this proprietary, breakthrough, nanotechnology that used environmentally friendly means to recover microscopic particles of gold from dirt. Gross was engaged in cold-calling potential investors and passing interested individuals on to Tager and Shoucair in order to obtain funds from these investors.
Investors were told that the group needed investors’ money to pay for the space, equipment, materials, and labor to develop Mangum’s process into a large scale, highly profitable business that would generate huge returns. Instead, the co-defendants operated an advanced fee scheme with Tager, Shoucair, and Mangum making fraudulent statements to investors to secure funding that was only partially used to support the business, which was never profitable.
In order to carry out the fraud, the three defendants formed Jersey Consulting, LLC (“Jersey”) and created a marketing website for their business. On the website, the defendants claimed that Jersey owned an 80 acre mining claim with a substantial amount of mineral rich ore; that their revolutionary mining technology could achieve 20 times the yield of traditional mining at a fraction of the cost; that their process was environmentally friendly; and that investors would achieve 100% percent returns on their money in 12 months. Investors were also told that their money would be secured by the physical assets owned by Jersey and that the investors would have priority over these assets should the business fail.
What investors did not know was that Tager and Shoucair first met while serving multi-year federal prison sentences together for previous fraud related convictions. Tager, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in 2005 and sentenced to approximately 2 years in prison, met Jon Shoucair, who was serving a 5-year prison sentence in the Sheridan Federal Correction Institution for running a $50 million telemarketing fraud.
Since 2014, the men raised over eight million from about 140 investors through the use of a national telemarketing strategy. The majority of the investors were over the age of 65. However, three million dollars of investors’ money was spent for the personal benefit of Tager, Mangum, and Shoucair, with another two million dollars of the funds going to pay telemarketers, including Gross, who helped raise the funds. It is estimated that only three million dollars of the investors’ funds were used to pay for potentially legitimate business expenses incurred by Jersey.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob J. Strain, Trina Higgins, and Allison Moon in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Investigators from the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Securities and Special Agents from the FBI and the IRS conducted the investigation.
Former Hillsborough County Elementary School Head Custodian Indicted for Distributing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of an indictment charging Charles Mark Currie (64, Tampa) with distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials. If convicted, Currie faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. Currie was previously employed by the School District of Hillsborough County as a Head Custodian for West Shore Elementary School until he resigned in January of 2021.
According to the indictment, on September 5, 2020, Currie knowingly distributed over the internet visual depictions of children being sexually abused. On January 26, 2021, Currie also knowingly possessed multiple electronic devices, including a desktop computer, that contained visual depictions of children under the age of 12 being sexually abused.
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 Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Homeland Security Investigations through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2423 or by completing its online tip form.
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.
Florida Family Indicted for Selling Toxic Bleach as Fake “Miracle” Cure for Covid-19 and Other Serious Diseases, and for Violating Court OrdersRead the Press Release
Defendants Accused of Attempting to Avoid Government Regulation by Selling Products Through a Company They Deceptively Named “Genesis II Church of Health and Healing”
Miami, Florida -- A federal grand jury in Miami has returned an indictment charging a Florida man -- Mark Grenon, 62 -- and his three sons -- Jonathan Grenon, 34, Jordan Grenon, 26, and Joseph Grenon, 32 -- with fraudulently marketing and selling “Miracle Mineral Solution,” a toxic industrial bleach, as a cure for COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, autism, malaria, hepatitis, Parkinson’s, herpes, HIV/AIDS, and other serious medical conditions, and with defying federal court orders.
Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were arrested last summer on related charges based on a criminal complaint filed by Miami federal prosecutors.
According to the indictment, the Grenons, all of Bradenton, Florida, manufactured, promoted, and sold a product they named Miracle Mineral Solution (“MMS”). MMS is a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water which, when ingested orally, became chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper. The Grenons claimed that ingesting MMS could treat, prevent, and cure COVID-19, according to the charges. The FDA, however, had not approved MMS for treatment of COVID-19, or for any other use. Rather, in prior official warning statements, the FDA had strongly urged consumers not to purchase or use MMS for any reason, explaining that drinking MMS was the same as drinking bleach and could cause dangerous side effects, including severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure. See https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/danger-dont-drink-miracle-mineral-solution-or-similar-products. In fact, FDA received reports of people requiring hospitalizations, developing life-threatening conditions, and even dying after drinking MMS.
The indictment further alleges that before marketing MMS as a cure for COVID-19, the Grenons marketed MMS as a miracle cure-all for dozens of other serious diseases and disorders, even though the FDA had not approved MMS for any use. The Grenons sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida, according to the allegations. They sold this dangerous product under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing (“Genesis”), an entity they are accused of creating to avoid government regulation of MMS and shield themselves from prosecution. According to charging documents, Genesis’ own websites describe Genesis as a “non-religious church,” and Defendant Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, has repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis “has nothing to do with religion,” and that he founded Genesis to “legalize the use of MMS” and avoid “going [ ] to jail.” The Genesis websites further stated that MMS could be acquired only through a “donation” to Genesis, but the donation amounts for MMS orders were set at specific dollar amounts, and were mandatory, such that the donation amounts were effectively just sales prices. The indictment alleges that the Grenons received more than $1 million from selling MMS.
The indictment also charges the Grenons with criminal contempt. The United States previously filed a civil case against the defendants and Genesis II Church of Health and Healing. See United States v. Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, et al., Case No. 20-21601-CV-WILLIAMS. In that civil case, the United States obtained court orders halting the Grenons’ distribution of MMS. According to charging documents, the Grenons willfully violated those court orders and continued to distribute MMS. The Grenons also allegedly threatened the federal judge presiding over the civil case, and threatened that, should the government attempt to enforce the court orders halting their distribution of MMS, the Grenons would “pick up guns” and instigate “a Waco.”
Furthermore, according to statements made in court by federal prosecutors in Miami, a search warrant was executed for Defendant Jonathan Grenon’s house at the time of his arrest, and officers discovered that the Grenons were manufacturing MMS in a shed in Jonathan Grenon’s backyard in Bradenton, Florida. Officers seized dozens of blue chemical drums containing nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder, thousands of bottles of MMS, and other items used in the manufacture and distribution of MMS. The government also recovered multiple loaded firearms, including one pump-action shotgun concealed in a custom-made violin case to disguise its appearance, according to prosecutors.
The indictment charges each of the Grenons with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and two counts of criminal contempt. If convicted, the Grenons face up to life imprisonment. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jonathan and Jordan Grenon have been detained since their arrest, based on a judge’s finding that they posed a risk of nonappearance at future court proceedings and a danger to the community if released. They are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in federal magistrate court in Miami. Mark and Joseph Grenon are presently in Colombia.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Juan Antonio Gonzalez and Assistant Commissioner of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Catherine Hermsen announced the charges.
FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael B. Homer and John Shipley are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a charging instrument containing allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
You may find court documents and other information at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-20242.
CONTACT: Marlene Rodriguez
Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney
www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl
Public Affairs Officer
Twitter @SDFLNews
###
Fitchburg Man Sentenced for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl.
Sebastian Batista, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 63 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In November 2020, Batista was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
On Feb. 28, 2019, Batista participated in multiple phone calls in which he agreed to sell 200 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in a residential area of Waltham. Later that night, Batista arrived at the meeting location and was arrested. Officers searched Batista’s vehicle and found approximately 200 grams of fentanyl in plastic wrapping underneath the driver’s seat.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Waltham Police Department and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
Final four sentenced in $189M Health Care Fraud ScamRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Four executives of Continuum Healthcare and its various health centers have been ordered to federal prison for a massive scam perpetrated in the Houston area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Bobby Rouse, 81, and Steven Houseworth, 47, both of Houston; Jeffery Parsons, 62, Crockett; and David Edson, 72, Palm Harbor, Florida, had all pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the scam.
On April 22, U.S. District Judge Gray Miller sentenced Rouse to 120 months in prison. Edson received a 48-month-term of imprisonment, while Parsons and Houseworth each received 30 months in prison.
Rouse, Houseworth, Edson and Parsons were part of the executive team for Continuum Healthcare LLC, which owned Westbury Community Hospital in Houston as well as community mental health centers in the Houston area known by their locations as Hornwood, Baytown and Missouri City.
Each location operated a partial hospitalization program (PHP). The PHP was supposed to be a treatment program for individuals with mental illness, intended to closely resemble a highly structured, short-term hospital inpatient program. However, while it was a distinct and organized intensive treatment program, it offered less than 24-hour daily care.
In 2010, Continuum opened Westbury Community Hospital with Hornwood and Baytown becoming outpatient centers and continuing to operate their existing PHPs under the Westbury name. Westbury also opened a PHP.
The four men were responsible for the day-to-day operation of Continuum/Westbury and were involved in the implementation of the various kickback programs. Numerous people were referred for treatment in exchange for payment. However, the vast majority did not qualify for PHP services, because they were not experiencing an acute psychotic episode or were actually suffering from mental retardation, dementia or Alzheimer’s.
In total, Continuum billed Medicare approximately $189 million in total for fraudulent PHP services and Medicaid paid approximately $66 million on those clams.
The convictions of all 14 charged in the case were announced in 2019.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General, Texas Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and IRS - Criminal Investigation participated in the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tina Ansari and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blan are prosecuting the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Former Wells Fargo Employee of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
STATESVILLE, N.C. – A federal jury sitting in Statesville has convicted a former Wells Fargo Information Technology (IT) employee of child pornography charges, announced William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The jury found Michael Scott Hoover, 50, of Wilkesboro, N.C., guilty of two counts of production and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell presided over the two-day trial which ended late yesterday.
Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Charlotte, Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Sheriff Chris Shew of the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office join Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer in making today’s announcement.
According to filed court documents, evidence presented at trial and witness testimony, between June 2018 and August 2019, Hoover produced child pornography on two different occasions by using two minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which Hoover recorded on his work cell phone. According to witness testimony, the child pornography was found on Hoover’s work cell phone during an internal investigation by his employer at the time, Wells Fargo. Trial evidence established that videos and images recovered from Hoover’s work cell phone depicted minor males as young as 12 years old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Following the guilty verdict, Hoover was remanded into federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum prison term of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison per count and a $250,000 fine.
In making today’s announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer commended the investigative work of the HSI, SBI, and the Wilke’s County Sheriff’s Office.
The prosecution for the government was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cortney Randall, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Stephanie Spaugh. Ms. Spaugh is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Ms. Spaugh is duly sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Pueblo Men for Conspiracy to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that a federal Grand Jury has returned a two-count indictment against Emilio Hall, age 26, and Christopher Ortiz, age 41, charging them with conspiracy to commit murder, in violation of the violent crimes in aid of racketeering statute (“VICAR”), 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5). The indictment also charges Hall with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Hall is currently in custody on state charges and Ortiz is at large.
According to the indictment, Hall and Ortiz were members of the Ace street gang in Pueblo, Colorado. On June 23, 2019, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their position in the Ace street gang, Hall, Ortiz, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, agreed to murder Floyd Robinson. Specifically, on June 23, 2019, Hall and Ortiz met in the vicinity of Bessemer Park, in Pueblo. Hall possessed a 9mm handgun and shot and killed Robinson.
The indictment also alleges that the Ace street gang is a criminal enterprise, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1959(b)(2), and that the gang engaged in racketeering activity involving murder and the manufacture, importation, receiving, concealment, buying, selling, and other dealing in controlled substances.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation in this case is being conducted by the Pueblo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Colorado State Patrol. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jason St. Julien and the Violent Crime and Immigration Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
CASE NUMBER: 21-cr-00141
# # #
Visit our website http://www.justice.gov/usao/co | Follow us on Twitter @DCoNews
Sign up for new releases [email protected]
Federal Court Shuts Down Atlanta Area Tax Return PreparerRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal court in the Northern District of Georgia permanently enjoined the owner of tax preparation businesses in Suwanee, Georgia, from preparing federal tax returns for others.
The complaint filed in the case alleged that Tiffany Nakia Expose of Buford owned and operated Expose Tax & Financial Services Inc. in Suwanee, and that Expose prepared tax returns that understated tax liabilities and/or overstated refunds. According to the court’s opinion, her alleged schemes included understating business income by fabricating or inflating reported business losses; fabricating or overstating itemized deductions; and claiming unsupported education credits. For example, on over 100 returns, Expose falsely claimed that taxpayers attended school at a particular institution despite knowing that they had not done so.
In granting the United States’ request for injunction, the court found that Expose knowingly prepared and filed hundreds of false returns. It found that she did so despite two separate attempts by the IRS to bring her into compliance, both of which resulted in penalties assessed against her.
Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. (More information can also be found here.) The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. In addition, IRS Free File, a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free.
In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.
Family Pet Finds Bag of Meth, Drug Trafficker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Thomas County, Georgia, dog found a bag containing a large quantity of methamphetamine, sparking a chain of events resulting in a Meigs, Georgia, resident pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine, said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Timothy Bernard Reese, 44, of Meigs, pleaded guilty to one count possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Thursday, April 22. Reese faces a maximum twenty years of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. There is no parole in the federal system.
“It’s not every day that a family pet helps nab a drug trafficker. I want to commend the concerned Thomas County citizen and his devoted dog for helping to bring this methamphetamine dealer to justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics/Vice unit continues to do an outstanding job protecting the citizens of their community and curbing the flow of deadly narcotics into south Georgia.”
“We are all in this fight against drugs together. We welcome help from anybody including family pets,” said Lieutenant Commander Louis Schofill, Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division.
According to facts admitted by Reese in open court, a resident of Ochlocknee (Thomas County), Georgia, called authorities on December 13, 2019, regarding a suspicious brown satchel found by his dog. The dog’s owner reported that his dog had come home that day carrying the bag. When the owner opened the bag to check for identification, he found what appeared to be large quantities of illegal narcotics and immediately called the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. The contents tested positive for 154.78 grams of methamphetamine. Lottery tickets were also found inside of the bag.
Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics/Vice agents were able to pinpoint the exact location and time that the lottery tickets had been purchased. Pulling surveillance video from the Susie Q's Foods in Meigs, officers observed Reese purchasing the lottery tickets; on December 16, 2019, the police obtained an arrest warrant for Reese. The next day, a woman filed a report with the Cairo Police Department alleging that on December 13, 2019, Reese came into her room at the Grady Lodge and punched her in the face, fracturing her eye socket, and demanded to know where his methamphetamine was located. Reese was taken into custody on December 19, 2019, and he subsequently admitted that the brown bag belonged to him, and he planned to distribute the methamphetamine.
Reese has prior felony convictions for burglary and possession of firearm by a convicted felon, both in the Superior Court of Tift County.
The case was investigated by the Thomas County-Thomasville Narcotics & Vice Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case.
Erie County Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Erie, Pa. - A former resident of Albion, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Jeffrey Scott Artello, 68, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 25, 2020 and August 19, 2020, Artello possessed numerous firearms while being a convicted felon.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for August 25, 2021. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Artello.
El Paso Appraiser Pays $100,000 and Surrenders His License to Resolve Allegations of Falsely Certifying Home AppraisalsRead the Press Release
Daniel O’Leary, manager and registered agent for El Paso Asset Appraisals, LLC, d/b/a/ Asset Property Management, paid a $100,000 civil penalty yesterday to settle allegations that he falsely certified home appraisals performed by uncertified assistants. These appraisals were subsequently relied upon by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in insuring home mortgage loans. In addition to payment of the civil monetary penalty, O’Leary has agreed to surrender any Appraiser’s licenses he maintains in the State of Texas, or any other state, for a period of five years.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff; Catherine Huber, Special Agent in Charge of the Central Region of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); Bertrand Nelson, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG); and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Coburn made today’s announcement.
“Regulations requiring certified appraisals before a home mortgage is guaranteed by the FHA are in place to protect consumers and taxpayers” said U.S. Attorney Hoff. “Any time someone tries to circumvent those regulations for personal gain it places consumers and the FHA program at risk.”
“Daniel O’Leary abused his position as a certified appraiser by making false representations to lenders that were relied upon in issuing home mortgage loans,” said Special Agent in Charge Huber. “This settlement illustrates FHFA-OIG’s commitment to work with our law enforcement partners in identifying and holding accountable those who engage in misconduct impacting the mortgage lending industry.”
The HUD-OIG, FHFA-OIG and the FBI investigated this matter with assistance from the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB). The investigation by these law enforcement agencies revealed evidence indicating that appraisals were certified as having been performed by Mr. O’Leary on dates when he was traveling out of the state or out of the country.
“We work tirelessly to ensure the integrity of the appraisal system used to validate federally insured mortgages and to protect it from fraud and exploitation,” said Special Agent in Charge Nelson. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the dedication across the law enforcement community to vigorously pursue those who would seek to undermine it for personal gain.”
“This civil settlement against Daniel O'Leary is yet another reminder of the FBI’s continued commitment to pursue individuals who have violated the public’s confidence and hold them accountable, irrespective of status,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Coburn.
The claims asserted against the defendant under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo R. Castillo handled this matter for the government.
####
Drug Trafficker Involved in Drive-By Shooting Sentenced to 140 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Eusebio Olvera Ruiz, age 27, of Quincy, Washington, was sentenced on April 22, 2021, after having pleaded guilty on January 14, 2021, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. United States District Chief Judge Bastian sentenced Ruiz to a 140-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Mr. Ruiz was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Quincy and Moses Lake, Washington area. During the course of the investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the Tri-Cities, they conducted multiple search warrants and seized multiple pounds of methamphetamine, several hundred fentanyl laced pills, heroin, and numerous stolen firearms and ammunition. Chief Judge Bastian found that Ruiz should receive two enhancements for his possession of firearms utilized to intimidate and threaten those that owed money to the organization. He also found that Ruiz committed an act of violence during the offense, specifically, that he participated in a drive-by shooting in Moses Lake, at the direction of the leader organizer of the drug trafficking organization. Ruiz is a Citizen of Mexico and will be removed from the United States after the completion of his sentence.
Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the federal and local agencies who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker and violent offender from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.”
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington, Moses Lake Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Department of Corrections, Quincy Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy and Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy and distribution charges involving large quantities of fentanyl.
Leisy Baez-Zapata, 22, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and aiding and abetting. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, 2021. Baez-Zapata was charged by criminal complaint on July 26, 2019.
According to court documents, beginning in October 2018, federal agents began investigating a Lawrence-based drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl in the Lawrence area of Massachusetts. Between October 2018 and July 2019, federal agents used a cooperating witness to make controlled purchases of fentanyl from the drug trafficking organization. On July 25, 2019, Baez-Zapata delivered approximately one kilogram of fentanyl as part of one of those controlled purchases.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute the drug in Raleigh County.
According to court documents, on December 17, 2020, Martinis Irving, 44, of Detroit Michigan, was stopped on Interstate 77 near Beckley for speeding in a construction zone. After he was stopped, a drug dog alerted to the presence of drugs in the car being driven by Irving. Law enforcement officers then obtained a search warrant for the car and discovered approximately 1,100 grams of heroin hidden in the car. Irving ultimately admitted that the recovered heroin was his and that it was his intent to distribute the heroin within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Irving pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and faces a mandatory minimum period of at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on August 6, 2021.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which is comprised of officers from the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, the Beckley Police Department and the West Virginia State Police, conducted the investigation.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk 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. 5:21-cr-00011.
###
Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Acting U.S. Attorney Karin Hoppmann joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing the 40th observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services throughout the week. This year’s observance takes place April 18-24 and features the theme, “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.”
“Every day, we bear witness to stirring acts of heroism on the part of compassionate and courageous advocates – and crime victims themselves,” said Attorney General Garland. “One of our responsibilities is to ensure that victims are informed, have a voice, and are supported in the healing process. To the exceptional men and women we honor today – thank you for your service to crime victims, for your commitment to the safety of your communities, and for working to make America a more just and more compassionate place.”
“We at the U.S. Attorney’s Office join our colleagues throughout the Department in recognizing throughout this week our fundamental mission – to prevent all members of our communities from being victimized by federal criminal conduct, and to respect and care for those who are harmed by federal crimes. We also honor all those, in the Middle District of Florida and beyond, who work to ensure the administration of justice for crime victims. Through their tireless efforts, expertise, advocacy, and care, these dedicated individuals, agencies, and organizations allow victims to enter the path of recovery and begin the restoration of their lives.”
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.
The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW).
“We come together each year during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to show that we are united in our commitment to making sure all crime victims feel heard, respected and remembered,” said Office of Justice Programs Acting Assistant Attorney General Maureen A. Henneberg. “We honor these outstanding public safety professionals and advocates who work so hard to support crime victims as they walk the path from trauma to healing.”
According to the Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1.2 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime, excluding simple assault, in 2019, down from 1.4 million in 2018. An estimated 12.8 million U.S. households experienced one or more property victimizations. OVC supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
“It is important for us as a country to set aside time during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor victims and to recognize those who advocate for resources and policies designed to meet the many serious challenges victims face,” said Office for Victims of Crime Acting Director Katherine Darke Schmitt. “Few people expect to be a victim, and no one deserves the pain and injustice that burden every crime survivor. We should take it upon ourselves this week, and every week, to show our unity with and compassion for those who have experienced the pain of victimization.”
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns. For more information, please visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/national-crime-victims-rights-week/overview.
Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – On Thursday, April 22, 2021, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Marion Joseph Hare, age 30, of Davenport, to 94 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and Distribution of Methamphetamine announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Hare was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
In February of 2020 Hare sold ten ecstasy pills that contained methamphetamine to another person in exchange for $40. Later that month, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Hare’s known residence. In his bedroom officers located a loaded Ruger .380 pistol, two digital scales, a box of plastic sandwich baggies, one federal .380 round of ammunition, a box of 39 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and indicia indicating Hare lived in the residence. At the time of this incident Hare knew he had prior felony convictions for crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
This matter was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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.
Danville Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Danville, Ky., man, Leonard Riley, 45, was sentenced to 87 months in prison on Friday, before Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, after previously pleading guilty to transporting child pornography using the Internet.
According to Riley’s plea agreement, he admitted that on July 30, 2017, he was in possession of 23 images and two videos of child pornography on his smart phone. These images depicted children under 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Riley further admitted that he knew the images he received, possessed, and transported through his computer involved minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Riley pleaded guilty in January 2021.
Under federal law, Riley must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence, and upon his release from prison will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jerry Templet, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations; and Colonel Phillip Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DHS-HSI and KSP-Electronic Crime Branch. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Marye.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
– END –
DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. On Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Location information is available from the DEA. These sites cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches, and this service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This April’s event is DEA’s 20th nationwide event since its inception 11 years ago. Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 883,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,200 sites operated by the DEA and almost 5,000 from its state and local law enforcement partners. DEA and its partners have collected nearly 6,350 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010.
To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow CDC and regulations.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses because of these drugs. In the United States, 85,500 people died of a drug overdose in just one year (August 2019-August 2020). This is the largest number of drug overdoses on record in the United States within a one-year period and a 27 percent increase in deaths year over year. Synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, are the primary drier of the increase in overdose deaths.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long. For more information, visit DEA’s year-round collection site locator. Participating in the next DEA Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24, simply means cleaning out your medicine cabinet or anywhere you keep unused, unwanted, or expired medications and dropping them off at your nearest collection site. You can learn more about the event and find a collection site at: [email protected], or call 800-882-9539.
The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 24 Take Back day event, go to DEA Drug Take Back event.
###