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Thursday 4 March 2021
Multi-Drug Trafficker and Money Launderer Sentenced to 34 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – United States District Court Judge Claria Horn Boom today sentenced Dante Watts, 49, of Louisville, Kentucky, to 34 years in federal prison, followed by a life term of Supervised Release for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. On December 20, 2019, a federal jury convicted and returned guilty verdicts following almost two weeks of testimony. There is no parole in the federal system.
“I commend Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bonar and Sullivan for their exemplary work and leadership during the investigation and trial of this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bennett. The tireless effort and outstanding work of the DEA and IRS agents who investigated the case, as well as the work of their state and local counterparts, ensured a successful prosecution. Our community is safer now as a result of their professionalism and sacrifice. The lengthy prison sentence serves notice of the consequences to those who traffic illegal drugs in the Western District.”
The Second Superseding Indictment charged Watts, along with 6 codefendants, for his involvement in a major drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics in Louisville between May and July of 2016. The case arose out of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wiretap investigation and culminated with the execution of multiple federal search warrants on July 2, 2016 which resulted in the seizure of 31.9 kilograms of cocaine and 4.6 kilograms of heroin in a semi tractor-trailer and other drugs found in multiple locations, including 375 grams of methamphetamine. Agents also seized over $800,000 cash from the sale of narcotics.
The DEA executed another search warrant at Watts’ residence located on Blackthorn Trace in eastern Jefferson County on July 8, 2016. During the search, federal agents found over 6 kilograms of fentanyl in various locations in the kitchen along with a loaded firearm, several blenders utilized to mix drugs in the kitchen, and multiple boxes of plastic baggies and mixing agents. Agents found an additional firearm in Watts’ attached garage, along with empty kilo wrappers. Agents also located a high-tech surveillance system installed in and around the house, and a money counter was also found.
The DEA investigation revealed that Watts and codefendant Ismael Gonzalez received the narcotics from Mexican suppliers. Multiple intercepted phone conversations between Watts and Gonzalez showed that Gonzalez arranged for the shipment of drugs from the southern U.S. border to Louisville by semi-tractor trailer. Once the drugs arrived in Louisville, Gonzalez would oversee the transport to Watts, who would then direct distribution on the streets. Watts would then collect the proceeds of drug sales and send cash back to the suppliers through Gonzalez.
“Mr. Watts and his criminal enterprise caused a great deal of harm to people of this community; he was given many chances, and every time he flouted the mercy of the criminal justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Todd Scott, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “His sentence today is considerable but justified; long delayed justice for a lengthy criminal career.”
From May 2015 through July of 2016, the IRS showed that Watts spent over $4.2 million dollars which included over $3.5 million dollars in cash casino purchases as well as the purchase of real property. Also, the Court forfeited Watts’ interest in his home on Blackthorn Trace, over $428,000 in cash, over $89,000 seized from an account, 2 loaded firearms, and a gold Breitling for Bentley with 596 diamonds (DEA previously forfeited over $400,000 in cash seized during the investigation).
“IRS CI is committed to following the money in narcotics investigations,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “By tracing the funds, we were able to show how Watts used the narcotics proceeds at casinos and to purchase property.”
Watts has multiple prior felony convictions for a variety of serious offenses including narcotics trafficking, wanton endangerment, and burglary. Watts previously served 14 years in prison in Indiana for dealing cocaine. In 2016, Watts pled guilty to assault in the second degree after having been charged with kidnapping and brutally torturing his own cousin over a drug debt. Watts was accused of chaining his cousin’s legs together, pushing him down basement steps, pistol whipping him and fracturing his eye sockets, and then slicing him several times with a butcher knife. The victim escaped and fled through backyards in St. Mathews with Watts giving chase.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Bonar and Amy Sullivan. The investigation was led by the DEA, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Louisville Metro Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the Jeffersontown Police Department.
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Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Central Florida Investment FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Jeremy Kee Anderson (50, Minnesota) has pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud, 7 counts of mail fraud, and 1 count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Anderson led a conspiracy that defrauded more than 200 victims out of over $10.3 million through investments offered in connection with a company called Tri-Med Corporation. Anderson was the founder and principal owner of Tri-Med.
The investment fraud scheme involved the alleged purchase of medical receivables by Tri-Med, and services that were provided to accident victims who were represented by personal injury attorneys. Payment of those medical receivables was supposed to have been made from the proceeds of litigation or an insurance claim made against a general liability or automobile insurance policy. Each of the medical receivables was also supposed to be secured by a “Letter of Protection,” a letter that is provided by a patient’s personal injury attorney to a medical services professional as an incentive to provide services to a patient. The letter is a contract involving a patient, the patient's attorney, and the medical services provider by which the patient and attorney agree to pay all or part of the total billed by the medical services provider from the proceeds of any pre-suit settlement, lawsuit settlement, or judgment that the patient may obtain.
To fund Tri-Med’s alleged purchases of medical receivables, Anderson and his conspirators solicited individuals to participate in an “investment program” in which investors’ money would be used by Tri-Med to buy medical receivables “backed” by letters of protection. As part of their solicitations, Anderson and his conspirators represented to investors that that their investments were safe and that investor funds would be held in a trust account that was controlled by an attorney. To assure investors that their investments were secure, Tri-Med claimed that it would transfer its interest in the letter of protection to the investor in a document called an “Assignment of Interest Certificate.” Those representations were false.
Of the more than $17 million raised from over 200 investors, only approximately $2.7 million was ever transferred from Tri-Med to the attorney’s trust account. The vast majority of the funds raised from investors never made it to that account. Over $6.5 million was paid to the sales people and the operators of Tri-Med or was used by them to benefit themselves or pay business expenses, while approximately $2.3 million was paid as distributions to investors to make them believe that their investments were profitable. In fact, Tri-Med did not purchase enough medical receivables to secure the incoming investments, so it fabricated “Assignment of Interest Certificates.” The result was that more than 200 victims lost over $10.3 million in this scheme.
Anderson is the fourth person to be charged as part of this conspiracy. Previously, the following individuals were charged and sentenced to federal prison terms for their roles in this conspiracy: Anthony Nicholas, Jr. (63, Hudson) received 11 years and 3 months and Eric Ager (78, Orlando) and Irwin Ager (84, Orlando) each were sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn P. Napier and Roger B. Handberg, III.
Mexican Drug Cartel Members Sentenced for Narcotics Trafficking in East Texas, Agree to Forfeit Millions in Illicit Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – Three East Texans have been sentenced to prison for an international drug trafficking operation in the Eastern District of Texas pursuant to Operation Dirty Bird, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
“Mexican drug cartels are not welcome in East Texas,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “My office—in partnership with the phenomenal men and women of the Texas law enforcement community—will work tirelessly to dismantle any drug trafficking operations based in East Texas, or even those that happen to be passing through.”
Rodolfo Javier Falcon, a 36-year-old Camp County, Texas, man, was sentenced to thirty years in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. Falcon pleaded guilty on August 20, 2020, to conspiring to distribute controlled substances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven. Falcon agreed to forfeit $5 million in drug proceeds.
Eleazar Martinez Reyes, a 41-year-old Camp County, Texas, man, was sentenced to 87 months in prison by Judge Schroeder. Reyes pleaded guilty on August 4, 2020, to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and to illegal re-entry following removal before Judge Craven. Reyes agreed to forfeit $150,000 in drug proceeds.
Gerardo Carbrera Ramirez, a 28-year-old Franklin County, Texas, man, was sentenced to 151 months in prison by Judge Schroeder. Ramirez pleaded guilty on June 11, 2020, to conspiring to distribute controlled substances before Judge Craven. Ramirez agreed to forfeit $7500 in drug proceeds.
According to information presented in court, Falcon, Reyes, Ramirez, Jose Armando Rosales-Bernal, Julio Villarreal, Armando Moreno Jr., Claudia Claribel Gardea, Jose Geraldo Ornelas-Pineda, David Martinez, and others conspired to distribute more than 150 kilograms of cocaine, along with methamphetamine and heroin, from the Jalisco Nueva Generacion drug cartel in Mexico. The group distributed drugs in Dallas, East Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Michigan. On one occasion, Falcon, Gardea, and Ornelas-Pineda—and two young children—were stopped in Tennessee carrying nine kilograms of cocaine from Rosales-Bernal to North Carolina. The organization was also responsible for shipping drug proceeds, in the form of bulk cash, back to Mexico. Law enforcement intercepted one bulk cash shipment of approximately $350,000. Rosales-Bernal and Falcon both occupied leadership roles in the drug trafficking organization. During the conspiracy, Rosales-Bernal, Falcon, Martinez, and others possessed and carried firearms to safeguard their drugs and cash. Rosales-Bernal and others spent their drug proceeds on lavish lifestyle items, including a Dodge Charger Hellcat, flashy watches, exotic weapons, a jewel encrusted rooster necklace, and numerous pairs of luxury shoes and boots.
Operation Dirty Bird is a long-term drug trafficking and money laundering investigation that has led to the seizure of more than $500,000 in U.S. Currency, almost 40 kilograms of cocaine, more than a quarter kilogram of methamphetamine, nine firearms, several vehicles, two houses in Dallas, and an array of fine jewelry.
Rosales-Bernal, Villarreal, Moreno, Falcon, Ramirez, Gardea, Ornelas-Pineda, Dalia Janet Campos Rosales, Reyes, and Martinez were previously charged and arrested as a result of this investigation. Ornelas-Pineda, Moreno, and Villarreal have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Rosales-Bernal, Gardea, and Campos Rosales have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Martinez has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. This case is pending in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. If convicted, Martinez face a minimum of 15 years and as much as life in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Mount Pleasant office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigation Division and the Dallas office of Homeland Security Investigations. In addition, the following agencies have played critical roles in this investigation: the Mesquite, Texas, Police Department SWAT team; the Texas National Guard; the Texas Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division and Aircraft Division; the George West, Texas, Police Department; the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force in Dickson, Tennessee; and the Mount Pleasant, Texas, Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.
Mescalero man pleads guilty to domestic assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Drew Jerome Beck, 28, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty on March 2 in federal court to domestic assault by a habitual offender. Beck will remain in custody pending sentencing.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on March 2, 2020, Beck assaulted his intimate partner, who is also an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, in their home in Otero County on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, called 911. When an officer arrived at the home, Beck fled through the back door.
Beck previously was convicted of battery against a household member in Ruisdoso, New Mexico, in 2011 and was convicted of domestic violence in Mescalero Tribal court in 2017. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
Members of White Supremacist Prison Gang Plead Guilty to Federal Charges of Violent Crime in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – Two Texas men pleaded guilty this week to violent gang-related activities in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei and Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Michael Martin, aka Aryan Prodigy, aka AP, 38, of Austin, Texas, and Bobby Dayle Boney, 50, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, each pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering. Martin entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn and Boney pleaded before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin. Martin and Boney committed the assault as part of their membership in the Aryan Circle (AC), a gang that operates in Texas and other states throughout the country.
“Fighting the scourge of organized criminal gangs is a team effort,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei. “It will take the full resources and resolve of federal, state, and local law enforcement to push back against these violent criminal organizations.”
According to information presented in court and contained in court filings, Martin and Boney both joined the AC in the early 2000s and have gang tattoos indicating their affiliation. Both served in leadership roles within the gang. Martin had previously served as an upper board member of the gang, which meant that he was one of the five highest-ranking leaders in the AC. Also, for a period of time, Boney held the leadership rank of vice president, which meant that he gave orders to other AC members and disciplined members who were not following the gang’s directives, among other things.
The AC is a violent, white supremacist organization that operates inside federal prisons across the country and outside prisons in states including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri. The AC enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, assault, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Members, and oftentimes associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members without question.
Prior to Oct. 2, 2016, AC members learned that another AC member wanted to switch his gang affiliation, or “patch over,” from the AC to a different gang. AC members were ordered to attack the former member in order to “X” him, or attack and remove him from the gang, because it violated the AC’s rules to join another organization. A meeting was held at an AC member’s home in the Tyler, Texas area where AC members planned the logistics of the assault.
On Oct. 2, 2016, Martin, Boney, and other AC members met at a park near Tyler, Texas, where they had planned to attack the former member, who was also present. Multiple AC members violently beat the victim, including kicking the victim in the head while he was on the ground. This attack resulted in the victim seeking medical care for serious injuries.
This case is part of a larger investigation into the AC, Operation Noble Virtue, which has targeted AC leadership and resulted in prosecutions and convictions in six different jurisdictions to date. This is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case and is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Prisons; Texas Department of Public Safety; Houston Police Department-Gang Division; Montgomery County (TX) Precinct One Constable’s Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; New Jersey Department of Corrections-Special Investigations Division; Indiana State Police; Fort Smith (AR) Police Department; Arkansas Department of Corrections; Arnold (MO) Police Department; Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Department; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; St. Louis County (MO) Police Department; Indiana Department of Corrections; Carrollton (TX) Police Department; Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Tarrant County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; Evangeline Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office; Smith County (TX) Sheriff’s Office; McCurtain County (OK) Sheriff’s Office; Montgomery County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Liberty County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Harris County (TX) District Attorney’s Office; Mercer County (NJ) District Attorney’s Office; Evangeline Parish (LA) District Attorney’s Office; and the Sebastian County (AR) District Attorney’s Office. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country and its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States. The prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rapp of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Bethany Lipman of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty yesterday to racketeering charges.
Kevin Guadalupe, a/k/a “King K-Milly,” 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021.
Guadalupe admitted to participating in an unarmed robbery committed in November 2019 by members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford. During the robbery, which was captured on video, the victim was chased down in the middle of a busy street, thrown to the ground and kicked and beaten by six members of the Latin Kings. At the end of the beating, an item believed to be a wallet or cell phone was taken from the victim’s pants pocket.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Robert Vargas is the 37th defendant to plead guilty in the case.
The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Medical research company agrees to pay $1.1 million to settle allegation it received kickbacks from northwest medical testing companyRead the Press Release
Seattle – Heart Center Research, LLC, a Huntsville, Alabama, medical research company, entered into a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations that its member physicians referred patients for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks from a Seattle-area testing company, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Heart Center Research has agreed to pay a total of $1.1 million to resolve the allegations.
According to the settlement agreement, between 2012 and 2013, the company was alleged to have accepted payments from now-defunct testing company Natural Molecular Testing Corporation (NMTC) in return for the company’s member physicians ordering genetic tests from NMTC, which NMTC then billed to Medicare. The scheme was alleged to be in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the civil False Claims Act.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
In August 2019, three doctors and one medical practice entered into settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve allegations that they referred patients for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks from NMTC. Those settlements totaled $1.1 million.
NMTC declared bankruptcy in 2013. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has an unsecured claim against NMTC for $70 million but has little chance of recovering those funds as there are few remaining assets.
The matter was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Burns.
Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Wilgfrido Valnodis Arias-Mejia, 45, a citizen of the Dominican Republic most recently residing in Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Arias-Mejia sold fentanyl and crack cocaine from 2018 to at least November 27, 2019 in the Manchester area. During that time period, he employed various co-conspirators to sell drugs on his behalf. Each day they worked, the defendant provided his employees with pre-packaged bags containing between three and six “fingers” (10-gram packages) of fentanyl and smaller baggies containing fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine and sent customers to their residences until all of the drugs were sold.
Arias-Mejia is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14, 2021.
“The sale of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs endangers public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to keep our citizens safe, we will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to identify and prosecute the drug traffickers who are responsible for peddling these deadly substances in Manchester and other communities. Drug dealers in New Hampshire should understand that they will be held responsible in federal court for their unlawful conduct.”
“Wilgfrido Valnodis Arias-Mejia led a major drug trafficking organization, selling large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine to a region hit hard by the opioid epidemic. With today’s guilty plea, he has finally taken responsibility for setting up multiple drug distribution houses in Manchester, NH, with the intent to harm our neighbors,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case reflects the continuing impact the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force has on illegal drug trafficking. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate criminal organizations like this one and ensure they are held accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Manchester Police Department and Nashua Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana MacDonald.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Man Convicted of Receiving, Soliciting, and Promoting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Virginia man today for downloading images and videos depicting children as young as four years old being sexually abused and for utilizing the Darknet to solicit and promote child pornography.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Christopher Sueiro, 39, of Fairfax, used a peer-to-peer network to download images of child sexual abuse. Sueiro was also a member of a Darknet hidden service website dedicated to trafficking in child sexual abuse material of preteen boys, where he made posts promoting and soliciting images and videos of child sexual abuse and attempted to receive it from other users of the website. Sueiro’s electronic devices included documents describing graphic sexual abuse of children and a guide to how to find child pornography online. He downloaded images and videos of child sexual abuse repeatedly over the course of at least four years, amassing thousands of images and videos.
Sueiro was convicted of four counts: receipt; attempted receipt; possession; and solicitation of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2021, and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Special Agent in Charge Raymond Villanueva of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Colonel Erin Schaible, Chief of the City of Fairfax Police Department made the announcement.
HSI and the City of Fairfax Police Department investigated the case, with significant assistance from the High Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU) of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).
CEOS Trial Attorney James E. Burke IV and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Smith III of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia are 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Macon Probationer Sentenced to 118 Months in Federal Prison for Attempting to Distribute 1.3 Kilos of MethRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A Macon probationer was sentenced to serve more than nine years in federal prison for attempting to distribute 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, said Peter D. Leary, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Alexander Brock Ray, 30, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 118 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Wednesday, March 3. Ray previously pleaded guilty to one count possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
Law enforcement served an arrest warrant at Ray’s home on August 16, 2018 for a Bibb County Superior Court probation violation. A shotgun belonging to Ray was visible inside, along with pills, approximately 20 bags filled with suspected ecstasy, and more bags containing yellow and blue powder. Officers obtained and executed a search warrant. In total, 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine (105 separate bags) were seized from Ray’s home, along with two semiautomatic pistols, eleven stamps being used to compress powder to pills and other drug paraphernalia. Ray had been previously convicted in Bibb County Superior Court of theft by receiving (firearm), carrying a concealed weapon, and felony obstruction in 2013. Ray was in violation of his probation at the time of his arrest in this case.
“Repeat violent offenders and drug traffickers are facing steep prison sentences across the Middle District of Georgia for choosing to continue a life of crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leary. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners across the district to bring federal cases against the most egregious individuals who continually disregard the laws and disturb the peace.”
“The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI should be commended for their joint efforts in this case. This particular defendant is facing a nearly 10-year federal prison sentence, and hopefully this large sentence will deter others from a life of crime,” said U.S. Marshal John Cary Bittick.
“Thanks to the work of the Bibb County Sheriff Office, the U.S. Marshals Service and our FBI Macon resident agency, Ray will have plenty of time to rethink his life of crime,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Criminals must learn that if they continue to plague our communities arrest after arrest, the federal authorities will make sure they are removed from those communities for lengthy sentences.”
“The sentence handed down on Mr. Ray illustrates the penalty for dealing in illegal drugs and possessing a firearm can be very substantial. We can be grateful for the investigative work of the Bibb Investigators and our federal partners to bring this individual to justice,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.
The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Keyes prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Officer (Contractor), U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Lisa G. Johnston Named Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of West VirginiaRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Lisa G. Johnston will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, according to the United States Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Lisa JohnstonJohnston was selected to serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys in Washington D.C. after former U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart announced his resignation effective February 28.
“I am truly humbled and honored to serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia. The important work of the public servants in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the district and their dedication to justice will continue,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Johnston. “We look forward to working with our dedicated law enforcement partners who work hard to ensure the safety of our communities.”
Johnston is a career prosecutor who joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of West Virginia in August 2006. In 2010, she was named the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the district. Throughout her lengthy career with the Department of Justice, Johnston prosecuted numerous sexual exploitation cases as well as federal cases involving firearms, arson, drugs and health care fraud.
Johnston assumed the duties of First Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia in January 2018, providing guidance to the Civil, Criminal, and Administrative Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of West Virginia, she was employed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of West Virginia from 1988 until 2006.
Johnston will serve as the Acting U.S. Attorney until President Biden makes a nomination and confirmation takes place.
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.
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Lincoln City Felon Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Lincoln City, Oregon man with multiple felony convictions was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Lincoln City and illegally possessing a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
Felix Daniel Garcia-Mendoza, 28, was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to doing everything we can to reduce drug trafficking and violent crime across Oregon. A key pillar of our strategy is to reduce illegal gun ownership and use by drug traffickers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Asphaug. “I applaud our law enforcement partners for their persistence in bringing Mr. Garcia-Mendoza to justice and making our coastal communities safer in the process.”
“The brazenness of Garcia-Mendoza’s actions clearly warrant this significant sentence,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jonathan E. Blais. “He showed a complete disregard for the law and jeopardized the community as a whole. The removal of Garcia-Mendoza and his co-conspirators from the streets will help make Lincoln City and Lincoln County safer.”
According to court documents, beginning in March 2018, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began infiltrating the Lincoln City methamphetamine market. Soon after, one of Garcia-Mendoza’s co-conspirators brokered the sale of a quarter pound of methamphetamine from Garcia-Mendoza to an undercover agent. At their initial meeting, agents purchased 113 grams of methamphetamine from Garcia-Mendoza.
Garcia-Mendoza met repeatedly with undercover agents and sold them increasingly larger quantities of methamphetamine. On one occasion, in June 2018, Garcia-Mendoza sold the agents more than one and half pounds of methamphetamine. Garcia-Mendoza also sold the undercover agents a handgun later determined to have be stolen from a Lincoln City gun shop. He wore a Glock pistol prominently in his waistband during various transactions and displayed it by raising his shirt and pulling it out during deals.
On December 12, 2018, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an 11-count indictment charging Garcia-Mendoza with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was arrested on January 5, 2019 and pleaded guilty to all but three of the charges on January 20, 2020.
Three other co-defendants—Billy Jack Reese, Jr., 42, of Lincoln City, Oregon; James Levi Boyer, 51, of Springfield, Oregon; and Patricia Rose Hedrick, 25, of Newport, Oregon—were charged and have pleaded guilty to conspiring with Garcia-Mendoza to distribute methamphetamine. All were sentenced to time served in federal prison and are serving five-year terms of supervised release.
This case was investigated by ATF, the Lincoln City Police Department, and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik and William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Leading Co-Founder of Cryptocurrency Company Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for ICO Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Ilan T. Graff, the Attorney for the United States, Acting Under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced that SOHRAB SHARMA, a/k/a “Sam Sharma” was sentenced today to eight years in prison in connection with his leading role in a scheme to induce victims to invest more than $25 million worth of digital funds in Centra Tech, Inc. (“Centra Tech”), a Miami-based company he co-founded and that purported to offer cryptocurrency-related financial products. SHARMA previously pled guilty to conspiring to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud in connection with his and his co-conspirators’ use of material misrepresentations and omissions to solicit investors to purchase securities, in the form of digital tokens issued by Centra Tech, through fraudulent fundraising efforts that included an initial coin offering (“ICO”) beginning in approximately July 2017. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield imposed the sentence in Manhattan federal court.
Mr. Graff said: “Sohrab Sharma led a scheme to deceive investors by falsely claiming that the start-up he co-founded had developed fully functioning, cutting-edge cryptocurrency-related financial products. In reality, Sharma’s most notable inventions were the fake executives, fake business partnerships, and fake licenses that he and his co-conspirators touted to trick victims into handing over tens of millions of dollars. We will continue to aggressively pursue digital securities frauds like this one.”
According to statements in the Superseding Information, and other filings and statements at public court proceedings in the case:
In or about July 2017, SHARMA, along with codefendants Robert Farkas and Raymond Trapani, founded a company called Centra Tech that claimed to offer cryptocurrency-related financial products, including a purported debit card, the “Centra Card,” that supposedly allowed users to make purchases using cryptocurrency at establishments accepting Visa or Mastercard payment cards. From approximately July 30, 2017, through October 5, 2017, SHARMA and his codefendants solicited investors to purchase unregistered securities, in the form of digital tokens issued by Centra Tech (“Centra tokens” or “CTR tokens”), including through a so-called “initial coin offering” or “ICO.” As part of this effort, SHARMA and his codefendants represented, in oral and written offering materials that were disseminated via the internet: (a) that Centra Tech had an experienced executive team with impressive credentials, including a purported CEO named “Michael Edwards” with more than 20 years of banking industry experience and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University; (b) that Centra Tech had formed partnerships with Bancorp, Visa, and Mastercard to issue Centra Cards licensed by Visa or Mastercard; and (c) that Centra Tech had money transmitter and other licenses in 38 states, among other claims. Based in part on these claims, victims provided millions of dollars’ worth of digital funds in investments for the purchase of Centra Tech tokens. In or about October 2017, at the end of the defendants’ fundraising efforts, those digital funds raised from victims were worth more than $25 million. At certain times in 2018, as the defendants’ fraud scheme was ongoing, those funds were worth more than $60 million.
The claims that SHARMA and his co-conspirators made to help secure these investments, however, were false. In fact, the purported CEO “Michael Edwards” and another supposed member of Centra Tech’s executive team were fictional people who were fabricated to dupe investors, Centra Tech had no such partnerships with Bancorp, Visa, or Mastercard, and Centra Tech did not have such licenses in a number of those states.
In 2018, this Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) seized, pursuant to judicially authorized seizure warrants, 100,000 Ether units, consisting of digital funds raised from victims who purchased digital tokens issued by Centra Tech during its fundraising efforts based on fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions. The United States Marshals Service sold the seized Ether units for approximately $33.4 million earlier this year. Following entry of a final order of forfeiture, these funds and other forfeited fraud proceeds will be available for potential use in a remission program that the Department of Justice intends to create to compensate victims of the Centra Tech fraud.
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In addition to the prison term, SHARMA, 29, of Aventura, Florida, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $20,000. He was further ordered to forfeit $36,088,960.
Mr. Graff praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Samson Enzer, Negar Tekeei, and Daniel Loss are in charge of the prosecution.
Leader of Rhode Island Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Narcotics Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) was sentenced yesterday on conspiracy charges.
Joel Francisco, a/k/a “King Casper,” 42, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2020, Francisco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Francisco admitted that in August 2019, he conspired with others to purchase cocaine from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. On Sept. 4, 2019, Francisco was captured in a video recording purchasing approximately 186 grams of cocaine from members of the New Bedford Chapter in a deal facilitated by a co-conspirator.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Francisco is the 19th defendant to be sentenced in the case.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
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.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Largo Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice A 14-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Asa Nall (50, Largo) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a child. The court also ordered Nall to forfeit the electronic devices that were used in commission of the offense.
Nall was found guilty by a jury on October 29, 2020.
According to evidence presented at trial, Nall communicated online and over text messages with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child. In reality, Nall had been communicating with an undercover agent. For more than a month, Nall repeatedly asked the child to produce sexually explicit images for him, specifying that he wanted to see her fully nude to include close-up photos of the child’s genitalia. Nall also repeatedly requested to meet the child for sex, asking her to “sneak away” and “skip school” to meet with him. In the conversations, Nall discussed in graphic detail the sex acts that he would engage in when they met. On October 16, 2019, Nall traveled to meet the child for sex, and he was subsequently arrested.
Law enforcement agents recovered two condoms in Nall’s pants pocket and the cellphone he had used to communicate with the child. A search of the phone revealed that Nall had also saved the child’s name to his contact list.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Erin C. Favorit.
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.
La Crosse Woman Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Sandy Xiong, 31, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Monday, March 1 by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine for distribution. Xiong pleaded guilty to this charge on December 4, 2020.
Xiong was arrested on February 10, 2020, in a La Crosse grocery store parking lot as she prepared to deliver approximately four ounces of methamphetamine to an individual who met her at that location. When searched by police after being removed from her car, Xiong was found in possession of four separate baggies of methamphetamine totaling 116 grams. A search of her home in La Crosse later that night yielded another 212 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and a scale.
The charge against Xiong was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Prairie du Chien Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.
KC Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearms Following Armed Standoff with Police OfficersRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm following a brief armed standoff with police officers and a foot chase.
Michael D. Moore, 31, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Moore was arrested on Monday, Aug. 17. Officers who had been surveilling Moore followed him into a parking lot near 2310 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Mo. As officers drove into the parking lot with their red and blue lights flashing, Moore got out of the BMW SUV, took cover behind the vehicle, and drew a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun from his waistband. Moore pointed his firearm directly at police officers as he attempted to take a position of cover behind his vehicle. Moore fled as additional police cars entered the parking lot, throwing away his handgun. Moore then laid on the ground about 15 feet away from the firearm, and was taken into custody. Officers recovered the firearm, which was loaded with 16 live rounds in the 16-round high-capacity magazine and one live round in the chamber. Officers identified the firearm as having been reported stolen.
According to court documents, Moore was involved in two armed robberies that led to the issuance of the arrest warrant and surveillance.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Moore has a prior felony conviction for robbery.
Under federal statutes, Jones 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 Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend is a federal partnership with local law enforcement to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in Kansas City, Mo., in 2020. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings. Additional federal agents were assigned to the operation from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service.Justice Department Warns About Fake Unemployment Benefit WebsitesRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice has received reports that fraudsters are creating websites mimicking unemployment benefit websites, including state workforce agency (SWA) websites, for the purpose of unlawfully capturing consumers’ personal information.
To lure consumers to these fake websites, fraudsters send spam text messages and emails purporting to be from an SWA and containing a link. The fake websites are designed to trick consumers into thinking they are applying for unemployment benefits and disclosing personally identifiable information and other sensitive data. That information can then be used by fraudsters to commit identity theft.
Unless from a known and verified source, consumers should never click on links in text messages or emails claiming to be from an SWA offering the opportunity to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. Instead, anyone needing to apply for unemployment benefits should go to an official SWA website, a list of which can be found at: https://www.careeronestop.org/localhelp/unemploymentbenefits/unemployment-benefits.aspx.
Schemes that use links embedded in unsolicited text messages and emails in attempts to obtain personally identifiable information are commonly referred to as phishing schemes. Phishing messages may look like they come from government agencies, financial intuitions, shipping companies, and social media companies, among many others. Carefully examine any message purporting to be from a company and do not click on a link in an unsolicited email or text message. Remember that companies generally do not contact you to ask for your username or password. When in doubt, contact the entity purportedly sending you the message, but do not rely on any contact information in the potentially fraudulent message.
If you receive a text message or email claiming to be from an SWA and containing a link or other contact information, please report the communication to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling 866-720-5721 or using the NCDF Web Complaint Form found at: www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.
If you believe you may have entered information into a fraudulent website, resources on how to protect your information can be found at: www.identitytheft.gov.
To learn more about identifying and protecting yourself from phishing attempts, go to: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams or https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/spoofing-and-phishing.
Further information about the SWA-imposter scheme, and other major scams targeting American consumers, can be found at the Justice Department’s Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force website: https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force.
This alert is provided by the Justice Department’s National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF) and the Consumer Protection Branch of the department’s Civil Division. Members of NUIFTF include: Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and FDIC Office of Inspector General.
Find out more about the NUIFTF at: /media/1093226/dl?inline.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Jury Convicts Virginia Man of Receiving, Soliciting, and Promoting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Fairfax man today for downloading images and videos depicting children as young as four years old being sexually abused and for utilizing the Darknet to solicit and promote child pornography.
“The evidence admitted at trial demonstrated that thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse were found on the defendant's electronic devices,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The trafficking of child pornography causes incalculable and irreparable harm to society’s most vulnerable victims, which often continues long after the abuse has occurred. Thanks to the painstaking efforts of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors on this case, the defendant has been held accountable by a jury of his peers for his heinous criminal conduct.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Christopher Sueiro, 39, used a peer-to-peer network to download images and videos of child sexual abuse. Sueiro also was a member of a Darknet hidden service website dedicated to trafficking in child sexual abuse material of preteen boys, where he made posts promoting and soliciting images and videos of child sexual abuse and attempted to receive it from other users of the website. Sueiro’s electronic devices included documents describing graphic sexual abuse of children and a guide to finding child pornography online. The evidence showed that he downloaded images of child sexual abuse repeatedly over the course of at least four years, amassing thousands of images and videos.
Sueiro was convicted of receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, attempted receipt of child pornography, and promotion and solicitation of child pornography. Sueiro faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years for each count of conviction when sentenced on June 16. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Raymond Villanueva of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Colonel Erin Schaible, Chief of the City of Fairfax Police Department, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the verdict.
HSI and the City of Fairfax Police Department investigated the case, with significant assistance from the High Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU) of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Smith III and CEOS Trial Attorney James E. Burke IV are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-284.
Jury Convicts Local Man on Federal Drug Trafficking, Firearm, and Arson-Related CrimesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Late Wednesday afternoon, a federal jury in Pensacola convicted Tony M. Streeter, of Fort Walton Beach, on multiple drug charges, firearms offenses, and a conspiracy to commit arson related offense. The convictions, which followed a three-day jury trial that began Monday morning, was announced by Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
In August 2019, following an undercover methamphetamine purchase from Streeter, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in Fort Walton Beach. Among other items seized from his residence, law enforcement seized his 2012 Mercedes SUV and placed it in a secured impound lot at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for further processing. Within approximately 72 hours of the vehicle being placed in the law enforcement impound lot, it was set ablaze. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Streeter conspired with his sister, Betty Joe Streeter, and his nephew, William Sims, to break into the secured impound lot under the cover of darkness and attempt to locate and remove a hidden firearm and drugs from Streeter’s SUV. After recovering a hidden stash of methamphetamine from Streeter’s SUV, Streeter then instructed Sims to set the vehicle ablaze in hopes of destroying any remaining evidence. Despite their efforts, a loaded firearm was later located in the burned vehicle when searched by law enforcement. Betty Joe Streeter and William entered guilty pleas related to this case and await sentencing.
“The evidence introduced at trial not only demonstrated Streeter’s efforts to avoid responsibility for his crimes, but his willingness to engage his family members in additional criminal conduct,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “Moreover, he endangered the safety of Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office employees when he instructed his sister and nephew to break into the impound lot and set fire to his seized vehicle. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, our prosecutors were successful in demonstrating his guilt and the citizens of Okaloosa County are now safer as a result.”
The jury found Streeter guilty of distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, conspiracy to maliciously damage or destroy by fire his Mercedes SUV, and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
“Our joint partnership was pivotal in securing the firearms and arson charges that led to a conviction in this case,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the streets of our communities are safe from violent crime”.
Streeter’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 29, 2021, at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola. Based upon the offenses of which he was convicted, and his prior criminal convictions in state court for drug trafficking and crimes of violence, Streeter faces up to life in federal prison.
“It’s rewarding to help take a violent career criminal who peddled poison in our community off the streets, someone willing to mastermind invading a law enforcement facility to destroy evidence and cover his tracks,” said Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff. “Our region is much safer because of the joint efforts that went into making him accountable for his crimes.”
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Meredith Steer prosecuted the case.
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, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - U.S. v. StreeterJudge sentences St. Louis man who fled from police in a stolen vehicle for being a felon in possession of a stolen firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey sentenced Clarence Brown to 30 months in prison today. The 35-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department patrolling in the Greater Ville area were advised that a stolen vehicle was traveling eastbound on Natural Bridge Avenue from Kingshighway Boulevard. Officers observed the stolen vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the parking lane before parking in the area of Blair Avenue and Monroe Avenue.
Officers identified the driver as Brown who re-entered the vehicle and began driving northbound on Blair Avenue. Officers deployed department-issued spike strips. Brown drove over the spike strips, accelerated at a high rate of speed, and turned onto westbound N. Florissant Avenue. While traveling northbound, on Blair Avenue from Salisbury Avenue, a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Detective observed Brown throw a firearm out of the stolen vehicle’s passenger side window. The detective stopped his patrol car, exited his vehicle, and retrieved the discarded firearm, a Glock 23, .40 caliber pistol containing nine live 9mm cartridges.
The recovered pistol had been reported stolen from a home in Creve Coeur, Missouri on October 16, 2019.
Prior to being arrested, Brown drove in the opposite direction of travel and struck an unsuspecting driver head-on. Brown also ignored several police commands to stop resisting before being apprehended after a short foot pursuit. A computer search revealed that Brown was a felon and had an active warrant for his arrest.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kourtney M. Bell is handling the case.
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Judge sentences St. Louis man for wire fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced John Koeln to 24 months in prison today. The 37-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in October, to wire fraud.
Koeln was the Director of Finance for Unlimited Prepaid Distribution (UPD) from May 2014 to April 2017. UPD is a wholesaler of prepaid phones, SIM cards, airtime and other cellphone products. Koeln was responsible for day-to-day financial transactions and managing UPD’s bank account. A.A. is the CEO and President of UPD.
On or about May 12, 2015, Koeln opened a bank account at First Bank in the name of Abusharbain Holding, LLC. Koeln was the only person with signatory authority on the
account. He repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from UPD' s Bank of America business account to the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account. Koeln
repeatedly made unauthorized transfers of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to his eTrade brokerage accounts. Koeln transferred the stolen funds from
his eTrade brokerage accounts to pay his personal expenses including credit card bills and living expenses. These transfers were not authorized by A.A. or U.P.D.
Specifically, on or about September 5, September 8 and December 7 in 2016, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $50,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.
On or about December 27, 2016 and February 12, 2017, Koeln, for the purpose of committing wire fraud, caused ACH transfers of $80,000 from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account in Missouri to his eTrade Bank account ending in 8839 in Virginia.
In March and May, of 2016, Koeln made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account for his own personal benefit. On or about February 2, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized withdrawal of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to obtain a cashier's check payable to U.S. Title for his purchase of real estate for his own personal benefit.
On or about May 19, 2016, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding, LLC First Bank account to pay his Capitol One loan to purchase a 2015 Buick Enclave.
On or about January 23, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of funds from the Abusharbain Holding LLC First Bank account to pay his personal U.S. Bank loan used to purchase a boat and trailer.
On or about March 14, 2017, Koeln made an unauthorized transfer of $99,975 from UPD's Bank of America account to his eTrade brokerage account ending in 8839.
The loss from Koeln's fraud was approximately $1,007,031. The Government seized Koeln’s eTrade accounts, vehicles and boats and the proceeds will be used to pay restitution to the victim.
“In addition to bringing criminals to justice, the FBI will diligently search for and seize assets that can be repaid to victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. “In this case, we are pleased to be able to return a vast majority of the amount embezzled by John Koeln. Unfortunately, most white-collar criminals squander the money they steal leaving little left to repay victims.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. First Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin is handling the case.
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Jackson County Corrections Officer Charged with Taking Bribes to Smuggle Illegal Drugs to InmatesRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A corrections officer at the Jackson County Detention Center was charged in federal court today for taking bribes to smuggle illegal drugs to inmates of the facility.
Daniel Coach, 26, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. The complaint charges Coach with one count of using a telephone to facilitate the unlawful activity of acceding to corruption.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, an undercover police officer communicated over the phone with Coach on Wednesday, March 3. During the telephone conversation, Coach allegedly agreed to transport 25 oxycontin pills into the detention center and deliver them to an inmate. In return, the affidavit says, Coach wanted six extra pills for himself and $100 cash. On that same evening, the undercover officer met Coach in person at a gas station. The undercover officer got into Coach’s vehicle; Coach accepted the illegal drugs (inert oxycontin pills) and the cash. Coach allegedly talked about how he gets contraband past checkpoints, and said he would attempt to give the pills to the inmate. The undercover officer got out of the vehicle, and when Coach left the parking lot he was stopped and arrested.
According to the affidavit, that planned operation was in response to a previous interview conducted by a law enforcement officer with an inmate at the Jackson County Detention Center.
During that interview on Feb. 2, 2021, the inmate identified Coach and said that Coach coordinated his smuggling efforts with friends or family members of inmates on several occasions. Coach told these individuals where his car was parked, the inmate said, and they would drop the contraband through Coach’s car window. Coach usually smuggled in Percocet, K2, ecstasy, and cocaine, according to the inmate. They allegedly would transfer a bribe payment of $100 to $150 to Coach through Cash App. Coach would then arrange to get placed on the inmate’s floor and find a way to provide the contraband to the inmate, often during a cell check. The inmate told officers that one of his last orders to Coach was 50 Percocet pills.
The charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the FBI and the Jackson County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.
Individual Indicted for Carjacking on Marginal 181 in San JuanRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On March 3, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Carlos Ortiz-Santiago with an armed carjacking and with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to the Government’s allegations, on December 2, 2020 around 11:20 AM, a woman was parking her Toyota Yaris in front of condominium Puerto Del Sol along marginal 181 in San Juan. Carlos Ortiz-Santiago approached her, brandishing a gun, and yelled at the victim to surrender the keys and exit the car. After the victim complied, Ortiz-Santiago drove off in the Yaris.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Valentin of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation. If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence in excess of seven years in prison.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Home Health Aide Charged with Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, today announced that PHILLIANN BARNETT, 42, a Jamaican citizen residing in New Britain, was arrested on March 2 on a criminal complaint charging her with bank fraud stemming from her alleged theft of money from a disabled client for whom she worked as a home health aide.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, in 2003, Barnett sustained a federal conviction, in the Eastern District of New York, for defrauding an individual who suffered from cerebral palsy. In that case, she opened credit cards in the victim’s name and used the cards for her personal expenses. She was subsequently convicted in Connecticut superior court of larceny and identity theft offenses for defrauding an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. On approximately August 31, 2020, after serving approximately five years of incarceration, Barnett was released from state custody. Shortly after her release from prison, and while she was on probation, Barnett, using the alias “Philliann Burke,” applied to be a home health aide for a company that serviced disabled veterans receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Barnett, who did not disclose her criminal history to the company, began working for the company on September 11, 2020.
It is further alleged that, in November 2020, while caring for a disabled veteran, Barnett forged the veteran’s signature on a check and deposited the check into her account. In February 2021, law enforcement investigating Barnett learned of a separate complaint from a resident of an assisted living facility in the Waterbury area where Barnett purportedly worked. The complainant alleged that Barnett stole money from the complainant’s checking account and deposited it into her own account using the “Cash App” cell phone application.
After her arrest, Barnett was released on a $75,000 bond into home incarceration. She is subject to GPS monitoring and was ordered to surrender her passport. She was also ordered to comply with her state probation conditions, which include a prohibition from working as a home health aide.
Bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.
It is alleged that Barnett has a history of using other aliases, including “Phillianne Barnett,” “Susie Barnett,” “Nikki Daley,” and “Susie Susie.” Individuals who believe they have been victimized by Barnett are encouraged to contact Special Agent Abraham Raymond with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, at 781-687-3417.
Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years for Drug and Gun Offenses, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN TORRES, also known as “U-Haul” and “Fats,” 30, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson to 88 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and gun possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2017, Torres was released from federal prison after serving a 70-month sentence for distributing heroin in Hartford. While Torres was on federal supervised release, he was arrested by West Hartford Police on September 13, 2017, for being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle; was arrested by Hartford Police on July 1, 2019, for possessing crack cocaine after he arrived at Hartford Hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot; and distributed fentanyl on six occasions to an individual working with law enforcement in December 2019 and January 2020.
On February 7, 2020, Torres was arrested by Hartford Police after he was found in a possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, drugs and drug paraphernalia.
On February 21, 2020, as part of his federal supervised release violation proceedings, Torres was ordered into home detention and placed on location monitoring.
In March 2020, Torres conducted a fentanyl sale, and, in April 2020, he attempted to conduct another fentanyl sale.
Torres has been detained since his federal arrest on April 16, 2020. On November 10, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Judge Thompson sentenced Torres to 70 months of imprisonment for the fentanyl distribution and gun possession offenses, and a consecutive 18 months of imprisonment for violating his supervised release conditions.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The task force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Harrison County woman sentenced for meth chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Kaylie Marie Jones, of Wallace, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months of incarceration for a drug charge, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Jones, 26, pleaded guilty in February 2021 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute More Than Fifty Grams or More of Methamphetamine.” Jones admitted to working with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from February 2017 to June 2018 in Harrison County and elsewhere.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated.
Senior U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided.
Harford County Felon Facing Federal Indictment for Production and Possession of Child Pornography and for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury today returned an indictment charging Travis Joseph Crawford, age 33, of Edgewood, Maryland, for production and possession of child pornography and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to the five-count indictment and other court documents, Harford County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Crawford at a residence in Edgewood, Maryland, based on a warrant issued for Crawford by Maryland State Police for firearm related offenses. At that time, law enforcement also recovered a fully-loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol. During the investigation, a witness advised law enforcement that Crawford had videos on his cell phone depicting Crawford sexually touching a 13-year-old girl, Jane Doe, while the girl appeared to be asleep.
As detailed in court documents, law enforcement seized the phone, which was in Crawford’s possession. A search warrant subsequently executed on the phone revealed three sexually explicit videos allegedly involving Jane Doe, all of which appeared to be recorded without her knowledge or permission. The indictment also alleges that at the time of his arrest, Crawford on his phone possessed visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Finally, the indictment alleges that Crawford was previously convicted of a felony and therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
If convicted, Crawford faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each of three counts of production of child pornography; a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance will be scheduled in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Crawford remains detained on related federal charges.
If convicted, Crawford will also be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI, ATF, the Maryland State Police, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the federal case.
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Grand Jury Indicts Rochester Man on Multiple Child Pornography Charges Including Enticement and ProductionRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging James Oliver Young, 52, of Rochester, NY, with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, conspiracy to produce child pornography, and production and receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that the according to the indictment and previously filed complaints filed against the defendant and co-defendant and Rebecca Wilson, on April 17, 2020, the New York State Police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an “Ollie Young” was communicating with a Minor Victim (MV1), in Rochester through private messages on Facebook. It appeared that “Ollie Young” was attempting to entice MV1 to produce and send apparent child exploitation images as well as engage in sexual activity. “Ollie Young” was later identified as defendant Young. Subsequent investigation determined that Young and Wilson allegedly had sexual relations with MV1 on multiple occasions.
On April 18, 2020, New York State Police executed a search warrant and seized multiple devices, including two cell phones belonging to Wilson. Investigators located multiple videos depicting child pornography involving Minor Victim 2 (MV2).
Rebecca Wilson previously pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and is awaiting sentencing.
Young made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
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.
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Gage H. Clausen Pleads Guilty to Interstate Communication of a ThreatRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – Gage H. Clausen, 21, of Cheney, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), Interstate Communication of a Threat. Clausen previously communicated a threat via the internet on the life of a juvenile.
“Gage Clausen threatened serious bodily harm against another person via the Internet,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “His plea of guilty today should send a message that, you cannot hide behind a computer keyboard and make threats against another person with impunity. These threats are taken seriously, they are investigated and people are held accountable.”
Google has several App Engines, none of which are located in the State of Kansas. These engines are located in Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia, Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada. In order for Clausen’s communication to be received by the victim the communication would have traveled through one of these engines, thus Clausen’s communication traveled in interstate commerce before reaching the victim.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2021 at 2:30, before U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting the case.
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Four Charged in Scheme Employing Homeless to Cash Bogus ChecksRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Four men from the Atlanta, GA, area have been charged in federal court in Providence, RI, for allegedly operating a long-running scheme in which homeless and transient individuals from the Providence area were recruited to cash counterfeit business checks in exchange for a cash payment.
It is alleged in court documents that homeless individuals enlisted by the Georgia men were driven to financial institutions in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and elsewhere, provided bogus business checks made out to them, and were instructed to cash the checks using their Rhode Island ID card or driver’s license for identification. The individuals were told to return to the vehicle with the cash and in return were paid between $100 and $200.
It is alleged that in at least one instance, a homeless individual was threatened with bodily harm if that person took off with the proceeds after cashing the bogus check and failed to provide the funds to the schemers.
As a result of an investigation by the Medway, MA, Police Department and the United States Secret Service, federal criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Providence charge Austin Weaver, 31, of Decatur, GA; Cortavious Benford, 26, of Atlanta, GA; and Michael Williams, 26, and Jalen Ronald Stanford, 28, of East Point, GA, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus, Medway, MA, Police Chief Allen Tingley, and Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Frederick J. Regan.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus acknowledges and thanks the Providence Police Department for its assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Former staffer at juvenile detention facility indicted for accepting bribes for smuggling contraband into facilityRead the Press Release
Tacoma - A former guard at the Green Hill School, a juvenile rehabilitation facility in Chehalis, Washington, was indicted late Wednesday by a federal grand jury for taking bribes in exchange for delivering contraband, including illegal drugs, into the secure facility. JULIO W. HAYES, 40, was terminated as a staffer in February 2020 following an FBI operation that uncovered HAYES was accepting bribes and smuggling drugs and other contraband. HAYES will be arraigned on the indictment on March 16, 2021.
“This illegal conduct at a juvenile facility sends exactly the wrong message to young people trying to rehabilitate,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “This defendant demonstrated that for a price, he would defeat the restrictions at Green Hill School—restrictions that are aimed at maintaining safety, as well as helping youth return to a productive path. This case should serve as a warning to others tempted to trade their ethics for financial gain.”
According to the indictment, HAYES began working as a guard at Green Hill School in November 2018. Despite the fact that HAYES had significant training regarding his ethical obligations as an employee of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (which operates Green Hill School), HAYES began accepting bribes from offenders or their family and friends in May 2019 for smuggling marijuana, iPhones, vape pens, and chewing tobacco into the facility. HAYES was paid in cash and via electronic payments such as Cash App and accepted more than $11,000 before his employment was terminated in February 2020.
The indictment describes various text messages and electronic payments where HAYES essentially took orders from offenders as to the types of contraband they wanted him to bring to the facility. HAYES and the offenders would set the pricing and payment amounts for his services. On February 25, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on HAYES on his way to work. In his possession, HAYES had marijuana packaged for smuggling into the facility, as well as three vape cartridges containing liquid marijuana.
HAYES is charged with seven counts of Hobbs Act Extortion Under Color of Official Right, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He is also charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. Those charges are also punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Chehalis Police Department and the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) in Lewis County.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Arnold and Michael Dion.
hayes_indictment.pdfFormer USCIS Official Agrees to Pay Civil Penalties in Settlement of Conflict of Interest AllegationsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former U.S. government official agreed to pay $33,000 to resolve allegations that she had an improper conflict of interest with a company while she served as a division chief at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
According to allegations of the United States, Sarah Fahden, of Fort Washington, Maryland, engaged in employment negotiations with eGlobaltech (“eGT”), a company that had a contract with USCIS, while Fahden was employed as the Division Chief of USCIS’s Identity, Records and National Security Division. While negotiating employment with eGT and after agreeing to an employment arrangement with eGT, Fahden is alleged to have participated personally and substantially on a modification to a contract between USCIS and eGT that added additional funding and positions for eGT on the contract. That contract modification allegedly was under Fahden’s official responsibility during her last year at USCIS.
After leaving her position at USCIS in July 2018 and becoming employed as a subcontractor to eGT, Fahden communicated with USCIS officials with the alleged intent of influencing those officials to approve Fahden and her colleague to fill contractor positions that were added through the modification of the USCIS contract.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security’s Major Frauds & Corruption Unit.
Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security, made the announcement. The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Krista Anderson.
The civil penalty settled by this agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Former Oklahoma City Zoo Employee Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Trafficking of Endangered Galapagos TortoisesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, JOSHUA TAYLOR LUCAS, of Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty to a single-count felony Information charging him with wildlife trafficking in violation of the Lacey Act, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
On April 14, 2020, Lucas was charged by Information with violating the Lacey Act. Among other offenses, the Lacey Act prohibits people from importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring or purchasing any fish, wildlife, or plant that was taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of any law, treaty or regulation of the United States or in violation of any tribal law.
Yesterday, Lucas pleaded guilty to taking an endangered species of wildlife and then selling and shipping the animals across state lines in violation of the Lacey Act. At the hearing, Lucas, a former assistant curator of herpetology at the Oklahoma City Zoo, admitted that he stole several Galapagos tortoise hatchlings during his tenure at the Zoo. Lucas further admitted that he sold and shipped 21 Galapagos tortoise hatchlings to a Nevada resident, Kenneth Warren Foose II (deceased), who was previously under Indictment in the Southern District of Texas for the illegal traffic of Galapagos tortoises.
At the combined plea and sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Bernard Jones accepted the guilty plea and then sentenced Lucas to serve three years of probation, perform 100 hours of community service, and pay $32,500 in restitution to the Oklahoma City Zoo.
"The exploitation and trafficking of endangered wildlife for personal profit is unacceptable," said Acting U.S. Attorney Troester. "I commend the steadfast efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the prosecutors in this case, who are committed to hold traffickers of endangered animals accountable."
Phillip Land, Special Agent in Charge for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement for the Southwestern U.S., stated "This investigation involved the illegal traffic of endangered Galapagos tortoises for the exotic pet trade. This iconic species is the largest tortoise in the world, with hatchling sized juveniles carrying a black market value starting at $5,000 per animal. Our Special Agents and Wildlife Inspectors make it a priority to identify, investigate, and dismantle illegal trafficking networks, and refer individual violators for prosecution under U.S. Laws."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown and Trial Attorney RJ Powers from the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.
Former Executive Director of Maryland Center for Adult Training Sentence to Two Years in Federal Prison for Tax Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Roslyn Wedington, age 50, of Rosedale, Maryland, to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on the federal charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and for five counts of filing false tax returns. Judge Chasanow also ordered Wedington to pay restitution of $121,592.50.
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; and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
“Roslyn Wedington went to great lengths to avoid paying the taxes she owed,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “When criminals cheat the IRS, they are also stealing from all of us as taxpayers. As we head into tax season, let Ms. Wedington’s case and prison sentence be reminders to everyone about the consequences of tax fraud.”
“Roslyn Wedington tried to cheat the government and was caught,” said Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore field office. “People who file fraudulent tax returns are committing a crime and, as the sentence today shows, risking serious jail time. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out violations of the law."
“Wedington engaged in a scheme to receive a salary free of tax withholdings, yet that was not enough for her. Wedington continued her fraudulent behavior by submitting false income tax returns to the IRS, furthering her efforts to avoid paying taxes,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson. “The prosecution of individuals, such as Wedington, is vital to maintaining confidence and compliance with our tax laws. Tax fraud investigations remain the core of our agency’s law enforcement efforts.”
According to Wedington’s plea agreement, she was a full-time salaried employee of the Maryland Center for Adult Training, Inc. (MCAT) from 2009 through 2019, initially serving as MCAT’s student coordinator and in 2012 becoming the organization’s Executive Director. MCAT was a non-profit entity that provided training and employment certifications for jobs in the healthcare field. MCAT represented itself to be a private career school accredited by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Board of Nursing. MCAT was an approved “Eligible Training Provider” (ETP) and its name appeared on the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s Eligible Training Provider List. As a recognized ETP, MCAT received federal funds, as well as funding from private philanthropic organizations, such as the Abell Foundation and Associated Black Charities. In 2015, former Baltimore City employee Gary Brown, Jr. became Chairman of MCAT’s Board of Directors and obtained signatory authority on MCAT’s bank account.
Wedington admitted that she conspired with Gary Brown to avoid tax withholdings from her payroll checks while Wedington was the Executive Director of MCAT and Brown was the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Specifically, in 2013, Wedington’s salary was garnished due to outstanding student loan debt and medical bills. In order to avoid further garnishments, Wedington asked Brown to take her “off payroll,” which meant that MCAT would no longer submit her name to the payroll service provider for the purpose of calculating taxes to be withheld from her salary. Brown agreed to the arrangement and had MCAT make electronic deposits into his personal bank account in an amount that exceeded the annual salary owed to Wedington, creating the pretense that he was doing work for MCAT as an independent contractor. Brown then wrote checks to Wedington and/or gave her cash equal to or greater than her salary, which was more than $80,000 per year. No taxes were withheld from the funds Brown paid to Wedington, nor did Wedington’s salary go through her bank account, where it could be garnished.
In addition, Wedington admitted that she paid Brown a small fee to prepare fraudulent tax returns for her for tax years 2013 through 2017. The fraudulent tax returns did not report Wedington’s MCAT income and made a variety of false entries, resulting in refunds to which Wedington was not entitled and avoiding over $121,000 in total taxes due and owing.
Former Baltimore City employee Gary Brown, Jr., age 38, of Baltimore, was previously sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and for filing a false tax return. Judge Chasanow also ordered Brown to pay restitution of $14,000.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations - Labor Racketeering and Fraud, the Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office, and the Baltimore City Office of Inspector General for their assistance. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case.
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Former CFO of ETA Compute Sentenced for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
BOISE – Timothy Semones, 61, of Ketchum, Idaho, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also imposed a term of three years of supervised release to follow Semones’ prison sentence, a $5,000 fine, and entered a restitution order for $3 million payable to the victim, ETA Compute.
According to court records, Semones admitted that, in 2017 and 2018, he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ETA Compute, Inc. (ETA), a corporation with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, California. Semones worked remotely from Ketchum. As part of his duties as CFO, Semones had access to ETA’s Wells Fargo Bank business checking account and had the ability to make online transfers of funds from this account.
According to court records, in 2017 and 2018, Semones was in the process of designing and building an approximate 7,000 square foot personal residence located at 29 Lake Creek Drive in Ketchum. Between October 2017 and November 2018, Semones made nine online transfers of funds, totaling $3 million, from ETA’s Wells Fargo Bank business checking account to personal bank accounts over which he had access and control. Semones used the misappropriated funds to pay construction costs for the Lake Creek Drive residence, and to pay off the balance of a line of credit used to build the residence.
According to court records, in November 2018, when ETA’s Chief Executive Officer confronted Semones about the low balance of funds in ETA’s Wells Fargo Bank business checking account, Semones made false statements about the location and balance of funds. Additionally, Semones emailed falsified Wells Fargo Bank records – that made it appear that ETA’s bank account had $1.5 million more than it actually did – to ETA’s Chief Executive Officer.
In May 2020, the Lake Creek Drive property was sold. ETA was provided with $3 million, in full restitution for its loss, from the proceeds of the sale.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Former Bay Springs City Administrator Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Federal Crimes Related to Embezzlement of City FundsRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Randy James, 56, the former City Clerk of Bay Springs in Jasper County, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Taylor McNeel, for the federal crimes of money laundering and making false statements on a federal tax return, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca, Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White. James pled guilty to the charges on October 7, 2020, before Senior U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett.
James was sentenced to serve a total of 50 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $265,561.84 to the Office of the Mississippi State Auditor on behalf of the City of Bay Springs, as well as $95,000 in restitution to the IRS and $60,000 in restitution to RLI Surety, which was the bonding surety company for the City of Bay Springs. James was also ordered to pay $30,200 in fines and special assessments.
During 2017 and 2018, Randy James was employed by the City of Bay Springs, Mississippi, as City Clerk, and had control over certain financial aspects of the city. During this time, James embezzled just over $300,000 from Bay Springs between August 2017 and April 2018 by creating fraudulent invoices from fictitious companies for the costs of false services that were never approved or incurred by the city. James diverted city funds by obtaining checks from the City of Bay Springs, cashing the checks at a local bank, and wiring those funds overseas to international scammers in the hope of winning money in a lottery scheme. James also made false statements on his personal 2018 Federal Income Tax Return by under-reporting gross receipts by $193,331.00.
The State Auditor’s Office previously issued a demand letter to James for $325,562 which included the amount of his embezzlement, plus interest and investigative costs. In his publicly filed plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, James agreed to pay a total of $420,562 in restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney LaMarca commended the federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation displayed in this case. The case was investigated by the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Florida man admits to conspiring to transport stolen campers across state linesRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Yankier Gaston Garcia, of Florida, has admitted to his involvement in the theft of campers from a business in Elkins, West Virginia, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Garcia, 32, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Offense against the United States.” Garcia admitted to driving a heavy-duty pickup truck into Elkins, West Virginia, and stealing a 2021 Grand Design Reflection camper, valued at $48,895.00, from Roy’s RV Supercenter in July 2020.
Garcia is facing up to five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Fitchburg Man Charged with Money Laundering and Illegal Money Transmission for Converting Cash to BitcoinRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man was indicted by a grand jury in connection with his alleged involvement in an unlicensed money transmission business that exchanged cash for Bitcoin for individuals represented to be involved in unlawful trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Alan Joseph, 32, was indicted today on one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and four counts of money laundering. Joseph was initially charged by criminal complaint and arrested in February 2021.
According to charging documents, between August 2020 and February 2021, Joseph engaged in at least four financial transactions where he converted cash to Bitcoin in connection with what Joseph believed to be trafficking in counterfeit goods, which is illegal under federal law. Bitcoin is a form of virtual currency, or cryptocurrency, that has no physical form and is traded exclusively by electronic means.
Joseph allegedly sought to promote and conceal the nature of such illegal activity. For instance, on Aug. 12, 2020, Joseph converted approximately $12,000 in cash to Bitcoin for an undercover agent who Joseph believed to be a seller of counterfeit “Gucci” products sourced from China. The undercover agent further represented that his Chinese supplier required Bitcoin to purchase the product. Approximately two months later on Oct. 28, 2020, Joseph allegedly converted about $25,000 in cash to Bitcoin for the same undercover agent. During this meeting, the undercover agent represented to Joseph that the money Joseph was converting was from “rich housewives” who purchased “fake” items. It is further alleged that Joseph expressed an interest in purchasing counterfeit goods from the undercover agent.
Contrary to federal law and regulations, Joseph never registered his money transmission business with the Department of Treasury, nor did he ever request identification from the undercover agent during the meetings.
The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Services-Criminal Investigation; and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Filer Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOISE – Scott Nice, 31, of Filer, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 36 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. U.S. Chief District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Nice to serve ten years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Nice pleaded guilty to the charge on March 6, 2020.
According to court records, between January 30, 2019 and February 5, 2019, law enforcement computers operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force downloaded several files of child pornography that were made available by Nice’s computer via a peer-to-peer network. A federal magistrate judge issued a search warrant for Nice’s Filer residence. FBI and ICAC members executed the search warrant and seized a laptop computer from Nice’s residence. A forensic examination of the computer revealed files of child pornography anime and internet history showing that the computer had been used to view child pornography videos. Nice admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography and child pornography anime.
At sentencing, Judge Nye also ordered Nice to forfeit the computer used in the commission of the offense. As a result of conviction, Nice will be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office.
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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal 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.
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Federal Gun and Drug Charges Added to Indictment Accusing Suburban Chicago Man of Attempting to Support ISISRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A newly filed federal indictment adds firearm and drug charges against a suburban Chicago man accused of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS.
JASON BROWN, also known as “Abdul Ja’ Me” and “Matthew Dobbs,” was originally charged in 2019 with attempting on three separate occasions to provide $500 in cash to ISIS, knowing that the group was engaging in terrorist activity. A superseding indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleges that Brown illegally possessed four loaded handguns in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime that included distributing methamphetamines. The superseding indictment also accuses Brown of distributing fentanyl and conspiring to possess marijuana plants with the intent to distribute.
Brown, 38, of Lombard, Ill., has been in law enforcement custody since his arrest in 2019. He pleaded not guilty to the new charges during arraignment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sunil R. Harjani.
The superseding indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the U.S. Department of Justice; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by the Illinois State Police, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Lombard (Ill.) Police Department, and Addison (Ill.) Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shoba Pillay, Sean Driscoll and Nicholas Eichenseer of the Northern District of Illinois, with support from the National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section.
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The charges in the superseding indictment and the maximum sentence for each count are as follows: Three counts of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization (20 years); one count of drug conspiracy involving the possession of marijuana plants (life in prison, and a minimum sentence of ten years); one count of distribution of a controlled substance involving fentanyl (life in prison, and a minimum sentence of ten years); one count of distribution of a controlled substance involving marijuana (30 years); one count of possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute (life in prison, and a minimum sentence of 15 years); one count of illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon (ten years); and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (life in prison, and a minimum sentence of five years).
Federal Court Orders New York Company and its Operators to Stop Distributing Adulterated Dietary SupplementsRead the Press Release
A federal court permanently enjoined a New York company and its operators from manufacturing or distributing dietary supplements unless and until they comply with the law.
A complaint filed May 23, 2019, alleged that Confidence USA Inc. company president Helen Chian, and company manager Jim Chao violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by distributing adulterated dietary supplements.
The complaint alleged that inspections conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016, 2017, and 2018 showed that the defendants repeatedly failed to verify that their finished dietary supplements met product specifications for identity, purity, strength, composition, and contamination limits, and failed to verify the identity of each dietary ingredient used in the manufacture of the supplements. The Justice Department filed the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York at the request of the FDA.
“American consumers expect dietary supplements to contain the ingredients stated on the label, in the stated amounts,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that dietary supplement manufacturers follow the law.”
According to the complaint, the defendants made and distributed more than 50 dietary supplements under brand names that include Confidence USA, American Best, USA Natural and The Herbal Store.
“The millions of Americans who take dietary supplements trust that they are unadulterated and meet product specifications under good manufacturing practice regulations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Seth D. DuCharme for the Eastern District of New York. “The injunctive relief obtained by the United States in this case protects consumers by requiring defendants to follow the law and adhere to the regulations in manufacturing and distributing dietary supplements.”
Dietary supplements not prepared, packed and held in conformance with current good manufacturing practices regulations are adulterated in violation of the FDCA. The FDA issued a warning letter to Confidence USA in 2011 regarding deficiencies with the company’s manufacturing practices, and U.S. Marshals previously seized certain Confidence USA products in connection with a 2012 complaint alleging the products were adulterated.
“Consumers deserve access to dietary supplements that are manufactured to assure their quality,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA’s Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “If a dietary supplement company repeatedly fails to comply with basic good manufacturing practice requirements, the public cannot trust that their products are what they say they are. The FDA will continue to protect American consumers by taking appropriate actions necessary when companies violate the law.”
Trial Attorney Raquel Toledo of the Department of Justice Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Schumacher from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York handled the case, with assistance from Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement Jennifer Argabright of the FDA’s Office of General Counsel.
For information on the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.
Fairfield Woman Sentenced on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Fairfield woman was sentenced today in federal court for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Stephanie Pelletier, 29, to 32 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Pelletier pleaded guilty in October 2020.
According to court records, between September 1, 2018, and March 3, 2019, Pelletier participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. She obtained the narcotics from out-of-state suppliers and distributed them for sale in central Maine.
The Waterville Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
Employee of Middletown Used Car Dealership Sentenced to Prison for Role in Auto Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUSTIN WILLIAMS, 42, of Rocky Hill, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in an auto loan fraud scheme. Judge Chatigny ordered Williams to serve the first three months of his supervised release in home confinement, and to perform 200 hours of community service.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams worked as a salesman and de facto general manager at a used car dealership located at 1075 Newfield Street in Middletown, known variously as Car Nation, LLC, Car Nation CT, LLC, and Middletown Motorcars, which was owned and operated by George Hajati. In connection with automobile loan applications for multiple borrowers, Williams, Hajati and others submitted documents and statements to victim lenders that falsely represented the borrower’s employment, salary, sources of income, and amount of a down payment. The false documents included fictitious or altered borrower pay stubs and income verification letters purportedly from the Social Security Administration. Williams submitted loan applications indicating that borrowers made salaries they did not make, worked at jobs they did not work, received income from the Social Security Administration they did not receive, and made down payments they did not make. In some instances, the borrower was not aware of, and did not authorize, Williams’ use of his or her personal identifying information to obtain automobile loans in these ways.
Between approximately November 2015 and June 2016, Williams defrauded lenders of $264,345.54 through this scheme. He was ordered to pay $251,267.08 in restitution.
Williams was previously convicted of federal fraud charges related to a Hartford-area scheme to defraud mortgage lenders, and he was on federal supervised release as the time of his participation in this auto loan fraud scheme.
Williams was arrested on a criminal complaint on January 16, 2020. On November 19, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Williams, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on July 5, 2021.
Hajati pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud stemming from this scheme. He also was previously convicted of federal fraud charges related to the Hartford-area mortgage fraud scheme and was serving a term of supervised release. In June 2020, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $654,952.56 in restitution for his role in the auto loan fraud scheme, and was sentenced to an additional 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and David T. Huang.
Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Kareem A. Salem (619) 546-8904 and Larry Casper (619) 546-6734
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 4, 2021
SAN DIEGO – Arnold Ray Walters III of San Diego pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford to distributing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of a 24-year-old male who resided in Poway on January 1, 2017. The charge to which Walters pleaded guilty carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence.
According to his plea agreement, Walters admitted that, on or about December 31, 2016, he knowingly provided a pressed-blue pill containing fentanyl to another individual and understood that it would, in turn, be provided to the victim. Walters also admitted he was aware of the potentially lethal impact of the fentanyl based on his knowledge of other individuals accidentally overdosing on fentanyl.
“We will continue to vigorously prosecute those selling deadly fentanyl for profit and who take lives and destroy families in the process,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. “Fentanyl overdose deaths increased threefold in San Diego County from 2019 to 2020. Our office is working with law enforcement to pursue fentanyl suppliers and hold them accountable for the tragic results of their unlawful activities.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Grossman praised the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kareem Salem and Larry Casper for their efforts on this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also works closely on these matters with agents from Narcotics Task Force Team 10, a multi-agency team housed by DEA that was created in July 2018 to address drug overdose deaths in San Diego.
Sheriff Bill Gore said, “This case highlights the commitment of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in following all available leads and working collaboratively with our justice partners to investigate and prosecute overdose deaths.”
Walters, who is also pending sentencing on an earlier guilty plea to federal firearms charges, is scheduled to be sentenced on both cases by U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on May 21, 2021 at 9 a.m.
For those who suffer from addiction, please know there is help. Call the Crisis line at 888-724-7240; it’s always open.
DEFENDANT Case Number 19-CR-4406-JLS
Arnold Ray Walters III Age: 33
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(b)(1)(c)
Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum 20 years in prison up to life
AGENCY
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Dorchester pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing fentanyl.
Snolbert Ramirez-Sandoval, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl and two counts of employment or use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2021. Ramirez-Sandoval was charged in August 2018.
Sandoval sold fentanyl on July 26, 2018, by directing the buyer to go to an apartment in Roslindale. The sole occupants were two young boys (one between 10-and-14-years-old and the other between 2-and-6-years-old). The older boy led the buyer to the room in which Ramirez-Sandoval had left the fentanyl. The buyer paid the older child for the substance and left. On Aug. 2, 2018, the buyer returned to the Roslindale apartment to purchase additional fentanyl from Ramirez-Sandoval who told the buyer by phone that he was not yet there, but the kids were upstairs and instructed the buyer to ring the buzzer. The buyer was greeted by the same two children. Approximately 20 minutes later, Ramirez-Sandoval and another individual arrived at the apartment and sold the buyer the fentanyl
The charge of distribution of fentanyl carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of employment or use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations carries a sentence of up to 45 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $300,000. Ramirez-Sandoval will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Doctor Admits Illegally Prescribing OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JENNIFER FARRELL, 38, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to a narcotics distribution offense related to her illegally writing numerous prescriptions for oxycodone while she was a doctor in New Haven.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Farrell was a medical resident at Yale New Haven Health (“YNHH”) in its Emergency Department from July 2017 until June 2019. From March 2018 to March 2019, Farrell wrote more than 50 prescriptions for oxycodone for non-legitimate medical purposes outside the scope of her professional practice in the name of at least five individuals. Farrell did not see any of the other individuals for any medical purpose at any YNHH facility during the entire period of her residency. In total, she wrote illegal prescriptions for nearly 4,000 oxycodone tablets during that approximately one-year period.
Farrell pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of her professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2021, at which time Farrell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Farrell was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 31, 2019. She is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Group. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.
District Court Orders Long Island Company and its Operators to Stop Distributing Adulterated Dietary SupplementsRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – The United States Court for the Eastern District of New York has permanently enjoined a New York company and its operators from manufacturing or distributing dietary supplements unless and until they comply with the law, the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced today.
A complaint filed May 23, 2019, alleged that defendants Confidence USA Inc., of Port Washington, New York, the company’s president Helen Chian, and manager Jim Chao violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by distributing adulterated dietary supplements. The complaint alleged that inspections conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016, 2017, and 2018 showed that the defendants repeatedly failed to verify that their finished dietary supplements met product specifications for identity, purity, strength, composition, and contamination limits, and failed to verify the identity of each dietary ingredient used in the manufacture of the supplements. The United States filed the complaint in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York at the request of the FDA.
“The millions of Americans who take dietary supplements trust that they are unadulterated and meet product specifications under good manufacturing practice regulations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Seth D. DuCharme. “The injunctive relief obtained by the United States in this case protects consumers by requiring defendants to follow the law and adhere to the regulations in manufacturing and distributing dietary supplements.”
“American consumers expect dietary supplements to contain the ingredients stated on the label, in the stated amounts,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that dietary supplement manufacturers follow the law.”
“Consumers deserve access to dietary supplements that are manufactured to assure their quality. If a dietary supplement company repeatedly fails to comply with basic good manufacturing practice requirements, the public cannot trust that their products are what they say they are,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA’s Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “The FDA will continue to protect American consumers by taking appropriate actions necessary when companies violate the law.”
According to the complaint, the defendants made and distributed more than 50 dietary supplements under brand names that include Confidence USA, American Best, USA Natural and The Herbal Store.
Dietary supplements not prepared, packed and held in conformance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) regulations are adulterated in violation of the FDCA. The FDA issued a warning letter to Confidence USA in 2011 regarding deficiencies with the company’s manufacturing practices, and U.S. Marshals previously seized certain Confidence USA products in connection with a 2012 complaint alleging the products were adulterated.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schumacher from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Raquel Toledo of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch handled the case, with assistance from Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement Jennifer Argabright of the FDA’s Office of General Counsel.
E.D.N.Y. Docket No: 19–CV–3073 (ERK)
Cryptocurrency Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud and Money Laundering Charges in Multi-Million Dollar Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
A citizen of Sweden pleaded guilty to securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering charges that defrauded more than 3,500 victims of more than $16 million.
Roger Nils-Jonas Karlsson, 47, and his company, Eastern Metal Securities (EMS), was charged in a criminal complaint filed March 4, 2019, with crimes involving a scheme to defraud victims of more than $16 million. Karlsson, also known by several aliases including Steve Heyden, Euclid Deodoris, Joshua Millard, Lars Georgsson, Paramon Larasoft, and Kenth Westerberg, was arrested on June 17, 2019, in Thailand and was extradited to the United States to face the charges. A federal grand jury indicted Karlsson and EMS on July 25, 2019. Karlsson pleaded guilty to all the charges pending against him. EMS has ceased to exist.
The indictment and a factual basis filed by the government describe a long-running scheme by which Karlsson and EMS used a website to commit wire fraud against thousands of victims. Specifically, the indictment explains that from Nov. 27, 2012, through June 19, 2019, Karlsson and EMS used www.easternmetalsecurities.com to make fraudulent representations and convince victims to send funds using a virtual currency exchange. During the same period, Karlsson and EMS used deceptive “devices and contrivances” to sell securities and then tried to conceal the proceeds of the wire fraud and securities fraud.
During the proceedings, Karlsson admitted that he used the website to invite potential investors to purchase shares of the plan for less than $100 per share, promising an eventual payout of 1.15 kilograms of gold per share, an amount of gold which as of Jan. 2, 2019, was worth more than $45,000. Karlsson advised investors that, in the unlikely event that the gold payout did not happen, he guaranteed to them 97% of the amount they invested. Karlsson admitted he had no way to pay off the investors. Instead, the funds provided by victims were transferred to Karlsson’s personal bank accounts and he then used proceeds to purchase expensive homes and a resort in Thailand.
As the government has alleged, Karlsson also used a second website, www.hci25.com, to make multiple false communications to potential investors. Karlsson brought the investors in HCI25 together with the investors in the “Pre Funded Reversed Pension Plan” (PFRPP) and posted multiple communications to delay the moment investors would realize there would be no payout. For example, on one occasion, Karlsson explained that a payout had not occurred because releasing so much money all at once could cause a negative effect on financial systems throughout the world. Karlsson also falsely represented that EMS was working with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to prepare the way for a payout.
Karlsson directed his victims to make investments using virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin. Karlsson admitted he defrauded no less than 3,575 victims of more than $16 million.
Karlsson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine for the wire fraud and securities fraud charges, and 20 years in prison and a $500,000 maximum fine for the money laundering charge. In addition, the court also may order an additional term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, and restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds of the Northern District of California; and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.
Trial Attorney Catherine Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Frentzen are prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Beausey of the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the forfeiture proceedings.
IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Cyber Crimes Unit investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Thailand, the IRS-CI Attaché Office in Hong Kong and the Royal Thai Police Crime Suppression Division provided significant assistance.
Convicted Felon who Possessed a Firearm Sentenced to More than Three Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a loaded gun was sentenced February 26, 2021, to more than three years in federal prison.
Joshua Jacobs, age 39, from LeMars, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 18, 2020, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jacobs was previously convicted of felony drug crimes which made it illegal for him to possess a gun.
Evidence at Jacob’s, detention, change of plea, and sentencing hearings revealed that on October 15, 2019, officers of the Sioux City Police Department conducting surveillance on a residence observed a vehicle not registered to Jacobs leaving the residence. Due to a malfunctioning license plate light, officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. The vehicle did not immediately stop and “slow rolled” for a distance before coming to a stop. Immediately upon stopping the vehicle, Jacobs exited the driver’s seat. Due to this unusual behavior, Jacobs was placed in handcuffs. A female passenger in the vehicle, was observed to be bleeding from her hand and to have a white powder on her shirt. Officers also observed what appeared to be a broken methamphetamine pipe on the passenger’s side floor.
Due to those items, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. On the passenger’s side, officers located a digital scale, broken glass, and a baggie that was found to contain approximately four grams of methamphetamine. In the center console, officers found a black bag, which contained a number of small baggies of a white powder and crystalline substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. Jacobs stated that the substance in the black bag was not methamphetamine but was MSM. In a spare tire well in the trunk of the vehicle, officers located a loaded .40 caliber Springfield XD handgun, which was later found to have been stolen. The 12-round magazine contained 11 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. The defendant initially denied having any knowledge of the firearm; however, in a subsequent interview, Jacobs admitted that he had possessed the firearm, which he knew to be stolen.
Jacobs was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Jacobs was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Jacobs is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from our Project Guardian partners. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4008.
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