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Wednesday 13 January 2021
Belle Plaine Man Pleads Guilty to Accessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A man who accessed child pornography pled guilty on January 11, 2021, in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Jared Daily, age 34, from Belle Plaine, Iowa, was convicted of one count of accessing with intent to view child pornography. At the plea hearing, Daily admitted that, between January and June 2020, he used a cell phone to access child pornography, including images of prepubescent children.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Daily was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Daily faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, $22,100 in special assessments, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 20-73.
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Attempted Murder of Postal Carrier Leads to 16-Year Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — An Elk Grove Village man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for trying to kill a postal carrier on New Year’s Eve 2018.
CAMERON RUEBUSCH shot the U.S. Postal Service carrier on Dec. 31, 2018, in Elk Grove Village. The mail carrier had recently completed a delivery in the 200 block of West Brantwood Avenue when Ruebusch approached the USPS vehicle and tapped on the front passenger side door. The mail carrier attempted to drive away as Ruebusch fired multiple shots from a handgun. The mail carrier was wounded but survived.
Ruebusch, 25, pleaded guilty last year to one count of attempted second-degree murder of an employee of the United States, and one count of knowingly discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In handing down the sentence on Jan. 8, 2021, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly found that Ruebusch obstructed justice after the shooting by disposing of the gun, discarding the clothing he had been wearing, and instructing friends to lie to law enforcement about his whereabouts.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and William Hedrick, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. The Elk Grove Village Police Department provided substantial assistance.
“The seriousness of defendant’s crime cannot be overstated — he nearly killed a USPS mail carrier who was merely carrying out his official duties in delivering mail on New Year’s Eve,” Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chester Choi argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s actions were brazen, callous, and cowardly, and demonstrated a complete disrespect for the law.”
Associate of Gambino Organized Crime Family Pleads Guilty to Arson in QueensRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Peter Tuccio pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione to using fire to commit the felony crime of extortion. When sentenced, Tuccio faces a mandatory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, as well as forfeiture, restitution and a fine of up to $250,000.
Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty plea.
“With today’s guilty plea, Tuccio has been convicted of an offense arising from his efforts to extort a local businessman by brazenly chasing him through the streets and then setting his car ablaze,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme. “This Office, together with our partners at the FBI, will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute members and associates of organized crime to eradicate the danger they pose to our community.” Mr. DuCharme thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, the New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Investigation for their outstanding work on the case.
In 2015, a businessman who had been extorted by a captain in the Gambino Organized Crime Family (referred to in court filings as “Co-Conspirator 1”) for many years, began avoiding Co-Conspirator 1 in an effort to stop making the $400 annual payment. On December 3, 2015, Tuccio, co-defendants Jonathan Gurino and Gino Gabrielli, who were charged in a separate indictment, observed the businessman leave a smoke shop in Howard Beach, New York and drive away in his 2014 Mercedes Benz. The three men then followed the businessman at a high rate of speed through the streets of Queens and confronted him outside a pizzeria, where Tuccio mentioned Co-Conspirator 1 and commented on the businessman’s car. Tuccio and his co-defendants schemed to set the businessman’s car on fire, sending a message that he had to continue making the extortion payments to Co-Conspirator 1. Later that night, the businessman heard a loud noise and saw that his car was on fire outside of his residence. The businessman’s security video system recorded Gabrielli pouring a substance on the car, the car erupting in flames, and Gabrielli running away with his pant leg on fire. Shortly thereafter, Gabrielli and Tuccio were caught on surveillance video entering Jamaica Hospital. After the arson, the businessman paid more than $5,000 to Co-Conspirator 1.
In August 2016, Gabrielli pleaded guilty to the arson. In June 2020, Gurino pleaded guilty to extortionate collection of credit and extortion. They are awaiting sentencing.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime & Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia E. Moore and Nicholas Moscow are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
PETER TUCCIO
Age: 27
Queens, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-610 (S-1) (LDH)
Aroostook County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Houlton man pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
According to court records, between approximately July 2018 and May 2019, members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Dylan Begin, 26, and his co-conspirators then distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine.
Begin faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. He also faces between three years and a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
The prosecution is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Aroostook County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Presque Isle man pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.
According to court records, between July 2018 and May 2019, Joel Strother, a/k/a “Jody,” 41, and other members of the conspiracy obtained methamphetamine in western and southern states from sources in Mexico. Strother personally made trips to Georgia, Arizona, California and Mexico to obtain methamphetamine, and also recruited and directed others to participate in similar trips. Once they transported the methamphetamine back to Maine, Strother and his co-conspirators distributed the drugs in Aroostook County and other parts of central and northern Maine. Strother also recruited and directed others to distribute the drugs.
Strother faces between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. He also faces between five years and a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated this case with the assistance of multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
The prosecution is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Interstate Methamphetamine Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Reiko Elio Penunuri, 42, of Arizona, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for use of facilities in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. A cellular phone is a “facility” as used in the relevant criminal statute. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Penunuri to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Penunuri will serve a 5-year term of supervised release.
During the first few months of 2018, investigators intercepted wire and electronic communications among co-defendant Jasive Zamora-Carrillo, Penunuri, and their co-defendants involving methamphetamine trafficking in the Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, metropolitan areas. Penunuri was among the persons intercepted and identified during the investigation. During that time, Penunuri, acting in agreement with others, distributed pound and multi-pound quantities to local customers. In furtherance of his methamphetamine trafficking activities, Penunuri traveled interstate between Nebraska, Arizona, and Iowa, and used a cellular phone in interstate commerce.
On June 5, 2018, investigators arrested several members of the drug trafficking organization. Investigators also executed search warrants at several locations and recovered more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine, drug ledgers, bank records, several firearms (including an AR-15 style rifle), and $22,000 of U.S. Currency, which has been forfeited to the United States as drug proceeds. Investigators thereafter learned that Penunuri left the local area and traveled to Mexico on the morning of June 3, 2018. Penunuri, a U.S. Citizen, resided in Hermosillo, Mexico until U.S. Customs and Border Patrol arrested him on September 26, 2019, at a location near Nogales, Arizona.
Ten defendants were indicted in this case and nine have now been sentenced. The remaining fugitive, Jose Cruz Jauregui-Preciado, has yet to be arrested. Several related narcotics and firearms cases were prosecuted in the District of Nebraska and the Southern District of Iowa as a result of the overall investigation. The investigation confirmed that Zamora-Carrillo was a multi-pound methamphetamine trafficker supplied primarily by Penunuri and his cousin, co-defendant Ramon Penunuri-Noriega. Penunuri used a series of Airbnb rentals and storage units located throughout the Omaha area and in Iowa in furtherance of methamphetamine trafficking. Zamora-Carrillo and Penunuri-Noriega were each previously sentenced to 168-month terms of imprisonment.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Attorney Kelly praised the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Omaha Police Department and other agencies for coming together on this investigation and the resulting prosecutions. Kelly added, “This investigation is a textbook example of successful cooperation among the several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies combatting narcotics distribution and firearms offenses in the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas. Efforts such as these greatly degrade the availability of debilitating narcotics in this region and keep our communities safe.”
DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter, Jr. said, “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a case in which it was proven once again that drugs and violence go hand-in-hand.” He added, “Reiko Penunuri and his counterparts were dangerous criminals who pushed drugs and brought violence to our communities. Our job at DEA is to rid the streets of these drug dealers who prey on our children and other vulnerable individuals. This case was successful because of the strong partnerships developed between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and I applaud the hard work of those involved.”
The case was investigated primarily by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Omaha Field Division, the Omaha Police Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The United States Marshals Service in the District of Nebraska was instrumental in locating and facilitating the arrest of Penunuri while he was in fugitive status.
Appellate Court Agrees with Government that Supervised Injection Sites are Illegal under Federal Law; Reverses District Court RulingRead the Press Release
In a precedential opinion, the Third Circuit ruled yesterday that it is a federal crime to open a supervised injection site or “consumption room” for illegal drug use. Local nonprofit Safehouse planned to open the nation’s first such consumption room in the City of Philadelphia, where individuals would be invited to inject heroin and use other drugs under supervision. But the Third Circuit ruled that doing so “will break the law” because Safehouse knows and intends that visitors to its consumption room will have a significant purpose of using illegal drugs. In agreeing with the government’s interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act, the Court explained that, “[t]hough the opioid crisis may call for innovative solutions, local innovations may not break federal law.”
“The Court’s decision re-affirms that ‘safe’ injection sites are a violation of federal law,” said Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “The Department supports efforts to curb the opioid crisis ravaging this country, but injection sites are not the solution. There are more productive ways to address drug abuse, and today’s ruling by the Third Circuit has confirmed that these sites are illegal and therefore not the answer.”
“The rule of law is still alive and well in Philadelphia – having been re-affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which held that it is a federal crime to open a heroin injection site or ‘consumption room’ for illegal drug use,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William M. McSwain. “The Third Circuit’s opinion is a faithful reading of the statute’s plain language and is consistent with Congress’s intent to protect American neighborhoods from the scourge of concentrated drug use.”
The Controlled Substances Act prohibits any person from knowingly and intentionally maintaining a place for the purpose of illegal drug use. In this appeal, the Government argued that if Safehouse opens a consumption room, knowing and intending that drug users will inject heroin there, Safehouse will break the law. The Court agreed with the Government, holding that Safehouse will violate the law because people will visit its facility with the purpose of using drugs. As the Court explained, though Safehouse will provide other services, “Safehouse’s main attraction is its consumption room.” The Court also held that Safehouse itself has the purpose that visitors use drugs within its “consumption room.” As the Government has argued throughout this suit, it defied logic to suggest that a so-called “consumption room” is not intended to be a place where people consume drugs.
Airline passenger pleads guilty to in-flight assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alton James Johnson, 43, of Yuba City, California, pleaded guilty in federal court on Jan. 12 to assaulting two flight attendants while he was a passenger.
According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 23, 2019, during a flight from San Diego, CA, to Albuquerque, Johnson repeatedly touched a female flight attendant up and down her legs. After she told him to stop, Johnson then grabbed the flight attendant inappropriately. When a second flight attendant stepped in and asked Johnson not to touch any flight attendants, Johnson forcefully grabbed the second flight attendant by the arm. Johnson admitting to being under the influence of alcohol but conceded that he was in control of his actions when he committed the assaults.
Johnson will remain in custody pending sentencing. He faces six months in prison.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen's Video Statement on the Seizure of the U.S. CapitolRead the Press Release
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen's Video Statement on the Seizure of the U.S. CapitolActing Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen delivered the following video statement on the Seizure of the U.S. Capitol:
"One week ago, our Nation collectively watched in horror as a violent mob stormed the Capitol grounds, broke down crowd control barriers, assaulted Capitol Police Officers, and overran the Capitol complex. Lives were lost. The storming of the Capitol was an intolerable, shocking, and tragic episode in our Nation’s history.
"I am grateful, however, that order was restored at the Capitol and the Congress was able to fulfill its duties under the U.S. Constitution. That afternoon, from the Justice Department, more than five hundred law enforcement officers and agents from the FBI, ATF and the U.S. Marshals rushed to the Capitol. As I watched the events unfolding, I spoke multiple times with DOJ personnel who were onsite, and coordinated with my counterparts across the government. I also heard from Leaders of both the House and Senate.
"In addition, our agents worked with the Capitol police and the Metropolitan police, as well as the other federal, state and local officers who responded on that day to do several things: to neutralize improvised explosive devices (or IEDs), to clear the mob from the Capitol, to search every office for explosives and other dangers, and to return the Chambers to Congress so that they could discharge their duties.
"When Congress then completed its job of certifying the electors, our job at the Justice Department to hold the intruders accountable under the law was just getting started. Some charges were brought the very next day. Those efforts remain active today and will continue on until justice is done.
"In the last week, more than 70 individuals have been criminally charged; we have opened more than 170 investigations; the FBI has gathered more than 100,000 digital tips from the public; and there is a lot more to come. The wrongdoers will be held responsible.
"As we look ahead, we are also aware of other planned protests in and around the upcoming Inauguration. The Department of Justice fully supports, and will protect, the exercise of constitutional rights. But I want to send a clear message to anyone contemplating violence, threats of violence, or other criminal conduct:
"We will have no tolerance whatsoever for any attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power on January 20th that our Constitution calls for. We will have no tolerance for any attempts to forcefully occupy government buildings.
"There is no excuse for violence, vandalism, or any other form of lawlessness.
"To the American public, I ask that, if you are aware of any criminal activity or violent acts being planned, please share what you know with law enforcement or the FBI.
"Along with our other federal partners and local authorities, we will spare no resources in protecting public safety in the coming days. And everyone should understand one key thing: the Department of Justice will seek to hold any violators accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Any wrongdoers will be caught and they will be accountable."
Tuesday 12 January 2021
Woman Pleads Guilty to Arson in the Tahoe National ForestRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Sharon Ann Perkins, 39, pleaded guilty today to setting fire to lands owned by the United States, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 15, 2020, Perkins intentionally set two wildland fires in the Tahoe National Forest in Yuba County. At the time, all United States Forest Service lands in California were subject to emergency fire restrictions due to extreme fire behavior across the state. Perkins set the fires using gasoline and articles of clothing. Perkins admitted that she started the fires in an attempt to burn down a travel-trailer in which she and her husband had been illegally camping.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case.
Perkins faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Washington, PA Felon Sentenced to 9+ Years for Possessing Heroin, Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Washington County, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 112 months of imprisonment on his convictions for violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Senior United States District Judge David Cercone imposed the sentence on Matthew Curtis McCombs, 34, formerly of the City of Washington, Washington County, PA.
According to information presented to the court, in November 2019, Mr. McCombs pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin. In connection with the plea, Mr. McCombs admitted that on each of June 14, 2016, September 18, 2016, and September 27, 2016, while in the Western District of Pennsylvania, he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition. Moreover, Mr. McCombs admitted that on April 9, 2014, he unlawfully distributed a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
In addition to the 112-month term of incarceration, Senior Judge Cercone imposed a three-year term of supervised release upon Mr. McCombs’ release from incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Monroeville Police Department, and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. McCombs.
Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to BlockRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. have abandoned their planned $5.3 billion merger.
The department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit on Nov. 5, 2020, to stop the merger, alleging that Visa is a monopolist in online debit, charging consumers and merchants billions of dollars in fees each year to process online payments. Plaid, a successful fintech firm, is developing a payments platform that would challenge Visa’s monopoly. According to the complaint, the transaction would have enabled Visa to eliminate this competitive threat to its online debit business before Plaid had a chance to succeed, thereby enhancing or maintaining its monopoly. The case was scheduled for trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on June 28, 2021. As a result of Visa and Plaid’s decision to terminate their merger agreement, the United States has filed a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal.
“In a victory for American consumers and small businesses, Visa has abandoned its efforts to acquire an innovative and nascent competitor,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “American consumers and business owners rely on the internet to buy and sell goods and services, and Visa – which has immense power in online debit in the United States– has extracted billions of dollars from those transactions. Now that Visa has abandoned its anticompetitive merger, Plaid and other future fintech innovators are free to develop potential alternatives to Visa’s online debit services. With more competition, consumers can expect lower prices and better services.”
Assistant Attorney General Delrahim continued, “The department is grateful for the team of dedicated civil servants, lawyers and economists, who carefully reviewed this merger and pursued the litigation, ultimately building a case that the merger would extinguish a nascent competitor, further entrench Visa’s dominance in the online debit market, and harm consumers. Their diligent efforts to prosecute this case convinced the parties to abandon the deal rather than face us in court. We wish both companies well as they innovate and work to provide their products to American consumers.”
Visa Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Foster City, California. Visa is a global payments company that operates the largest debit network in the United States. Visa’s 2019 revenues were approximately $23 billion.
Plaid Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in San Francisco, California. Plaid is a financial services company that operates the leading financial data aggregation platform in the United States. In 2019, Plaid earned approximately $100 million in revenues.
U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes Law Enforcement Partners for Their Contributions to Department of Justice's MissionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office held its annual Law Enforcement Awards ceremony recognizing federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who have gone above and beyond to support the Department of Justice’s mission. In the face of unprecedented challenges in 2020, law enforcement across Nevada continued putting themselves at risk to protect our communities.
“These awards honor and recognize law enforcement’s outstanding efforts to maintain safety across Nevada,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Each recipient has made a real, impactful difference in our communities.”
Officers and Agents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognized 33 individual members of federal, state and local law enforcement representing 12 agencies throughout Nevada. The award recipients were honored for their contributions and collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office towards protecting national security, fighting public corruption, combatting gun and drug trafficking, preventing financial fraud crimes, and protecting public lands. The recipients came from the following agencies:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Bureau of Land Management
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Clark County Fire Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
- Mesquite Police Department
- National Park Service
- Reno Police Department
- Sparks Police Department
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing – Innovations in Community Policing. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had the honor of presenting the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing – Innovations in Community Policing to six officers and detectives of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - Bolden Area Command. The recipients have strengthened community relations while serving as coaches for the Bolden Little League.
The Bolden Little League started with the idea of a free baseball league for children in the community, with police officers coaching the teams for an entire season. Play started in spring 2017, with five teams comprising 70 children between 8 and 10 years old. Since then, the age range has expanded – now allowing children from 6 to 12 – while remaining free for families. Through their efforts, the officers and detectives honored today have built trust and positive relationships with children and their parents. The neighborhoods surrounding the park posted a 76% reduction in violent crime from 2018 to 2019.
Project Safe Neighborhoods Award. For his outstanding work and contributions in support of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the PSN Achievement Award to Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. PSN is a critical piece of the Department’s crime reduction efforts, focusing on prosecuting individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities. PSN also supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
Under Sheriff Lombardo’s leadership, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to set the industry standard on best practices across the country. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crime Initiative was developed in fall 2017 and was first implemented in January 2018. Sheriff Lombardo’s vision in guiding the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s efforts have reduced violent crime in our communities by 20% from 2017 to 2019.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks all of the recipients, their colleagues, their families, and agency leadership for their continued commitment to supporting the Department of Justice’s mission.
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U.S. Attorney Wrigley Announces a Carson, ND, Man was sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Impersonating a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
Bismarck – United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that Robert James Zeller, Age 41 of Carson, ND, has been sentenced to federal prison for Possession of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Impersonating a Federal Officer. Zeller pled guilty to the offenses on October 19, 2020, and was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Daniel Hovland to 14 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release on a charge of possession of child pornography and 3 years in prison to be followed by 1 year of supervised release on a charge of impersonating a federal officer. Judge Hovland ordered these sentences to run concurrent with one another.
"The defendant was already a convicted sex offender when he attempted to re-victimized the same minor child by fraudulently posing as an official," said U.S. Attorney Wrigley, "and today’s sentencing underscores the severity of those crimes, aggravated by his recidivism and duplicity."
On November 22, 2018, while Zeller was on supervised release for committing a prior federal sex offense, he engaged in sexual acts with a minor female who had not attained 18 years of age, recorded these sexual acts on a cellular phone; and thereafter, possessed the videos containing the depictions of these sexual acts. Subsequently, on January 28, 2020, the defendant impersonated his federal probation officer, contacted the same minor female, and issued false threats against her in order to trick the minor female into providing him with videos, photographs, and personal information.
This case was investigated by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Bismarck Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow Statement on Murder of Three Police Officers in the Line of DutyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow released the following statement regarding the fatal shootings of two police officers from the municipality of Carolina, Luis Salamán Conde and Eliezer Hernández Cartagena, and one Puerto Rico police officer, Luis Marrero Díaz:
“I condemn yesterday’s senseless shooting of three police officers in the strongest possible terms. This was an unspeakable act of barbarism, and I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of these brave officers in the line of duty.
On behalf of all those who serve in the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the officers’ loved ones and their colleagues. I will make available all of the resources of the USAO and work with other federal law enforcement agencies to assist the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and the Department of Public Safety in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes.
This violent attack underscores the dangers that are routinely faced by those who protect and serve their fellow citizens. We must honor the valor and the sacrifices of all law enforcement officers with a steadfast commitment to keeping them safe. This means building closer bonds between officers and the communities they serve, so that public safety is not a cause that is served by a courageous few, but a promise that’s fulfilled by police officials and citizens working side by side.”
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Two Rivers Man Indicted on Methamphetamine ChargesRead 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 returned a three-count indictment against Adam L. Lambrecht (age: 40) of the Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges that Lambrecht distributed “actual” or “crystal” methamphetamine on three occasion between August 25, 2020, and September 10, 2020, contrary to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B).
Each charge carries a mandatory five years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment on each count. He further faces fines of up to $5,000,000, and from four years to a lifetime on supervised release.
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 Manitowoc County MEG unit with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
414-297-1700
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Two Marion County Residents Indicted for Drug Distribution and Murder of InformantRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an 11-count superseding indictment charging David Chappell Fey (56, Belleview) and Shari Lynn Gunter (57, Ocklawaha) with the murder of a government witness and conspiracy to murder a government witness. Fey and Gunter are also charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl causing the death of their victim. Fey faces an additional eight counts of distributing methamphetamine and Gunter faces one count of distributing methamphetamine.
The statutory penalties for these offenses include up to life imprisonment and death.
According to the superseding indictment and other court records, Fey and Gunter conspired together and murdered “K.B.” to prevent her from communicating information to law enforcement regarding the distribution of methamphetamine by Gunter and Fey. On April 6, 2016, K.B. was found deceased in her parked vehicle near a cemetery in Oxford, Florida, the victim of an apparent drug overdose. Upon further investigation by local, state, and federal agencies, it was determined that K.B.’s death was not accidental, but that she died from homicide caused by the intentional injection of fentanyl and methamphetamine. K.B. was 31 years old at the time of her death.
In addition to intentionally murdering and conspiring to kill K.B., the superseding indictment alleges that Fey and Gunter conspired to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, the use of which resulted in the death of K.B. Fey is separately charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on eight different occasions between January 19, 2016, and October 17, 2019. Gunter is charged jointly with Fey in one of the distribution counts, occurring on January 19, 2016.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Tyrie K. Boyer.
Three Charged with Illegally Exporting Goods to IranRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that three individuals have been charged in an indictment with conspiracy to export U.S. goods to Iran in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), as well as conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, and conspiracy to engage in international money laundering.
“The defendants deceived U.S. companies, illegally obtained sensitive U.S. items, and transshipped those items through the UAE to Iran in violation of U.S. law,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Such actions dilute the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran. The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing U.S. sanctions and to successfully countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activity.”
“Since 1979, in order to protect the freedom and security of the American people, the United States has made it illegal to export goods to Iran,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan. “The deeply disturbing allegations in this case are that the defendants conspired to export highly sophisticated American manufacturing equipment and other American-made items into the arms of the Iranians. We will follow every single lead in this case as we pursue justice against the defendants, and we will continue to help American businesses protect themselves from criminal schemes like this.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uses export control statutes to ensure sensitive technologies developed in the United States do not fall into the hands of those that intend to harm Americans or our allies,” said Vance R. Callender, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Michigan and Ohio. “Iran has been subject to international sanctions for more than 40 years and has continuously and furtively tried to obtain items that could be used against U.S. soldiers in conflict or Americans abroad. HSI special agents work in cooperation with private industry partners and the Department of Commerce to ensure our country’s national security profile.”
“This indictment demonstrates the Office of Export Enforcement’s continued commitment to enforcing our nation’s export control laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Dan Clutch of the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to counter Iran’s illicit procurement networks that threaten U.S. national security interests.”
Charged in the indictment are:
- Arash Yousefi Jam, also known as Arash Yousefijam, 32, an Iranian national living in Ontario, Canada. Arash Jam was arrested by U.S. authorities on December 23, 2020;
- Amin Yousefi Jam, also known as Amin Yousefijam, 33, an Iranian national living in Ontario, Canada; and
- Abdollah Momeni Roustani, also known as Abdollah Momeni, Ab Momeni, and Amir Amiri, 44, an Iranian national believed to be living in Iran.
According to the indictment, between January 2015 and February of 2017, Arash Jam, Amin Jam, and Abdollah Momeni allegedly conspired with each other and others to obtain goods in the United States and export them to Iran. Specifically, the defendants are alleged to have conspired to fraudulently and knowingly export and send nine electrical discharge boards, one CPU board, two servo motors, and two railroad crankshafts from the United States to Iran in violation of economic sanctions.
The indictment further alleges that as part of the conspiracy, the defendants and their coconspirators planned and acted outside of the United States — in Iran and Canada, among other places — to purchase goods inside the United States to send to Iran. In addition, the indictment alleges that the defendants used third parties to arrange for payment and transportation of the goods. It is further alleged that the defendants intentionally concealed from companies located in the United States the true nature of the ultimate end use and true identities of the ultimate end users of the goods by providing false and misleading information. Finally, the indictment alleges that the defendants caused the goods to be exported from the United States to individuals and entities located in Iran through the United Arab Emirates, without obtaining the necessary licenses, in violation of U.S. law.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the export and smuggling violations, and 20 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine on the money laundering violation.
This case is being investigated by special agents of HSI and the Commerce Department, Office of Export Enforcement. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Moon from the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Adam Barry from the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent, and the burden is on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Texas Company Agrees to Reimburse Medicare for Improper Billing Related to NeurostimulatorsRead the Press Release
LONGVIEW, TEXAS – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Stephen J. Cox announced that Spinal Decompression Clinic of Texas (“SDCT”) has agreed to pay $330,898.00 to resolve liability under the False Claims Act for the alleged improper billing of electro-acupuncture device neurostimulators.
From August 21, 2018 through June 26, 2019, SDCT billed Medicare for the implantation of 41 neurostimulators – a surgical procedure which usually requires an operating room and is reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. SDCT received reimbursement from Medicare in the amount of $177,051.15 for these procedures. SDCT, however, did not perform these surgeries, and instead applied P-Stim devices in an office setting, without surgery or anesthesia. P-Stim is an electric acupuncture device that, pursuant to manufacturer’s instructions, is affixed behind a patient’s ear using an adhesive. Needles are inserted into the patient’s ear and affixed using another adhesive. Once activated, the device then provides intermittent stimulation by electrical pulses. It is a single use, battery-powered device designed to be worn for approximately four days until its battery runs out, at which time the device is thrown away.
Medicare does not reimburse for acupuncture or for acupuncture devices such as P-Stim, nor does Medicare reimburse for P-Stim as a neurostimulator or as implantation of neurostimulator electrodes.
“Falsely submitting claims for non-covered services robs from the Medicare program and thereby deprives those in need from vital resources,” said United States Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “Recovery of improperly paid reimbursements is critical to the long-term sustainability of the Medicare program, and we will do everything we can to ensure that any false claim is quickly recovered.”
“When services provided are excluded from Medicare reimbursement, some providers may be tempted to falsely claim payment for covered treatments. Such schemes, however, can result in hefty fines and prosecution,” said Miranda L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will investigate and hold accountable entities that engage in these practices.”
The settled civil claims are allegations only. There has been no determination of civil liability. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aimee M. Cooper handled the matter.
Three Individuals Charged with Illegally Exporting Goods to IranRead the Press Release
DETROIT – The Justice Department announced today that three individuals have been charged in an indictment with conspiracy to export U.S. goods to Iran in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), as well as conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, and conspiracy to engage in international money laundering.
“The defendants deceived U.S. companies, illegally obtained sensitive U.S. items, and transshipped those items through the UAE to Iran in violation of U.S. law,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Such actions dilute the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran. The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing U.S. sanctions and to successfully countering the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activity.”
“Since 1979, in order to protect the freedom and security of the American people, the United States has made it illegal to export goods to Iran,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan. “The deeply disturbing allegations in this case are that the defendants conspired to export highly sophisticated American manufacturing equipment and other American-made items into the arms of the Iranians. We will follow every single lead in this case as we pursue justice against the defendants, and we will continue to help American businesses protect themselves from criminal schemes like this.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uses export control statutes to ensure sensitive technologies developed in the United States do not fall into the hands of those that intend to harm Americans or our allies,” said Vance R. Callender, Special Agent in Charge of HSI in Michigan and Ohio. “Iran has been subject to international sanctions for more than 40 years and has continuously and furtively tried to obtain items that could be used against U.S. soldiers in conflict or Americans abroad. HSI special agents work in cooperation with private industry partners and the Department of Commerce to ensure our country’s national security profile.”
“This indictment demonstrates the Office of Export Enforcement’s continued commitment to enforcing our nation’s export control laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Dan Clutch of the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to counter Iran’s illicit procurement networks that threaten U.S. national security interests.”
Charged in the indictment are:
• Arash Yousefi Jam, also known as Arash Yousefijam, 32, an Iranian national living in Ontario, Canada. Arash Jam was arrested by U.S. authorities on December 23, 2020;
• Amin Yousefi Jam, also known as Amin Yousefijam, 33, an Iranian national living in Ontario, Canada; and
• Abdollah Momeni Roustani, also known as Abdollah Momeni, Ab Momeni, and Amir Amiri, 44, an Iranian national believed to be living in Iran.
According to the indictment, between January 2015 and February of 2017, Arash Jam, Amin Jam, and Abdollah Momeni allegedly conspired with each other and others to obtain goods in the United States and export them to Iran. Specifically, the defendants are alleged to have conspired to fraudulently and knowingly export and send nine electrical discharge boards, one CPU board, two servo motors, and two railroad crankshafts from the United States to Iran in violation of economic sanctions.
The indictment further alleges that as part of the conspiracy, the defendants and their coconspirators planned and acted outside of the United States — in Iran and Canada, among other places — to purchase goods inside the United States to send to Iran. In addition, the indictment alleges that the defendants used third parties to arrange for payment and transportation of the goods. It is further alleged that the defendants intentionally concealed from companies located in the United States the true nature of the ultimate end use and true identities of the ultimate end users of the goods by providing false and misleading information. Finally, the indictment alleges that the defendants caused the goods to be exported from the United States to individuals and entities located in Iran through the United Arab Emirates, without obtaining the necessary licenses, in violation of U.S. law.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the export and smuggling violations, and twenty years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine on the money laundering violation.
This case is being investigated by special agents of HSI and the Commerce Department, Office of Export Enforcement. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Moon from the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Adam Barry from the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent, and the burden is on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suburban Chicago Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Violence at Upcoming Presidential InaugurationRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man was arrested today on a federal criminal charge for allegedly threatening to commit violence at the upcoming presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.
LOUIS CAPRIOTTI, 45, of Chicago Heights, Ill., is charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Capriotti was arrested near his home this morning. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today at 3:30 p.m. CST before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes.
The complaint and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Christopher Diiorio, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office. The U.S. Capital Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Dunne.
In a Dec. 29, 2020, voicemail for a U.S. House member from New Jersey, Capriotti allegedly stated that if certain individuals “think that Joe Biden is going to put his hand on the Bible and walk into that [expletive] White House on January 20th, they’re sadly [expletive] mistaken.” Capriotti further stated in the voicemail, “We will surround the [expletive] White House and we will kill any [expletive] Democrat that steps on the [expletive] lawn,” the complaint alleges. According to the complaint, Capriotti has a history of leaving profane voicemails for members of Congress.
“Our office takes the security of our public servants very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Individuals who cross the line of free speech by making unlawful threats will be held accountable.”
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The charge in the complaint is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Statement of United States Attorney McSwain on Today’s Appellate Ruling in the United States v. Safehouse LitigationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain issued the following statement regarding the opinion issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit this morning:
“I’m pleased to report that the rule of law is still alive and well in Philadelphia – having been re-affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which held that it is a federal crime to open a heroin injection site or “consumption room” for illegal drug use. The Third Circuit’s opinion is a faithful reading of the statute’s plain language and is consistent with Congress’s intent to protect American neighborhoods from the scourge of concentrated drug use. Philadelphia is known around the world as the birthplace of our wonderful nation and of liberty itself. Due to the dedicated work of those at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, it will not be known as the birthplace of heroin injection sites.”
Statement of United States Attorney Kenji M. PriceRead the Press Release
HONOLULU, Hawaii – As authorities address questions about the assault on democracy that occurred last week and hold certain individuals accountable for their egregious behavior, we must also do the preparations necessary to ensure the safety of our communities during the presidential inauguration.
The people of Hawaii should rest assured that the federal law enforcement community will use its resources to prevent harm to our government infrastructure, elected officials, and, most importantly, the people in our communities. Notably, the FBI has established response protocols to address any threats to the safety and security of our communities in connection with the transition of leadership in our country. My office will work hand in glove with the FBI, and any other appropriate law enforcement entity, to ensure that we investigate and bring appropriate charges against anyone who violates federal law in connection with the presidential inauguration. Those who choose to jeopardize the peaceful transition of power, or otherwise unlawfully wreak havoc in our communities, should know that my office will do our part to ensure that they are unsuccessful and that we create a path for them to spend time in federal prison.
Only as a community can we successfully prevent senseless attacks on our democracy. If you have information about any individual or individuals who you believe plan to violate the law, please call 911 or contact FBI Honolulu at (808) 566-4300 or https://tips.fbi.gov.
Statement of U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss on U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeal Ruling Regarding Former Wilmington Trust ExecutivesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Today the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed defendants’ convictions for lying to the Federal Reserve, the SEC, and the public about millions of dollars in past-due loans. In a matter of first impression, the Court held that the government was required to establish that the defendants’ statements were false under any “objectively reasonable” interpretation of the applicable reporting instructions – even in a circumstance where a defendant never believed in that interpretation and intended to lie to the regulators all along. Needless to say, I am disappointed with this result. We are currently analyzing the Court’s opinion and evaluating our options, including, as the Court of Appeals authorized, retrying the defendants for conspiracy and securities fraud.
After the guilty verdict in this case, I described the prosecutors and agents who worked on this case as being among the finest professionals in law enforcement. I stand by that statement today.
St. Croix Man Arrested for Fleeing from Park Rangers After Shots Were Fired on Buck IslandRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Aneudis Acevedo, 33, of St. Croix, appeared before Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon, Jr., for an Initial Appearance after his arrest by National Park Service Rangers on the charges of Interfering with Agency Functions, Violating a Lawful Order, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting or Impeding an Officer of the United States.
According to court documents, in the late afternoon of January 10, 2021, shots were fired on Buck Island after a fight occurred on the beach. Immediately after the shots were fired, Acevedo fled the scene in his boat at a high rate of speed while carrying several passengers. He fled from a National Park Service boat, disobeying multiple orders directing him to stop. Ultimately, the United States Coast Guard assisted and took Acevedo into custody. However, at that point the boat passengers were no longer on the boat. A subsequent search of Acevedo’s boat yielded a loaded firearm, a small amount of marijuana, and five cell phones.
The investigation in this matter is ongoing and is being conducted by the National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston is prosecuting the case.
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert reminds the public that a criminal complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing three stolen firearms, including a rifle and two revolvers.
Luis Velez, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2021. Velez was arrested and charged by indictment in January 2020.
On July 5, 2019, Velez was in possession of three stolen firearms: a Savage Arms, Model 25 Walking Varminter, .22 caliber rifle, a Hermann Weihrauch, Model ARM 44, .44 caliber revolver and a Smith & Wesson, Model 625, .45 caliber revolver, knowing or having cause to believe these firearms were stolen.
The charge of possession of a stolen firearm provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley and Neil L. Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Solano County Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Steven Michael Roberts, 33, of Vacaville, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2019, police officers responded to a call reporting that a man had a gun in his waistband. When officers arrived, they identified Roberts based on the reporting party’s description. Officers stopped Roberts, who admitted that he had a gun. Roberts was searched, and officers found a loaded 9 mm pistol in his waistband. Roberts cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of four felony offenses.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Vacaville Police Department with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miriam R. Hinman and Alexis Nelsen are prosecuting the case.
Roberts is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on April 20. Roberts faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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 www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Seven North Carolina Tax Preparers Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the IRSRead the Press Release
Seven Charlotte, North Carolina tax return preparers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States by preparing and filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray for the Western District of North Carolina, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Joseph Octave and Vonyeda Carson pleaded guilty on Jan. 12, 2021, while Melissa Greene, Natisha Holloman, Kimberly Joline, Whitney Vargas-Medrano and Wendia Courtois pleaded guilty earlier in 2020. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Octave pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Octave owned and operated Kapital Financial Services, a tax preparation business with two offices located in Charlotte. From 2014 through at least 2019, Octave and certain employees, specifically Carson, Courtois, Vargas-Medrano, Greene, Holloman, and Joline conspired to falsify clients’ tax returns by claiming deductions, business losses, American Opportunity credits, education credits, and earned income tax credits that the clients did not incur, in order to fraudulently increase refunds to be paid by the IRS. Octave trained employees on how to file false returns and provided them with scripts and cheat sheets. Octave instructed employees not to provide clients with copies of their tax returns and not to review the completed tax returns with clients beyond the refund amount. By filing false returns, Octave and his co-conspirators increased their client base and unjustly enriched themselves. As owner, Octave received the largest share of the $700,000 earned by Kapital Financial Services in preparation fees.
U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. will schedule sentencing at a later date. At sentencing, Octave faces a maximum of eight years in prison, and Carson, Courtois, Greene, Holloman, Joline, and Vargas-Medrano each face a maximum of five years in prison. They all also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Special Agent in Charge Line commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley and Trial Attorney Brian Flanagan of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
San Mateo Man Charged with Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Christian Guardado on one count of the distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations NorCal Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. Guardado made his initial appearance in federal court on the indictment yesterday.
According to the indictment, Guardado, 24, of San Mateo, is alleged to have distributed a video on or about February 21, 2019, of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The government filed a motion, now unsealed, to detain Guardado in custody pending trial. In the motion, the government asserts that Guardado sexually abused a 15 year old male victim during the fall of 2018 and filmed video of the minor victim engaged in sex acts. The government alleges Guardado distributed one of the videos to another adult male, then followed up with the message, “This is some other 15 year old.” The government also alleges Guardado filmed a pornographic video with at least one other suspected underage male victim and sent it to another person in exchange for payment.
The government further states that Guardado traveled to Spain in part because of Spain’s lower age of sexual consent than the United States.
The government also asserts that Guardado contacted other suspected minor victims online on social media applications and that he formerly was associated with a children’s camp.
Investigators are asking anyone who has further information about Christian Guardado or his activities that may be relevant to this case to call Homeland Security Investigations tip line at (866) 347-2423.
Guardado has been charged with distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2252(a)(2). Defendant was arrested on Friday, January 8, 2021, and made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday in San Francisco before United States Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse. Defendant is currently being held at Santa Rita Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled for January 14, 2021, before United States Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted on the distribution of child pornography charge, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a supervised release term of five years, a fine of $250,000, a special assessment of $100, possible criminal forfeiture, and restitution. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Yoosun Koh is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jasmine Sanders and Daniel Fuentes. The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by Homeland Security Investigations NorCal and the San Mateo Police Department.
Salem Man Arrested on Charges Arising from Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salem man was arrested today and charged in connection with a fraudulent tax return scheme.
Roosevelt Fernandez, 41, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Fernandez is scheduled to make an initial appearance today at 1:00 p.m. before Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.
According to the charging documents, Fernandez used the identities of various individuals to submit fraudulent state and federal tax returns. A number of these returns included fraudulent W-2 Forms purportedly issued by employers for whom the named taxpayer did not work. Various fraudulent refunds were deposited into an account in the name of Soluciones Multi Service, an entity controlled by Fernandez. It is further alleged that a May 2020 fraudulent Economic Income Payment – stimulus authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) – was deposited into this same account.
Fernandez was allegedly depicted on ATM surveillance footage depositing another fraudulent tax refund check into this account. The investigation uncovered approximately 40 fraudulent tax returns totaling requested refunds that exceed $600,000.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating the Clean Water Act, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
PWSA pleaded guilty to one count of violating its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (the NPDES Permit) by discharging sludge into the Allegheny River and to one count of making false statements in written reports about the amount of sludge it was sending to a waste treatment facility before Judge William S. Stickman, IV. Under the terms of the plea agreement, PWSA will agree to adhere to the terms of a comprehensive environmental compliance program.
According to information presented to the Court, PWSA violated its NPDES permit when employees at the Aspinwall Drinking Water Treatment Plant discharged sludge generated during the drinking water treatment process into the Allegheny River. During this process various chemicals are added to water drawn from Allegheny River. These chemicals cause small particles suspended in the water to clump together. Afterwards, the partially treated water was pumped to two large sedimentation basins. The water was transferred back to the Aspinwall Plant where it was subjected to a clarification process. This took place in a facility known as the Clarifier Building, which contains four large concrete basins known as clarifiers. The addition of chemicals to the water promoted the generation of additional clumps of solids which settled on the bottom of each clarifier and were pumped to a large concrete structure located near the banks of the Allegheny River. The solids were referred to as sludge and the large concrete pit was referred to as "the sludge pit," "the ALCOSAN pit," or "FM-5." FM-5 had pipes that led to the Allegheny River and sewer line.
Under the terms of its NPDES Permit, PWSA was only permitted to discharge storm runoff water and water referred to as "clarifier blowdown" into the river. PWSA was not permitted to discharge clarifier sludge into the Allegheny River.
Instead, between 2010 and May 2017, PWSA employees and supervisors at the Aspinwall Plant diverted and discharged sludge into the Allegheny River. By using electronic or manual controls at FM-5, the employees caused the sludge to flow from FM-5 to a discharge point known as Outfall 012 and then into the Allegheny River.
At various points, plumes of discolored water, some of which were several hundred feet long, and solids were visible in the river. Over time, the sludge discharge resulted in a buildup of solids. Employees at the Aspinwall Plant referred to the buildup as an island. Birds were also observed walking on the island when the river levels were low. The river’s current dissipated the island over time, but the island would reappear when new discharges occurred.
PWSA had also been issued a Clean Water Industrial User Permit. Under the terms of this permit, PWSA was permitted to ship a million of gallons of sludge per day to ALCOSAN’s waste treatment facility. The permit required PWSA to determine the daily amount of sludge with flow meters. PWSA installed flow meters at FM-5 and at the clarifier basins. The readings from the meters had to be included in bi-annual reports PWSA was required to submit under the penalties of perjury to ALCOSAN.
The flow meters at two of the clarifier basins broke in or around late December 2014 or early January 2015. The meter at FM-5 also broke and was inactive by early 2016. As a result, PWSA supervisors at the plant instructed the plant’s operators to estimate the amount of sludge flowing from the clarifier basins to FM-5 and from there to the ALCOSAN facility. These estimates were included the reports sent to ALCOSAN. These reports also represented that PWSA’s employees periodically checked the calibration of the sludge flow meters to ensure they were within factory limits. Each report was signed by a PWSA representative as being "true, accurate, and complete."
In July 2019, PWSA’s management obtained approval from PWSA’s Board of Directors for funds in "the amount of $47,852.71 to furnish and install four new flow meters for the sludge valves associated with each of the four clarifiers at the Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant." On January 15, 2020, investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an attorney from the United States Attorney’s Office, and an attorney from EPA, Criminal Investigations were at the Aspinwall Plant to interview employees and tour the facility. Part of the tour included a walk through the Clarifier Building and past the meters. No mention as to the inoperability of the meters was made. The following day, two of PWSA’s employees of informed the investigators and the prosecutors that the meters were broken and had been for years. In February 2020, PWSA replaced the sludge flow meters, more than five years after they broke.
Under the terms of the plea agreement PWSA will be placed on probation for a period of 3 years. In lieu of a fine, PWSA will be required to pay $500,000 into a self-funded Compliance Fund. Under the terms of the plea agreement, PWSA is not permitted to include the fund’s cost in any rate proposal to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The fund will be used to pay for a comprehensive environmental compliance program to which PWSA must adhere. This program will be subject to the approval of the United States Attorney’s Office and will focus on the production of drinking water; PWSA’s compliance with it NPDES and Industrial User Permits; and the proper storage of chemicals at the plant. The United States Attorney’s Office and the EPA have the right to monitor the plan during PWSA’s probation. PWSA will also be required to provide annual environmental audits to the United States Attorney’s Office and the EPA. These audits will also be available on the Authority’s website for the public’s benefit. PWSA will also be required to install an Environmental Compliance Manager at the Aspinwall Plant. This individual will be authorized to receive complaints and conduct investigations concerning environmental issues occurring at the plant. PWSA is also required to ensure that its employees can report environmental violations without fear of retaliation or retribution.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2021 at 10:30 am.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory and Martin Harrell, an attorney with the Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Enforcement, are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Environmental Protection Agency conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.
Pedophile Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in Child Exploitation EnterpriseRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A pedophile was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison for his role in establishing a child exploitation enterprise and luring children to an apartment for the purpose of producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
John David Yoder, 49, of Desert Hot Springs, California, previously pleaded guilty to one count of child exploitation enterprise and one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey sentenced Yoder to a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to court documents, in the spring of 2014, Yoder met co-defendants William Clyde Thompson, Eric Monsivais, and Noland Harper on a website dedicated to pedophilia. Thompson, Monsivais, and Harper conspired to contact at least six children at a skate park in Desert Hot Springs, for the purpose of sexually exploiting them. During the course of the conspiracy, Yoder provided obscene material to further the conspiracy. Thompson, Harper, and Monsivais used some of the children, including Yoder’s child, to recruit others to be part of a “team” Thompson claimed he wanted to sponsor, but with the intention of exploiting them. Yoder rented a house in Desert Hot Springs for the production of child pornography.
Over the course of six months, Thompson produced more than 20,000 images and videos depicting children. Yoder and his co-defendants conspired to exploit the children, produce child pornography, and distribute it. The defendants would distribute the child pornography via paid websites.
In February 2016, Yoder was convicted in Riverside, California, of four counts of lewd acts of a child under 14, two counts each of human trafficking of a child and procuring a child for sex, one count of conspiracy to commit child pornography, and one count of harboring a fugitive.
Co-defendant Thompson, 58, was sentenced to 29 years in prison and placed on a lifetime term of supervised release after pleading guilty to child exploitation enterprise, sexual exploitation of a child, conspiracy to produce child pornography, distribution of child pornography, conspiracy to distribute child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Burton and Elham Roohani prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Owner of Bitcoin Exchange Sentenced to Prison for Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
A Bulgarian national who was convicted by a federal jury for his role in a transnational and multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud American victims was sentenced today to 121 months in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General David P. Burns of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. of the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Resident Agent in Charge John Oldham of the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Weir sentenced Rossen G. Iossifov, 53, formerly of Bulgaria, for conspiracy to commit a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) offense and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to trial evidence, Iossifov owned and managed RG Coins, a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. According to the evidence at trial, Iossifov knowingly and intentionally engaged in business practices designed to both assist fraudsters in laundering the proceeds of their fraud and to shield himself from criminal liability. At least five of Iossifov’s principal clients in Bulgaria were Romanian scammers, who belonged to a criminal enterprise known in court records as the Alexandria (Romania) Online Auction Fraud (AOAF) Network.
More specifically, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Iossifov and his co-conspirators participated in a criminal conspiracy that engaged in a large-scale scheme of online auction fraud that victimized at least 900 Americans. Romania-based members of the conspiracy posted false advertisements to popular online auction and sales websites — such as craigslist and eBay — for high-cost goods (typically vehicles) that did not actually exist. Once victims were convinced to send payment, the conspiracy engaged in a complicated money laundering scheme wherein domestic associates would accept victim funds, convert these funds to cryptocurrency, and transfer proceeds in the form of cryptocurrency to foreign-based money launderers. Iossifov was one such foreign-based money launderer who facilitated this final step in the scheme.
According to evidence at trial, Iossifov designed his business to cater to criminal enterprises by, for instance, providing more favorable exchange rates to members of the AOAF Network. Iossifov also allowed his criminal clients to conduct cryptocurrency exchanges for cash without requiring any identification or documentation to show the source of funds, despite his representations to the contrary to the major bitcoin exchanges that supported his business. Evidence submitted during trial and his sentencing hearing revealed that Iossifov laundered nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency for four of these five scammers in a period of less than three years. This represented over $7 million in funds defrauded from American victims. In return, Iossifov made over $184,000 in proceeds from these transactions.
Iossifov was convicted after a two-week trial in front of Judge Weir in Frankfort, Kentucky in September 2020.
Under federal law, Iossifov must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.
Thus far, 17 members of the AOAF Network have been convicted for their role in this scheme, including Iossifov. Seven others have been sentenced, including Livui-Sorin Nedelcu to 82 months in prison, Marius Dorin Cernat to 50 months in prison, Stefan Alexandru Paiusi to 31 months in prison, Eugen Alin Badea to 40 months in prison, Florin Arvat to 30 months in prison, Alin Ionut Dobric to 37 months in prison, and Austin Edward Nedved to 96 months in prison. Three members are fugitives.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, Kentucky State Police, Lexington Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and supported by the Justice Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). Assistance was provided by the Romanian National Police (Service for Combating Cybercrime), the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (Agency for Prosecuting Organized Crime), and the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division provided significant support. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Frank Lin and Senior Trial Attorney Timothy Flowers of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn M. Anderson and Kenneth R. Taylor of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Individuals believing they may be victims of the advanced fee and online auction fraud or brute-force attack schemes described herein are encouraged to visit the following website to obtain more information: https://justice.gov/usao-edky/information-victims-large-cases.
Owasso Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Killing a Man in a Collision While Eluding PoliceRead the Press Release
An Owasso man was sentenced today in federal court for striking and killing William Houseman while eluding officers at speeds exceeding 90 mph in 2019.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Michael Leon Johnson, 35, to 19 years in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“Michael Leon Johnson can spend the next 19 years in federal prison reflecting on the tragic consequences of his reckless actions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Today, the defendant heard firsthand from William Houseman’s widow, Darcy, about the impact of his actions. It was an incredibly moving and powerful statement. My thoughts today are with Darcy and their children. These cases are tough, and I appreciate Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Morgan for pursuing justice for this family."
In her statement to Johnson, Darcy Houseman shared how much she missed her husband and of the future experiences they could never share. Then she offered forgiveness to Johnson, stating in part “You can make a difference. You have a purpose. Please don’t waste it.”
On Oct. 13, 2020, Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Indian Country. Johnson admitted to leading officers on a chase through Tulsa streets in a stolen pick-up truck, running multiple red lights, driving into oncoming traffic and causing other drivers to divert off the road. Johnson struck the victim’s vehicle after running a red light at the intersection of 12900 East 11th St. Housman died as a result of his injuries. The collision occurred on Jan 12, 2019.
The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Tulsa Country Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan is prosecuting the case.
Nemo Found, Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A 36-year-old Tyler, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.
Nasir Saleh-Saad Jabr, a.k.a. “Nemo,” appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell today to enter a plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Jabr was arrested on Dec. 3, 2019, following an armed standoff with law enforcement in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge located at 2631 WNW Loop 323 in Tyler. At the time of his arrest, Jabr was found to be in possession of 111.2 grams of methamphetamine and three firearms. According to information presented in court, Jabr admitted he was responsible for possessing and distributing more than 50, but less than 150 grams of methamphetamine. Jabr and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury on July 15, 2020, and charged with violations of federal drug trafficking laws. Co-defendants Ralph Paul Pressley, III, 37, a.k.a. “Lil’ Paul,” and Tammy Lynn Dilbeck, 39, of Troup, Texas, have also recently plead guilty to violations of federal drug trafficking laws.
Under federal statutes, Jabr faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Smith County Sheriff’s Office; and the Tyler Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
Mount Vernon, Washington, woman pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl-tainted pillsRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 22-year-old Mount Vernon, Washington, woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. Rosaliana Lopez-Rodriguez sold counterfeit oxycodone pills tainted with fentanyl in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. The pills are connected to at least two overdoses, including the overdose death of a Bellingham 17-year-old. Lopez-Rodriguez and a co-conspirator were arrested in December 2019 after an investigation to track down the source of the tainted pills. Both defendants have been in custody since their arrests.
According to records filed in the case, a family member found the 17-year-old victim unresponsive on November 9, 2019. Despite efforts of emergency responders to resuscitate him, the victim died; his cause of death was later determined to be fentanyl overdose. Investigators found a whole and a partial pill near the 17-year-old victim. These pills were designed to look like oxycodone 30-milligram pills, with “M” and “30” stamped on them. But they were fakes tainted with fentanyl. Similar pills have been linked to other overdose deaths throughout the Puget Sound region. In fact, a friend of the 17-year-old victim nearly died after smoking one of the pills in November 1, 2019. Lopez-Rodriguez knew of that near-fatal overdose when she sold the 17-year-old victim more pills on November 9, 2019.
As part of her plea agreement, Lopez-Rodriguez also admitted selling an undercover law-enforcement officer fentanyl pills, which Lopez-Rodriguez stated she had received from the co-conspirator. In addition, Lopez-Rodriguez admitted that during this investigation, law enforcement served court-authorized search warrants at each defendant’s residence. At Lopez-Rodriguez’s residence, in her bedroom, law enforcement found two and a half fentanyl pills. At the co-conspirator’s residence, law enforcement found a safe containing hundreds of fake oxycodone pills that matched the appearance of the fentanyl-laced pills linked to the fatal overdose. Lopez-Rodriguez admitted that the co-conspirator had provided her with the pills that killed the Bellingham 17-year-old.
The co-conspirator is scheduled for trial in May 2021.
Lopez-Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum five years in prison and up to forty years in prison when sentenced by Chief Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on April 16, 2021. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecution and defense will each recommend a term of imprisonment between five and eight years. Chief Judge Martinez is free to impose any sentence allowed under the statute.
The case is being investigated by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU) and the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, which is made up of members of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Bellingham Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonas Lerman.
Middlesex County Man Sentenced to 75 Months for Possession of a Handgun in Connection with a RobberyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 75 months in prison for illegally possessing a loaded 9mm HiPoint pistol, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Rashawn S. Williams of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence by videoconference today.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 6, 2019, in an Irvington, New Jersey parking lot, Williams knowingly possessed a 9mm HiPoint pistol loaded with at least one round of 9mm ammunition. He and a conspirator robbed four individuals at gunpoint. Williams fired a shot, striking one of the victims in the leg.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Williams to three years of supervised release.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; and the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Tracy Bowers, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence. She also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, for its assistance with the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
Methamphetamine trafficking sends Eureka man to prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Eureka man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine was sentenced today to six years and eight months in prison and four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.
Tracy Eugene Conard, 50, pleaded guilty on Sept. 15, 2020 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detectives were investigating Conard and in October 2019, conducted a monitored drug deal with another informant to buy drugs from Conard. In November 2019, law enforcement received information that Conard was in Kalispell buying meth. Conard was stopped returning from Kalispell. A passenger confirmed they were returning from a residence near Kmart in Kalispell where Conard gone to pick up his truck. Conard had $2,127 in his pocket along with a small amount of marijuana.
Based on corroborating information and other observations, officers obtained a search warrant for Conard’s residence in Eureka. There, officers located scales, meth pipes, about 53.6 grams of meth, 9.9 grams of black tar heroin, small plastic baggies and firearms and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 48% from 2013 to 2019. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Merrimack Man Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Kyle Mehlhorn, 27, of Merrimack, was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
The complaint filed in court, alleges that on October 27, 2020, Manchester Police officers conducted a traffic stop in which Mehlhorn was the driver of the vehicle. After a records check revealed Mehlhorn’s license and registration privileges were suspended, he was placed under arrest. The complaint further alleges that officers later obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and recovered firearms, over $14,000 in cash, over 37 grams of suspected fentanyl, over 214 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and other items commonly used in the packaging and distribution of controlled substances.
Mehlhorn was arrested on January 11, 2021, in Boston and is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate today.
The charges in the complaint are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Manchester Police Department, Concord Police Department, Gorham Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police were all instrumental in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Rombeau and Aaron Gingrande.
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Manitowoc Man Indicted for Crimes Against Underage ChildrenRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on anuary 12, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Timothy J. Tetzlaff (age: 59) of the Town of Mishicot, Wisconsin.
Tetzlaff faces two counts alleging that he transported minors in interstate and foreign commerce with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a) and that he engaged in the production of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
If convicted of the transportation charges, Tetzlaff faces a mandatory ten years’ imprisonment and up to a life sentence on each count. If convicted of the child pornography production charge, he faces a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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 Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Green Bay branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
414-297-1700
Man Trafficking Methamphetamine from Colorado to Iowa Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
A Storm Lake man who trafficked and intended to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine pled guilty today, January 12, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City. Christian Javier Ramirez, age 31, from Storm Lake, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Ramirez admitted that from early January of 2020 to on or about January 30, 2020, he intentionally conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. According to the complaint filed in this matter, approximately 7 pounds of methamphetamine was intercepted in Colorado by the Colorado State Patrol and was destined for Storm Lake, Iowa, at the direction of Ramirez.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Ramirez remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigation/ICE, Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4011.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Possessing Methamphetamine for DistributionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Edreece Nance, 47, Superior, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 78 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
The conviction in this case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Superior Police Department in October and November 2019. Law enforcement arranged a series of controlled buys with a confidential informant who purchased methamphetamine from Nance in the Superior area on 10 occasions, for a total of approximately 268 grams. In addition, law enforcement recovered approximately 222 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms from Nance’s apartment on November 14, 2019. He is prohibited from possessing any firearms as a result of prior felony drug convictions in Pennsylvania.
In an interview with law enforcement, Nance admitted to selling methamphetamine in the Superior area, and possessing the methamphetamine and firearms found in his apartment. Further, Nance confirmed that he intended to sell that methamphetamine.
At sentencing Judge Peterson remarked that the quantity of methamphetamine involved in this case was significant. He also noted that Nance’s conduct had a “damaging and degrading” effect on the community, because his conduct preyed on the illness of others.
The charges against Nance were the result of an investigation conducted by the Superior Police Department, Duluth Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.
Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty this morning after he forcefully pulled a woman from her car and then stole it, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Tyler Jonathan Martin, 28, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell. Martin is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His sentencing is set for April 12, 2021.
“When his efforts to verbally intimidate an elderly woman were unsuccessful, Tyler Martin used physical violence to push her to the ground and steal her truck from a Walmart parking lot,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I’m thankful the victim is okay now and commend the FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher for their collaborative efforts.”
In his plea agreement, Martin admitted that on July 7, 2019 he used force, violence, and intimidation to take a Ford F-150 from the victim. Martin stated that he approached the victim in a Walmart parking lot and demanded that she give him the keys to her truck. When the victim refused, Martin admitted to pulling her from the truck and pushing her to the ground. When the keys fell to the ground, Martin grabbed the keys and drove off, knowing that the victim had sustained injuries from his actions.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher is prosecuting the case. AUSA Fletcher is a prosecutor from the Northern District of Iowa. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress. The United States and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have jurisdiction of all cases that occur on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants.
Man Involved in Willimantic Heroin Ring Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL CEBALLO-CRUZ, 31, of Willimantic, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and Willimantic Police Department, while investigating a heroin/fentanyl overdose death that occurred in August 2017, received information that Xavier Diaz, also known as “Coco,” was operating a heroin distribution ring in Willimantic. The investigation revealed that drug purchasers called a phone shared by Diaz and other members of the conspiracy to place an order for heroin. Thereafter, a “runner” would meet the purchaser to complete the transaction.
Ceballo-Cruz was a runner for the Diaz organization, and he delivered the drugs involved in the August 2017 overdose death. Several non-fatal overdoses have also been connected to drugs distributed by the Diaz organization.
Ceballo-Cruz, Diaz and other members of the organization were arrested on October 15, 2018. On that date, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed more than 100 grams of heroin, a stolen firearm, and ammunition. In addition, a search of a storage unit connected to the organization revealed more than $20,000 in cash.
On October 1, 2019, Ceballo-Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. He has been detained since February 2020 after he violated conditions of his release and his bond was revoked
Diaz pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on November 25, 2019, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
Man Charged with 2013 Drug-Related Murder in HartfordRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that ANTWANE WILLIAMS-BEY, also known as “Buck,” 30, has been charged with the drug-related murder of Valentin Santos Jr., 21, in Hartford on August 12, 2013.
On September 24, 2020, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Williams-Bey with causing the death of Valentin Santos Jr. through the use of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Williams-Bey murdered Mr. Santos in relation to and in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and that he did so deliberately, maliciously and with premeditation.
Williams-Bey, formerly of East Windsor, has been detained in federal custody since February 2017 and is currently serving a federal sentence for a narcotics offense. He appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish and entered a plea of not guilty.
If convicted of the charge, Williams-Bey faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, or death if the government seeks the death penalty in the matter.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Lexington Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man, Terrico W. Williams, 29, was sentenced on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 100 months in federal prison, after previously being convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to testimony at trial, on September 11, 2019, officers with the Lexington Police arrested Williams, on an outstanding warrant. Williams was searched and found to have a loaded, .22 caliber handgun concealed inside his pants. Williams has a previous felony conviction from the Fayette Circuit Court, from 2016, for Manslaughter Second Degree.
Williams was convicted in August 2020.
In addition to the prison time, Williams will also be required to pay a $2,000 fine. Under federal law, Williams must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the verdict.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also a 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. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
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Justice Department Settles Claims Against California Supermarket Chain and Affiliated Money Lender for Discriminating Against Asylee WorkerRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced that it signed a settlement agreement with Northgate Gonzalez Markets Inc., a California-based supermarket chain, and Northgate Gonzalez Financial LLC d/b/a Prospera Gonzalez, an affiliated payday loan company (collectively, Northgate).
The settlement resolves a claim that Northgate discriminated against a worker with asylum status when reverifying his eligibility to work in the United States, and fired him when he did not satisfy the company’s discriminatory requests, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
“Employers must treat all workers who have the right to work in the United States fairly and consistent with the law, regardless of a worker’s citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John B. Daukas of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting workers from unlawful discrimination.”
Based on its investigation, the department concluded that Northgate did not allow a worker with asylum status to provide his choice of valid documentation to show that he was authorized to work in the United States. Instead, when the employee offered to present an unrestricted Social Security card, which is legally sufficient to prove work authorization during the reverification process, Northgate rejected the document, demanded a document the worker did not have, and fired the worker when he did not present it. The INA’s anti-discrimination provision prohibits employers from requesting more or different documents than necessary to prove work authorization based on employees’ citizenship, immigration status or national origin. Instead, in the INA, Congress determined that all work-authorized individuals, regardless of citizenship status, may choose which valid, legally acceptable documents to present to demonstrate their ability to work in the United States. The INA does, however, permit employers to reject non-genuine looking documents.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Northgate will pay over $22,000 in back pay to the injured worker; pay a civil penalty to the United States; revise its policies and procedures; and train relevant employees on the INA’s anti-discrimination provision.
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. The statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation.
Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment, or during the employment eligibility verification process (e.g., Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public also can contact IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688; call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email [email protected]; sign up for a free webinar; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
The Civil Rights Division wants to hear about civil rights violations. Members of the public can report possible civil rights violations through the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis to Ensure Polling Place Accessibility for Voters with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today reached a settlement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis to ensure that St. Louis polling places are accessible during elections to individuals with mobility and vision impairments.
The Department of Justice reviewed the St. Louis Board’s voting program for compliance with the ADA. The department identified architectural barriers at St. Louis polling places, including inaccessible parking, ramps that were too steep, stairs at the only entrance or route to the voting area, and doorways with thresholds that were too high.
The department also identified that the St. Louis Board fails to provide accessible curbside voting and auxiliary aids and services, including headphones for some accessible voting machines, and also fails to provide voters with disabilities the same amount of privacy and independence while voting as voters without disabilities. Under the ADA, governmental entities that conduct local, state, or federal elections may not select polling places that are inaccessible to individuals with disabilities for use during elections, and they must make reasonable modifications to ensure equal opportunity to participate in voting programs.
“The department remains committed through its ADA Voting Initiative to ensuring that every eligible voter with a disability has an equal opportunity to participate in the voting programs of public entities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Daukas for the Civil Rights Division. “This settlement ensures that eligible voters with disabilities in the City of St. Louis will be able to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy.”
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the St. Louis Board will begin remediating its voting program. To make its selected polling places accessible, the St. Louis Board will employ temporary measures, such as portable ramps, signage, and propped open doors. In addition, the St. Louis Board will train its poll workers and other elections staff on the requirements of the ADA and how to use temporary measures to ensure each polling place is accessible during elections. The St. Louis Board will also survey polling locations for accessibility and maintain the accessibility of each polling place it uses on election days. When selecting future polling places, the agreement requires the St. Louis Board to select locations that will be accessible during elections.
This settlement is part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places. Through this Initiative, the Department of Justice has surveyed more than 2,300 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 50 jurisdictions, including Sandoval County, New Mexico; Harris County, Texas; Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania; and Anderson County, South Carolina.
For more information about the ADA and today’s agreement, please visit http://www.ada.gov or call the toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
Joint Statement from United States Attorney Jason Dunn and Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael SchneiderRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Denver Field Office of the FBI are committed to holding perpetrators of last week’s Capitol violence to account for any federal crimes. At the same time, we are working together with state and local authorities to ensure that any demonstrations that may take place in Colorado remain peaceful. Should that not be the case, we will investigate and aggressively prosecute those who violate federal law. While First Amendment rights will be protected, our offices will ensure that our criminal laws are enforced.
We urge the public to remain vigilant and immediately report to law enforcement if they see or hear anything suspicious or witness acts of violence. Call 303-629-7171, or go on-line at https://www.fbi.gov/tips.
Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO –Tracy Douglas Hyden, 55, of Jefferson County, Missouri, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
According to a plea agreement, in 2018 and 2019, investigators discovered that methamphetamine distributors operating in and around Jefferson County, Missouri, including Hyden and several of his co-defendants, were traveling to the City of St. Louis to obtain large quantities of crystal methamphetamine for redistribution in Jefferson County and elsewhere.
In August of 2019, DEA agents conducting surveillance observed Hyden meeting with a co-defendant who was supplying methamphetamine near the Central West End neighborhood in the City of St. Louis. Following a transaction that occurred near a stash-house utilized by co-conspirators near the 4100 block of Westminster, investigators stopped Hyden and ultimately located approximately 110 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his vehicle.
Hyden faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and a maximum term of life and/or a fine of not more than $10,000,000.
Judge Limbaugh has set sentencing for April 15, 2021.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit investigated this case.
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