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Tuesday 19 January 2021
Carroll Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
A Carroll, Iowa man who possessed a gun after a previous attempted burglary conviction in 2019, was sentenced January 19, 2021, to more than 2 years in federal prison.
Buomkuoth Lol, age 19, from Carroll, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 24, 2020, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
At the guilty plea, Lol admitted on May 8, 2020 he possessed a gun and .40 caliber ammunition. Lol admitted to knowing he was prohibited from possessing guns after being convicted of attempted burglary in Buena Vista County on November 5, 2019.
Lol was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Lol was sentenced to 27 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. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Lol is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and investigated by the Spirit Lake Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4052.
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Canal Winchester man sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor femalesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jeffrey A. Fisher, 49, of Canal Winchester, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 200 months in prison for sexually exploiting at least three minor females between February and May 2019.
According to court documents, Fisher met a 14-year-old girl from Michigan through an online app and solicited nude photographs from the girl.
Fisher’s plea agreement details online conversations between him and the victim in which he makes sexually-explicit demands of the victim and states, “That was a test to see if you would be obedient” and “im [sic] testing you to see if you’ll obey and be a good slave.”
During their investigation into Fisher’s conduct, law enforcement officials discovered Fisher had also victimized female minors from Columbus, Ohio and New Jersey. Forensic examinations of Fisher’s and the victim’s electronics revealed sexually explicit photographs of the victims.
At the time of his offense, Fisher was a registered sex offender as the result of a local 2012 conviction. Fisher was convicted in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill is representing the United States in this case.
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Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ronnie Charleston, 37, Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Higgins and Richard Antoine, who are handling the case, stated that on six separate occasions between December 2019 and January 2020, the defendant purchased approximately 49 grams of cocaine from co-defendant Saan Thompson. On August 5, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Charleston’s Lisbon Avenue residence and seized approximately 1,500 rounds of assorted ammunition, three firearm magazines, $5,000 U.S. currency, approximately 12 grams of cocaine, and three digital scales. In 2006, the defendant was convicted in state court of Criminal Possession of a Loaded Firearm – Third Degree and is legally prohibited from possessing ammunition.
Saan Thompson was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Bristol Realtor Pleads Guilty to Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn.– On January 19, 2021, Tammy Lynn Hawk, 47, currently of Bristol, Tennessee, entered guilty pleas to counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and filing a false tax return in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Sentencing has been set for April 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., before District Judge Corker, in United States District Court at Greeneville.
Hawk faces an agreed sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, plus up to $1.25 million in fines, and supervised release of three years.
As part of the written plea agreement, Hawk waived indictment by a federal grand jury and agreed to plead guilty to an information charging her with the above-listed crimes. Hawk admitted to using her position as a realtor to swindle numerous customers who thought they were making real estate investments. In reality, Hawk was taking money from new investors to either fund her own lifestyle or to repay existing investors.
According to the plea agreement, Hawk was a licensed real estate agent. Under her scheme, she would falsely tell current and former customers about parcels of real estate that she could arrange for them to purchase and “flip” for substantial gains. She would advise customers that once they agreed to purchase a particular property, the customer would need to provide her with cash, and through a relationship she had with a Florida real estate investment company, that company would purchase the property and then convey the property to the customer. As part of her scheme, Hawk would provide phony contracts purporting to represent contracts for the purchase of properties by the Florida company. However, neither Hawk nor the Florida real estate investment company had any ownership in the properties Hawk was offering to sell. After customers provided Hawk with cash, she would use the money for her own benefit or would repay previously defrauded customers with it.
As part of her scheme, Hawk also signed at least one customer’s name to a purchase and sale agreement without the customer’s knowledge or consent. As set out in the written plea agreement, Hawk caused or intended to cause losses to 24 victims in excess of $1 million. She also failed to pay income tax on the money she was obtaining from her fraud for tax years 2015 through 2018, leaving unpaid income taxes of more than $100,000. In 2019, Hawk filed for bankruptcy, but she then failed to list her accurate income or all the people she had swindled.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the Bristol Police Department, and the Office of the District Attorney General for Tennessee’s Second Judicial District.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mac D. Heavener and Todd Martin represented the United States.
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Bowie County Man Charged with $5 Million COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – A 32-year-old Maud, Texas man has been charged with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $5 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.
Samuel Yates was charged with two counts of wire fraud returned by a federal grand jury in Texarkana, Texas, on Jan. 14, 2021. Yates allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from two different banks by claiming to have over 400 employees earning wages when, in fact, no employees worked for his purported business.
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Texarkana, Yates allegedly made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the PPP. In the application submitted to the first lender, Yates allegedly sought $5 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have over 400 employees with an average monthly payroll of more than $2 million. In the second application, Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was able to obtain a loan over $500,000. With each application, Yates submitted a list of purported employees that he obtained from a publicly available random name generator on the internet. He also submitted forged tax documents with each application.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the SBA Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Trial Attorney Louis Manzo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Criminal Chief Frank Coan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
Boston Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol.
Kyvon Ross, a/k/a Ky-von Ross, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 23 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In September 2020, Ross pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Ross possessed a Beretta .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition on May 31, 2019, in Boston. Ross was subsequently arrested and has been in custody since. Ross is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Amarillo Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 20 YearsRead the Press Release
An Amarillo methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Bennie Jerome Baca, 34, pleaded guilty in August 2020 to distribution of methamphetamine. Last Thursday, he was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk.
“Mr. Baca and his co-conspirators ran a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that pumped large quantities of meth into communities all across Texas,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “This sentence demonstrates that the Department of Justice will use every weapon in its arsenal to stop meth from reaching our neighborhoods and harming our citizens.”
“Drug trafficking and the illegal activity associated with it continues to threaten the safety of the general public throughout our communities,” said Christopher Miller, Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “One of our agency’s main priorities is to bring every resource we have at our disposal to keep individuals and criminal organizations that hinder public safety from profiting from its distribution. We remain committed to working with our state and federal law enforcement partners to keep illegal substances out of our communities and investigating those responsible.”
On October 8, 2019, a New Mexico State Police officer made a traffic stop of a car-hauler near Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the traffic stop, the police officer requested permission to search one of the cars on the hauler that lacked proper state registration. Law enforcement located approximately 21 bundles of methamphetamine concealed inside the vehicle. HSI agents determined that the driver of the car-hauler had no knowledge of the drugs and agreed to assist law enforcement.
On October 9, 2019, the driver delivered the vehicle to its original destination in Amarillo, Texas. The driver called a phone number of the intended recipient of the vehicle, later identified as Mr. Baca, and arranged to meet him at a truck stop to deliver the vehicle.
Mr. Baca and a co-conspirator took possession of the vehicle and drove to a residence in Amarillo. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Baca was arrested, and law enforcement seized $3,050 in his possession. Mr. Baca admitted to knowing that the vehicle was loaded with methamphetamine and that a co-conspirator was going to distribute it.
Rusty Dean Campbell was sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison in June 2020 and Sergio Chris Reyes was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in December 2020 for their roles in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, New Mexico State Police, and Amarillo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted this case.
Albuquerque man sentenced to seven years in federal prison for carjackingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Scott Gibbs, 21, of Albuquerque was sentenced in federal court on Jan. 12 to seven years in prison for three counts of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to the plea agreement, Gibbs committed three armed car jackings in Albuquerque. On Oct. 17, 2018, Gibbs and an accomplice approached two victims as they were gathering their belongings from their vehicle and carjacked them at gunpoint. About 45 minutes later, Gibbs and two accomplices approached another victim and stole the victim’s vehicle at gun point, punching the victim and stealing his keys, wallet, and phone in the process. An hour later, Gibbs and his two accomplices carjacked a third victim at gunpoint as he was getting out of his vehicle. Law enforcement apprehended Gibbs and his two accomplices soon after and located the three firearms used in the car jackings.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Trembley prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque man charged in armed robbery of letter carriers, bank fraudRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Cisco Casaus-Alires, 20, of Albuquerque, made his initial appearance today in federal court where he was charged with robbery of mail, mail theft, bank fraud, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, stemming from three armed robberies of USPS letter carriers in Albuquerque. Casaus-Alires will remain detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.
According to a criminal complaint, on Nov. 7, 2020, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed a letter carrier at gunpoint in southeast Albuquerque, demanding the letter carrier’s cell phone, USPS keys and mail. On Dec. 26, 2020, in southwest Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed another letter carrier at gunpoint. Casaus-Alires allegedly demanded the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys, and then demanded that the letter carrier load parcels into Casaus-Alires’ vehicle.
On Dec. 28, 2020, in south Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires allegedly robbed a third letter carrier at gunpoint, demanding the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys. As Casaus-Alires allegedly took mail and parcels from the USPS vehicle, he asked the letter carrier where “the good stuff” is delivered, then fled the area. The following day, Casaus-Alires allegedly used the letter carrier’s credit card, which had been in his wallet when it was stolen, to make two purchases.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Casaus-Alires faces a minimum of 21 years for his use of a firearm to commit the three robberies and up to 30 years in prison for the other crimes.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.
Agricultural Developer Agrees to Pay Clean Water Act Fines, Mitigate Impacts to Sensitive Streams and WetlandsRead the Press Release
A California agricultural developer has agreed to pay a civil penalty, preserve streams and wetlands, effect mitigation, and be subject to a prohibitory injunction to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) on property near the Sacramento River located in Tehama County, California, the Justice Department announced today.
Roger J. LaPant Jr. purchased the property in this case in 2011 and sold it in 2012 to Duarte Nursery Inc. which, in turn, sold it that same year to Goose Pond Ag Inc. Goose Pond’s activities on the property were the subject of a settlement announced by the Justice Department in September 2018 and approved by a federal judge in June 2019. Duarte’s activities on an adjoining site were the subject of a settlement agreement announced by the Justice Department in August 2017 and approved by a federal judge in December 2017.
“Today’s settlement involving the unpermitted filling of streams and wetlands, if approved by the court, will conclude the long-running Clean Water Act litigation involving these properties near the Sacramento River in Tehama County,” said Jonathan D. Brightbill, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “None of these defendants had traditionally farmed these lands, but instead attempted to profit commercially by acquiring and converting them to new uses in violation of the law. Like the Goose Pond settlement and decree entered in 2019 and the Duarte settlement and decree entered in 2017, today’s agreement serves the public interest in enforcement of the Clean Water Act and deterrence of future violations.”
“The Corps is pleased this longstanding enforcement action has been brought to a close,” said Michael Jewell, the Chief of the Regulatory Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Sacramento District. “Unlike most farmers in California’s Central Valley, Mr. LaPant conducted activities that were not lawful under the Clean Water Act. Had he heeded the words of his consultant or discussed his plans with my office in advance, the enforcement action could have been avoided. The Corps is always willing to talk to the public about the Regulatory Program and to provide information on jurisdiction, permit requirements, and any other aspects of the Program.”
LaPant has agreed to pay $250,000 in civil penalties; purchase $100,000 worth of compensatory mitigation credits; dedicate another 10 credits at a vernal pool conservation bank; effect long-term preservation streams, wetlands, and buffer areas on two sites with a total acreage of over 400 acres; and be subject to a prohibition on certain new activities in waters or wetlands absent pre-clearance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In total, the approximate cost of LaPant’s obligations under the settlement is $1.2 million.
This case stems from agricultural development activities LaPant conducted during his brief ownership of the property, which prior to his ownership had laid fallow and unfarmed for more than 20 years. LaPant bought the 1,500-acre property for $1.9 million and sold it less than a year later for $5.6 million. In between those transactions, evidence shows that LaPant operated earthmoving equipment through at least 900 acres of the property, including directly through streams and wetlands. The machinery included the dragging of metal shanks through the ground to break up or pierce highly compacted, impermeable or slowly permeable surface layers, or other similar kinds of restrictive soil layers. LaPant’s conduct in this case, part of an effort to convert the property to orchard use, contributed to the destruction or significant degradation of streams and wetlands at the site.
Even before LaPant purchased the site, he received information that alerted him to the presence of federally protected streams and wetlands on the property. Despite that information, he conducted earthmoving activities in streams and wetlands without a CWA dredge-or-fill permit. The settlement agreement reached today secures a significant penalty and mitigation for these violations, while providing fairness for agricultural developers who comply with the applicable laws.
The case is styled United States v. LaPant, No. 2:16-cv-01498-KJM-DB (E.D. Cal.). The proposed consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval. A copy of the proposed consent decree is available on the Justice Department website at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Aberdeen Man Sentenced on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance was sentenced on January 14, 2021, by U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes.
Johnathan Bravo Barrera, age 26, was sentenced to one year of probation, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.
Bravo Barrera was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 11, 2020. He pled guilty on October 26, 2021.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 23, 2019, in Corson County, South Dakota. On that date, Dewey County and McPherson County Sheriff’s Department deputies initiated a traffic stop of Barrera’s vehicle, after observing him drive over the fog line several times. The deputies’ observations during the traffic stop led them to believe Barrera was engaged in illegal activities. A drug detection canine was deployed around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle uncovered 3.5 pounds of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, that Barrera knowingly and intentionally possessed.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Corson County and Dewey County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
Monday 18 January 2021
Statement from U.S. Attorney Tim GarrisonRead the Press Release
Federal law enforcement authorities have publicly expressed concern about the potential for violent demonstrations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia leading up to Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.
My concern, as the chief representative of the U.S. Department of Justice in the Western District of Missouri, is not with peaceful rallies or responsible public expressions of opinion. The U.S. Constitution guarantees all citizens the right “peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” My determination to protect our Constitutional rights, however, is matched by my utmost respect for law and order.
I stand with our law enforcement partners, who will take all necessary measures to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law. We will not tolerate violence, nor will we overlook criminal behavior. Those who cross the line from exercising their rights to violating the law will be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted accordingly. Political disagreement is not a license to engage in domestic terrorism, to commit acts of violence, to harm or threaten others, to illegally trespass, or to break the law in any way.
The genius of American democracy lies in the ability of its citizens to disagree with one another without resorting to violence, and to respect the peaceful transition of power following each election. We must be vigilant against those who undermine our democratic ideals by engaging in criminal violence.
We need the public’s help to keep our communities safe and protect the First Amendment rights of all Missourians. Each citizen has a role to play. Remember to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Submit any information you have about real or potential threats of violence at any upcoming demonstrations or events by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at http://tips.fbi.gov.
U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison
Sunday 17 January 2021
New Mexico County Commissioner Charged for Breaching U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON— A New Mexico County commissioner was charged today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for breaching the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.
Couy Griffin, of New Mexico, was arrested today in Washington, D.C., and charged by criminal complaint with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful entry.
As alleged in the charging documents, on Jan. 9, 2021, law enforcement received a tip that Griffin, an Otero County, New Mexico, Commissioner was present at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and had posted videos to his Facebook page indicating that he intended to return to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021, and “plant our flag” on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk.
An investigation into Griffin revealed that he is the founder of an organization called “Cowboys for Trump,” and that following the incident at the U.S. Capitol, Griffin posted a video to the Cowboys for Trump Facebook page in which he stated that he “climbed up on the top of the Capitol building and . . . had a first row seat.” In that same video, now removed, he states:
“You want to say that that was a mob? You want to say that was violence? No sir. No Ma’am. No we could have a 2nd Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. You know, and if we do, then it’s gonna be a sad day, because there’s gonna be blood running out of that building. But at the end of the day, you mark my word, we will plant our flag on the desk of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer and Donald J. Trump if it boils down to it.”
On Jan. 14, 2021, Griffin spoke at an Otero County, New Mexico, council meeting about his experience at the Capitol and his plans to return to Washington, D.C., to protest President-Elect Biden’s Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021. It is alleged that Griffin stated that he intended to bring his firearms with him when he traveled to Washington, D.C.
The case is being prosecuted by the Assistant U.S. Attorneys Janani Iyengar and Jason Feldman of the District of Columbia United States Attorney’s Office, and Trial Attorney George Kraehe of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Capitol Police Department.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Kentucky Man Arrested and Charged in Federal Court for Actions at the U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Kentucky man was arrested and charged yesterday in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week during which he joined a crowd of individuals who unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol and disrupted the conduct of business by the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.
Chad Barrett Jones, 42, of Coxs Creek, Kentucky, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of assault on a federal officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a) and (b); one count of certain acts during a civil disorder, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 231(a)(3); one count of destruction of government property over $1,000, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1361; one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1521(c)(2); one count of unlawful entry on restricted building or grounds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1752(a) and (b); and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, in violation of Title 40, United States Code, Section 5104(e)(2). Jones was arrested in Louisville. His initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Colin H. Lindsay of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky is scheduled for January 19.
The affidavit in support of criminal complaint alleges that video footage from inside the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, shows Jones in a red hooded jacket and gray skullcap among an aggressive crowd trying to breach a barricaded door to the Speaker’s Lobby, a hallway that connects to the House of Representatives chambers. Members of the crowd were shouting and gesticulating at the Capitol Police officers guarding the door. Seconds after the officers began moving toward the adjacent wall as other officers in tactical gear arrived, Jones forcefully struck the door’s glass panels at least 10 times with a long, wood flagpole, the affidavit alleges. The affidavit also alleges that chants of “Break it down!” could be heard, and that a U.S. Capitol Police officer inside the Speakers’ Lobby, facing the door with a gun raised, can be seen at the side of the video in the close vicinity of the doorway.
The Superintendent of the Capitol has represented that the repair cost of the damaged glass will exceed $1,000. Federal authorities were able to identify Jones as the man in the red hooded jacket and gray skullcap after receiving a tip on January 8.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Louisville Field Office and Washington Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
Indonesian Company Admits to Deceiving U.S. Banks in Order to Trade with North Korea, Agrees to Pay A Fine of More Than $1.5 MillionRead the Press Release
A global supplier of cigarette paper products, PT Bukit Muria Jaya (“BMJ”), has agreed to pay a fine of $1,561,570 and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department for conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with the shipment of products to North Korean customers. BMJ, which is incorporated in Indonesia, has also entered into a settlement agreement with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”).
In entering the deferred prosecution agreement, BMJ admitted and accepted responsibility for its criminal conduct and agreed to pay a fine commensurate with the offense. BMJ agreed to implement a compliance program designed to prevent and detect violations of U.S. sanctions laws and regulations and to regularly report to the Justice Department on the implementation of that program. BMJ also committed to report violations of relevant U.S. laws to the Justice Department and to cooperate in the investigation of such offenses.
“Through a sophisticated and illegal multinational scheme, BMJ intentionally obfuscated the true nature of its transactions in order to sell its wares to North Korea,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “BMJ duped U.S. banks into processing payments in violation of our sanctions on North Korea. Strict enforcement of the sanctions regime pressures North Korea to move away from engaging in dangerous and belligerent activities, including weapons of mass destruction proliferation. The Department is committed to taking such enforcement actions in the hope that one day North Korea will reintegrate itself into the community of nations.”
“BMJ intentionally deceived U.S. banks and undermined the integrity of our financial system in order to continue doing business with North Korea,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin for the District of Columbia. “We want to communicate to all those persons and businesses who are contemplating engaging in similar schemes to violate U.S. sanctions on North Korea that using front companies and fraudulent invoices will not protect you. We will find you and prosecute you.”
"Sanctions against North Korea are designed to protect the international community,” said Alan E. Kohler, Jr., Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “This company used smoke and mirrors to try to hide its illegal activity, but the FBI and its partners saw through the smokescreen and helped bring the defendant to justice."
Pursuant to the agreed statement of facts adopted in the deferred prosecution agreement, BMJ admitted in part that it sold products to two North Korean companies as well as a Chinese trading company while knowing that those products were destined for North Korea. At the time, U.S. sanctions on North Korea prevented, among other things, correspondent banks in the United States from processing wire transfers on behalf of customers located in North Korea. After learning that one of its North Korean customers was having difficulty executing payments to BMJ, BMJ personnel agreed to accept payments from third parties that were otherwise unrelated to the transactions. Accepting these third-party payments evaded the sanctions monitoring and compliance systems of U.S. banks, inducing them into executing prohibited transactions.
Assuming BMJ’s continued compliance with the deferred prosecution agreement, the government has agreed to defer prosecution for a period of 18 months, after which time, the government would seek to dismiss the charges.
The FBI is leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Grady from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney David C. Recker of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence & Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with support from Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick. The Department of Justice would also like to thank the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for providing analytical support and the FBI for their assistance during the investigation.
Friday 15 January 2021
Wright County Man to Federal Prison for Meth and Gun ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine while illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced January 14, 2021, to more than 12 years in federal prison.
Bobby Hernandez, 50, from Eagle Grove, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 27, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Hernandez was previously convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, on or about September 29, 2009.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from about 2017 through about October 2019, Hernandez distributed at least 750 grams of methamphetamine mixture in the Eagle Grove/Wright County, Iowa areas. On April 29, 2019, Hernandez was arrested in Webster County, Iowa, pursuant to an outstanding arrest warrant for a state probation violation. At the time of this arrest, officers seized over 7 grams of methamphetamine. Hernandez also distributed over 6 grams of methamphetamine on two occasions in June and August of 2019 to individuals cooperating with law enforcement. On August 15, 2019, Hernandez was arrested in Fort Dodge, Iowa for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear related to a Wright County, Iowa criminal case. During the arrest, officers seized a bag under the car seat where Hernandez had been sitting, which contained small quantities of methamphetamine and heroin, and a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a homemade silencer affixed to the barrel.
Hernandez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hernandez was sentenced to 152 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 4-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Hernandez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Grove Police Department, Fort Dodge Police Department, and Iowa DCI.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-3049. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Worcester Man Arrested for Purchasing MBTA Passes Using Others’ IdentitiesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with using stolen identities to fraudulently purchase MBTA passes.
Kokou Kuakumensah, 31, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
According to charging documents, between approximately January 2019 and March 2020, Kuakumensah used other individuals’ credit card accounts to fraudulently purchase MBTA commuter rail passes. Kuakumensah then re-sold these passes for less than their face value, including advertising the passes on Craiglist.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge 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 of Homeland Security Investigations; and Chief Kenneth Green of the MBTA Transit Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Winneconne Man Indicted for Cyberstalking and Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 12, 2021, a federal grand jury had returned a two-count indictment against Jon E. Janikowski (age: 36) of the Winneconne, Wisconsin. The indictment alleges that Janikowski engaged in cyberstalking and illegally possessed ammunition.
The cyberstalking charge alleges that Janikowski intended to “harass and intimidate another person” using a computer or “electronic communication system of interstate commerce” and that he engaged in a “course of conduct that placed that person in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury,” contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A(2)(A). The indictment also alleges that Janikowski, a felon, possessed ammunition in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
If convicted of the cyberstalking charge, Janikowski faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the ammunition charge, he faces up to ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Janikowski was arraigned in Federal court in Green Bay on January 15, 2021, at which time the indictment was unsealed. Janikowski will be detained pending trial at the Winnebago County Jail.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
This case was investigated by the Winneconne and Oshkosh police departments. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
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Wilmington man charged with online threats, witness tampering regarding his participation in protests at U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Wilmington man has been charged federally with making interstate threats and threatening a witness. The crimes arise from the man’s alleged communications online related to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the United States Capitol.
Justin Stoll, 40, was arrested this morning by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and appeared in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, at which time his case was unsealed.
According to an affidavit written in support of the criminal complaint pending against Stoll, he used the username “Th3RealHuckleberry” on the app Clapper and on YouTube to post videos related to his participation in the Capitol protests.
In one such video, it is alleged Stoll asks his viewers if he should wear a black United States flag shirt to D.C., stating, “Basically, if you are an enemy combatant, you will be shot on sight…I know this is the end-all flag…”
Stoll also allegedly posted videos of himself outside the Capitol with other protesters in which he said, among other things, “D.C.’s a war zone!...You ain’t got enough cops, baby! We are at war at the Capitol…. We have taken the Capitol. This is our country.”
According to the court document, Stoll received comments from concerned citizens in response to his YouTube videos, including from one user who said (s)he had saved Stoll’s video. Stoll responded via another video, in which he said, in part:
Well, that shows your f------ ignorance because, clearly, the capitol building is owned by the people, so again, nothing will happen. Secondly, I never admitted I went into it, did I? Go watch the video again. Daddy’s not stupid. [Wink.] Third, if you ever in your f------ existence did something to jeopardize taking me away from my family, you will absolutely meet your maker. You can play that for the D.A. in court, I don’t care. If you ever jeopardize me, from being with my family, you will absolutely meet your mother f------ maker, and I will be the one to arrange the meeting.
Interstate communication of a threat is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Tampering with a witness through intimidation carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan and Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia are representing the United States in this case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Uxbridge Doctor Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute over 3.5 Kilograms of AmphetaminesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Uxbridge doctor was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2020 in connection with her role in a scheme to prescribe Adderall to individuals without a legitimate medical purpose.
Leslie Caraceni M.D., 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2019, Caraceni pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute Adderall and three counts of distributing and dispensing Adderall in August 2020.
Caraceni was indicted in November 2018 along with Rene Ruliera, 52, of Southborough, who pleaded guilty in August 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 24, 2021. Co-conspirator Meghan Giacomuzzi, 37, of Whitinsville, pleaded guilty in February 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2021.
Between March 2016 and February 2018, Caraceni, Ruliera and Giacomuzzi conspired to distribute Adderall, an amphetamine, for reasons other than for a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of medical practice. Caraceni hired both Ruliera and Giacomuzzi to work at her medical practice in Framingham and later in Whitinsville, and enlisted both in a conspiracy to sell and distribute Adderall to individuals who had not been medically examined or given a clinical diagnosis to warrant a prescription. Office visitors met with either Ruliera or Giacomuzzi, discussed their desired prescription, paid for their office visit, and left with a signed prescription for Adderall. Office visits lasted just minutes and each such visit cost approximately $200, payable in cash or through a credit card or debit card. Caraceni collected the cash from the office or received funds through deposits to her bank account.
Caraceni provided Ruliera and Giacomuzzi with blank prescription pads and explained how to fill out prescriptions for sale. Electronic communications between the defendants documented Caraceni’s knowledge of the prescriptions written by Ruliera and Giacomuzzi, the number of office visitors seen in her absence, and the volume of proceeds realized as result of their sale of prescriptions to those visitors. Between November 2015 and July 2018, records from the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program show that well over 1,500 prescriptions for Adderall—amounting to over 110,000 pills—were filled in Massachusetts alone based on Caraceni’s prescriptions.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Uxbridge Police Chief Marc Montminy; and Southborough Police Chief Kenneth Paulhus made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Update on law enforcement search at 2448 Sullivant AvenueRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney David M. DeVillers confirmed today that human remains from two individuals were located during the execution of a search warrant on Jan. 14 at 2448 Sullivant Avenue.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that the bodies may be connected to the Aug. 26, 2018 missing persons report of Henry Clay Watson and Tera Lynn Pennington. The families of the missing persons have been notified and authorities are working to verify their identities.
The bodies were discovered partially dismembered, buried in the basement and covered in concrete.
This is a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Division of Police, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Columbus Fire Department.
We are unable to provide any further details about this ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement authorities ask that anyone with related information call the HSI tip line at (866) DHS-2423.
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U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces the Hiring of Retired Tulsa Police Lieutenant Chris Witt as Law Enforcement CoordinatorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores today announced the hiring of retired Tulsa Police Lieutenant Chris Witt as Law Enforcement Coordinator (LEC) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In his position, Witt will act as a liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement throughout the Northern District of Oklahoma. The LEC further builds relationships within the community and promotes communication, engagement, and understanding of Department of Justice initiatives, law enforcement considerations, and crime prevention opportunities.
“Now more than ever, strong partnerships between the community and law enforcement are crucial to ensuring justice is experienced by every neighborhood in every community,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am proud to bring to my team Chris Witt, an experienced law enforcement officer and United States Marine Corps veteran. Chris understands the meaning of service to country and community, and that makes him a great fit as our Law Enforcement Coordinator. In his capacity as Coordinator, Chris will actively engage with the community and law enforcement in order to build partnerships, trust, and understanding. He will also help enhance communication and coordination between my office and all our law enforcement partners.”
Witt comes to the U.S. Attorney’s Office with 38 years of law enforcement experience. Witt spent his first four years at the Bartlesville Police Department then joined the Tulsa Police Department where he retired Jan. 3, 2021. He most recently led the Special Events Unit in charge of security, logistics, and traffic control during parades, marathons, rallies and protests. Previously, he served on the Gang Unit, SWAT Team, Repeat Offender Unit, Child Crisis Unit, Fugitive Warrants, and acted as an instructor at the Police Academy. He has further taught SWAT tactics nationally as a member of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).
Witt is also proud to have served on the Tulsa Police Department’s Honor Guard for 33 years and led the team for 21 of those years. The team conducts honors at funerals for active and retired officers who have passed away. Witt described one of his greatest honors as presenting the flag of the United States to the families of fallen officers.
Witt is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps (active duty) and U.S. Army Reserve, with a combined total of 10 years of service.
U.S. Attorney Releases Corporate Enforcement Memo for Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – The Eastern District of Texas has taken another significant step in promoting justice, fairness, and transparency in the areas of corporate and white-collar enforcement.
“For the past four years, the Department of Justice has introduced and formalized policies relating to corporate and white-collar enforcement actions. These policies are good for government, good for fairness, good for transparency, good for the public, and consistent with the Department’s pursuit of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “Today, the Eastern District of Texas makes clear that it has adopted these policies and fully commits the District to applying them in its civil and criminal white-collar and corporate investigations.”
In a new policy memorandum announced today, the Eastern District of Texas has formally adopted the Department’s recent enforcement policies concerning corporate resolutions, prosecutorial discretion, third-party payments, voluntary disclosure, cooperation, guidance documents, piling-on credit, agency coordination, compliance programs and corporate monitors, and ability to pay. This EDTX Corporate Enforcement Memo is designed to balance the District’s aggressive enforcement of corporate and white-collar fraud against equally important considerations such as transparency, good government, and fairness. U.S. Attorney Cox added, “the Eastern District of Texas is continually innovating as part of our goal to be on the cutting edge of corporate and white-collar enforcement. Specifically adopting these Department’s policies solidifies the District’s leadership in these areas.”
The EDTX Corporate Enforcement Memo removes any doubt regarding whether the Department’s policies apply to investigations by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas. The policy applies to all current and future civil and criminal investigations and will be effective immediately. The Eastern District of Texas policy is available here.
U.S. Attorney Launches Ad Campaign Aimed at Protecting Maine’s Elderly from FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank today announced the launch of a video public service announcement aimed at protecting Maine’s seniors from fraud.
Every day, thousands of older Americans fall victim to financial fraud. Scammers, both here in the U.S. and abroad, target our seniors. Their tactics include deception, demands, and in some cases, outright threats. They use phony lottery and sweepstakes scams. Among the other methods used are posing as government officials demanding back taxes that are not actually owed, unsolicited tech support, and other scams. The fraudsters steal an estimated $3 billion from American seniors every year.
“Increasingly, these scammers are becoming very sophisticated in their tactics,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “That is why it is important for seniors and their caretakers to always be suspicious of any unsolicited requests for money and offers that sound too good to be true. If you didn’t play the lottery, you didn’t ‘win’ the lottery.
Never, under any circumstances, give your Social Security number, banking information, or any other sensitive information to anyone you don’t recognize.”
The video will appear as online ads, and eventually on social media platforms. The ad can also be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRWKSMG8AvI
The YouTube channel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office contains public service announcements on several topics in addition to elder fraud, including human trafficking, the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative and money mules. The channel can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtSYDXolTp8Y2fDnIUsh4FQ/videos
Anyone who has been contacted by a suspected scammer or is the victim of one should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Two Police Officers and Others Face Cocaine Trafficking Charges in MiamiRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. – South Florida federal prosecutors have charged two U.S. Virgin Islands police officers and four others with drug trafficking crimes after federal agents discovered more than 300 kilograms of cocaine being carried inside travel bags on a private passenger flight from the Virgin Islands to Miami this week.
Criminal complaints filed in federal court identify the defendants as Teshawn Adams, 26, Tevon Adams, 26, Anthon Berkeley, 26, Roystin David, 28, Maleek Leonard, 27, and Shakim Mike, 29. Teshawn Adams and Mike live in St. Thomas and are officers with the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department. David and Leonard also live in St. Thomas. Tevon Adams lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Berkeley lives in Orlando.
The criminal complaint affidavits allege the following: Teshawn Adams accepted an offer from someone in the Virgin Islands to transport cocaine to South Florida in exchange for money. Together with fellow police officer Mike, Teshawn Adams arranged a private flight from the Virgin Islands to South Florida. On January 12, the two officers boarded the jet, joined by defendants David and Leonard and travel bags containing more than 300 kilograms of cocaine. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered the cocaine, packaged as 294 individually plastic-wrapped bricks, during a security check: They saw the bricks on the screen of the X-ray machine that scanned the men’s bags at the Opa Locka Executive Airport on arrival. Tevon Adams, twin brother to one of the police officers, and Berkeley stood ready to transport the jet travelers and the cocaine from the Opa-Locka Airport to other areas of Florida, alleges the complaint affidavits.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Vernon T. Foret, Director of Miami and Tampa Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), made the announcement.
HSI and CBP investigated the matter, with assistance from Miami-Dade Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Yeney Hernandez is prosecuting this case.
Criminal complaints are accusations that contain allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
You may find the criminal complaints and related court documents and information on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 21-mj-02049, 21-mj-02050 and 21-mj-02066.
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Two Maui Men Charged with Hate Crimes for Racially Motivated AttackRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Honolulu, Hawaii, returned an indictment charging Kaulana Alo Kaonohi and Levi Aki, Jr. with a hate crime for their racially motivated attack on a Caucasian man who was attempting to move into the defendants’ Native Hawaiian neighborhood of Kahakuloa on Maui.
The indictment was announced today by Acting Assistant Attorney General John B. Daukas for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price for the District of Hawaii, and FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Eli S. Miranda.
The indictment alleges that, on Feb. 13, 2014, Kaonohi and Aki willfully caused bodily injury to C.K., and attempted to cause bodily injury to C.K. through the use of a dangerous weapon (a shovel), because of C.K.’s actual and perceived race and color.
The maximum penalty for the charged crime is 10 years of imprisonment. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Thomas of the District of Hawaii is prosecuting the case in partnership with Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Perras and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Texas man admits to smuggling over 3 dozen in refrigerated truckRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 41-year-old resident of San Antonio has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
On Oct. 20, 2020, Rodrigo Sanchez approached the I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint driving a refrigerated box truck with “JJ Produce” on the side. Soon after, a K-9 alerted to the presence of contraband in the cargo area. Authorities opened the back of the truck and discovered 37 aliens, including an unaccompanied minor, concealed behind a false wall blocked by stacks of produce.
Sanchez claimed he traveled to Laredo from San Antonio to work as a delivery driver for “AA Produce.” He stated he was to be paid $100 to drive the truck to San Antonio.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing May 5, at which time Sanchez faces up to 10 years in federal prison. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.
Texas Man Arrested and Charged with Making Threats Regarding Events at the U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Texas man was charged yesterday and arrested today in Texas in connection with making threats regarding the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.
Troy Anthony Smocks, 58, of Dallas, Texas, was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly and willfully transmitting threats in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c). He will make an initial appearance this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
The affidavit in support of criminal complaint alleges that Smocks traveled to the Washington, D.C., area on January 5, 2021, the day before the illegal rioting. Smocks used a Parler social media account under the name “ColonelTPerez” or “@Colonel007,” to post threats on January 6 and 7 regarding the riots. The threats included that he and others would return to the U.S. Capitol on January 19, 2021, carrying weapons and massing in numbers so large that no army could match them. Smocks threatened that he and others would “hunt these cowards down like the Traitors that each of them are,” specifically threatening “RINOS, Dems, and Tech Execs.” The threats issued by Smocks were viewed by other social media users tens of thousands of times.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
Tallahassee Man Arrested for Inciting Violence at the Florida Capitol BuildingRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Federal law enforcement agents today arrested Daniel Baker of Tallahassee for transmission, in interstate commerce, of a communication containing a threat to kidnap or to injure. Baker issued a call to arms for like-minded individuals to violently confront protestors gathered at the Florida Capitol this Sunday. He specifically called for others to join him in encircling any protestors and confining them at the Capitol complex using firearms. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the arrest.
“Extremists intent on violence from either end of the political and social spectrums must be stopped, and they will be stopped,” Keefe said. “The diligent work in this case by the FBI and other public safety organizations has averted a crisis with this arrest, and we will not stop in our efforts to detect, deter, and disrupt anyone else planning to incite or commit violence.”
Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Baker without incident early this morning with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Tallahassee Police Department. He will make his initial appearance virtually this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the U.S. Courthouse before Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos.
“In these perilous times, we are steadfastly committed to being as transparent as possible about the work your government does to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law,” Keefe said. “While extremists who plan mayhem may skulk in the shadows, it’s important that we force them into the light and bring them to justice.”
Baker, a former U.S. Army Airborne infrantryman who was kicked out of the service, has a history of expressing his belief in violent tactics. In recent days his social media posts had escalated significantly. He specifically expressed an intent to violently disrupt protests occurring between now and Inauguration Day next Wednesday, January 20, and was actively recruiting others to join him. Baker, who actively participated in multiple protests throughout the United States last summer, has used social media as a way to promote, encourage, and educate his followers on how to incapacitate and debilitate law enforcement officers.
“This arrest serves as a message to anyone who intends to incite or commit violence in the Northern District of Florida: If you represent a threat to public safety, we will come for you, we will find you, and we will prosecute you,” Keefe said. “Daniel Baker’s actions show that he is a dangerous extremist, and the law-abiding public is safer now that he has been arrested. We are, and will remain, on high alert and will take all appropriate actions against credible threats to the people of our District.”
After approximately one year in the Army, Baker received an other-than-honorable discharge in 2007 after he went AWOL before his unit was to deploy to Iraq. In 2017, he joined the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a group fighting in Syria against ISIS and the Turkish government. He claimed on social media that he was a trained sniper for the YPG, and he can be seen in a documentary film fighting ISIS and Turkish militants. YPG is a sub-affiliate of the Kurdistan’s Working Party (PKK), which is designated by the United States government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Baker can be seen in photos and YouTube videos with a variety of firearms, including those with high-capacity magazines. Social media posts also show that he was actively attempting to purchase additional firearms within the last 24-48 hours. A chronological account of Baker’s social media posts, along with additional information about his self-declared attempts to incite violence at past protests, can be found in the affidavit below.
“The FBI is laser focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals who are intent on inciting violence or engaging in criminal activity,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “We will not tolerate those who seek to wreak havoc in our communities. We are fully coordinating with law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all citizens in the North Florida, and our partnership of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Tallahassee Police Department have been especially vital in this effort. Help from the public is also critical, and we encourage anyone with information regarding potential violence or criminal activity to contact law enforcement immediately.”
To report information, or suspicious activity, contact local law enforcement, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or 911 in case of emergency.
This case resulted from a collaborative investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Kunz and Lazaro Fields are prosecuting this cases.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation by a sworn affiant that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to due process, to include a fair trial, during which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - U.S. v. Baker Criminal Complaint - U.S. v. BakerStatement by U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams on Recent Political ViolenceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—Billy. J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, released the following statement on recent political violence:
"Like most Americans, I watched in disgust and anger as radical insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol in a shocking display of political violence. There is no question these violent acts were domestic terrorism aimed at disrupting Congress’ Constitutional duty to certify the electoral victory of President-elect Joe Biden. The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country are working tirelessly to investigate and prosecute all forms of domestic terrorism including this attack on our government, and those responsible will be brought to justice.
As we approach next week’s inauguration, the threat of similar political violence around the country and here in Oregon remains. Our office is working closely with the FBI, Federal Protective Service, Oregon State Police, Portland Police Bureau, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt anyone intent on engaging in violence here in Oregon.
We need the public’s help to keep our communities safe and protect all Oregonians’ First Amendment rights. We urge you to submit any information you have about real or potential threats of violence at any upcoming demonstrations or events throughout the state. Tips can be submitted directly to the FBI by calling (503) 224-4181 or by visiting tips.fbi.gov.”
Statement on Federal Law Enforcement’s Safety and Security EffortsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and its federal law enforcement partners, including the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigations, will devote all our resources to protect public safety throughout the State of Minnesota in the coming days. Federal law enforcement is leaning forward to both respond to threats of violence and acts of violence and to assist state and local law enforcement to ensure public safety in our communities. We are leveraging additional resources, including an FBI-led 24-hour command post to facilitate information and intelligence sharing across the law enforcement spectrum, in order to achieve this shared goal. In accordance with our public safety mission, federal law enforcement will hold accountable any individuals or groups who commit any criminal activity in our communities.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald urges the public to be safe and to report suspicious activity to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Six convicted and sentenced in massive contracting fraud and money laundering schemeRead the Press Release
Indianapolis – Acting United States Attorney John Childress announced today that Ernie Perkins, 40, of Zionsville, and the owner of Remarkable Creative Enterprises (“RCE”), was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment in connection with his role in a massive, years-long fraud conspiracy that resulted in the theft of more than $8.4 million from a Pennsylvania based bank and a Pennsylvania based insurance company. Neither the bank nor the insurance company are being named because they are victims in this case.
The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Sara Evans Barker on January 5, 2021, marks the culmination of a years-long investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office and agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This significant investigative effort also yielded convictions and significant federal prison sentences for 5 other defendants. All were convicted of various charges related to the scheme, including theft by a bank employee, money laundering, mail fraud and tax evasion. At a series of hearings held late last year, Judge Barker sentenced the other defendants to significant prison terms for their respective roles in the schemes.
John L. Williams, 52, Zionsville, a former employee of the victim bank, 108 months imprisonment.
Robert Finch, 73, Indianapolis, owner of Finch Constructors and Finch Management, 48 months imprisonment.
Donald Landis, 59, Plainfield, owner of P&L Supply, 36 months imprisonment.
Walter Watson, 72, Detroit, Michigan, owner of W-3 construction company, 18 months imprisonment.
Shalonda Coleman, 45, Indianapolis, a former employee of the insurance company, 24 months imprisonment.
“White collar criminals are thieves who steal through position and influence,” said Childress. “White collar crime like tax evasion and money laundering ultimately effects all Hoosiers and this office is committed to aggressively prosecuting these fraudsters.”
As outlined in the lengthy indictment, Williams was employed as a construction project manager in the Indianapolis regional office of the victim bank. His responsibilities included overseeing the bank’s internal real estate projects in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana, including new bank branch construction and existing bank branch renovation projects.
In carrying out the scheme, Williams would use information available to him as a bank employee to identify construction and renovation projects that were projected to come in under budget. Williams would then contact Perkins, Finch, Watson, and Landis and instruct them to submit fraudulent invoices on those under-budget projects for work that was never performed and materials that were never supplied. Williams used his position at the bank and his oversight of the projects in question to approve payment of the fraudulent invoices. Once the bank paid the invoices, Perkins, Finch, Watson, and Landis would kick back a large percentage of the money to CB Consulting, a fictitious business entity controlled by Williams.
In many cases, the money passed through multiple bank accounts before reaching the bank account Williams set up for CB Consulting. Between November of 2009 and August of 2016, the defendants were responsible for submitting hundreds of fraudulent invoices to the victim bank and receiving and laundering more than $8.4 million in proceeds from the fraudulent scheme.
Coleman and Perkins are also charged with using the U.S. Mail in a separate scheme to defraud a Pennsylvania-based insurance company and steal money. In those instances, Coleman used her position as a claims processor, and her access to the company’s computer systems, to cause the insurance company to mail checks to RCE. Coleman disguised the payments to RCE as payments for work performed for the company’s insurance clients, but no work was ever performed. Instead, Perkins would deposit the checks into RCE accounts and kick back a percentage of the money to Coleman.
Williams, Perkins, Finch, Landis and Watson were all convicted of theft and conspiring to launder the money stolen from the bank. Williams and Finch were separately convicted of engaging in a significant number of financial transactions in excess of $10,000 using the stolen funds. Those transactions included transfers to other bank accounts held by the defendants, including the bank accounts of Finch’s construction company, the construction of a residence for Williams’ family in Zionsville, Indiana, more than $100,000 in payments for a lavish wedding for Williams’ daughter, and the purchase of multiple automobiles. Williams and Colman were also convicted of tax evasion and filing false tax returns, respectively, for failing to report their receipt of stolen funds as income on their tax returns.
“Even if you use sophisticated means to steal millions of dollars, you are still a thief, and this sentence sends a clear message of the consequences of such greed,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The FBI will continue to work with the IRS and other law enforcement partners to focus our efforts on these white collar criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.”
“The license to run a business is not permission to use trusted business partners as an endless stream of free money,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Tamera Cantu, of IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “John Williams and his accomplices used their positions and access to the banking system to steal over $8 million from multiple businesses, as well as the honest, hardworking Americans who pay their tax obligations. The IRS is committed to aggressively investigating those individuals who engage in tax evasion, money laundering, and financial fraud. Working with our partners at the Department of Justice, we will continue to investigate those who violate the tax laws,” said Cantu.
Bryan Musgrove, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division stated, “This investigation was an excellent example of a partnership between federal law enforcement agencies and the Southern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Office. Together these partners brought down a complex, large-scale fraud conspiracy. I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved. As a result of their hard work, six defendants in this case were brought to justice.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Rinka, who prosecuted this case for the government, the defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in restitution and all six defendants were ordered to serve a term of federal supervised release upon release from their term of 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 fraud and money laundering. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 5.1 and 5.4.
Silicon Valley Streaming Service Executive Indicted in Alleged “Pump and Dump” Stock Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former executive of a Silicon Valley video streaming service has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Chicago for allegedly engaging in a “pump and dump” stock fraud scheme.
While serving as a director of San Jose, Calif.-based Nanotech Entertainment Inc. (“NTEK”), DAVID FOLEY schemed with an investment manager to manipulate purchases and sales of shares in NanoTech Gaming Inc. (“NTGL”), a Las Vegas, Nev.-based business that had formerly operated as a division of NTEK, according to a ten-count indictment returned Jan. 11, 2021, in U.S. District in Chicago. The indictment charges Foley, 55, of Los Gatos, Calif., and the investment manager, BENNIE BLANKENSHIP, 49, of New Carlisle, Ohio, with wire fraud and securities fraud. Arraignments are scheduled for Jan. 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Getter.
According to the indictment, Foley acquired shares in NTGL and fraudulently caused them to be unrestricted. Blankenship promoted the NTGL shares by exaggerating the stock’s prospects for success, thereby artificially inflating the share price, the indictment states. Foley then schemed with others to sell the pumped-up stock to the investing public, the indictment states. The fraud scheme lasted from 2013 to 2016, and during a portion of that time Foley was incarcerated in California on an unrelated criminal conviction, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Rogers Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Fayetteville, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced today that Juan Garcia-Maldonado, age 47, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings today in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Fayetteville Resident Office assisted by detectives and officers with local law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the distribution of methamphetamine in the Western District of Arkansas. During the course of this investigation, law enforcement identified Garcia-Maldonado, as a distributor of methamphetamine in Northwest Arkansas. In January of 2020, agents with the DEA, operating in an undercover capacity, purchased multiple ounces of methamphetamine from Garcia-Maldonado.
The methamphetamine purchased was subsequently sent to the DEA laboratory in Miami and tested positive for 79.7 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Garcia-Maldonado was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2020 and entered a guilty plea in August of 2020.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
Rockford Man Charged with Arson for Allegedly Setting Fire to Retail BusinessRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was arrested Thursday on a federal arson charge for allegedly setting fire to a local retail business.
SEAN CARDENAS, 20, was indicted on Jan. 12, 2021, by a federal grand jury in Rockford on one count of maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempting to damage and destroy, by means of fire, a building at 6260 E. State St. in Rockford. The alleged arson occurred on May 30, 2020.
Cardenas pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger. Cardenas was ordered to remain in federal custody until a detention hearing on January 19, 2021, at 11:30 a.m.
The indictment and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Rockford Police Department and Rockford Fire Department assisted in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Maveus.
The arson charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years, in addition to a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only a charge and 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.
Rochester, New York Man Arrested and Charged with Destroying Property and Obstruction of Congressional ProceedingsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A New York State man was taken into custody and charged today with unlawful entry, destruction of government property and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Dominic Pezzola, 43, also known as “Spaz” and “Spazzo,” of Rochester, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(c)(2); one count of destruction of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1361; and one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section1752(a). Following a hearing in the Western District of New York, Pezzola was ordered detained.
The affidavit in support of criminal complaint alleges that Pezzola unlawfully gained entry to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, by breaking a window in the U.S. Capitol with a U.S. Capitol Police shield, as an individual in the crowd yelled “Go Go Go,” before entering the Capitol building.
The affidavit also alleges that a video posted from inside the Capitol shows Pezzola smoking a cigar inside the building. In that video, Pezzola can be heard saying words to the effect of, “Victory smoke in the Capitol, boys. This is f***ing awesome. I knew we could take this mother***er over [if we] just tried hard enough.”
The affidavit alleges that Pezzola was photographed in December, 2020, at rallies in Washington, D.C., that included individuals wearing clothing consistent with the “Proud Boys.”
At some point after the incident at the Capitol had ended, the affidavit in support of criminal complaint alleges, Pezzola bragged about breaking the windows to the Capitol with a Capitol Police shield. The affidavit also alleges that Pezzola and others stated that they would have killed anyone they got their hands on, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Michael Pence. The affidavit alleges that, in the days after the event, members of the group said that the group would return to Washington, D.C., and kill every single “m-fer” they could.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct for purposes of establishing probable cause, not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office, Albany Field Office, and Washington Field Office.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
Raleigh Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Raleigh man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. He was also ordered to pay $33,000 restitution to known victims.
United States Attorney Higdon stated: “Child pornography – the horrible exploitation of the most vulnerable among us – is one of the worst and most intolerable crimes we prosecute. And today’s sentencing reflects the Department of Justice’s deep and abiding commitment to removing these predators and restoring our children. The Court’s sentence allows us to take another step in the right direction as we work to eliminate this crime and its terrible consequences for our communities.”
“This sentencing not only removes a serial predator from our community, it also sends a message to others engaged in this filth that we are serious about finding, arresting and prosecuting them,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in North Carolina. “Thanks to some hard work and the great partnerships we have with our law enforcement and community partners, this community can rest easier knowing this monster is no longer free.”
According to court documents, in November 2019, agents with the Department of Homeland Security received a cybertip regarding suspected child pornography that had been uploaded to a social media messaging app from the address in Raleigh at which Benjamin Lineberger, 28, lived. A search warrant was executed at the residence and when the agents entered the residence, Lineberger was found in a bathroom. Lineberger agreed to speak with agents. He denied uploading or being in possession of any child pornography. Lineberger admitted to having an iPhone and an iPad and gave agents consent to search the digital devices. Agents searched the bathroom where Lineberger was found initially and found a broken cell phone inside the toilet tank. The phone was bent, as though someone had tried to break it in half and the cover had been removed.
The iPhone and iPad and the cell phone were forensically analyzed. The broken cell phone had a latent print on its screen that was matched to Lineberger. The iPad and the broken cell phone contained child pornography. In all Lineberger possessed approximately 1,480 images and 170 videos that depicted child pornography. Many of those depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Lineberger had previously been convicted for a similar offense, Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Wake County Superior Court, North Carolina.
This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Cary Police Department, Raleigh Police Department and the United States Marshal’s Service investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson, 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-246.
Quinton Resident Pleads Guilty to Laundering Monetary InstrumentsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Choice Lynn Needham, age 46, of Quinton, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Laundering Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(1)(A)(i) and (2), punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to $500,000.00 or twice the amount of the illicit transaction, whichever is greater, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on January 2, 2018, Needham transferred $1,200.00 in United States Currency via MoneyGram from a Walmart Store in McAlester, Oklahoma to another coconspirator in Palm Springs, California. Needham knew that the $1,200.00 was proceeds from the distribution of methamphetamine, and conducted the transaction with the intent to promote the continued distribution of methamphetamine.
The charges arose from a joint investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (“OBN”), the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, the District 18 District Attorney’s Drug Task Force, the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police, the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the McAlester Police Department, and the Stigler Police Department. The investigation was part of and include members of the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking (“HIDTA”) Task Force.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Schroeder and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Puerto Rican Man Arrested for Smuggling over $100,000 in U.S. CurrencyRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Blas Sebastian Panzardi Davila of Puerto Rico, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller for an initial appearance after his arrest on Thursday evening for currency smuggling, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
According to court records, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interdicted a vessel traveling from the area of Culebra, Puerto Rico towards St. Thomas at around 9:10 p.m., without lights. Davila captained the vessel with no passengers aboard. CBP boarded the vessel and discovered in excess of $100,000 in vacuum-sealed plastic bags. The government charged Davila with concealing and conspiring to conceal currency in excess of $100,000 on board a vessel outfitted for smuggling.
If convicted, Davila faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ incarceration.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pensacola Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for New Child Sex CrimesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Travis M. Butler, of Pensacola, was sentenced today to life imprisonment on federal charges of enticing a minor for sexual activity and producing child pornography. Butler pled guilty to the charges during a pretrial conference just two days before his federal jury trial was due to begin. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
“Butler is a sexual predator who has repeatedly victimized underage girls for his own purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “He has inflicted harm on far too many girls, but his trail of devastated young lives will come to an end behind bars.”
In September 2019, law enforcement officers with the Pensacola Police Department received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Butler, 47, and a minor female from the local area were engaged in illicit communications and activity via Facebook Messenger. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pensacola Police Department were able to geo-locate Butler’s criminal activity to Pensacola. This led law enforcement to obtain search warrants for Butler’s social media accounts, which produced troves of evidence displaying his sexual acts with the minor and his request for her to produce child pornography for his pleasure. Butler spent the summer of 2019 meeting and engaging in sexual acts with the minor victim, unbeknownst to her family. Social media account communications revealed that Butler hoped to continue their sexual relationship and even bring in a third party for group sex involving the minor. Butler was arrested by HSI, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in November 2019.
“The horrible crimes against this child cannot be undone, but we hope this sentencing is another step in the healing process for his victim,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “We are proud to be one of the law enforcement partners making our local communities safer through the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.”
Butler is a registered sex offender based on prior state of Florida convictions, in 2006, for lewd and lascivious battery and contributing to the delinquency of a child by impregnating (under 16). At the sentencing hearing in that case, it was revealed that the victim was actually the third minor female with whom Butler had engaged in sexual acts. In each of his two prior instances of sexual activity, Butler impregnated the minors.
The case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Meredith L. Steer.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - U.S. v. ButlerOrange County Man Who Was Chased by Police While Possessing 75 Pounds of Cocaine in His Car Pleads Guilty to Federal ChargeRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man who led police on a high-speed car chase after they attempted to pull him over with approximately 75 pounds of cocaine in his vehicle pleaded guilty today to a federal narcotics charge.
Anthony Martinez, 40, of La Habra, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
In February 2020, a federal grand jury charged Martinez and seven other defendants in a superseding indictment alleging a narcotics trafficking conspiracy in which large quantities of cocaine were stored in stash houses in Baldwin Park and Covina, then delivered to buyers in Southern California.
According to his plea agreement, on July 25, 2019, in Whittier, Martinez received two boxes from co-defendant Ryan Alexander Fischer, 23, a.k.a. “Flaco,” of Covina, that contained 75.2 pounds (34.1 kilograms) of cocaine, placed the boxes in his car and drove off. When Whittier Police officers attempted to pull Martinez over, he initially pulled over, then sped away, refusing to stop, and led police on a car chase in which Martinez veered into oncoming traffic and drove on the wrong side of the road, the plea agreement states. When police finally pulled Martinez over for good in Fullerton, they discovered the box of cocaine.
Martinez further admitted that, simultaneously, he possessed 132.6 pounds (60.2 kilograms) of cocaine, separately wrapped in one kilogram “bricks” located in a storage locker, and 52.9 pounds (23.98 kilograms) of cocaine located inside a duffel bag.
In total, Martinez admitted to possessing 260.6 pounds (118.2 kilograms) of cocaine.
United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald scheduled a May 17 sentencing hearing, at which time Martinez will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
This case’s lead defendant, Jesus Manuel Landeros-Cisneros, 50, of Covina, pleaded guilty in August 2020 to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 11.
The case’s other defendants – Fischer; Manuel Angel Landeros-Lopez, 43, of Covina; David Elgrably, 51, of Suisun City, California – are scheduled to go on trial on July 27. Three defendants – Harnidhan Bhangu, 30; Harmanjot Singh, 28; and Gurpreet Chahal, 41; all Canadian nationals – are fugitives.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter and was conducted with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). As to this seizure, substantial assistance was provided by the South Gate Police Department, the Brea Police Department, and the West Covina Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathy Yu of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.
Operator of Indian Robocall Scam Pleads Guilty to Defrauding over 4,000 U.S. Victims Out of More Than $8 MillionRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – An Indian national pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and identity theft in connection with his operation of an overseas robocall scam that defrauded thousands of mostly elderly victims of at least $8 million.
According to court documents, Shehzadkhan Pathan, 39, operated a call center in Ahmedabad, India from which automated robocalls were made to victims in the United States. After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, Pathan and other “closers” at his call center would coerce, cajole, and trick victims to send bulk cash through physical shipments and electronic money transfers. Pathan and his conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI and DEA and representatives of other government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, to threaten victims with severe legal and financial consequences. Conspirators also convinced victims to send money as initial installments for falsely promised loans.
In addition to operating the call center, Pathan recruited and supervised several money mules who he directed to receive money sent by victims. Pathan’s network of money mules was located in multiple states, including but not limited to Virginia, New Jersey, Minnesota, Texas, California, South Carolina, and Illinois. Pathan assigned various aliases to these individuals and supplied them with hundreds of counterfeit identification documents to facilitate their receipt of victim cash shipments and money transfers. Pathan then directed the money mules to send the money to himself and other conspirators through various means, including cash deposits into numerous bank accounts and via informal money transmitters known as Hawalas.
Pathan’s scams disproportionately targeted elderly victims, many of whom suffered substantial financial hardship. In total, Pathan is responsible for defrauding over 4,000 U.S. victims of at least $8 million.
Pathan is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2021. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy, along with a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. 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.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian R. Hood and Kaitlin G. Cooke 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. 3:19-cr-160.
Ontario County Woman Going to Prison for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Karen Owens, 55, of Phelps, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Owens was also ordered to pay $607,672.71 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was employed by Finger Lakes Conveyors, Inc. (FLC) as its Director of Finance from 2003 to 2017. As such, Owens had authority to write and issue checks from FLC's bank account in order to pay legitimate business expenses to FLC's vendors and creditors. The defendant also had an obligation to record the details of each check she wrote and issued on behalf of FLC timely and accurately - including check date, check number, and payee - in FLC's QuickBooks accounting records.
Between June 2, 2011, and August 24, 2017, the defendant wrote and issued approximately 394 checks payable to herself from FLC's account. Owens deposited the checks into an account which she owned and over which she had control. In addition, between August 30, 2010, and August 24, 2017, the defendant wrote and issued approximately 162 checks payable to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank from FLC's bank account as payments on Chase Bank credit card accounts belonging to the defendant and her husband. In order to conceal some of the fraudulent and unauthorized checks, Owens failed accurately to record the checks in FLC's QuickBooks accounting record; instead, she falsely recorded the checks as payment for legitimate business expenses.
Owens wrote checks totaling more than $750,000.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
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North Adams Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A North Adams man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield to 60 years in prison today for child exploitation offenses.
Anthony Deordio, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 60 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release. In August 2020, Deordio pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of advertising child pornography, two counts of distribution of child pornography, two counts of transportation of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
In November 2017, Deordio used a minor victim to produce child pornography. The video file he produced was later recovered in a separate jurisdiction, and further investigation led to the identification of Deordio as the perpetrator. He was also convicted of offering to sell child pornography on the internet, distributing child pornography over the internet and receiving and possessing child pornography.
Deordio was previously convicted of possession of child pornography in Massachusetts state court in 2006.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and North Adams Police Chief Jason Wood made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking After Harassing and Sextorting Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Christopher Buonocore (34, Hicksville, NY) has pleaded guilty to six counts of cyberstalking. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, over a seven-year period, Buonocore used text messages, fictitious phone numbers, and social media accounts to harass, intimidate, cyberstalk, and attempt to sextort six women, including a minor. Buonocore’s harassment campaign involved posting sexually explicit and nude images of the victims to the internet, and personal identifying information such as their phone numbers, addresses, and social media profile names. Buonocore solicited individuals online, unknown to him, to contact and harass the victims, including, at times, encouraging these individuals to rape a victim or extort additional sexually explicit images from them.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
New York Man Charged with Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was indicted today on a charge of narcotics distribution after he sold a kilogram of fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement agent in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Jose Sanchez Matos, 30, is charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Matos was previously charged by complaint in August 2019.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Law enforcement officers learned Matos was offering to sell a kilogram of fentanyl for $40,000. On Aug. 27, 2019, Matos met with a confidential law enforcement source, agreed to the sale, and provided the source with a package of fentanyl weighing approximately one kilogram.
The count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charge. She also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan, for their assistance with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrimes Unit in Newark.
New Jersey Man Charged with Traveling Across State Lines Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tristan Warner, age 47, of New Jersey, was charged today with interstate travel with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The criminal complaint alleges that on January 15, Warner travelled from New Jersey to a location near Watervliet, New York, to meet with an undercover officer posing as a mother who was willing to make her 11-year-old daughter available for a sexual encounter. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of this offense, Warner faces up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. He would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Warner appeared today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and was ordered detained pending a hearing on January 20.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, the New York State Police, and the Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
NDTX Round-Up: January 8 - 14Read the Press Release
SENTENCING – KRIS LANDON GREENE
On January 8, Kris Landon Greene, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance. Greene admitted that members of Dallas-based criminal street gang known as “YNG Stretchgang” and himself distributed drugs, including crack cocaine, to customers in the Northern District. To help facilitate his drug sales, Greene possessed a .38 caliber handgun. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert prosecuted this case.
SENTENCING – DANIEL LEE COLLINS
On January 8, Daniel Lee Collins, 35, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Collins had several email accounts which contained images and videos of child pornography. Collins accessed these accounts via his cell phone from different locations within the Northern District including his home in Tarrant County. These images of child pornography that Collins possessed depicted real minors including one prepubescent minor. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem prosecuted this case.
SENTENCING – CHRISTOPHER REED FREED
On January 8, Christopher Reed Freed, 46, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay $244,029.68 in restitution for health care fraud. Freed operated an ambulance service provider located in the Northern District. Freed sought to obtain payment from Medicare for non-emergency ambulance services. As part of the scheme, Freed submitted 754 fraudulent claims to Medicare totaling approximately $664,640. These submitted claims were materially false in that they were for services that were not rendered by Freed. This case was investigated by Health and Human Services – OIG and the Texas OAG Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Smid prosecuted this case.
GUILTY PLEA – GABRIEL MAROQUIN, JR.
On January 12, Gabriel Marroquin, Jr., 29, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Marroquin was pulled over by law enforcement officers for a traffic violation. He consented to a search of his truck where officers found 5,959 grams of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute. Officers also located a .9mm handgun, cell phones, and $1,293 on his person. Maroquin faces up to 40 years in federal prison for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull is prosecuting this case.
GUILTY PLEA – HENRY AGUSTIN MORENO
On January 12, Henry Agustin Moreno, 20, plead guilty to transporting or shipping child pornography. HSI received a tip from Kik that a user in the Dallas area was utilizing the messenger application to distribute child pornography. Agents obtained a search warrant of Moreno’s residence in Irving. Moreno admitted to agents that he downloaded several pornographic files depicting child pornography. He further admitted that he uploaded child pornography in exchange for other videos. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Magliolo is prosecuting this case.
Muskogee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Attempted Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jaysea Markara Williams, age 19, of Muskogee County, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Attempted Robbery In Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2111, 1151, 1153, and 2, punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about July 30, 2019, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country, the defendant, by force and violence and by intimidation, did attempt to take items of value from the person and presence of D.L.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Haskell Police Department, the Muskogee Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Moses Lake Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Juan Rivera, age 47, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on October 20, 2020, to Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Rivera to 20 years in federal prison, well above the mandatory minimum sentence required by federal law. Judge Peterson also imposed a lifetime of court supervision after Rivera is released, required him to register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence, and ordered him to pay $48,000 in restitution to his minor victim. Rivera is a citizen of Mexico who was previously removed from the United States in 2003 and 2009.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, authorities became aware of Rivera’s misconduct in late 2018 when the California Division of Child Services in Tehama County, California (near Sacramento), opened a package containing an anonymous letter. The letter indicated a woman in Tehama County had sent pornographic images of her minor daughter to Rivera, who was then living in Moses Lake, Washington. The letter included an electronic storage device that contained still images and videos of child pornography depicting the woman’s daughter, taken when the child was only 11 years old. The investigation revealed that Rivera and the woman had previously lived together with her daughter in Moses Lake before the woman and her daughter moved to the Sacramento area. After the woman and her daughter moved, Rivera solicited explicit and very specific sexual images of the girl, which her mother recorded and sent to Rivera using their telephones and the Internet. The woman admitted to exploiting her daughter and has been separately convicted and sentenced by California authorities.
The FBI executed search warrants at Rivera’s home in Moses Lake and discovered multiple digital devices containing Rivera’s communications with the victim’s mother, along with multiple images and child pornography videos, including the same images that had accompanied the anonymous letter.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Today’s sentencing hearing brings to a close a terrible child sex abuse tragedy perpetrated by Rivera and the victim’s own mother. I sincerely hope that the child-victim is able to gain a sense of resolution as she moves forward with her life. The 20-year sentence of Rivera for this heinous child exploitation reflects the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington’s commitment to uncovering such nefarious conduct and protecting the most innocent. It sends a strong message that my office will work closely with our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners to find and prosecute child predators, no matter where they are.”
Earl D. Camp, Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge, Seattle Field Office, said: “Child predators inflict lifelong trauma on their vulnerable victims through their vile acts. This sentence sends a powerful message to would-be sex offenders that together with our law enforcement partners, we will pursue justice to help keep the children of Washington State safe.”
This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The PSC Initiative has five major components:
• Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;
• Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;
• Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;
• Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
• Community awareness and educational programs.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on “resources.”
This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, the Moses Lake Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Tehama County (California) Sheriff’s Office. The federal case was prosecuted by David M. Herzog, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, in cooperation with Carlee A. Bittle, a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office.