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Friday 12 February 2021
Head of Daytona Beach Drug Conspiracy Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Matthew Zachariah Humphrey (26, Daytona Beach) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that offense. He faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison for the drug conspiracy and an additional 5 years’ imprisonment for possessing the firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy offense. Humphrey’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2021.
According to court documents, Humphrey, his co-defendant Janee Reve Najee Kelly, and others worked together to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Daytona Beach area. On June 17, 2020, Humphrey and Kelly were detained at the same time in an area of Daytona Beach. At the time of their arrests, Humphrey possessed cocaine, fentanyl, and a stolen, loaded firearm and Kelly possessed fentanyl and a firearm as well. The two conspirators collectively possessed more than 88 grams of fentanyl.
On December 8, 2020, Kelly pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of her offense. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2021. Humphrey will be sentenced on April 27, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Grayson County Man Indicted for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Sherman, Texas man has been indicted on charges involving the sexual exploitation of children in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Brian Christopher Welch, 43, was arrested on Feb. 3, 2021, pursuant to a federal criminal complaint charging him with production and distribution of child pornography. Welch was indicted by a federal grand jury this week and formally charged with child pornography violations.
“This case shows that there is no one type of individual who preys on children. Child sexual predators come from all backgrounds, genders, races, and ethnicities – and they are often active members of their community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Parents are urged to use caution in allowing any outsider, including friends and people in positions of trust, to have unsupervised access to their children. The Eastern District is proud of its robust partnership with federal and state law enforcement agencies, and is committed to utilizing all available resources, both nationally and internationally, to locate those individuals who use internet-based technologies to exploit children.”
According to court documents, between December 2016 and August 2020, Welch is alleged to have used digital devices to record a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Additionally, Welch is charged with distributing child pornography to another person, and with transportation of child pornography, on Jan. 29, 2021.
If convicted, Welch faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa J. Miller.
It is important to note that a complaint, arrest, or indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian Official and Wife Plead Guilty to Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Edwards, 48, of Walnut Grove, a former member of the Tribal Council for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and his wife, Sheena A. Edwards, 45, pled guilty yesterday to a Superseding Indictment charging them with money laundering conspiracy, announced Acting United States Attorney Darren LaMarca and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
A superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2019, charges the former lawmaker and his wife with defrauding the Tribal government, as well as misleading a federally insured bank with intent to obtain loans.
Between March 2015 and June 2017, the husband and wife are alleged to have forged hotel bills and receipts, and to have submitted those documents to the Tribal government in claims for reimbursement for official business travel by Kevin Edwards. Edwards is a former Member of the Tribal Council who left office in June 2017. After receiving the unlawful payments from the tribal government, the two defendants cashed and transferred the payments to multiple bank accounts and paid off personal loans in the name of Sheena Edwards.
“As long as public corruption continues to be an issue in our state, I can promise you that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be here to root it out, prosecute it, and ensure that justice is done. I want to personally thank the agencies involved for working with us to catch those who violate our corruption laws,” said Acting U.S. Attorney LaMarca.
Kevin Edwards and Sheena Edwards each entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder money, which carries a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment. Each defendant can also face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing hearings for both Kevin Edwards and Sheena Edwards are set to take place before United States District Judge Henry T. Wingate on May 11, 2021, at the Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Acting U.S. Attorney LaMarca commended the work of the Special Agents with the FBI’s Jackson Division who investigated the case. The Leake County Sheriff’s Office assisted with arrests. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Theodore Cooperstein.
Former Chief Operating Officer of Global Premier Soccer Charged in Visa Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Chief Operating Officer of Global Premier Soccer (GPS), a now defunct youth soccer organization formerly based in Waltham, Mass., was charged today in connection with a wide-ranging visa fraud conspiracy.
Justin Capell, 39, of Southborough, Mass., was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the court.
According to court documents, from at least 2016 to October 2019, Capell conspired with other GPS executives and employees, and with GPS’s outside counsel, to defraud several federal agencies by submitting fraudulent visa petitions in order to secure work visas for hundreds of GPS employees.
Specifically, it is alleged that Capell and his co-conspirators arranged to file fraudulent visa petitions on behalf of at least seven professional soccer teams in order to secure visas for GPS’s foreign coaching staff. The petitions falsely stated that the beneficiaries would be working as scouts or assistant coaches for the professional teams when in reality they were employed only as youth soccer coaches by GPS. As part of the conspiracy, Capell and others submitted phony employment contracts between professional teams and the purported beneficiaries. It is also alleged that Capell and co-conspirators created fraudulent coaching licenses for the beneficiaries, which were included as part of the visa application packages. A second facet of the conspiracy involved the filing of fraudulent visa petitions for foreign workers who were scheduled to work for GPS affiliates in one part of the country, but who were sent to work in different parts of the United States.
In some instances, it is alleged that conspirators directed visa beneficiaries to mislead U.S. immigration officials – providing them with detailed instructions on how to answer questions during their visa interviews.
In May 2020, Gavin MacPhee, a former GPS employee, pleaded guilty to destroying records in connection with this investigation.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge are based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Regional Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security Unit in Vermont. HSI’s Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force, a specialized investigative group comprised of various local, state and federal agencies, conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A Queenin and Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Lelling’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, are 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.
Foreign currency trader sentenced for investment fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Kevin Perry, who ran an investment fraud scam that began when he was a teenager and resulted in more than $430,000 in losses to investors, has been sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison.
“Perry’s fraud caused unsuspecting investors to lose their hard-earned money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “During this pandemic, many have lost jobs and businesses while criminals continued to prey on unsuspecting citizens. Perry’s brazen actions, which included his continued scamming after a complaint was filed ordering him to cease, landed him in prison.”
“Perry carelessly continued his fraudulent investments even after a civil complaint was filed against him, thinking he was untouchable”, said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Hopefully, this sentence sends a message that the FBI will find criminals who greedily prey on investors, no matter how clever they believe their scheme to be.”
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information presented in court: Kevin Perry led investors to believe that his investment company, Lucrative Pips, was successfully earning substantial profits by investing in the foreign currency (or “FOREX”) market. Perry induced investors to send money by signing agreements that claimed the investors’ initial investments were secure from loss.
In actuality, Lucrative Pips was never registered as a commodity pool operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC.) Also, Perry had never generated the historical returns represented to investors. Instead, he was using investor money to enrich himself or to pay off other investors, with the goal of enticing others to invest with him.
Even after the CFTC filed a civil complaint against Perry, he continued to make fraudulent investment pitches to potential investors, which included falsely promising an undercover FBI agent that an investment of $10,000 would return a profit of $19,000 to $25,000 per month.
Kevin Perry, 23, of Cartersville, Georgia was sentenced to three years and five months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $438,799 in restitution and a special assessment of $100.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas J. Krepp and Nathan P. Kitchens, Chief of the Public Integrity and Special Matters Section, prosecuted the case. The Commodities and Futures Trading Commission provided invaluable assistance throughout the course of the investigation.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Fifteen-year prison sentence imposed for drug dealerRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – Acting United States Attorney John Childress announced today that Thomas Lee Goliday, 49, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.
“The investigators from IMPD did a tremendous job investigating this case,” said Childress. “Another drug dealer is off the streets of Indianapolis, a firearm is out of the hands of a convicted felon, dangerous and illegal substances are removed from the community, and Goliday is being held accountable for his illegal behavior.”
In August of 2018, officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department learned that an individual who was known as "Red" was distributing large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base throughout the Indianapolis area. Through investigation, “Red” was identified as Thomas Goliday who resided in Indianapolis. Officers also learned that Goliday was on supervised release from a 2009 drug arrest in Tennessee for possession with the intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Officers obtained a search warrant for Goliday’s residence in late September 2018. That warrant was executed on the evening of September 27, 2018. During the execution of the warrant, Goliday returned to his residence as the search was occurring.
In the residence’s attached garage, officers found a loaded Glock 22, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, over 49 grams of fentanyl, over 42 grams of a fentanyl and cocaine mixture, over 10 grams of cocaine base, over 10 grams of methamphetamine, 6 Alprazolam 1mg schedule IV pills, and 8 Oxycodone pills.
Further investigation revealed that Goliday had been receiving and dealing two ounces of heroin a week for a year and that the loaded firearm found during the search was owned by Goliday.
This case was investigated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement with our community is key to reducing violence in Indianapolis, and we value our continued partnership with Acting U.S. Attorney Childress and the DEA that led to the removal of a violent individual, dangerous substances, and a firearm from our neighborhoods. The IMPD remains dedicated to building upon these partnerships to make Indianapolis a safer place for all to live, work, play, and visit,” said IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey. “I appreciate the dedication of the IMPD detectives and DEA agents who worked on this investigation and the Assistant U.S. Attorney who worked to prosecute Mr. Goliday.”
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon said, “The sentencing of Mr. Goliday was justice for the fine citizens of Indianapolis. Mr. Goliday, a convicted felon was responsible for distributing several addictive and destructive drugs, such as fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The DEA Indianapolis District Office remains committed to keeping our communities safe by investigating and arresting drug traffickers like Mr. Goliday and taking their illegal firearms off the streets, The DEA appreciates the exceptional work by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle P. Brady, who prosecuted this case for the government, Goliday must also serve 10 years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
In November of 2020, Acting United States Attorney John E. Childress renewed a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s enduring commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in the distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, opioids, and synthetic opioids. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 3.3.
Federal Gun and Drug Charges Filed Against Suburban Chicago ManRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been arrested for allegedly illegally possessing a loaded handgun and dealing crack cocaine.
LARRY DENNIS, 36, of Markham, is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and one count of illegal possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The complaint alleges that Dennis on three occasions last month sold suspected crack cocaine to an individual who, unbeknownst to Dennis, was cooperating with law enforcement. Dennis also illegally possessed the loaded handgun in his residence on Jan. 20, 2021, the complaint states. Dennis had previously been convicted of multiple state felonies, including robbery and firearm offenses, and was not lawfully allowed to possess a gun.
Dennis was arrested Thursday on the federal charges. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert and was ordered to remain detained in federal custody.
The complaint and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen DeTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Daniel Delaney, Chief of the Midlothian Police Department. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Markham Police Department, Dolton Police Department, and Orland Park Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The drug charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while the firearm count carries a maximum sentence of ten years. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Erie Felon Charged with Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Elias Dominique Raggs, 27, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or January 12, 2021, Raggs possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with Marijuana Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Firearms by a Prohibited Person.
Luke Eagleman, III, age 40, was indicted on December 8, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 9, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between January 1, 2007, and September 1, 2020, Eagleman knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute marijuana in South Dakota. Further, on September 1, 2020, in Eagle Butte, Eagleman possessed 905 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute it, as well as a rifle and a handgun. Eagleman has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The charges are merely accusations and Eagleman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Cook is prosecuting the case.
Eagleman was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Durable medical equipment company owner sentenced to federal prison for bribery conspiracyRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Florida man who operated a durable medical equipment company has been sentenced to federal prison for participating in a commercial bribery conspiracy that involved a health care program.
Patrick Wolfe, 48, of Belleair Beach, Fla., the operator of Wilmington Island Medical Inc., which does business as WI Medical Inc., was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Wolfe also is ordered to pay $549,476.17 in restitution, and after completion of his prison term must serve three years of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“After ripping off taxpayer-provided health care benefits to fuel his own greed, Patrick Wolfe had the audacity to flaunt his ill-gotten gains by fueling up and driving around in a Maserati,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “A stint behind bars will put the brakes on this conspiracy.”
In pleading guilty to Conspiracy, Wolfe admitted paying kickbacks in return for “leads,” which were in actuality signed orders from physicians and nurse practitioners, and then billing those orders to a Medicare Advantage plan using WI Medical.
The financial total for orders facilitated through this scheme is alleged to be in the millions of dollars. Medicare beneficiaries were located in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere.
“This sentence will hold Wolfe accountable for the damage he caused to Medicare and every taxpayer in this country,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Government-subsidized programs like Medicare help protect the healthcare needs of deserving Americans, and the FBI is determined to stop people like Wolfe from illegally profiting off of them.”
“This sentence is a warning to those who enrich themselves through fraud scams at the expense of taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to crack down on such schemes, which waste taxpayer funds designed to care for vulnerable patients.”
“Our nation’s healthcare system cannot tolerate kickbacks to physicians and pharmacies while criminals line their pockets with taxpayer-funded healthcare dollars, particularly in light of our nation’s current struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Savannah Resident Agent in Charge Glen M. Kessler, U.S. Secret Service. “Cases of this magnitude can only be tackled using a strategy that recognizes that the most effective way to fight these large criminal networks is by combining the strengths, resources, and expertise of our federal agencies.”
The Southern District of Georgia has now charged 31 individuals and companies as part of the nationwide crackdown on fraudulent genetic testing, and prescribing of orthotic braces and pain creams, identifying more than $1.5 billion in losses to Medicare and Medicaid for defendants charged int the Southern District alone.
This investigation is ongoing. As telemedicine becomes an increasing part of our healthcare system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, vigilance in ensuring that fraud and kickbacks do not usurp the legitimate practice of medicine by electronic means is more important than ever. If you are aware of any fraud or kickbacks relating to telemedicine, including COVID-19 fraud, please call the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
This particular prosecution resulted from a joint investigation of multiple agencies and offices. Acting U.S. Attorney Estes acclaimed the hard work of the investigatory team, led by FBI - Savannah, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the United States Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Porter prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Drumright Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $400,000 from an Illinois Oil and Gas CompanyRead the Press Release
A Drumright man today admitted in federal court that he stole $401, 146 worth of funds and oil and gas products from his former employer, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
David Owen West, 59, pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan. The sentencing hearing was set for May 13, 2021.
“David West was a trusted employee for close to 30 years at Petco Petroleum. He violated that trust by engaging in schemes to defraud his employer as West helped himself to more than $400,000 of the company’s money,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This prosecution exemplifies this office’s resolve to hold responsible individuals who profit from criminal deceit and embezzlement. Thanks to the work of white-collar prosecutor Charles McLoughlin, IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, West is now a convicted felon.”
West carried out two schemes against Petco Petroleum, an Illinois oil and gas company where he was employed for nearly 30 years. In one scheme, West produced and submitted to Petco Petroleum fraudulent invoices for services that were never rendered, totaling $129,038, which his employer paid in full and West pocketed. In a second scheme, West hired trucks to haul oil stolen from his employer’s oil leases to a reclaimer who then paid him $266,802 for the oil. Then West charged Petco Petroleum for the transport costs of their own stolen oil.
As field supervisor and oilfield pumper working in Oklahoma for Petco Petroleum (Petco), West checked wells to ensure they were properly functioning and to gauge oil production as well as selected vendors from which the company would purchase products or services needed to operate the wells. In order to be paid by Petco, vendors submitted invoices and documentation for goods or services provided to the company for West’s review and approval. West then mailed the approved invoices to Petco each month to be included in the company’s monthly accounts payable run.
In early 2015, West acquired a property in Drumright, Oklahoma, and on Oct. 27, 2015, legally registered Flash Electric Services, LLC, using the address in Drumright, with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Flash was used as part of West’s scheme to defraud his employer. From September 2015 to December 2016, West included 116 fraudulent invoices from Flash, totaling $129,038.00, in the monthly documents mailed to Petco for alleged electrical services that were never performed on the company’s Oklahoma oil wells. Based on these invoices, Petco mailed 15 separate checks via the U.S. Mail to Flash in Drumright to pay for the alleged services. All payments from Petco to Flash were subsequently deposited into bank accounts which West controlled.
In addition to the Flash false invoice scheme, West arranged for approximately 50 loads of Petco’s oil to be transported by Lightning Tank Truck and Independent Trucking to U.S. Oil Reclaimers, Inc. West sold and had delivered approximately $266,802 worth of stolen oil to the reclaimer. West directed the company to issue payment to either himself or Flash Services and personally picked up the checks. He then forwarded to his employer invoices for payment from both trucking companies for the cost of the transportation of the stolen Petco oil, totaling $5,306. After West approved the trucking invoices to be paid, Petco issued and mailed checks to both trucking companies.
IRS-Criminal Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. McLoughlin is prosecuting the case.
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Not Paying Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
A doctor, formerly of Great Falls, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to willful failure to pay employment taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia.
According to court documents, from 2011 through 2018, Arshad Pervez Cheema owned and operated Walk-In Medical Center PC, a medical practice located in Falls Church and Herndon, Virginia. Cheema was responsible for collecting and paying to the IRS payroll taxes, which consisted of Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes that had been withheld from his employees’ wages, as well as an employer portion. Over a four-year period from 2012 to 2016, Cheema willfully did not pay over $500,000 in payroll taxes. Instead, he used some of the withheld funds for other business ventures, including to open and run a restaurant in Washington, D.C. In addition, Cheema did not pay corporate taxes for Walk-In Medical Center PC, nor did he pay employment taxes for another doctor’s office, Falls Church Family Care PC, which he operated. In total, Cheema did not pay over $2 million in employment and corporate taxes.
U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2021. At sentencing, Cheema faces a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Cheema also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and a fine.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Casey S. Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Not Paying Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A doctor, formerly of Great Falls, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to willful failure to pay employment taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting United States Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia.
According to court documents, from 2011 through 2018, Arshad Pervez Cheema owned and operated Walk-In Medical Center, PC, a medical practice located in Falls Church and Herndon, Virginia. Cheema was responsible for collecting and paying to the IRS payroll taxes, which consisted of Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes that had been withheld from his employees’ wages, as well as an employer portion. Over a four-year period from 2012 to 2016, Cheema willfully did not pay over $500,000 in payroll taxes. Instead, he used some of the withheld funds for other business ventures, including to open and run a restaurant in Washington, D.C. In addition, Cheema did not pay corporate taxes for Walk-In Medical Center, PC, nor did he pay employment taxes for another doctor’s office, Falls Church Family Care PC, which he operated. In total, Cheema did not pay over $2 million in employment and corporate taxes.
U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga scheduled sentencing for June 23, 2021. At sentencing, Cheema faces a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Cheema also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and a fine.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Casey S. Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg, who are prosecuting the case.
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. 1:21-cr-13.
Dark web drug dealer sentenced to four years in prison for shipping heroin and meth across the countryRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 52-year-old Everett, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to four years in prison and four years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. TODD A. PETERMAN-DISHION pleaded guilty in December 2019 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik noted the overdose deaths across the country, saying the defendant “didn’t know what happened when he shipped drugs via mail… he didn’t know if the customer was 16 or 14.”
“This defendant was busily sending packages of powerful and deadly drugs out into our communities as often as twice a day,” said U.S. Attorney Moran. “He posted on the dark web that his drugs were powerful and potentially deadly, but even with that knowledge he had no hesitation sending them to addicts he knew only by their screen name and address.”
According to records filed in the case, the investigation revealed that in 2018, and until June 2019, PETERMAN-DISHION was shipping heroin and methamphetamine to customers across the country. PETERMAN-DISHION posted on the dark web about the drugs he had for sale: black tar heroin and crystal methamphetamine. He posted about the drugs’ purity and noted they were “not for beginners.” He made more than 1,650 drug sales.
When law enforcement executed a Court-authorized search warrant at the long‑stay hotel where PETERMAN-DISHION and his wife were living, they found heroin that was intended for sale to his dark web customers.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Woods.
Coon Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who received child pornography was sentenced on Thursday, February 11, 2021, to more than 8 years in federal prison.
Brandon Embrey, 38, from Coon Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 20, 2020, guilty plea to receiving child pornography
At the plea hearing, Embrey admitted that from September 2018 through April 2019, he received and possessed over 600 images of child pornography. Embrey utilized the Internet, Google Drive and Google Photos to receive and possess visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including depictions involving prepubescent minors or minors whom had not attained 12 years of age. Over 600 images of child pornography were found in Embrey’s online accounts. Embrey also admitted to being a user of methamphetamine.
Embrey was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Embrey was sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Embrey 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 Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikala Steenholdt and was investigated by the Iowa ICAC Task Force, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Coon Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-3001. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 18 More Months for Conspiring to Launder Drug Trafficking Proceeds while in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Richard Bracey was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to launder drug-trafficking proceeds between 2017 and 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Bracey, age 44, was sentenced by United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Judge Ranjan directed that the prison sentence be served consecutively to the federal prison sentence Bracey was serving for first-degree murder at the time of the crime. Judge Ranjan also directed that Bracey serve one year of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Bracey was incarcerated at USP-Lee in Virginia when he conspired to launder the proceeds of the distribution of Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid controlled substances. Such substances have caused severe illness and deaths throughout the United States in recent years.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General led the multi-agency investigation that also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Munhall Police Department, the Robinson Township Police Department, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Etna Police Department, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Convicted Felon Who Possessed Multiple Firearms Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed handguns and an assault rifle was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.
Choroin Devontea Smith, age 24, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 27, 2020 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
In a plea agreement, Smith admitted that, on January 26, 2020, police officers were conducting routine patrol in Waterloo, Iowa. At approximately 1:30 a.m., officers observed Smith and another man seated in a parked car in downtown Waterloo. After surveilling the car, an officer approached it to talk to Smith. During the conversation, the officer observed a gun holster in the front of the car in the space between the passenger and driver’s seat. An additional officer arrived and as he approached the vehicle from the driver’s side, he observed a semi-automatic Romarm/Cugir 7.62x39 rifle in the backseat of the vehicle. Officers eventually also seized a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol and a loaded Taurus .45 caliber pistol from the passenger’s seat
Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Smith was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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 the following Project Guardian partners: Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Smith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2020.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Colorado Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Operating Prostitution RingRead the Press Release
DENVER -- United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced federal prison sentences for a couple that operated an interstate prostitution ring out of the Denver Tech Center. Defendant Teresita Rodriguez, 40, of Fort Collins, Colorado, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison. Co-defendant Jeramy Caron, 44, also of Fort Collins, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Defendants Rodriguez and Caron were sentenced as a result of their guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to facilitate prostitution, two counts of facilitating prostitution, and three counts of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution. Defendant Caron also pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering. Both defendants’ sentences will be followed by five-year terms of supervised release. Caron was ordered to pay an assessment to a victims’ fund of $15,000. Both defendants are also forfeiting more than $390,000 in funds, two vehicles, 20 watches, and are subject to a money judgment in the amount of $700,000, because the defendants stipulated that their conspiracy earned at least $700,000.
According to facts contained in plea agreements, Rodriguez and Caron operated a prostitution ring in the Denver Tech Center from at least June 25, 2018, to March 10, 2020, at which time the enterprise was dismantled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and task force officers. The enterprise recruited adult women from states such as Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Utah to travel to Denver in order to provide high-end escort services that included commercial sex acts. Rodriguez and Caron paid to advertise the escort services online with provocative photographs of the women. Rodriguez and Caron then purchased airline tickets for women to visit for week-long stays, rented hotel rooms, and picked up cash proceeds following the sexual encounters. The advertising and travel costs were subtracted from the women’s profits, and Rodriguez and Caron kept half of the proceeds.
When messaging with buyers, Rodriguez and Caron typically pretended to be the prostitute because they did not want customers to understand that they were dealing with an agency and wanted customers to believe instead that the prostitutes were independent. In reality, Rodriguez and Caron kept an appointment book and arranged for the women to perform an average of approximately eight commercial sex acts per day.
“This prostitution ring operated for years, victimizing dozens of women,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “With some good investigative and legal work, we were able to stop it. Protecting vulnerable people and holding predators accountable are core parts of our mission and we are pleased that these two are headed to prison for their crimes.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners have a great responsibility to protect our vulnerable community members from the abhorrent behaviors of human traffickers such as Teresita Rodriguez and Jeremy Caron," said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “We are grateful for our collaborative partnerships with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case as we continue our work to fight human trafficking.”
“The sentencing of Jeramy Caron and Teresita Rodriguez for their roles in this criminal enterprise will make our community a safer place,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation’s Denver Field Office. “The special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt these criminal organizations and deprive them of their ill-gotten gains. We will be relentless in our mission to dismantle these organizations and bring the criminals to justice.”
Chief United States District Judge Philip Brimmer announced the sentence for Caron on January 14, 2021, and for Rodriguez on February 5, 2021.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and IRS-CI, with assistance from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Treaster and Patricia Davies handled the prosecution. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Young handled the forfeiture.
Case number: 20-cr-000084
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Cleveland man sentenced to 30 years for selling heroin fentanyl mixture that caused fatal overdoseRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced today that Kadeem Davis, 31, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi. Davis was found guilty after a trial by jury of one count of distribution of fentanyl and heroin, with a sentencing enhancement alleging the sale resulted in death, two counts of use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of possession of fentanyl and heroin with intent to distribute.
“Thousands of lives have been lost and an untold amount of pain and suffering has been endured by friends and families in this District and throughout the country as a result of the opioid epidemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. “Drug dealers who exploit the vulnerabilities that addiction creates should be prepared to serve lengthy prison sentences.”
According to an affidavit in this case, on August 21, 2018, Lakewood police were called to respond to a residence for a report of a male who had overdosed. Police and paramedics found the victim at the scene, unconscious and shallowly breathing. Paramedics administered Narcan, and the victim was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Police began an investigation into this incident and recovered suspected heroin and a cell phone in the victim’s room. The suspected heroin later tested positive as a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Police examined the victim’s cell phone and located a text message conversation indicative of the victim reaching out to a contact labeled as “Dopeman.” The context of the conversation indicated that ‘Dopeman” had met with the victim and sold him the heroin and fentanyl mixture.
On August 22, police sent a message to “Dopeman” posing as the victim in order to attempt to obtain more narcotics. Police, acting as the victim, requested the same “heroin” as the day before and arranged a meeting at a local Burger King. After confirming that Davis was, in fact, “Dopeman”, he was arrested by police.
Davis was found to be in possession of the cell phone that “Dopeman” was using and a plastic bag containing a purple powder similar to the substance found in the victim’s room. The substance later tested positive for a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for Davis’s cell phone records, and he was found to be in close proximity to the victim on the same day and around the same time of the overdose.
This case was investigated by the Lakewood Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin P. Pierce and Segev Phillips.
Chandler Man Sentenced to over 6 Years for Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Joshua James Terry, 27, of Chandler, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 78 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release. Terry will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Between October 1 and November 30, 2018, Terry, who was a monitor on the victim’s school bus and a physical education teacher’s aide at the victim’s school, sexually abused the minor victim. Terry previously pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor on September 25, 2020. Terry is an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community.
The Gila River Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-01417-PHX-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-006_Terry###
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Belgrade man admits trafficking cocaineRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Belgrade man today admitted trafficking cocaine after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing six and one-half pounds of cocaine that was mailed to his former address, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.
Luis Alberto Rocha, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Rocha faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for June 10. Rocha was detained.
The prosecution said in court documents that in September 2019, the Missouri River Drug Task Force in Bozeman received information from a confidential source that Rocha was involved in distributing drugs.
In April 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service noticed packages scheduled for delivery to Rocha’s residence in Belgrade and his former residence in Bozeman, which he rented to several employees of his construction company. The inspector learned that five packages had been sent to Rocha’s residence from California since July 2019, six packages had been sent from Texas, and three packages had been sent from Arizona.
On July 16, 2020, the inspector searched a package addressed to Rocha pursuant to a federal warrant. The package, heat-sealed in plastic wrapping, contained U. S. currency and had “27K” written on the wrapping. The agents returned the money to the parcel and delivered it in the normal course. Two days later, another package was sent to Rocha’s residence from an address in Nebraska. That package, also searched pursuant to a warrant, contained $62,000 in U.S. currency. Rocha personally picked up the package from the Belgrade post office.
On August 17, 2020, another package was sent to Rocha’s former address in Bozeman. Pursuant to a warrant, the package was searched and found to contain 2,981 grams of cocaine, which is about six and one-half pounds. The delivery of the package was delayed due to the ongoing investigation, and agents learned someone checked on the status of the package more than 300 times from an IP address that is registered to Rocha.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Missouri River Drug Task Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 48% from 2013 to 2019. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Auto Dealership Finance Manager Sentenced for Wire and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 32 months in jail, ordered to pay over $1.6 million in restitution and a $1,000 fine on his conviction of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Chad Bednarksi, 49.
According to information presented to the court, Chad Bednarski, as the finance manager of Lakeside Chevrolet, engaged in the following illegal activity between January 2015 and January 2019 that caused a financial loss of more than $1.5 million:
- Bednarski falsely reported vehicle sales to General Motors for vehicles that had not been sold in order to obtain expiring incentive rebates, and;
- Bednarski deliberately did not inform S&T Bank when Lakeside Chevrolet sold a vehicle that the dealership had purchased utilizing S&T Bank’s floor plan financing in order to delay and attempt to avoid the dealerships’ required payment to S&T Bank for the sold vehicles which had been purchased using S&T Bank’s floor plan financing.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bednarski.
Assistant Commissioner of NYC Probation Department Indicted for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Robert Costello, 53, of Bethlehem, PA, was arrested and charged by Indictment with three counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of access with intent to view child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon and will remain in custody until a detention hearing on February 17, 2021.
As alleged in the Indictment, Costello received sexually explicit images of children over the Internet and possessed thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of children on several electronic devices that he kept and stored at his residence. During the time he is charged to have committed these crimes, Costello was employed as Assistant Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation.
“The defendant allegedly possessed and viewed visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “He is charged with doing this while employed as an Assistant Commissioner with the City of New York, a position of public trust paid by taxpayer dollars. Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in all jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute child sexual exploitation offenses.”
“The defendant, an Assistant Commissioner of New York City’s probation department, violated his position of trust by allegedly possessing images of children being sexually exploited,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. “Safeguarding children from being victimized by predators is a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations. The indictment of the defendant should serve as notice that HSI and our law enforcement partners will use every resource at our disposal to investigate and arrest depraved individuals who commit sexual offenses against children.”
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. 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.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 90 years’ incarceration with a five year mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment, five years up to a lifetime of supervised release, and up to a $1,250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and Bethlehem Township Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Francis A. Weber and Kelly Harrell, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Thursday 11 February 2021
Woman First in the Nation Charged with Misappropriating Monies Designed for COVID Medical Provider ReliefRead the Press Release
A Michigan woman was indicted on allegations that she intentionally misappropriated government funds that were designed to aid medical providers in the treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19 and used them for her own personal expenses.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Region and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
Amina Abbas, of Taylor, was charged by indictment Wednesday in the Eastern District of Michigan with embezzlement of government property.
This indictment includes the first criminal charges for the intentional misuse of funds intended to provide relief to health care providers and maintain the access to medical care during the pandemic, money set aside to help Americans get needed medical care in a global health and economic crisis.
The indictment alleges that Abbas previously owned 1 on 1 Home Health (1 on 1), which she had closed in early 2020 after Medicare issued an overpayment demand for $1,619,967.08 because 1 on 1 had submitted claims for patients who did not qualify for home health services. According to the indictment, 1 on 1, which was never operational during the pandemic, received approximately $37,656.95 designated for the medical treatment and care of COVID-19 patients. Abbas then allegedly misappropriated the funds by issuing checks to her family members for personal use.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the Provider Relief Fund, moneys that were provided to medical provers that must be used for the medical providers’ coronavirus response.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI. Trial Attorney Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Wilmington Gang Leader Receives 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Tymir “Dolla” Wigfall, 27, of New Hanover County, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months imprisonment for: (1) Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of a quantity of Heroin and Fentanyl; (2) Distribution of Fentanyl and Carfentanil (two counts); (3) Distribution of a quantity of Heroin and Fentanyl; (4) Distribution of a quantity of Fentanyl; (5) Distribution of a Quantity of Fentanyl (aiding and abetting); (6) Employing, Hiring Using, Persuading Enticing or Coercing a Person Under Age 18 to Distribute Fentanyl; and (7) Distribution of quantity of Fentanyl and Heroin (aiding and abetting).
The evidence presented in court revealed that, between November 2019 and May 19, 2020, the Wilmington Police Department made seven controlled purchases of fentanyl, carfentanil (an analogue of fentanyl) and heroin from Wigfall.
According to law enforcement, Wigfall was a leader of a violent street gang and used his status to encourage others to take part in criminal conduct. For example, on March 10, 2020, the Wilmington Police Department arranged a controlled purchase of heroin from Wigfall. Wigfall provided a juvenile with the heroin and directed the juvenile to make the sale. Thereafter, on March 18, 2020, Wigfall again used the same juvenile to complete the sale of a mixture of fentanyl and carfentanil. On March 19, 2020, Wigfall employed a different juvenile to complete a sale of fentanyl and heroin. On that occasion, the juvenile appeared to have a firearm in his waistband during the exchange.
Wigfall’s prior felony convictions include: Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number (2010); Possession of Heroin (2010); Sale of Heroin and Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin Within 1000 Feet of a School (2014); and, Interfering with an Electronic Monitoring Devise (2017). While in the North Carolina Department of Correction for these offenses, Wigfall was cited for numerous infractions.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing before U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wilmington Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00005-M.
Westmoreland County Woman Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to a charge of fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tracy Ann Stankiewicz, age 49, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from June 6, 2020 and continuing thereafter until July 12, 2020, Stankiewicz committed fraud in connection with emergency benefits.
On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to be an emergency under Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act. Subsequently, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program, which provided unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits. The CARES Act also provided an emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits of $600.00 per week.
According to information provided to the Court, on June 6, 2020, an application for PUA was electronically filed in the name of an inmate at State Correctional Institution-Greene. In the application, the filer (who was later determined to be Tracy Stankiewicz) represented that she was the inmate, and that the inmate was unemployed as a direct result of the pandemic, and that the inmate could accept a job if one were offered. Ms. Stankiewicz admitted to law enforcement authorities that she received approximately $11,000.00 as a result of her crime.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Secret Service and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
West Seneca Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges and Attempting to Destroy EvidenceRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shawn Johnson, 33, of West Seneca, NY, was arrested and charged by complaint with possession of child pornography and destruction of evidence. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in September 2019, investigators discovered an IP address, traced to the defendant, requesting suspected child pornography files on a peer to peer sharing network. On December 2, 2019, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s Angle Road residence. As investigators entered the residence, they heard loud noises coming from the second floor. They encountered the defendant standing in his bedroom with a laptop computer in his hands, smashing it against the wall trying to damage it. The laptop, which sustained serious damage, was sent to the FBI's Digital Forensics Analysis Unit Laboratory for repair. Approximately 80% of the data, which included numerous images and videos of child pornography, was recovered.
The defendant will make an initial appearance at 12:00 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski.
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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United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. Offers His ResignationRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – In response to President Biden’s request that all Presidentially appointed United States Attorneys step down, United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., submitted his letter of resignation to the President today with an effective date of midnight on February 28, 2021. He expressed his honor to serve as United States Attorney and his gratitude to former President Trump and Senators Burr and Tillis for their support and for giving him an opportunity to serve the people of this District. A copy of Mr. Higdon's letter is attached.
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced that he will resign from his position as the chief law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on February 20, 2021. After his departure, Krueger plans to join a private law firm. Richard G. Frohling, who has served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney during Krueger’s tenure, will become the Acting U.S. Attorney.
"Serving as United States Attorney has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger. “In the past three years, we faced unprecedented challenges, including the longest government shutdown in history, a global pandemic, and turbulent civil unrest. The dedicated professionals in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our selfless federal, tribal, state, and law enforcement partners, met each challenge with grit, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. I could not be more grateful or proud to have worked alongside such talented and committed public servants.”
The Eastern District of Wisconsin comprises 28 counties with a population of approximately 3.3 million people. The United States Attorney’s Office (“the Office”), with locations in Milwaukee and Green Bay, has over 80 employees, including attorneys and support staff. The Office and is responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.
“U.S. Attorney Krueger has been a true partner in our joint law enforcement mission of keeping the citizens of Wisconsin safe,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes. “We wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
“United States Attorney Krueger has always represented the citizens of the Eastern District of Wisconsin with poise and professionalism,” complimented ATF Special Agent in Charge Kristen de Tineo of the Chicago Field Division. “His dedication to ensuring the safety of the communities he served was always his first priority, and I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
“Matt Krueger has honorably served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, tirelessly working to protect communities from the effects of drug trafficking and drug-related violence,” said Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Division. “His office effectively prosecuted violent drug trafficking crimes, while ensuring equity in all matters and fairness to all people. Matt’s steadfast leadership and partnership will be missed.”
“On behalf of the United States Marshals Service, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger,” said United States Marshal Anna Ruzinski. “Matt placed himself at the forefront of the fight against violent crime in the City of Milwaukee and throughout the Eastern District of Wisconsin.”
“As soon as Matt Krueger took office, he began tremendous efforts to build and nurture the relationships our Wisconsin law enforcement community now enjoys with the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Brian O’Keefe, Administrator, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. “I can honestly say I have never seen a stronger partnership between law enforcement in our state and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices than we have seen in the last three years, in both the Eastern and Western Districts.”
Under Krueger’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought numerous impactful prosecutions, recovered over $85 million dollars in criminal and civil cases, and defended the federal government’s interests vigorously in litigation. The Office hired dozens of new staff, increased diversity within the Office, and added prosecutors in Green Bay to better serve the district’s northern counties. In multiple areas, the Office had significant achievements:
National Security & Cyber Crime. Under U.S. Attorney Krueger’s leadership, the Office pursued DOJ’s top priority of national security. The Office obtained the first international terrorism convictions in the district’s history (U.S. v. Jason Ludke et al.; U.S. v. Waheba Dais). The Office confronted the growing threat of cyber crime, successfully prosecuting individuals such as Marcus Hutchins, who created banking malware that affected victims worldwide. The Office also secured the conviction of Resit Tavin, a Turkish businessman, for smuggling Wisconsin-made marine products to Iran for use in the Iranian navy. Building on DOJ’s China Initiative, Krueger worked with the FBI to initiate outreach to businesses at risk of economic espionage.
Public Corruption. The Office brought important cases to protect government integrity under U.S. Attorney Krueger’s tenure. These included convictions of a corporation and six individuals—including an accountant whose trial Krueger handled personally-- for a wide-ranging scheme to illegally obtain over $260 million in federal contracts that were set aside for minority-owned and disabled veteran-owned small businesses (U.S. v. Ganos). The Office also successfully prosecuted Nicole Doxator, a Milwaukee County employee, for diverting public funds; Willie Wade, a former Milwaukee alderman, for a fraud scheme in which he purported to sell access to a current alderman; and John LaFave, the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds for a scheme to subvert the County’s procurement rules.
Healthcare Fraud. Given the $1.2 trillion in annual federal healthcare spending, U.S. Attorney Krueger prioritized healthcare fraud enforcement. He created a dedicated team of prosecutors to pursue healthcare fraud using civil and criminal enforcement tools. The Office also improved its use of data analytics to identify indicia of fraud. As a result, the Office increased its healthcare fraud cases, including a settlement with Aurora Health Care, Inc. for improper payments to physicians, a settlement with Walgreens Co. for improper prescription drug claims, and multiple cases of illegal kickback schemes (U.S. v. Center for Pain Management, S.C.; U.S. v. Advanced Pain Management; U.S. v. David Guerrero).
Financial Fraud. The Office also successfully prosecuted a range of fraud that victimized the private sector, including a $9 million “green energy” investment scheme (U.S. v. Ronald Van Den Heuvel), and a $30 million scheme involving financing of luxury vehicles (U.S. v. Albert Golant). The Office placed particular emphasis crimes that targeted vulnerable victims such the elderly (U.S. v. Edward Matthes; U.S. v. Chris Kubiak; U.S. v. James Nickels).
Violent Crime & Gangs. The Office continued its commitment to reduce violent crime throughout the district, in urban, rural, and tribal areas. Upon becoming U.S. Attorney, Krueger established a Violent Crime Team with prosecutors focused on armed robberies, firearms offenses, and violent gangs. Through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Guardian, and Operation Legend, substantial enforcement and prevention resources came to Milwaukee and other cities suffering from spikes in violent crime. These included resources for crime victims, focused deterrence programs, and prisoner reentry programs to prevent further violent crime.
Combatting the Drug Epidemic. U.S. Attorney Krueger led multifaceted efforts to confront the ongoing drug crisis. Krueger established an Opioid Task Force that sent warning letters to outlier opioid prescribers and brought enforcement actions in the most egregious cases (U.S. v. Steven Kotsonis; Mehran Heydarpour civil settlement; U.S. v. Lisa Hofschulz). With partners, the Office launched a public awareness campaign and hosted two statewide Opioid and Meth Summits that brought together over 600 treatment, prevention, and enforcement professionals. In multiple cases, the Office brought charges to take down largescale drug-trafficking organizations with ties to Puerto Rico and Mexico, as well as traffickers on the dark web.
Civil Rights. Under U.S. Attorney Krueger’s leadership, the Office continued DOJ’s proud legacy of protecting civil rights. With the rise of extremist ideologies, the Office charged Chadwick Grubbs for threatening the Jewish Community Center and Yousef Barasneh for vandalizing a synagogue. The Office continued its long-standing practices of reviewing law enforcement officers’ use of force. The Office actively enforced the Americans with Disabilities Act, obtaining agreements from businesses to provide accommodations and restitution to victims. The Office conducted outreach to raise awareness about racial and national origin discrimination in housing; hate crimes; sexual harassment in housing; voting rights; and illegal burdens on religious freedom.
Human Trafficking & Child Exploitation. U.S. Attorney Krueger reinforced the Office’s commitment to combatting human trafficking and child exploitation. The Office ranked among the nation’s busiest in charging sex trafficking, forced labor, and child pornography offenses. The Office also helped lead an interagency human trafficking task force, contributed to trainings throughout the district, and co-sponsored a statewide conference to build capacity among law enforcement and service providers.
Defending the United States in Civil Litigation. The Office also continued to vigorously defend federal agencies and officials in a wide range of civil litigation. U.S. Attorney Krueger increased the Civil Division’s personnel, enhancing the Office’s ability to advance the government’s interests and protect taxpayers’ funds.
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After being recommended by Senator Ron Johnson and Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Attorney Krueger was nominated by President Trump, confirmed by the Senate unanimously, and sworn into office on February 22, 2018.
Before taking office, U.S. Attorney Krueger served nearly five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting both civil and criminal violations involving healthcare fraud, procurement fraud, tax fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, and violent crime. He previously practiced complex trial and appellate litigation with an international law firm in Washington, DC.
U.S. Attorney Krueger began his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Paul V. Niemeyer on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He then served as a Bristow Fellow in the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor General. Krueger received his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with honors and received his J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Law Review.
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Mr. Frohling first joined the Office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in July 2000. He has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney since November 2015. He has been a supervisor in the Office for over 16 years, previously serving as Criminal Chief and Deputy Criminal Chief. Mr. Frohling began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Terence Evans of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and then practiced civil litigation in a private law firm.
“The Office will be in steady hands. Rick Frohling is a consummate professional and has been a trusted advisor throughout my tenure,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger.
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For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
(414) 297-1700
Union County Man Admits $1.6 Million Tax Evasion SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man who owned and operated contracting businesses in Essex County, New Jersey, today admitted filing false tax returns that failed to report all his personal and corporate income, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Olger Fallas, 49, of Union, the owner and operator of Olger Fallas Painting (OFP) and Olger Fallas Properties (OFPROP) pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with two counts of tax evasion.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Fallas admitted that between 2013 and 2017 he owned OFP and OFPROP. He admitted that he attempted to hide personal and corporate income from the IRS by using a check cashing business to cash customer payments, which he did not report to the IRS. Fallas also admitted that he deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars in customer payments into bank accounts that were not associated with his companies. Fallas admitted that he evaded paying approximately $1.7 million in personal and corporate income taxes during the scheme.
The counts of tax evasion each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors 14 Individuals for Outstanding Contributions to Public Safety in 2020Read the Press Release
Harrisburg –Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler recently honored 14 members of law enforcement for their outstanding contributions to public safety in 2020. These awards are made each year to a select group of individuals who perform in an exceptional manner and who make significant contributions to our Office’s efforts to promote public safety.
The following individuals received the United States Attorney’s Award For Distinguished Service for their exceptional work in significant criminal prosecutions:
- ATF Special Agent Jamie Markovchick
- Weatherly Police Department Sgt. Michael Bogart
These two awards recognized the recipients work in U.S. v. Robert Torner, et. al., a significant drug and firearm case where the defendants received lengthy periods of incarceration after a 13-day trial that involved over 20 witnesses and approximately 200 exhibits.
- FBI Special Agent Alan Jones
- FBI Task Force Officer George Carado
- FBI Task Force Officer Chris Keppel
These three awards recognize the recipients work in two cases. U.S. v. Rhashean Strange, et. al., and U.S. v. Anibal Rodriguez, et. al. The Strange case was a multi-defendant heroin trafficking conspiracy that involved distributing multi-kilogram quantities of heroin. The Rodriguez case was a multi-defendant methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, whose members were particularly violent. All the defendants received lengthy terms of imprisonment.
- Deputy U.S. Marshal (Anonymous)
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Lenahan
- FBI Special Agent Alan Jones
- U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Michael Armstrong
These four awards recognized the recipients for their work in U.S. v. Shawn Christy, a case dealing with an armed and dangerous fugitive who was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- FBI Special Agent Joseph F. Noone
This award recognized Special Agent Noone’s exceptional work spearheading public corruption investigations in Northeastern Pennsylvania for more than a decade. Agent Noone has achieved spectacular results in helping to obtain over thirty public corruption convictions during his tenure.
- Luzerne County Detective Charles J. Balogh
- Luzerne County Detective Lieutenant Daniel G. Yursha
These two awards recognized the recipients for their exemplary work in U.S. v. Mark Icker, a sexual assault case involving a police officer who assaulted females in custody. The defendant received a 15-year term of imprisonment.
Two individuals received the United States Attorney’s Award For Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement:
- Bureau of Prisons Supervisory Attorney Jonathan Kerr
This award recognized Mr. Kerr’s exemplary work in the production of documentary evidence for prisoner litigation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Attorney Kerr’s immediate response to requests for medical, disciplinary, and other records on an expedited basis was of invaluable assistance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in responding to the hundreds of inmate requests for release.
- Pike County District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin
This award recognized District Attorney Tonkin’s exceptional work in cooperative law enforcement activities over many years. District Attorney Tonkin vigorously works to maintain a strong working relationship with federal, state, county and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute criminals who pose a danger to the citizens of Pike County, Pennsylvania.
“As we see in the newspapers every day, and most recently in the tragic events that occurred in Florida, law enforcement officers put their lives at risk every time they put on their uniforms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “All too often their tremendous sacrifices go unnoticed and unrecognized. I am therefore very pleased to recognize a few of these heroes who contributed so much to promoting public safety in 2020. On behalf of the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office, I congratulate them and thank them for their service.”
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U.S. Attorney Wrigley Announces the Arrest of a Williston Man for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BISMARCK - United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Damien Breding, age 45 of Williston, ND, for Receipt and Possession of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The Indictment was unsealed today, alleging that between August 2019 and April 2020, Breding was discovered communicating with a person who was, and had been, traveling to locations in Africa to engage in sexual acts and contacts with a minor. As the investigation continued, it was discovered that Breding was in possession of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and had been communicating with a minor with whom he had received images depicting the minor engaging in sexual conduct.
Breding has entered not guilty plea to matters alleged in the Indictment and a trial has been scheduled for April 19, 2021. Breding has a prior conviction and as a result of the conviction, Breding could receive a 10 year minimum to 40 year maximum federal prison sentence.
"Sexual predators exploit technology to victimize children, and often share the photographic evidence of their heinous crimes," said United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, "these allegations will be pursued vigorously so that justice can be secured for these victims."
Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Williston Police Department, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigation and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Gary Delorme assigned to the case.
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U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop Announces His ResignationRead the Press Release
Spokane – United States Attorney William D. Hyslop, of Spokane, Washington, announced today he will resign his position effective midnight February 28, 2021.
Yesterday, the Acting Attorney General conveyed to all Presidentially-appointed Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys the request from the President for their resignations. Mr. Hyslop honors and respects the President’s request. The Department of Justice has named Joseph H. Harrington, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, as the Acting U.S. Attorney following Mr. Hyslop’s resignation. Harrington previously served in this role and will do so again until a new Presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney is confirmed by the United States Senate.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop was sworn in as U.S. Attorney on July 19, 2019, after having been named by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate. He previously served in this role from 1991 to 1993 in the President George H.W. Bush Administration. Hyslop has practiced law in Washington State for over 40 years and is a Past President of the Washington State Bar Association. He previously was a principal in the Lukins & Annis, P.S. law firm for many years. A graduate from Washington State University in 1973, Hyslop received a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington in 1977, and earned his Law Degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 1980.
In his resignation letter to The President, U.S. Attorney Hyslop, stated, “It goes without saying that serving our great Country as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington has been the highest honor and most fulfilling duty of my professional career. I previously served in this role in President George H.W. Bush’s Administration and have been honored and privileged to serve again these past years. The women and men of my Office are outstanding public servants and I have certainly appreciated the support of the Department of Justice and all law enforcement as we have worked to support the safety and security of the residents of the Eastern District of Washington. We have accomplished much good together as stewards of our justice system.”
The Eastern District of Washington includes the twenty Washington counties east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The United States Attorney’s Office, with staffed offices in Spokane and Yakima, Washington, is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the Eastern District of Washington. This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
“With the close cooperation between all federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement, we have met the criminal justice challenges confronting this region, wrongdoers have been held accountable, the rule of law has been enforced, and public safety and security have been advanced. And taxpayers’ interests have been protected. I can’t speak highly enough of the phenomenal prosecutors and staff at the U.S. Attorney’s Office who appear in Court every day to address these tough criminal and civil issues. It has been my incredible honor to lead and work with them,” Hyslop said.
Hyslop has worked to ensure that all law enforcement, whether federal, state, local or Tribal, work closely and cooperatively together to support the safety and security of the residents of Eastern Washington. He has promoted holding criminals accountable and has been proactive in urging the community to get educated about the deadly dangers of Fentanyl and other drugs being smuggled into this region to be sold on our streets.
Ray Duda, who served as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Washington State during Mr. Hyslop’s service stated, "It has been a privilege and an honor to work so closely with a true patriot like U.S. Attorney Bill Hyslop. The focus and determination he has brought to aggressively prosecute those individuals who victimized the citizens of the Eastern District of Washington has been impressive. His hard work and leadership will have a positive impact on our communities for many years to come."
DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis commends USA Hyslop for his outstanding leadership. “During his tenure, he has supported all the agencies focused on reducing supplies of dangerous drugs and related violence impacting our Eastern Washington’s Communities. He has been extremely dedicated to enforcing the rule of law while also exhibiting heartfelt compassion and empathy towards those caught in the deadly grip of addiction. Over the last year he has been the architect and driving force of a multi-pronged fentanyl awareness campaign that was crucial in bringing together law enforcement with all facets of Eastern Washington’s Communities to highlight and educate our citizens on the extreme dangers of fentanyl use. I have no doubt his tireless efforts have saved lives. The DEA wishes USA Hyslop the best in his next endeavors, he has been an invaluable leader and will be greatly missed by law enforcement.”
Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl stated, "U.S. Attorney Hyslop has been a constant partner with SPD in our efforts to keep Spokane the safe community that we all long to live in and raise our families. His engagement with local law enforcement, and commitment to safety first through prevention, education and enforcement, is second to none. We honor his commitment to justice through compassion and accountability, with the needs of the community being his priority."
Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg stated, “We have been blessed to have Bill Hyslop as our U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. Mr. Hyslop has been active and engaged in bringing Federal support and resources to our communities throughout the Eastern District of Washington. He was instrumental in supporting an enhanced Federal presence in the Tri-Cities as well as Federal prosecution on violent career criminals, predators who prey on our children, and major drug trafficking organizations. He coordinated and led our efforts by bringing resources on the Federal level in the fight against Fentanyl which have claimed lives not only locally but throughout our Country. Mr. Hyslop and his office have played an important role in keeping our communities safe during his tenure as our U.S. Attorney in the Eastern Washington and we are grateful for his service.”
Hyslop concluded, “I intend to work to the last day on behalf of the people of Eastern Washington. And after I’m out of office, I want to continue to do all I can to advocate for law enforcement and the hard work they do for us every day to keep us safe. They deserve our thanks and appreciation, and our continued support.”
U.S. Attorney Scott C. Blader Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin has announced he will be resigning as U.S. Attorney effective 11:59 pm, February 26, 2021.
Blader, a graduate of Marquette University Law School, has served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin since 2017. During his tenure, Blader prioritized outreach efforts to all law enforcement agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin resulting in an 63% increase in all cases filed between 2017-2019. Blader also implemented an effective and sustainable strategy to combat violent crime and the distribution of lethal drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in an 104% increase in violent crimes prosecuted and 62% increase in drug cases prosecuted between 2017-2019. He also advanced a host of Department of Justice initiatives targeting child exploitation and human trafficking. As United States Attorney, he served as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committees for Native American Affairs, Management and Personnel issues and Opioid and Heroin Interdiction.
“Serving as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career. I thank Attorneys General Barr and Sessions for the trust they placed in me and their leadership and support. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the extraordinary men and women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who deserve the true credit for our successes,“ said U.S. Attorney Blader. “I am also honored to have been given the opportunity to serve with our brave and dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners who work daily to protect our citizens and make the Western District of Wisconsin a better place.”
As the FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge, I consider U.S. Attorney Blader a great partner and leader in the Wisconsin law enforcement community,” said SAC Robert E. Hughes. “His talents and leadership have assisted in creating a strong cohesive team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has resulted in a strong coalition of all federal law enforcement agencies in upholding the Constitution and protecting the citizens of Wisconsin.”
“Scott Blader has admirably served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, relentlessly working to protect citizens from the effects of drug trafficking and drug-related violence. Scott’s office vigorously prosecuted violent drug trafficking crimes and illegal gang activity, while ensuring equity in all matters. Scott and his leadership will be missed,” said Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Division.
“I have never seen a stronger partnership between law enforcement in our state and the U.S. Attorney’s Office than we have seen in the last four years,” said Administrator Brian R. O’Keefe of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. “U.S. Attorney Blader has made tremendous efforts to build and nurture the relationships our law enforcement community now enjoy with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, making Wisconsin a better place to live, work, and play.”
“ATF’s mission to protect our communities from violent criminals was no doubt shared by U.S. Attorney Scott Blader and his cadre of hardworking prosecutors,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I wish him the very best and look forward to continuing the great relationship ATF has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Wisconsin.”
“U.S. Attorney Scott Blader championed the partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement in Wisconsin,” said Kim Gaffney, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Wisconsin. “His leadership and guidance brought together local, state and federal partners all ‘pulling the rope in the same direction,’ protecting our citizens and holding accountable those who violate our laws.”
The Western District encompasses 44 counties and covers approximately 60% of the State of Wisconsin, including the cities of Madison, Wausau, Superior, Eau Claire and La Crosse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, located in Madison, is responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.
U.S. Attorney John C. Milhiser Announces DepartureRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – United States Attorney John C. Milhiser announced today that he has submitted his resignation to the President, to be effective Feb. 28, 2021.
Mr. Milhiser thanked Senators Duckworth and Durbin, and Representatives Davis, LaHood, and former Representative Shimkus for their support in recommending him as a nominee to President Donald J. Trump. Milhiser was nominated in August 2018 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2019. Pending Senate confirmation, Milhiser was appointed to the position by the federal judiciary in the Central District on Oct. 31, 2018.
“It has been an honor to serve as United States Attorney. I was privileged to work alongside the men and women in law enforcement across the 46 counties served by the office,” said Milhiser. “We owe these selfless public servants our gratitude as they risk their lives each day protecting all of us.”
Milhiser added, “When I accepted this position, I knew this day would come. My plan was simple - to do my best each day to make our community a safer, better place, until I’m asked to leave. And, now, I’ve been asked to leave by the Biden administration.”
During Milhiser’s tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted numerous defendants including the weeks-long trials of Brent Christenson who, in July 2019, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the June 2017 murder of visiting Chinese scholar Yingying Zhang, and of 13 members of a Peoria street gang convicted and sentenced for acts of violence including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking. Pending cases include civil rights charges against three Illinois correctional officers who allegedly assaulted an inmate, who was restrained and handcuffed behind his back, and who later died, and the recent indictment of former Illinois senator and gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann for fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion related to his alleged misuse of campaign funds.
As U.S. Attorney, Milhiser focused on building strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement and with the community. While guiding the office during the longest-ever government shutdown and an unprecedented global pandemic, Milhiser initiated and conducted numerous training and educational events. This included a new initiative known as BLAST, Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community, that not only introduced high school students to career opportunities in criminal justice, but also promoted greater mutual understanding between citizens and law enforcement officers.
“I appreciate the opportunity to have served the people of Central Illinois and to lead the lawyers and staff who will continue the important work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Milhiser.
Prior to serving as U.S. Attorney, Milhiser served eight years as the elected State’s Attorney in Sangamon County, Springfield, Ill., where he partnered with the court and service providers to establish specialized court programs for non-violent, first-time drug offenders, defendants with mental health needs, and veterans with specialized needs. A strong advocate for victims, Milhiser established a program that hosts a courthouse facility dog to assist victims and witnesses as they participate in the prosecution of violent crimes.
The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the 46 counties across the mid-section of the state. The district’s headquarters office is in Springfield with district offices in Peoria, Rock Island, and Urbana, Ill. The office is responsible for conducting federal criminal prosecutions and protecting the interests of the United States by pursuing and defending against claims in civil litigation.
U.S. Attorney Garrison Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United States Attorney Tim Garrison has submitted to President Biden his resignation as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Western District of Missouri, effective Feb. 28, 2021.
“It has been the privilege of my career to lead the office where I began my service as a federal prosecutor 14 years ago,” Garrison said in his letter. “The lawyers and staff of my office accomplished a great deal for the people of Missouri in the last three years … The dedicated public servants in this office represent the United States in criminal and civil matters with excellence and integrity, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them.”
Garrison was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney on Jan. 3, 2018, and began serving as U.S. Attorney for the district following unanimous confirmation by the Senate on April 26, 2018. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the district’s Springfield office. As a federal prosecutor, Garrison focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals. He also prosecuted firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration.
“Western Missouri is consistently a national leader among the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in combatting violent crime, child exploitation, and drug trafficking,” Garrison said. “I am particularly gratified by our work in Operation LeGend, in which we arrested more than 500 violent criminals in and around Kansas City and took hundreds of illegal firearms out of their hands, serving as a catalyst for similar state and federal collaboration in eight other American cities.”
Garrison led several initiatives to target violent crime, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses:
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend brought an unprecedented surge of federal agents to Kansas City, Mo., to work collaboratively with the Kansas City Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in the city. 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.
Operation LeGend, which became a model for eight more cities to follow, resulted in 518 arrests. During the 10 weeks from the announcement of Operation LeGend on July 8 through Sept. 16, homicides in Kansas City were down 22 percent, non-fatal shootings were down 24 percent, and aggravated assaults were down 44 percent, as compared to the 10 weeks before July 8. Among those arrests were 37 homicide cases (including a defendant charged in state court with the murder of LeGend Taliferro). In addition to the arrests, agents and officers seized 176 firearms, large quantities of illegal drugs, and several stolen vehicles during Operation LeGend.
OCDETF Strike Force
A new Kansas City Metro OCDETF Strike Force was launched in April 2019 to target drug traffickers and violent criminals on both sides of the state line. This new Strike Force presents a united front, with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from Missouri and Kansas working under the same roof, armed with additional investigative resources, to combat drug trafficking and violent crime throughout the metropolitan area.
Operation Triple Beam
Operation Triple Beam, an initiative led by the U.S. Marshals Service to track down some of the metropolitan area’s most violent and persistent offenders, resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and illegal drugs. Operation Triple Beam brought a laser focus by all levels of law enforcement – federal, state, and local – to combat violent crime by targeting the worst offenders. Armed and dangerous fugitives were located, arrested, and taken off the street to face justice in state and federal court. During Operation Triple Beam, which ran from May to August 2019, law enforcement officers made 355 state and federal arrests for outstanding warrants, violent crimes, and drugs. Many of the arrestees were among the most violent and active offenders in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and many of these fugitives had multiple outstanding warrants from more than one agency. Law enforcement officers seized 69 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 4.4 kilograms of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.
Additional Federal Prosecutors
In June 2018, the Department of Justice announced a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice allocated 311 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Among the 190 violent crime prosecutors were three new prosecutors being added to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Western District of Missouri. A new federal prosecutor was added to the staff in each of the Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City offices.
Safer Streets Initiative
Additional state prosecutors from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt have been designated as new Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Kansas City and Springfield to prosecute violent offenders in federal court.
Alongside these initiatives, some of the significant cases prosecuted under Garrison’s leadership in the Western District of Missouri included:
James Samuels, a former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department, was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons.
Raynal King, 27, and Howard R. Ross, III, both of Kansas City, Mo., were each sentenced to multiple life terms in federal prison for the kidnapping and murder of another man. King and Ross each were found guilty at trial of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton.
Shannon R. Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 72 years in federal prison without parole, for his role in a three-months-long conspiracy that included more than 27 armed robberies, culminating in the armed robbery of a Walgreens in Blue Springs, Mo., in which a suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers. Thomas was found guilty at trial of participating in the conspiracy as well as participating in 10 armed robberies. He was also found guilty of 10 counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The life sentence was imposed for Thomas’s conviction of brandishing a firearm during the Walgreens robbery that resulted in the death of Jermon Seals. Several co-defendants have also been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms in this case.
Two Kansas City, Kansas, men were sentenced for a violent, hours-long crime spree in which they kidnapped, robbed, and terrorized three women. Anthony B. Williams was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in federal prison without parole. Jamerl M. Wortham was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison without parole. Williams was sentenced as an armed career criminal and “three strikes” violent felon, due to his prior felony convictions for crimes of violence. Williams and Wortham were found guilty at trial of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping, one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, one count of distribution of PCP, three counts of possession of a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, one count of being felons in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Zaragoza-Navarrette of El Paso, Texas, and Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon of Kansas City, Kan., were among nine co-defendants convicted of their roles in a conspiracy that distributed more than 720 kilograms of cocaine in the metropolitan area. The drug-trafficking organization transported cocaine to the Kansas City metropolitan area from Mexico. Armendariz-Rascon admitted that he distributed 360 kilograms of cocaine per year in 2015 and 2016.
Jorge A. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, of Kansas City, Missouri, was charged with drug trafficking after investigators seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in automobile wheels inside his shed.
Jovan J. Denson, of Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison without parole for leading a drug-trafficking organization that distributed as much as 10 kilograms of heroin in Greene County, Mo., over a 15-month time period.
Six Texas men were convicted and sentenced for stealing 654 firearms from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo., en route to Bass Pro Shops. They admitted they stole 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns and 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns from United Parcel Service (UPS) trailers in Springfield in October 2017. The cargo was being shipped across state lines, from Beretta USA in Maryland to the state of Missouri. Raynord Hunt was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Frank McChriston, Derrick White, Quinton Haywood, and Eric White were each sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison without parole. Keith Lowe was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered each of the defendants to pay $206,132 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.
Lester Brown, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with using a GPS tracking device to assist in the murder of a rival drug trafficker who was fatally shot in front of his 8-year-old daughter.
In a case Garrison personally indicted prior to his appointment as United States Attorney, Yovanny Aroldo Mendivil-Balderama, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison without parole for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the murder of a co-conspirator. Co-defendant Brooke Danielle Beckley, of Nixa, Mo., was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Anthony Edward Donovan, of Springfield, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Nathaniel Austin Lee, of Seymour, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. They all pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Dallas County, Webster County and Christian County, Mo., from April 28, 2015, to April 26, 2016. They also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, resulting in the murder of Oscar Adan Martinez-Gaxiola on April 25, 2016, in Webster County.
Paul Lloyd, of Joplin, Mo., was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole for the armed robbery of Select Jewelers in Joplin and a carjacking. Lloyd pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.
Derron D. Nevels, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with the armed robbery of a female Z-Trip driver who was shot at least 20 times.
Tim Garrison
Garrison is an eighth generation Missourian, and grew up in Greene County. He graduated magna cum laude from Drury University with a degree in political science, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri.
Garrison received his officer’s commission after graduating from Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in 2003, and served as a military prosecutor. His active duty military career took him to duty stations on the East Coast, West Coast, and Iraq.
In 2007, Garrison left active duty and returned with his family to Missouri, where he served as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Garrison’s efforts focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals, but also included firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration. He served in the district’s Springfield office until his appointment as United States Attorney.
Since leaving active duty, Garrison has continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as the Chief of Operational Law for an eight-nation multinational force. Upon his return to the United States, Garrison worked on military criminal justice legislation and policy at Marine Corps Headquarters, and then served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is currently Associate Deputy General Counsel for International Affairs at the Department of Defense. Garrison is a distinguished graduate of both the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College. A lieutenant colonel, Garrison’s personal decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Garrison has received awards from the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School for excellence in trial advocacy, and from the Missouri Bar Foundation for his appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Garrison Letter of ResignationU.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Announces Resignation After Serving the District of Idaho for More Than 3 YearsRead the Press Release
BOISE – United States Attorney Bart McKay Davis, 65, of Idaho Falls, has announced his resignation effective February 28, 2021.
“It has been the honor of my professional legal career to serve the people of Idaho, alongside the incredibly hard-working team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Davis said. “In the last three-plus years, this team has overcome tremendous challenges, from the longest federal government shutdown in American history, to a global pandemic. Through it all, the lawyers and support staff of this office have faithfully enforced the law, supported our law enforcement partners, and protected our fellow citizens. I could not be prouder of the work that they have accomplished. I am extremely pleased to leave this office in their capable hands.”
Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. will immediately assume office as Acting United States Attorney, a position which he held in 2017 for seven months, as provided for under the Vacancies Reform Act. Gonzalez has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney—a non-political position—since September 2010 and served as the office’s criminal division chief the five years preceding. He is a career prosecutor, having served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 1995 and with the Department of Justice since 1991.
While in office, U.S. Attorney Davis hired 26 federal employees, including ten Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) and four Special AUSAs, which is more than one-third of the office’s attorneys. Davis said, “We’ve been incredibly successful the last three years in hiring outstanding public servants. They are my legacy.”
During Davis’ tenure, the office:
- filed more than 1,000 criminal cases, more than in any other three-year period;
- prioritized protecting children from online predators in partnership with the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force and prosecuted nearly 100 offenders;
- partnered with county prosecutors across the state to target repeat violent offenders under the Project Safe Neighborhoods banner; more than 1,200 violent offenders were removed from the community;
- garnered federal resources to stem the tide of drugs flowing into Idaho by funding task forces in Bannock and Kootenai counties and a special Assistant U.S. Attorney for Ada and Canyon counties and removing 450 illicit drug wholesalers from Idaho;
- brought to justice an employee who worked for two decades in the accounts receivable department for Saint Alphonsus in Boise, who used her access to money raised at the annual Festival of Trees to defraud the organization of nearly $1.5 million;
- prosecuted a doctor who knowingly implanted in patients nine pairs of misbranded breast implants that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
- targeted scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hoarding, price-gouging, and PPP fraud;
- prosecuted a government contract/honest services fraud in which an FBI employee accepted bribes for contract awards in the building of a data center in Pocatello, resulting in guilty pleas by the employee and the contractor;
- convicted the CEO and majority partner of an investment firm in Idaho Falls stemming from a complex investment fraud scheme he devised;
- collected through its Financial Litigation and Asset Forfeiture units approximately $24.5 million;
- filed 86 appellate briefs and argued 34 cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals;
- argued and obtained orders of outright dismissal in two APHIS predator control cases, a novel grazing rights dispute, and a FOIA case dismissed under the deliberative process and presidential privileges;
- defended and resolved all employment discrimination cases without the payment of money damages or attorney fees; and
- successfully used the False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act to investigate and prosecute several civil opioid outliers.
“I am grateful for the special trust and confidence shown me by Senator Michael D. Crapo and Senator James E. Risch, and all of those who supported me throughout this process and my career,” said Davis.
U.S. Attorney Davis, a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, had previously served nearly twenty years as a member of the Idaho Senate, including eight terms as Idaho Senate Majority Leader. He represented Idaho as a commissioner to the Uniform Law Commission and is past chairman of The Council of State Governments. During his tenure as United States Attorney, USA Davis served on three Attorney General Advisory Council subcommittees and working groups: the Native American Issues Subcommittee, the Border and Immigration Subcommittee, and the Marijuana Working Group.
The District of Idaho covers all 44 counties and five tribal reservations across the state. The United States Attorney’s Office, with staffed offices in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d’Alene, employs 33 attorneys and 40 support staff who are responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.
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Two Louisiana Return Preparers Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Louisiana tax preparers pleaded guilty on February 10, 2021 to conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from January through April 2015, Morgan Antoine and Jennifer Austin conspired to file false tax returns for clients of Pelicans Income Tax and Payroll Service, a tax preparation business located in Kenner and Westwego, Louisiana. Antoine and Austin prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. In addition to preparing false returns for her clients, Antoine also filed a fraudulent personal return that claimed a false dependent. In total, Antoine and Austin caused a tax loss of more than $550,000.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2021. At sentencing, Antoine and Austin each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Antoine and Austin also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Strasser commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Jessica Kraft and William Montague of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty today after committing two separate robberies in two days, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
James Jordan Buckley, 21, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell. Buckley is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His sentencing is set for May 10, 2021.
“The commission of two violent robberies in two days was a pattern of criminal conduct that caught the attention of law enforcement. Thank goodness they identified and arrested James Buckley before he could rob another victim,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In addition to the FBI and Tulsa Police, I want to commend the efforts of New Jersey-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra Williams who came to help prosecute violent crimes in the wake of the McGirt decision. This prosecution is a great example of work she and other detailees are doing to make our community safer.”
In his plea agreement, Buckley admitted that on March 31, 2020, he kicked in the front door of the elderly victim’s residence and demanded the key to her vehicle. He admitted that he took her vehicle by force, violence, intimidation, and without her permission. Buckley further admitted that on April 1, 2020, he approached the vehicle of a different victim and entered the vehicle without permission. Buckley then demanded that the victim drive him to Broken Arrow and pointed a knife at the driver as he made his demands. The victims in the car escaped the vehicle and following their escape Buckley got in the driver’s seat and attempted to take the vehicle.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence ChargeRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was in federal court today to plead guilty to domestic violence allegations, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Craig Lamar Gonzales, 22, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit a felony. In his plea agreement, Gonzales admitted that in December 2019, he pulled the victim from her vehicle, dragged her by her hair, pushed her to the ground, and spit on her during an attempted kidnapping. Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for May 10, 2021.
“One in four women experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Those numbers are even higher for victims who are Native American. This office is proud to stand with survivors of domestic violence and hold accountable their abusers. These cases are not always easy to prosecute, but they are some of the most important because you can help prevent a future homicide. Today, domestic abuser Craig Gonzales entered a plea of guilty for the assault he committed on an intimate partner,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Credit goes to the FBI and Tulsa Police Department who worked to investigate this matter.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aimee Cooper and Devon Lash are prosecuting the case. AUSAs Cooper and Lash are prosecutors from the Eastern District of Texas and the Eastern District of New York. Both volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress. The United States and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have jurisdiction of cases that occur on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants.
Trenton Man Charged with Spree of Armed Carjackings and Robberies, Brandishing Firearms During Crimes of Violence, and Possession of Firearm as Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. –A Trenton man has been charged with committing a string of armed carjackings and armed robberies, including the armed robbery of a commercial establishment in Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced today.
Joshua Perez, 22, of Trenton, is charged by complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of carjacking, three counts of possession of and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony offense. Perez is currently in custody on unrelated charges. He will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman at a date to be determined.
According to the criminal complaint filed today:
Law enforcement officers investigated a series of armed robberies and carjackings in and around Trenton in late 2020. The investigation revealed that Perez, a previously convicted felon, and other individuals committed at least three of those armed carjackings and robberies.
On Oct. 10, 2020, law enforcement responded to a report of an armed robbery and carjacking of a vehicle in Trenton. The victims reported that they were exiting their car when three men got out of a white sedan, pointed handguns at them, and demanded their money and cell phones. Two of the subjects fled in the white sedan and one drove away in the victim’s car. The armed carjacking was captured by security cameras in the area. After the white sedan was found abandoned, a search of it revealed, among other things, a victim’s cellular telephone, and a latent fingerprint belonging to Perez.
On Dec. 5, 2020, law enforcement responded to a report of another armed robbery and carjacking in Trenton. The victim reported sitting in a car when two men ran up and pointed handguns at the victim. The men ordered the victim out of the car at gunpoint, stole money and a cell phone, and the victim’s car.
Approximately one hour later, that victim’s carjacked vehicle was used in connection with an armed robbery of a nearby Trenton gas station. Law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the gas station. The victims reported that three males pulled up, one subject ordered them to the ground at gunpoint and pistol-whipped them. Another subject, later identified as Perez, entered the gas station, and robbed the attendant at gunpoint. Security camera footage recorded the armed robbery in progress. During a court-ordered search of Perez’s residence, Perez pointed a firearm at law enforcement officers. Officers arrested Perez and recovered the firearm, and seized other evidence linking Perez to the Dec. 5, 2021, carjacking and armed robbery of the gas station.
The Hobbs Act robbery count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The two carjacking counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence each carry a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, which must run consecutive to each other and to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum term of life in prison. The felon-in-possession count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; officers of the Trenton Police Department (TPD), under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley; and detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The case was investigated as part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Mercer County, New Jersey. The VCI was formed in August 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Trenton Police Department for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Trenton. As part of this partnership, federal, state, and local agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the Trenton Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Magee Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the defendant are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tohono O'odham Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sexual AbusesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Isaiah Joseph Rios, 22, of Sells, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to concurrent terms of 121 months and 120 months in prison. Rios previously pleaded guilty on November 22, 2019 to one count of Abusive Sexual Contact and one count of Sexual Abuse involving minors. Following his release from federal prison, Rios will be placed on lifetime federal supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.
In October of 2016, Rios, then 18 years of age, forcibly fondled a minor without her consent. In March of 2017, Rios forcibly fondled another minor and then engaged in a sexual act, all without her consent. The victims reported the assaults in August 2017. Rios is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tohono O’odham Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Schmit, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-2416-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-005_Rios# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Three Baltimore-Area Men Facing Federal Charges for Fraud Scheme Purporting to Sell Covid-19 VaccinesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging three men on the federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to allegedly sell purported COVID-19 vaccines. The criminal complaint was filed on February 9, 2021 and was unsealed today upon the defendants’ arrests. Charged in the criminal complaint are:
Olakitan Oluwalade (“Olaki”), age 22, of Windsor Mill, Maryland;
Olaki’s cousin, Odunayo Baba Oluwalade (“Baba”), age 25, of Windsor Mill; and
Kelly Lamont Williams, age 22, of Owings Mills, Maryland.The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis. We will also continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and if you see something that doesn’t seem right, please report it. Don’t become a victim.”
“As the public seeks vaccines to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19, fraudsters are waiting to take advantage of their desperation. We want to remind the public to exercise extreme caution online, especially when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and protective equipment,” said Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of HSI Baltimore. “HSI, with our local and federal partners, is working tirelessly around the country to get fraudulent websites off the internet and counterfeit personal protective equipment and medications off the streets to protect the public from these dangerous scams.”
“It remains a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to protect all Americans from individuals who take advantage of people during this public health emergency. We continue to work in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in the COVID-19 Anti-Fraud Task Force to bring those who exploit people during this pandemic to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“The FDA, along with its law enforcement partners across the country, continues its critical work of protecting American consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic by monitoring the U.S. marketplace for fraudulent COVID-19 products,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “We remain committed to bringing to justice those individuals and companies that seek to profit from this public health emergency.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 11, 2021, the HSI Intellectual Property Rights Center and the HSI Cyber Crimes Center became aware of a fraudulent replication of the website of Company 1, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that focuses on drug discovery, drug development, and vaccine technologies, including a vaccine for COVID-19. On December 18, 2020, the FDA issued an emergency-use authorization for Company 1’s COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the United States. Company 1’s public website, www.modernatx.com, provides information to the public on the products the company has developed, or is in the process of developing, including those focusing on combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
As detailed in the complaint affidavit, the home page of the fraudulent replication of Company 1’s website, named “Modernatx.shop” (the “Fake Domain”) appeared visually similar to Company 1’s real website and displayed the name and trademarked logos for Company 1, and the logo, markings, colors and texts on the Fake Domain were visually similar to that of Company 1’s actual home page. The source code of the Fake Domain indicated that the creator of the site used a website tool to copy Company 1’s actual website in order to create the Fake Domain.
However, the affidavit alleges that the Fake Domain (unlike Company 1’s home page) had the text: “YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BUY A COVID-19 VACCINE AHEAD OF TIME,” with a link to “Contact us.” On January 11, 2021, at approximately 3:58 p.m., an HSI Special Agent, in an undercover capacity (“UC”), contacted a number listed on the Fake Domain, which investigators determined was linked to an account on an encrypted messaging application which also allows voice-over-Internet calls and video chats. The number replied approximately two hours later requesting an e-mail address to contact the UC, which the UC provided. The affidavit alleges that approximately four minutes later the UC received an e-mail from [email protected], an e-mail address which appears on the Fake Domain, purporting to welcome the UC to Company 1 and providing a brief description of Company 1 and the storage requirements of Company 1’s vaccine.
According to the affidavit, after several additional e-mails, the UC received information regarding payment, delivery, and purchase for alleged Company 1 vaccines from a Google e-mail address. The UC was sent a purported invoice for 200 doses of Company 1’s vaccine at $30.00 per dose, for a total of $6,000, with payment terms listed as 50% up front and 50% upon delivery. The UC was allegedly instructed to send payment to a Navy Federal Credit Union account in the name of Kelly Lamont Williams. The UC transferred a portion of the funds to Williams’s account as directed.
On January 15, 2021, the government seized the Fake Domain and HSI agents executed a search warrant at Williams’s home. Law enforcement subsequently executed search warrants at Olaki’s and Baba’s homes. As a result of these searches, investigators recovered a number of communications between Baba, Olaki, and Williams discussing the fraud scheme. After the search at Williams’s residence, but before the searches at Olaki’s and Baba’s homes, investigators used Williams’s phone to send Baba a message: “Yo where u want me send the bread?” (referring to the cash investigators had sent to Williams’s bank account for the purchase of alleged vaccines as directed). Baba allegedly replied, “Yea send me some thru zelle and some through cash app.” Both Zelle & Cash App are online payment platforms. The affidavit alleges that Baba provided his Cash App User ID name, and investigators made a cash transfer of the funds to Baba’s Cash App account per his request.
As detailed in the affidavit, Olaki allegedly referred Williams to Baba as someone who could assist with the fraud. Williams allegedly agreed to allow the conspirators to use his bank account to deposit the fraud payments in exchange for a cut of the fraud proceeds. Olaki allegedly was also supposed to receive a part of the fraud proceeds. Several of the recovered communications also indicated that Olaki allegedly applied for, and received a fraudulent COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan funded by the federal government in the summer of 2020.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 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. The defendants will have an initial appearance on February 12, 2021, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Federal law enforcement agencies are united in our efforts to fight against COVID-19 fraud. HSI has identified tips to recognize and report COVID-19 fraud. If you believe you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you may also call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or go to justice.gov/coronavirus.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S. J. Zelinsky and Sean Delaney, who are prosecuting the case.
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Sharing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for sharing videos of child pornography with users of an online messaging application.
AUSTIN BURCHERT, 22, of Elk Grove Village, possessed on his cell phone more than 3,000 images and approximately 54 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Under the screenname “so_raven_,” Burchert on Feb. 12, 2018, shared 13 such images and one video file in a chat group on the Kik online messaging application. There were approximately 50 people in the chat group at the time, including an undercover law enforcement agent.
Burchert pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of transportation of child pornography. In addition to the nine-year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso on Tuesday ordered Burchert to pay $65,000 in restitution to the known victims depicted in the pornographic images and videos.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Richard S. Fitzgerald, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations. Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the Elk Grove Village Police Department, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Deerfield Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Misty N. Wright and Esther Mignanelli.
“The defendant’s crime contributed to the perpetual victimization of hundreds of children by contributing to the ever-growing market for the creation and distribution of child pornography,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Misty N. Wright argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s victims and their parents have to live with the fact that these photos and videos depicting their abuse were shared and may be viewed for years to come by pedophiles.”
“Let this sentence serve as a reminder that HSI is committed to standing firmly in the way of those who prey on and exploit our most vulnerable population – our children,” said HSI Acting SAC Fitzgerald. “HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and judicial partners to identify and bring to justice individuals who commit these very serious crimes.”
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or log on to http://www.missingkids.com. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
State Employee Pleads Guilty to $2M Scheme to Defraud the Office of AIDSRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Schenelle M. Flores, 45, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in relation to a scheme to divert funds from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Flores used her employment at the Office of AIDS, within the California Department of Public Health, to coordinate the fraud scheme between December 2017 and November 2018. The Office of AIDS is responsible for working on behalf of the State of California to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Flores’s scheme involved directing a state contractor to make payments allegedly on behalf of the Office of AIDS and causing the contractor to charge those payments to the state. As part of the scheme, Flores caused the contractor to pay for personal expenses on its debit cards, order gift cards for personal use, and pay false invoices to shell companies for services allegedly provided to the Office of AIDS. Flores, other participants in the scheme, and their families and friends obtained at least $2 million in personal benefits, including cash and purchased items.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was referred by the California Department of Public Health and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miriam R. Hinman and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.
Flores is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on May 27. Flores faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
St. Louis man pleads guilty to carjacking four people and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Brandon Shell, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Shell appeared today before United States District Stephen R. Clark, who set sentencing for May 13, 2021.
On October 12, 2019, Shell approached four people who had just exited a Kia Optima near the 3700 block of Juniata in St. Louis. Shell brandished a handgun and demanded the four victims give him all their money. The victims complied. After they did so, Shell further demanded “That’s not all you have, give me the keys!” One of the victims handed Shell the keys to the Optima. Another victim threw several items back in the Optima.
Shell then drove away in the Optima. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detectives were able to locate Shell driving the Optima, shortly after the carjacking. Shell pulled over in the 5300 block of Oriole in St. Louis. When Shell saw detectives, he ran away from them, but was eventually taken into custody.
Detectives found a loaded .380 caliber Kel-Tec semiautomatic pistol on Shell’s person. He was then arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
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St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Andre McIntosh, 49, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McIntosh entered his guilty plea today before United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk. McIntosh is set to be sentenced on May 13, 2021.
Just before midnight on January 7, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolling the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood discovered that the license plate of an unoccupied vehicle was registered to McIntosh, who was a non-compliant sex offender on parole from the Missouri Department of Corrections. McIntosh also had several outstanding traffic warrants.
Officers canvassed the area and, after locating McIntosh, asked McIntosh to stop. McIntosh refused the officers’ requests for him to stop, and instead started to run from the officers as they approached him. While running from the officers, McIntosh pulled a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm from his pocket and threw it. McIntosh was ultimately detained by police. A post-arrest computer inquiry of the Smith & Wesson firearm thrown by McIntosh revealed it to be reported stolen, and a post-arrest search of McIntosh revealed him to be in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Prior to January 7, 2020, McIntosh had been convicted of one or more felony crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.
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St. Louis man pleads guilty to armed robbery at Family Dollar and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Michael Saffold, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Saffold appeared today before United States District Judge John A. Ross who accepted the plea and set sentencing for February 25, 2021.
On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar at 8971 Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy. The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction. Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier, demanding money. The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands, giving him all of the money in the cash register drawer. Saffold then escaped.
Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that Saffold took a glove from the store, in the moments before the robbery. Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery, leaving the open package of gloves in the store. Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves. Those lifts were later matched to Saffold. Saffold was subsequently arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
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Six Waycross-area defendants indicted for conspiracy to traffic drugs, including Fentanyl and heroinRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS, GA: An indictment recently unsealed in U.S. District Court alleges a drug trafficking conspiracy was responsible for distributing deadly addictive drugs that led to overdoses.
As alleged in USA vs. Hayes, et. al, the indictment charges six people with participating in the conspiracy to distribute a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin, said Acting U.S. Attorney David H. Estes. The indictment includes sentencing enhancements for two of the defendants that could mean up to life in prison upon conviction, and there is no parole in the federal system.
“As the number of victims of opioid addiction continues to rise, our office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt the illegal networks that distribute these drugs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “We are committed to ending this deadly crisis.”
As described in the indictment, the indictment alleges the drug trafficking conspiracy started as early as March 2020 in Pierce and Ware counties, and that “serious bodily injury resulted from the distribution of the controlled substance.” Those charged in the indictment include:
- Eric LeShawn Hayes, a/k/a “Pee Wee,” 27, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; three counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Davey Green, a/k/a “Little Dave,” 35, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); two counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Cyrlus LaShawn Hayes, a/k/a “Dubo,” 44, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin);
- Renalba Jamar Green, a/k/a “Reno,” 34, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin);
- Crystal Champagne, 33, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; and,
- Preston Connor Luke, 26, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin).
Because of specific prior felony convictions, Eric LaShawn Hayes, Cyrlus LaShawn Hayes, and Renalba Jamar Green each face enhanced punishment if convicted on any one of the drug charges alleged in the indictment which could result in additional prison time for these defendants, including sentences of up to life imprisonment if they are convicted on the Conspiracy charge.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to expend its time, energy and resources in an effort to stem the tide against the growing opioid epidemic,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division, Robert J. Murphy. “These defendants are alleged to have delivered countless doses of poison to the Waycross community. DEA and its law enforcement partners stand united to protect our communities from the scourge of drug abuse.”
The cases are being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Blackshear Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank M. Pennington II and Noah J. Abrams.
Savannah man who murdered wife of deployed soldier sentenced to nearly 60 years in prisonRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah man who admitted killing the wife of a deployed U.S. Army soldier on post at Fort Stewart has been sentenced to nearly 60 years in federal prison.
Stafon Jamar Davis, 28, was sentenced to 700 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker after pleading guilty to Premeditated Murder and Possession of a Firearm, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison term, Davis will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Stafon Davis is a cold-blooded murderer who shot and killed the wife of a deployed soldier in her sleep and burned her car to cover his tracks,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Army CID, the FBI and the Savannah Police did an exemplary job of bringing this cowardly killer to justice.”
Abree Boykin, 24, was a resident of post housing at Fort Stewart Army Reservation, married to SGT Shawn Boykin, a member of the U.S. Army who was assigned to Fort Stewart’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. At the time of the murder, SGT Boykin was deployed in South Korea. Davis, who had known Abree Boykin since childhood, was a fugitive from federal supervised release after having served a nearly eight-year federal prison sentence for armed robbery.
In pleading guilty to the murder, Davis admitted to shooting and killing Abree Boykin as she slept in her post residence in the early morning hours of July 9, 2018. Davis then fled Fort Stewart in her vehicle. He gave the murder weapon to an acquaintance who later sold it, and engaged the assistance of an accomplice to burn the vehicle in a remote area outside Hardeeville, S.C.
“Although glad to see today’s sentencing, it will never bring back Abree Boykin, the wife of a deployed soldier when she was killed. She was needlessly gunned down in her sleep by this career criminal,” said Army CID Special Agent Joseph Thompson, who was the CID agent in charge at the time of the murder. “We sincerely appreciate all the hard work and cooperation from our fellow law enforcement agencies on this lengthy investigation.”
“The tireless work of the FBI Savannah Resident Agency, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and other law enforcement partners has brought this tragic and senseless case to a conclusion that will hopefully provide some solace to Abree Boykin’s family,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Justice has been served.”
Two other defendants also are implicated in the case:
- Jenard Patilla, 36, of Savannah, was found in possession of the murder weapon, a 9mm Taurus PT111 semi-automatic handgun, and was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He pled guilty and was sentenced May 28, 2020, to 45 months in federal prison and ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
- Devin Ryan, 30, of Hardeeville, S.C. awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Use of Fire in Commission of a Federal Felony. Ryan, who met Davis while the two were in a halfway house serving federal supervised release, admitted helping Davis destroy Abree Boykin’s 2018 Honda Accord by dousing the interior with gasoline and setting it on fire.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Army CID, and the Savannah Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Katelyn Semales with assistance from Trial Attorney Jared Hosid of the U.S. Department of Justice Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section, and Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office Investigative Analyst Karen Hartley.