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1 March 2021
Tessa M. Gorman appointed Acting United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice today appointed Tessa M. Gorman as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Ms. Gorman is a 24‑year veteran of the Department of Justice, having served in high-profile leadership roles for both the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bar Association. Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman takes over from Brian T. Moran who resigned the post February 28, 2021, as is traditional with the change in administration.
As First Assistant United States Attorney, Tessa Gorman provided guidance to the Civil, Criminal, and Appellate Divisions of the United States Attorney’s Office. She is involved in the ongoing supervision of the Seattle Police Department Consent Decree and other civil rights litigation. Ms. Gorman has supervised some of the most high profile cases in the office, such as the prosecution of Huawei for theft of trade secrets, cybercrime cases such as the hack on Capital One, and the investigation and civil settlement with Bradken Inc., over metal it supplied to Navy submarines. Gorman supervised cases involving pain clinics belonging to a Seattle doctor who defrauded the government and the criminal prosecution of an environmental disposal firm that was committing fraud by falsely claiming it met environmental protection standards.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Gorman prosecuted a wide variety of cases from violent crime to complex frauds. In 2008, Ms. Gorman and the trial team were honored with a Director’s Award for the successful prosecution of the Washington Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club as a racketeering-influenced criminal organization (RICO). The gang was convicted for crimes including murder and assault, and the verdicts represented the first RICO jury verdicts against the Hells Angels in twenty-five years.
As an Assistant United States Attorney, Ms. Gorman also prosecuted complex fraud cases, including a $30 million Ponzi scheme and a bank fraud case that grew out of the failure of a south sound bank, as well as homicides and sexual assaults in Indian Country. Ms. Gorman began her career with the Department of Justice in 1998 as part of the highly selective Honors Program in Washington, D.C. In 2001, she was hired by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
Ms. Gorman has been active in the Federal Bar Association in Western Washington, serving in leadership roles and as President in 2015-16. In 2015, the District Court Judges in Western Washington chose Ms. Gorman to serve a three‑year term as a District Court Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit. Ms. Gorman has taught Trial Advocacy at the University of Washington School of Law and has served as a professional mentor for students at both University of Washington and Seattle University Schools of Law.
Tessa M. Gorman grew up in Olympia, Washington and is a graduate of Yale College. She earned her law degree at University of California’s Berkeley Law School.
Stephen R. Kaufman to Serve as Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Stephen R. Kaufman, First Assistant to former United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, has been named Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania effective today.
In this position, Mr. Kaufman leads of staff of nearly 130 employees representing the United States in courts throughout Pennsylvania's western 25 counties, including staffed offices in Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown.
Mr. Kaufman's career in the Department of Justice has spanned four decades. Most recently he served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney beginning in April 2018. Prior to that appointment, Mr. Kaufman held a series of leadership positions in the U.S. Attorney's Office, including serving as the Chief of the Criminal Division from 2010 to 2018. Mr. Kaufman joined the U. S. Attorney's Office in 1988. In his career as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Kaufman has handled a wide variety of violent crime, narcotics, child exploitation and white collar cases. Notable cases include the successful eight-week trial of the Pittsburgh La Cosa Nostra organized crime family on RICO charges, the prosecution of the distributors of China White, a deadly synthetic form of heroin which caused the overdose deaths of 17 individuals in 1988, the prosecution of the perpetrator of a $31 million dollar check kiting scheme against PNC Bank, and obtained the conviction of a physician who was the most prolific illegal distributor of oxycodone in the Pittsburgh area prior to his arrest.
After graduating summa cum laude from Allegheny College in 1981, Mr. Kaufman attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude in 1984. He joined the United States Attorney's Office after working as a law clerk for United States District Judge Donald E. Ziegler. He also engaged in the private practice of law with former United States Attorney Frederick W. Thieman at the law firms of Titus & McConomy and Thieman & Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman has been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law since 1997, where he has taught courses in White Collar Crime, Criminal Procedure and Trial Advocacy.
South Florida Pediatrician Detained on Federal Child Pornography Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – Today, a federal magistrate judge in Ft. Lauderdale ordered South Florida pediatrician Michael Mizrachy, 49, of Parkland, Florida, held without bond pending trial on a federal charge of possession of child pornography.
According to the federal criminal complaint affidavit, in June 2020, the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children about files depicting child pornography being uploaded to an e-mail account, including a video of a prepubescent child being sexually abused. An investigation led law enforcement to Mizrachy, who worked as a pediatrician in Broward County, Florida. The affidavit alleges that during execution of a search warrant at Mizrachy’s home in Parkland, Florida, law enforcement officers obtained evidence that Mizrachy used an instant messenger application to obtain child pornography and communicate with minors about sex.
During a hearing today in Ft. Lauderdale, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle ordered pre-trial detention for Mizrachy, meaning he will remain in custody pending his federal trial. If convicted on the federal charge, Mizrachy faces up to 20 years in prison. Mizrachy also faces a pending state criminal case in connection with the alleged conduct.
Ariana Fajardo Orshan, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, and Gregory Tony, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.
HSI Miami investigated this matter, with Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Latta and Ajay Alexander are prosecuting the case.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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 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 the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
You may find related court documents on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-mj-6102.
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SAP Public Services, Inc. to Pay $2.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Deputy United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen announced that SAP Public Services, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States more than $2.2 Million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to pay required fees on contracts it signed pursuant to agreements with the United States General Services Administration (GSA).
SAP Public Services is a subsidiary of SAP SE, a multinational software engineering and support company, and its U.S. subsidiary, SAP America, Inc., headquartered in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
In 1998 and 2009, GSA awarded SAP Public Services contracts under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). The MAS program provides an efficient, streamlined process for federal, state, and local government buyers to purchase goods and services from commercial firms at discounted prices. SAP Public Services sold software engineering and support to government customers under specified conditions. SAP Public Services cancelled these contracts in 2014. Under the terms of their MAS contracts, SAP Public Services was required to pay an Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) to GSA. This fee covers the cost of GSA’s administration of its contracting and purchasing programs, which save federal, state, and local government agencies the time and expense of awarding individual procurements and provide volume purchase prices, greater purchasing flexibility, and other benefits to those agencies.
In addition, when staffing these projects, SAP Public Services was required to provide certain discounts and to meet certain educational or experiential qualifications in its staffing assignments. The United States’ investigation – conducted in conjunction with a robust internal investigation by SAP Public Services – determined that SAP Public Services failed to account for the IFF it owed on several contracts, and that it did not always provide the appropriate contractual discounts and staffing.
“When a company contracts with the government,” said Deputy U.S. Attorney Lappen, “it must establish and implement systems sufficient to meet its contractual obligations. When a company fails to do that, the taxpayer is left holding the bag. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to recovering these funds.”
GSA Inspector General Carol Ochoa, agreed: “This settlement is due to the persistent and dedicated work of the Office of Inspector General and U.S. Attorney’s Office personnel to pursue and recover money owed to the U.S. taxpayer.”
Deputy U.S. Attorney Lappen also praised SAP Public Services’ investigation and cooperation: “From the time that this matter was brought to its attention, SAP has committed itself to setting things right, despite considerable time and expense. We appreciate its cooperative approach and its intensive investigative efforts to get to the bottom of what happened here.”
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and GSA Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG). Assistant United States Attorneys Paul W. Kaufman and Mark J. Sherer and U.S. Attorney’s Office auditor Dawn Wiggins handled the investigation and settlement.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Rochester Felon Whose Sentence Was Commuted by President Obama Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking While on Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ruben Bullock, 46, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and violating federal supervised release. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and an $8,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo Rodriguez, who is handling the case, stated that on January 21, 2021, United States Probation Officers, suspecting that the defendant was engaged in criminal activity, conducted various probation searches at residences used by Bullock, including 154 Saranac Street in Rochester. At that location, probation officers recovered plastic bags from a backpack that contained approximately 750 grams of suspected cocaine, as well as two scales, and a bag containing baking soda commonly used to process cocaine. Probation officers also recovered $8,000 in cash and a quantity of marijuana in the residence. When the probation officers arrested Bullock, he had an additional $8,554 in cash on his person. Bullock admitted to officers to having purchased a kilogram of cocaine the day before for $45,000, as well as possessing the marijuana found inside the residence.
At the time of his arrest, Bullock was on federal supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction for which he was sentenced to serve 210 months in prison by Judge Siragusa. In 2016, President Barack Obama commuted Bullock’s sentence to time served and the defendant was placed on federal supervised release for six years.
“It is disgraceful that someone, having been given a second chance at life by having his prior prison sentence commuted by the President of the United States, decided to squander such chance by returning to a life spent poisoning our community with drugs,” U.S. Attorney Kennedy stated. “I am particularly grateful to the men and women of the U.S. Probation Office for their outstanding work in realizing that Bullock was selling drugs and acting quickly and professionally to stop further sales.”
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester United States Probation Office, under the leadership of Timothy C. Englerth, Chief Probation Officer; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the leadership of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2021, before Judge Siragusa.
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Randy Grossman named Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of CaliforniaRead the Press Release
For Further Information, Contact:
Kelly Thornton (619) 546-9726
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 1, 2021
SAN DIEGO - Randy Grossman, who has served as second-in-command at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, began his term as acting U.S. Attorney today.
Mr. Grossman stated, “I am honored to serve as the Acting United States Attorney. (Former U.S. Attorney) Bob Brewer’s steady leadership during these unprecedented times set a tremendous example. I look forward to continuing the office’s focus on civility and ethics as we fulfill our mission of ensuring public safety and the fair and impartial administration of justice.”
Mr. Grossman is an experienced prosecutor, private practice litigator and community leader. Mr. Grossman began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. During his eight years as a state prosecutor, he tried more than 70 cases to verdict including homicides and other crimes of violence. Mr. Grossman also worked in private practice as a partner at two international law firms. His practice areas included complex civil litigation, white collar criminal defense, corporate internal investigations and pro bono representation of refugees seeking asylum.
In March 2020, Mr. Grossman returned to public service as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of California where he served in the Border Enforcement Section and the Major Frauds/Public Corruption Section. He was selected to become First Assistant U.S. Attorney in September 2020. Mr. Grossman serves as a Trustee for California Western School of Law and he serves on a statewide civility task force associated with the California Lawyers Association and the State Bar of California.
Randolph J. Bernard named Acting United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Randolph J. Bernard will serve as Acting United States Attorney beginning on March 1, 2021.
Mr. Bernard was selected to serve as Acting U.S. Attorney by the Executive Office of United States Attorneys in Washington, D.C. after former U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced his resignation effective February 28, 2021.
“We look forward to continuing Mr. Powell’s excellent work under his “One District, One Mission” motto, as we work to combat the drug epidemic, crimes against children, crimes against the elderly, combatting violent crime, and the other Department of Justice initiatives,” said Mr. Bernard.
Mr. Bernard previously served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Bernard joined the office in 2002, and has experience prosecuting a wide range of criminal cases, including drugs and violent crimes, firearms, white collar offenses, fraud and tax cases, and child pornography cases. Mr. Bernard has also served as the District Office Security Manager.
Before becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Bernard served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Wheeling, West Virginia Resident Agency. Prior to the FBI, he was a litigation attorney in private practice with Coolidge, Wall, Womsley & Lombard in Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Bernard is a 1987 magna cum laude graduate of Ohio Northern University College of Law and a 1984 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Preston County man sentenced for sending obscene material to a minorRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Armstrong, of Terra Alta, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 30 months of incarceration for sending pornography to a minor, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
Armstrong, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Transfer of Obscenity to a Minor” in October 2020. Armstrong admitted to sending obscene material to a minor under the age of 16 in Preston County in August 2016.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Medication Intended for VeteransRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A former employee of the United States Postal Service pleaded guilty last week in United States District Court in Abingdon to stealing mail containing medication that was intended for United States Veterans, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced.
Ammie Hale, 45, Raysal, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today, without a plea agreement, to all charges in the indictment against her - three counts of theft of mail by an employee of the postal service for stealing mail on February 26, 2020, July 1, 2020, and August 5, 2020; and one count of making false statements. At sentencing, Hale faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 2, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.
According to court documents, from September 2019 through July 2020, the United States Postal Inspection Service- Office of the Inspector General (USPIS-OIG) received over 40 reports from the Salem, Virginia Veterans Affairs Medical Center of medication parcels mailed to veterans in the Tazewell, Virginia area that were never delivered.
Agents of the USPS-OIG reviewed available video footage and observed Hale on two different occasions, while working at the Tazwell Post Office, removing parcels from the sorting area, and taking them to an area of the Post Office where employees keep personal belongings and hiding the parcels in her purse. On August 5, 2020, agents conducted on-site surveillance and caught Hale stealing pills from a package addressed from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Hale was interviewed on August 5 and falsely told investigators that she had never stolen mail prior to that day.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service - Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty in Mystery Shopper Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of fraud conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Robert Shon Jackson, 45, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from around June 2013 to around October 31, 2013, Jackson participated in a Nigerian "mystery shopper" fraud scheme in which victims were falsely led to believe that they were being employed to anonymously evaluate products and services. After being recruited by the fraudsters, the victims unwittingly received counterfeit U.S. Postal Service money orders and checks, which they believed were provided to fund their evaluation purchases. The victims were told to deposit the instruments, keep a small portion of the funds for themselves, and wire the remainder to another individual who they believed was another mystery shopper, but was in actuality a co-conspirator. The counterfeit instruments were later returned to the bank, and the victims were charged for the funds they had deposited and additional fees.
The court was further advised that Jackson received bulk shipments of counterfeit USPS money orders sent from overseas, approximately 1,820 money orders in total, valued at approximately $1,787,771.40, along with counterfeit checks. Jackson also received mailing labels with the names and addresses of victims to whom he was to send the counterfeit instruments. Jackson would mail counterfeit money orders and checks to the victims along with "mystery shopper" instructions directing them to check their email accounts for additional instructions. The victims would be emailed instructions to wire funds to Jackson, his wife, and other accomplices. Jackson used false return names and addresses on the mailings of counterfeit instruments. Jackson would then receive funds from the victims by wire, then himself wire a portion of the proceeds to co-conspirators in Nigeria. Jackson kept a portion of the funds as his payment. The losses associated with Jackson’s offense totaled $28,461.00.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for July 14, 2021. The law provides for a maximum sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Cocaine and Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced that Esteban G. Morales, age 26, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court after his arrest in a drug trafficking sting operation. Morales was convicted on charges of methamphetamine and cocaine distribution. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Morales to 151 months’ imprisonment. Morales will serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from the Bureau of Prisons. There is no parole in the federal system.
On October 23, 2017, Morales sold four ounces of methamphetamine to a source working with law enforcement in Omaha. On August 29, 2018, he sold four ounces of cocaine to the same source in Omaha.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Nashville Man Outed by Dashcam Sentenced in Carjacking CaseRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 1, 2021 – A Nashville man, who was unknowingly captured on an in-car video system making his getaway after carjacking another man, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court, to 117 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Shaun Harris, 23, pleaded guilty in October 2020 to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Harris has been in custody since May 2018 and was given credit for 33 months’ time served on the carjacking charge.
According to court documents, on the evening of May 24, 2018, Harris and a juvenile, robbed and carjacked a man at gunpoint at the Hickory Hollow Apartment complex in Antioch. As they drove away in the victim’s car, the in-car camera system was activated and was recording their getaway. After travelling a short distance, Harris noticed the camera, ripped it from the car, and threw it out of the window. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) detectives were able to gain remote access to the vehicle’s camera and capture video of the suspects. The MNPD Public Affairs Office later posted the video on social media platforms and shared it with local media outlets, which led to the identification of Harris and the juvenile on the following day as well as the recovery of the victim’s vehicle.
This case was investigated by the MNPD and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy prosecuted the case.
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Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Seizes Fourth Domain Name Purporting to be the Website of a Company Producing a Treatment for COVID-19Read the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has seized “remdesivirmx.com,” which purported to sell and distribute Remdesivir, an antiviral drug approved for the treatment of the COVID-19 virus, in Mexico. However, the website was fraudulent and instead appears to have been used to collect the personal information of individuals visiting the site, in order to use the information for nefarious purposes, including fraud, phishing attacks, and/or deployment of malware. Individuals visiting the site now will see a message that the site has been seized by the federal government and be redirected to another site for additional information.
The seizure of the domain name was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations - Baltimore.
“I urge citizens to remain vigilant. Don’t provide personal information or click on websites or links contained in unsolicited e-mails. Don’t become a victim,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “My office and the entire law enforcement community will continue to do everything possible to bring to justice fraudsters who prey on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis.”
“This is the fourth COVID-related website seizure in Maryland and clearly demonstrates that fraudsters are motivated and actively trying to take advantage of Marylanders during a challenging time,” said Special Agent in Charge James Mancuso. “Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Use extreme caution on the internet, especially as it relates to COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, or financial relief.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the seizures, Remdesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc. and marketed under the brand name Veklury, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of COVID-19 in October 2020. The HSI Intellectual Property Rights Center (“IPRC”) and the HSI Cyber Crimes Center (“C3”) discovered an apparent fraudulent website, named “remdesivirmx.com.” A domain analysis conducted by an HSI Cyber Operations Officer (“COO”) indicated the subject domain name was created on February 4, 2021, through a company located in Lithuania, with no personal information for the registrar listed. The COO also reviewed the subject domain name’s online content and found it displayed the name and trademarked logos for Gilead and contained an incorrect spelling of Remdesivir. The contact information presented by the subject domain name listed a Mexican telephone number and an address associated with a Mexican telemarketing website.
The “remdesivirmx.com” website is the fourth such fraudulent site seeking to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has seized and disrupted in recent months. Other such efforts include:
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland seized a fraudulent replication of the website of a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that focuses on drug discovery, drug development, and vaccine technologies, including a vaccine for COVID-19. The fake domain, modernatx.shop, included a link offering to sell COVID-19 vaccines. Three men were subsequently charged with a scheme to allegedly sell purported COVID-19 vaccines.
On December 18, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland seized two domain names, “mordernatx.com” and “regeneronmedicals.com,” which purported to be the websites of actual biotechnology companies developing treatments for the COVID-19 virus, but appear to have instead been used to collect the personal information of individuals visiting the sites.
The seizure of these four sites by the government has prevented third parties from acquiring the names and using them to commit additional crimes, as well as prevented third parties from continuing to access the fraudulent sites in their present form.
Federal law enforcement agencies are united in our efforts to fight against COVID-19 fraud. HSI has identified tips to recognize and report COVID-19 fraud. If you believe you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you may also call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or for more information e-mail justice.gov/coronavirus.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI for its work in these investigations. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Sean R. Delaney, who are handling the case.
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Man who Brandished Firearm at a Victim Telling Her he Does Not Mess with “Snitches” Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who displayed a firearm at a female victim at a Motel 6 in Waterloo, Iowa, in an attempt to dissuade her from contacting law enforcement, was sentenced on Friday to more than eight years in federal prison.
Devonner Coleman, age 30, from St. Louis, Missouri, received the prison term after a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In a plea agreement, Coleman admitted he was found with a .22 caliber rifle with the barrel cut off, as well as approximately 118 grams of packaged marijuana. His fingerprints were found on the firearm and one of the baggies of marijuana. He had previously been convicted of possessing marijuana with the intent to deliver in Black Hawk County in 2009, 2011, and 2013. At sentencing, the victim testified that Coleman displayed the firearm at her, stating he does not mess with “snitches,” and later stepped on her foot and yelled at her while she was on the phone with a 9-1-1 operator.
Coleman was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Coleman was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Coleman is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-2049-CJW.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Man Pleads Guilty to Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Christopher Moore, 47, from Detroit, Michigan, and currently living in Jackson County, West Virginia, pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Moore was previously convicted of three felony drug offenses related to the distribution of cocaine base, and he spent over 14 years in federal prison. On June 27, 2020, Moore possessed a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol which was used to shoot and kill a visitor at his house in Kenna. Moore faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when he is sentenced on June 3, 2021.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00002.
Follow us on Twitter: SDWVNews
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Man Convicted of Human Trafficking by Federal Jury After Five-Day TrialRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Smithfield man Friday of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and of a minor; sex trafficking by force fraud and coercion; sex trafficking of a minor; using the internet to promote a prostitution business enterprise (ITAR); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Jonathan Lynn Jenkins, aka “Max,” 48, and his co-conspirator prostituted many women between November 2014 and October 2015, including minors. The victims were young, vulnerable, and often struggling to survive. After luring the victims with promises of food, shelter, and a better life, Jenkins and his co-conspirator manipulated and controlled the victims’ lives, isolating them, withholding food, and keeping all money the victims earned. The defendant beat and choked the victims, sometimes to unconsciousness. He emotionally and psychologically abused them. Among other threats, he claimed to have magical powers that allowed him to hunt down victims and kill them. He sexually assaulted victims and forced them into sexual acts against their will. And he attempted to murder a man who helped one victim escape.
Jenkins was convicted of second-degree murder in North Carolina state court in 2006, and first-degree murder charges are pending against him in state court in Johnston County, North Carolina.
Acting United States Attorney Acker stated: “Human Trafficking – the horrible exploitation of those vulnerable among us – is one of the worst and most intolerable crimes we prosecute. It is simply modern-day slavery and cannot be tolerated. This verdict allows us to take another step in the right direction as we work to eliminate this crime and its terrible consequences for our communities.”
“This sentence ensures that Jenkins, a serial offender, will not be able to continue his reign of terror on some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in North Carolina. “I’m thankful for the hard work from HSI and its partners that led to investigating, arresting and prosecuting this predator.”
Jenkins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life.
G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the verdict. The Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, the Raleigh Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Blondel and Lucy Brown are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:18-cr-00451-D.
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Malden Man Arrested on Drug and Firearms Charges Involving Multiple Machine GunsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden man was charged today in connection with his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy in which he allegedly possessed over 150 grams of cocaine base and other controlled substances and conspired to possess firearms.
Phillips Charles, a/k/a “PHON C,” 22, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and one count of conspiracy to possess, use and carry firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy. Charles is currently in state custody and will make an initial appearance in federal court before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell at a later date.
As alleged in the charging documents, while Charles was on pretrial release from Malden District Court and Middlesex Superior Court, and later serving a probation sentence, he continued to conspire with others to distribute large quantities of controlled substances. Members of the conspiracy also possessed numerous firearms, including multiple firearms with “selector switches” that convert firearms into machine guns, allegedly in order to protect the drug trafficking operation and target rival gang members. In an August 2020 music video posted on YouTube, Charles can be observed holding a firearm and pointing it at the camera, and displaying a large amount of cash.
Charles was on pretrial release when he was arrested and charged in state court with possessing a firearm in December 2020.
The charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiring to possess, use and carry firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to life in prison because a machine gun was involved in the offense, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Sarah Hoefle of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
M. Rhett DeHart Named as Acting U.S. Attorney for District of South CarolinaRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina – By virtue of the Vacancies Reform Act, M. Rhett DeHart is officially Acting United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, following the resignation of U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart formerly served as the District’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney – supervising the Criminal, Civil, Appellate and Administrative Divisions in the District of South Carolina, as well as serving as the primary liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Chief U.S. District Judge.
A native of North Augusta, S.C. and a resident of Mount Pleasant, S.C. – Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District’s Charleston office since 2001, prosecuting a variety of crimes while focusing on white-collar fraud and child exploitation. The recipient of the United States Attorney’s Award in 2006, 2009, and 2014, and numerous law enforcement awards – Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart has prosecuted hundreds of felonies, authored thirty appellate briefs, tried approximately twenty jury and non-jury trials, and argued seven cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart was a Counsel on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, where he supervised the criminal legislation section. A graduate of the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart graduated Order of the Coif from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart will serve in the position until a successor is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
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Jury Convicts Madison Man of Sex Trafficking MinorsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James Coney, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, was found guilty today of 10 counts related to sex trafficking of minors. The jury reached its verdict after five hours of deliberation following four days of testimony in U.S. District Court in Madison.
Coney was found guilty of 4 counts of sex trafficking a minor, 1 count of sex trafficking a minor by force, 1 count of attempted sex trafficking a minor, and 4 counts of transporting a minor from Wisconsin to Illinois for the purpose of prostitution.
The jury found that from May 2017 to March 2018, Coney trafficked five minors, attempted to traffic a sixth minor, and transported three minors from Wisconsin to Illinois where they engaged in prostitution. Coney transported one of the minors on two separate days. The evidence presented at trial showed that Coney used Backpage ads to arrange “dates” for the minor victims, collected the money, and instructed the minors on what to do. All six of the minor victims testified at the trial. Numerous witnesses testified that Coney was physically and verbally abusive to the minor victim who was with Coney the longest, from May 2017 to March 2018.
The investigation of Coney began when one of the minor victims was reported missing by her mother to the Fitchburg Police Department. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children publicized the minor’s disappearance, and she ultimately was recovered in Chicago where she had been with Coney.
Coney faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
The charges against Coney are the result of an investigation by the Fitchburg Police Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chicago, Lake Delton, Janesville, and Madison Police Departments; and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Pfluger and Taylor Kraus are handling the prosecution.
Jacksonville Couple Charged with Conspiracy to Sex Traffic A Child and Other Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of an indictment charging Samuel Christopher Templeman (46, Jacksonville) and Deborah Lynn Templeman (50, Jacksonville), a married couple, with conspiring to sex traffic a child. Samuel Templeman is also charged with sex trafficking a child, and Deborah Templeman is charged with possessing child sex abuse material. If convicted on all counts, Samuel Templeman faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to two life terms, in federal prison. Deborah Templeman faces up to life in federal prison.
According to the
indictment , beginning at least by November 2019 and continuing through December 11, 2019, Samuel and Deborah Templeman conspired to recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, maintain, patronize, and solicit a female child (Minor Victim 1), knowing that Minor Victim 1 was under the age of 18 and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. During the same time period, Samuel Templeman knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained Minor Victim 1, knowing that she was under the age of 18 and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.The indictment also charges that on December 7, 2019, Deborah Templeman possessed a cellphone containing a video depicting a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin Wolfson.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
INTERPOL Washington Assists the Republic of Maldives in Enhancing its Border Security Capabilities.Read the Press Release
INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—has partnered with the U.S. Department of State to significantly increase the capacity of The Republic of Maldives to screen against the illicit international travel of transnational criminals and terrorists. Under the State Department funded Project TERMINUS, on February 26, 2021, the Maldives Government implemented an automated system for uploading its stolen and lost travel documents into INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database, a searchable repository containing more than 100 million records that can be queried by law enforcement and border security authorities in all 194 INTERPOL member countries. This automation was made possible by hardware and software built, provided and installed remotely by the USNCB.
The SLTD Uploader software solution is a USNCB custom design which allows both the Maldives Immigration Service and the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Malé, to connect directly to INTERPOL’s SLTD database.
This accomplishment is the culmination of more than three months of active collaboration between the USNCB, the State Department, INTERPOL, and the Government of Maldives, all of which was conducted virtually.
“INTERPOL Washington is pleased to continue our partnership with the U.S. Department of State to develop and deploy the advanced tools and technology that can assist law enforcement partners worldwide in the fight against transnational crime and terrorism. The assistance being provided through Project TERMINUS contributes to both the individual and collective ability of all INTERPOL member countries, including the United States, to more effectively secure their borders against these transnational threats” said Acting Director Michael Hughes.
Established in 2018, Project TERMINUS is a partnership between the USNCB’s Border Security Division and the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. This mission of Project TERMINUS is to extend INTERPOL's I-24/7 secure, global police-to-police communications system in high risk areas and select host nations globally.
In addition to The Maldives, Partner Nations currently receiving assistance under Project TERMINUS include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria.
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A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, the USNCB is co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As the designated representative to INTERPOL on behalf of the Attorney General, the USNCB serves as the national point of contact for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States.Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Crime and Violation of Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Derrick Pritchett, 37, of Huntington, was sentenced to a total of 36 months in prison for his conviction for a drug offense and a violation of supervised release. Pritchett previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana.
Pritchett admitted that on December 5, 2019, Troopers with the West Virginia State Police searched his vehicle located on Artisan Avenue in Huntington. Troopers located approximately 17 grams of heroin and 56 grams of marijuana. Pritchett was on supervised release when he committed the drug offense. Pritchett was sentenced to 21 months in prison for the drug offense. In a separate proceeding, Pritchett was sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating his supervised release. The sentences were ordered to run consecutive to one another for a total of 36 months in prison.
The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00034.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Trent S. Davis, 30, of Huntington, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors. Davis will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.
Davis previously admitted that on April 27, 2020, he arranged with a person he believed to be the parent to two minor females, ages 12 and 14, to travel from his job in Eleanor, Putnam County, West Virginia, to Ashland, Kentucky, in order to engage in sexual activity with both minor girls. On the way to the meeting location, Davis stopped to purchase condoms to use during the sexual activity. Davis was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location in Ashland, Kentucky. A subsequent search of his cell phone revealed numerous images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers and images and videos depicting sadistic conduct. A search of Davis’s residence located additional computer equipment that also contained child sexual abuse materials.
The Ashland (Kentucky) Police Department and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00072.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today that Gregory Scott Broce, 50, of Huntington, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
Broce previously pled guilty and admitted that on July 6, 2019, he was driving a vehicle near 11th Avenue and 22nd Street in Huntington when a West Virginia State Police trooper pulled him over due to a report of the vehicle being stolen. Upon a search of the vehicle, the trooper found multiple baggies containing approximately 10.7 grams of crack cocaine and 3.4 grams of heroin. Digital scales and multiple empty baggies were located on Broce’s person.
The West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00020.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Kelly Ray Ingels, Sr., 46, of Huntington, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Ingels also was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the sale of a firearm to a juvenile, which is to run concurrently with his 21 month sentence.
Ingels previously pled guilty and admitted that on May 20, 2020, he sold a firearm to a juvenile for cash and marijuana over Facebook Messenger. Due to a subsequent investigation involving the firearm, officers obtained a search warrant for Ingels’ residence at 920 ½ 23rd Street in Huntington. In the residence officers located approximately 11 grams of methamphetamine as well as digital scales. In a Mirandized interview, Ingels admitted to possessing the methamphetamine to sell it, admitted he was addicted to methamphetamine at the time he possessed the gun, and admitted to selling the gun to the juvenile.
The Huntington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00140.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced that Seneca Smith, 36, of Huntington, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.
Smith admitted that on January 12, 2021, members of the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at his residence at 406 Bridge Street, Apartment 32, in Huntington. Officers seized approximately 206 grams of heroin, 62 grams of cocaine, four sets of digital scales, and a drug press. Smith admitted he intended to sell the heroin and cocaine.
Smith faces up to twenty years in prison when sentenced on June 1, 2021.
The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-00004.
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Hudson Woman Sentenced to 15 Months for Tampering with Consumer Products and Unlawfully Obtaining Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Kristina Coleman, 40, of Hudson, was sentenced on Friday to 15 months in federal prison for tampering with consumer products and unlawfully obtaining controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Coleman worked as a pharmacy technician for a retail pharmacy chain in Nashua. In January 2019, she agreed to deliver two prescriptions to an elderly patient, which was not part of her ordinary job responsibilities. After the delivery, the patient checked her bottles and discovered several pills were missing from her oxycodone prescription. Further, some of the pills in the bottle were larger and had a different imprint than the others, and were later determined to be baclofen, a non-scheduled drug indicated as a muscle relaxant and anti-spasmodic agent. Coleman admitted to law enforcement officers that she replaced some of the oxycodone in the prescription bottle with the baclofen and gave the stolen oxycodone to a friend to sell, for which she received $80.
Additional investigation revealed that Coleman had been stealing Suboxone from the pharmacy for her personal use. Coleman admitted that she had stolen a strip a day for approximately one year.
Coleman previously pleaded guilty on October 20, 2020.
“Drug diversion and tampering with consumer products are serious crimes that can endanger the lives of patients,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “When criminals steal controlled substances and replace them with other drugs, patients are deprived of needed medicine and could face other serious medical risks. In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we take crimes like this seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute health care workers who steal drugs from innocent victims.”
“Those who knowingly tamper with and steal medicines risk harming patients by depriving them of their prescribed therapies,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey J. Ebersole, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office. “We will continue to protect the public health and bring to justice healthcare professionals and others who take advantage of their position and compromise patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Holyoke Businessman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute More than One Kilogram of Heroin and CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Holyoke businessmen pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 to participating in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy.
Javier Gonzalez, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Mark. G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing June 25, 2021.
Gonzalez admitted that from 2011 to March 25, 2014, he conspired with others to obtain large quantities of heroin and cocaine from Texas, transport the drugs to Holyoke and distribute them in western Massachusetts. On March 25, 2014, law enforcement officers seized approximately $1.17 million in cash secreted in a hidden compartment inside a tractor trailer being driven by Gonzalez to Texas as payment for kilograms of heroin and cocaine. In addition, the agents seized 14 kilograms of heroin and 42 kilograms of cocaine in Texas that was destined to be distributed by Gonzalez in western Massachusetts.
Gonzalez faces a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt; and Easthampton Police Chief Robert Alberti made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches in Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
High-Speed Chase Results in Federal Firearms SentenceRead the Press Release
A Cedar Falls, Iowa, man who led Waterloo police officers on a high-speed chase on March 6, 2020, was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.
Rocky Truax, age 34, from Cedar Falls, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 1, 2020 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
At the plea and in the sentencing hearing, evidence showed that Truax was involved in a traffic stop on December 11, 2019, which resulted in the seizure of a handgun with a partially obliterated serial number, and a quantity of methamphetamine. On March 6, 2020, Truax led Waterloo police officers on a high-speed chase on Highway 218 in which he reached speeds of 80-mph in a 45-mph zone while driving on the wrong side of a divided highway. The chase ended when Truax crashed his car. A subsequent search of Truax’s home resulted in the seizure of another firearm and stolen property.
Truax was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Truax was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Truax is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2030.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 228 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND-Yahtzee Harris, 42, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to 228 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release following his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Gary T. Bell.
According to documents in the case, between July of 2015 and November of 2016, Harris participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in the Glen Park neighborhood of Gary, Indiana. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Harris cooked cocaine into crack and worked with numerous other individuals to distribute it from multiple residences. During a search of his Gary residence, law enforcement recovered a firearm and packaged crack intended for distribution. Harris has prior felony convictions for distribution of crack cocaine, pointing a firearm, and possession of a firearm as felon.
To date, eighteen other charged members of the conspiracy have been convicted of drug-related offenses in this case.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team with the assistance of the Gary, Hobart, and Lake County Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas R. Mahoney and Alexandra McTague.
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G. Norman Acker, III to Serve as Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North CarolinaRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – G. Norman Acker, III has begun serving as the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, following the departure of U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. on February 27, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Acker has served as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for more than thirty years. During his tenure he has litigated numerous civil and criminal cases in United States District Court as well as in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was the Deputy Civil Chief and the Civil Chief for a total of 18 years, and for the last 3 years has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney, supervising the work of the Civil, Criminal and Appellate Divisions.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the people of the United States in Federal Court,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Acker. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has worked closely with Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies over the past several years to protect the citizens of the Eastern District of North Carolina, and I pledge to do my best to continue this important work.”
While working as an AUSA, Mr. Acker’s primary focus of litigation was pursuing individuals and corporations who committed fraud against the United States. He was the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator and the Health Care Fraud Coordinator for the office. He handled “white collar” cases involving contract fraud against the military, health care fraud against the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as many other types of fraud against the government.
During his tenure as an AUSA, he has received numerous awards, including the Commander’s Award for Public Service, the Army’s highest civilian medal, in appreciation for judgments and settlements totaling several million dollars, and the Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Integrity Award for a criminal prosecution that resulted in a related civil settlement of more than $23 million. In addition, Mr. Acker was the lead attorney in two month-long trials against Tuomey Hospital for Medicare fraud that resulted in a judgment for $237 million against the hospital.
Mr. Acker has served as the Professional Responsibility Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for many years, and he also served for several years on the North Carolina State Bar Ethics Committee.
Mr. Acker was born and raised in Raleigh and is a lifelong resident of the Research Triangle area. He received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been married for 37 years and has three grown children and four grandchildren.
Former Onondaga County Postal Carrier Sentenced for Obstructing the MailRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Priscilla Czyz, age 37, of Cato, New York, was sentenced today to 6 months of probation for obstructing the mail, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Northeast Area Field Office.
In pleading guilty to the charge for which she was sentenced, Czyz admitted that between September 24, 2020, and October 7, 2020, she willfully failed to deliver mail entrusted to her by the United States Postal Service. Specifically, Czyz failed to deliver 354 pieces of political advertising mail to customers on her route in Onondaga County. Instead of delivering the mail, Czyz took it home, where law enforcement agents found it nearly two weeks later sitting in the rain on top of a dog crate in Czyz’s front yard. The mail was seized by the agents and later delivered by the Postal Service to the intended recipients. Prior to this offense, Czyz had been working as a postal carrier since approximately 2013. Czyz’s attorney informed the court prior to sentencing that Czyz lost her job at the Postal Service because of this conduct. As part of her sentence, Czyz was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service while on Probation.
This case was investigated by United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Former Metro Employee of Trust Bank Pleads Guilty to $2.3 Million Embezzlement and Signing a False Federal Income Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, JORDAN GLEN YOUNG, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and signing a false federal income tax return, in connection with a $2.3 million embezzlement from an Oklahoma City trust bank, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On December 21, 2020, Young was charged by Information with one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false federal income tax return. From 2006 through March 2020, Young worked at an Oklahoma City trust bank as a Trust Administrative Officer. Young oversaw trust accounts and distributed funds from those accounts to the beneficiaries as needed.
On February 22, 2021, Young pleaded guilty to making an unauthorized distribution, in the amount of $60,706.53, to his personal checking account from a trust account he was managing in October 2018. As part of his plea, Young admitted that he embezzled funds from his former employer from December 2015 through March 2020, and stipulated that the total loss to the trust bank from his embezzlement scheme was $2,323,036.91.
In addition to wire fraud, Young also pleaded guilty to signing a false federal income tax return. He admitted that on April 15, 2019, he signed a personal federal income tax return for the 2018 calendar year that he knew was false because it reported only $114,439 in total income. At the plea hearing, Young admitted that he omitted on the 2018 tax return thousands of dollars of embezzled income from the trust bank.
At sentencing, Young faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the wire fraud count, plus three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Young also faces up to three years in federal prison on the tax count, in addition to one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. As part of the plea agreement, Young agreed to pay restitution to the trust bank in the amount of $2,323,036.91, and he agreed to pay restitution for tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $500,822. Young will be sentenced in approximately 90 days.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bow Bottomly and Chris M. Stephens.
Reference is made to the information and other public filings for further information.
Former Eugene Elementary School Teacher Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing 15-Year-OldRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A former Eugene elementary school teacher was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor female, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug.
William Hamann, 38, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison and ten years supervised release. Hamman was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim.
According to court documents, on several occasions beginning in 2018 and continuing until July 2019, Hamann paid a minor female for oral sex and recorded the minor performing the sex acts. The minor female was 15 years old during the first encounter with Hamman. Eugene Police Department detectives and FBI agents arrested Hamann on July 26, 2019, when he came to meet the minor a fourth time. Agents searched his mobile phone and found a recording of one of the sex acts. Hamman used social media to arrange the meetings with the minor.
A search of Hamman’s residence and digital devices revealed that he had previously approached several other females online who said they were minors. Investigators uncovered evidence that Hamman had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with them even after they said they were underage.
On August 21, 2019, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a four-count indictment charging Hamann with sexual exploitation and trafficking of a child, possession of child pornography, and attempted sex trafficking of a child. On January 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Eugene Police Department. It was prosecuted by Jeff Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Katherine Green, Lane County Deputy District Attorney.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at www.missingkids.org.
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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Forest Service Employee Arrested on Indictment Alleging He Accepted Bribes, Kickbacks for Approving No-Bid Auto Repair WorkRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A United States Forest Service employee was arrested this morning on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with illegally directing nearly $900,000 in no-bid Forest Service vehicle repair and maintenance work to a San Bernardino County auto body repair shop that illicitly paid him more than $360,000 in bribes and kickbacks.
Francisco Isaias, 38, of San Bernardino, surrendered this morning to authorities and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon on seven counts of honest services wire fraud and 12 counts of conflict of interest.
A second defendant in this case – Joaquin Perez, 44, of Rancho Cucamonga, the operator of JP’s Collision and Auto Body Center, Inc., a Bloomington-based car repair shop – was arrested on February 25. Both Perez and JP’s Auto have been charged in this case with seven counts of honest services wire fraud. Federal prosecutors have issued a summons for JP’s Auto, the corporate defendant.
According to the indictment returned on Wednesday, the defendants executed a scheme to defraud the United States Forest Service of its right to the honest performance of Isaias’ duties as the agency’s fleet maintenance inspector. As part of his job duties, Isaias selected the businesses that would maintain and repair Forest Service vehicles, and approved specific expenditures related to the vehicles.
From June 2013 to March 2017, in exchange for bribes and kickbacks, Isaias allegedly provided favorable official action on the Forest Service’s behalf to Perez and JP’s Auto by steering Forest Service vehicle maintenance and repair work to them.
The defendants allegedly circumvented federal regulations requiring maintenance or repair services costing more than $2,500 to be arranged and bid under federal contracting procedures. In furtherance of the scheme, Isaias failed to create written work orders before awarding work to JP’s Auto, while Perez and JP’s Auto submitted multiple charges, each less than $2,500, to the Forest Service for auto repair and maintenance, according to the indictment.
From June 2014 to November 2016, the Forest Service paid JP’s Auto $898,528, with Isaias personally approving the vast majority of the payments, the indictment alleges. In exchange, Perez and JP’s Auto allegedly paid more than $360,000 in bribes and kickbacks to Isaias. From September 2015 to February 2017, Perez and JP’s Auto paid $49,866 to Isaias’ fictitious company, SIK Parts. Also, during a 10-week span in late 2016 and early 2017, Perez caused JP’s Auto to finance the purchase of $313,947 worth of tractor trucks and trailers on behalf of Isaias’ trucking business.
The Forest Service placed Isaias on suspension in 2017.
At his arraignment on February 25, Perez pleaded not guilty and was ordered to stand trial on April 20.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each charge of honest services wire fraud carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while each charge of conflict of interest carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the United States Forest Service and the FBI.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean D. Peterson of the Riverside Branch Office.
First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph “Joe” Murphy appointed Acting United States Attorney, Western District of TennesseeRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Effective March 1, 2021, First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., will succeed former United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act.
Murphy, a graduate of Lambuth College and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Memphis office since 1989. He was named as the office’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney in July of 2018. Prior to being named First Assistant, Murphy served as the office’s Criminal Chief beginning in 2011. In that role he supervised 28 Assistant U.S. Attorneys who investigated and prosecuted criminal cases in the Memphis office and 10 support staff. He also served as Chief of the office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force for three years before being named Criminal Chief. Between 1991 and 2007, Murphy served as a line assistant in both the office’s criminal division and drug task force.
During his career with the Justice Department, Murphy has tried approximately 125 felony cases to verdict in U.S. District Court. These cases included prosecutions of health care professionals for illegally distributing controlled substances; mail and wire fraud cases; and theft cases involving pension funds and interstate shipments. Murphy has also represented the government in over 200 cases litigated before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and he has argued approximately 48 cases before that court.
A Memphis resident, Murphy has been married to Sandy Murphy for 32 years and has two adult children. Active in community and legal affairs, he is a member of the Leo Bearman, Sr. Inn of the American Inns of Court and a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and has served as a volunteer with the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
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Federal Jury Convicts Last Two Defendants in Prescription Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal jury today convicted two defendants in a long-running investigation into a prescription drug billing scheme involving a Haleyville, Ala.-based pharmacy, Northside Pharmacy doing business as Global Compounding Pharmacy. U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson, Defense Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Bruce, United States Postal Inspector in Charge, Houston Division Adrian Gonzalez, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Andrew Thornton.
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Jessica Linton, 37, of Clearwater, Florida, the manager of the billing team at Global, and John Gladden, 50, of Tallahassee, Florida, a district manager supervising sales representatives at Global, after five days of testimony before Chief U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler. Linton was convicted on one count of conspiracy, thirteen counts of health care fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. Gladden was convicted on one count of conspiracy, six counts of health care fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
“Today’s convictions brought closure to a long-running illegal prescription drug billing scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “These convictions add to the number of defendants who have previously pleaded guilty. Thank you to the prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for their continued efforts in bringing these defendants to justice. We especially want to thank the jury for their time and service.”
Linton and Gladden participated in a scheme to cause the pharmacy they worked at to bill for medically unnecessary prescription drugs. Linton served as the person in charge of billing for the drugs Global made, marketed, and sold; Gladden served as a district manager who supervised a team of sales reps. The scheme involved directing employees to get medically unnecessary drugs for themselves, family members, and friends, altering prescriptions to add non-prescribed drugs, automatically refilling prescriptions regardless of patient need, routinely waiving and discounting co-pays to induce patients to obtain and retain medically unnecessary drugs, and billing for drugs without patients’ knowledge. When prescription drug administrators attempted to police this conduct, conspirators evaded and obstructed those efforts, including by providing false information in response to audits and diverting their billing through affiliated pharmacies. The scheme targeted multiple health insurance plans, including the pharmacy’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama plan, as well as plans providing health insurance to the elderly, disabled, members of the military, and veterans—Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA, among others.
Evidence showed that the scheme resulted in pharmacy benefit managers’ paying Global nearly $50 million in claims in just a two-year period. During this period, prescribers who were either paid cash to write prescriptions or whose spouses were employed as sales reps by Global wrote over $13.3 million in Global prescriptions. In addition, Global was paid over $8.4 million for prescriptions obtained by Global employees. For instance, in August 2014, a provider, who was paid cash to write Global prescriptions, wrote a prescription for over one pound of compound cream indicated to treat yeast, ring worm, athlete’s foot, or fungus for a Global employee who was not that prescriber’s patient. Global was paid over $30,000 for that tube of cream. The provider and employee pleaded guilty prior to trial.
The maximum punishment for conspiracy to commit health care and mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for health care fraud is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for mail fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The penalty for aggravated identity theft is an additional two years in prison.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS, USPIS, and IRS-CI investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J.B. Ward, Edward Canter, and Don Long prosecuted the case. The Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigations Division aided in the investigation.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Zwolle Woman with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a federal grand jury has returned a 25-count indictment charging Melissa H. Sepulvado, 58, of Zwolle, Louisiana, with committing wire fraud.
The indictment alleges that Sepulvado and her husband were both employed by Weyerhaeuser Company (“Weyerhaeuser”) at the company’s mill located in Zwolle, Louisiana. Sepulvado was employed as a Senior Support Specialist and her husband was employed as an hourly worker. Her primary duties were to review and approve payroll entries for the hourly workers at the Weyerhaeuser’s Zwolle mill through its internet based electronic payroll system.
It is alleged in the indictment that from November 2014 through April 2017, Sepulvado devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from Weyerhaeuser using interstate wire communications, including the transmission of electronic payroll information. Sepulvado regularly entered fraudulent vacation hours on her husband’s time sheet and submitted electronic pay requests for those hours by means of an interstate wire communication in interstate commerce. Although her husband was eligible to receive 200 hours of paid vacation time each calendar year, Sepulvado entered and approved over 4,000 hours of paid vacation time for her husband for the calendar year 2016 alone. Sepulvado took steps to conceal the fraudulent pay requests by backdating the paid vacation hours to completed pay periods.
The indictment further alleges that these fraudulent pay requests submitted by Sepulvado caused Weyerhaeuser to pay over $145,000 in unearned wages to her husband, which unearned wages were taken and controlled by Sepulvado.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI is conducting the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cadesby B. Cooper is prosecuting the case.
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Federal Correctional Officer Indicted and Arrested for Introducing Contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, PRRead the Press Release
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Arcadia Zorrilla Hernández, Correctional Officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Guaynabo, PR, was indicted and arrested for providing contraband in prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow. The FBI is in charge of the investigation in collaboration with the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG).
Zorrilla Hernández is facing two counts for providing contraband in prison, and one count for making false statements. According to the indictment, in or about May 2019, to in or about June 2019, Zorrilla Hernández knowingly and intentionally provided and attempted to provide a cellular telephone and Suboxone, a narcotic drug, to an inmate housed at MDC.
The indictment further alleges that, in August 14, 2019, Zorrilla Hernández agreed to an interview with special agents from the FBI and DOJ-OIG, and willfully and knowingly provided false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements to the agents. Zorrilla Hernández told the agents that she had not spoken and communicated with the family members of the inmate while the inmate was in custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The statements and representations were false because, as the defendant then and there knew, she did speak and communicate, and had spoken and communicated, with the family members of the inmate while he was in custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
“The defendant was supposed to provide supervision of inmates and enforce the rules and regulations governing MDC and the inmates’ conduct. Instead, she violated federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We will not tolerate this type of misconduct, and will prosecute these offenses to the full extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of Justice-Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marie Christine Amy.
The maximum penalties for these offenses are: 20 years for providing contraband to inmates, and up to five years in prison for lying to federal agents. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Fca US LLC Pleads Guilty to Making Illegal Payments to Uaw OfficialsRead the Press Release
DETROIT – FCA US LLC (FCA, a/k/a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), one of the big three American automobile manufacturers, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, also known as the Taft-Hartley Act, by making illegal payments to officers of the United Auto Workers union, Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin announced today.
FCA is the American operating subsidiary of Stellantis, and it is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Today, a representative of FCA appeared in a virtual court hearing before United States District Judge Paul D. Borman and admitted that the company had conspired with other entities and individuals to violate the Taft-Hartley Act by making more than $3.5 million in illegal payments to officers of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) during the period 2009 through 2016. During the conspiracy, executives of FCA, including Alphons Iacobelli, Jerome Durden, and others, engineered the illegal payments to senior officials of the UAW. During the conspiracy from 2009 through June 2015, Iacobelli was the Senior Vice President of FCA US LLC in charge of labor relations.
The illegal payments to UAW officials took various forms, including extravagant meals, rounds of golf, lavish parties for the UAW International Executive Board, an Italian-made shotgun, clothing, designer shoes, and other personal items paid for with credit cards issued by the joint training center. FCA executives also paid off the $262,000 home mortgage of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield. Holiefield and his widow also received hundreds of thousands of dollars directed through Holiefield’s purported charitable organization, as well as companies controlled by him which had contracts with the training center. The illegal payments were passed through the UAW-Chrysler Skill Development & Training Program d/b/a the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC). Ostensibly, the NTC was supposed to provide training and health and safety protections for FCA workers. The UAW officials who accepted illegal payments included former UAW Vice Presidents Holiefield and Norwood Jewell, Holiefield’s widow, Monica Morgan, and senior UAW officials, Virdell King, Keith Mickens, and Nancy Johnson. Morgan and all of the UAW officials, except for Holiefield, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept the illegal payments from FCA or tax charges. Holiefield died in 2014.
During the hearing, the United States and FCA presented their Rule 11 Plea Agreement to the Court. Under the terms of the agreement, FCA has agreed to pay a fine of $30 million, which represents a figure triple the base fine amount provided for the offense by the United States Sentencing Guidelines. In addition, FCA has agreed to be subject to probation for three years. During that three year period, an independent compliance monitor selected by the government will oversee the company’s adherence to federal labor laws.
The Court set a date for a sentencing hearing, where it will impose penalties based on the criminal conviction.
Acting United States Attorney Mohsin said, “Through its participation in this conspiracy, FCA violated federal labor law and undermined the collective bargaining process and the faith of the UAW’s membership in their leaders. By seeking a $30 million fine and three years of oversight by a court-appointed monitor, we are holding FCA accountable and sending a message to other companies that these types of crimes will not be tolerated.”
“FCA US LLC conspired to make improper labor payments to high-ranking UAW officials, which were used for personal mortgage expenses, lavish parties, and entertainment expenses. Instead of negotiating in good faith, FCA corrupted the collective bargaining process and the UAW members’ rights to fair representation. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out systemic corruption and fraud involving unions," stated Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“Fiat Chrysler Automobiles used a program intended for the betterment of its employees to instead benefit itself. By providing money and valuables to UAW officials, FCA corrupted the labor-management relationship and broke the law,” said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This case sends a clear message that the FBI and its partners will hold both union leadership and corporations accountable when they violate federal statutes.”
“Today’s guilty plea should serve as a reminder that IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively investigate any company who violates federal law in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the marketplace,” stated Sarah Kull, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office.
“While the vast majority of union officials do their work diligently and without incident, unfortunately civil and criminal violations do occur. FCA’s guilty plea today confirms that it attempted to corrupt the collective bargaining process in order to gain favorable contracts from the UAW at the expense of UAW members. FCA attempted that corruption by making more than $3.5 million in illegal payments to high ranking UAW officials,” said Thomas Murray, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. “OLMS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone - employer or union official - that unlawfully exploits their position in the collective bargaining process for personal or corporate financial gain without regard to the best interests of union members.”
Thus far, as part of this investigation of illegal payments by FCA to UAW officials, as well as fraud and embezzlement by other UAW officers, fifteen individuals have been convicted of convicted of federal crimes, including three former FCA executives. They include former UAW Vice President Joseph Ashton (30 months in prison) former FCA Vice President for Employee Relations Alphons Iacobelli (66 months in prison), former FCA Financial Analyst Jerome Durden (15 months in prison), former Director of FCA’s Employee Relations Department Michael Brown (12 months in prison), former senior UAW officials Virdell King (60 days in prison), Keith Mickens (12 months in prison), Nancy A. Johnson (12 months in prison), Monica Morgan, the widow of UAW Vice President General Holiefield (18 months in prison), former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell (15 months in prison), former senior UAW official Michael Grimes (28 months in prison), and former UAW Midwest CAP President Edward “Nick” Robinson (12 months in prison). In addition, the following UAW officials have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing: former UAW President Gary Jones, former senior UAW official Jeffrey Pietrzyk, former UAW Region 5 Director and UAW Board member Vance Pearson, and former UAW President Dennis Williams.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mohsin commended the outstanding work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards and Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into labor corruption activities involving a vital sector of the local and national economy.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Gardey and Erin S. Shaw.
Executive of Chicago Staffing Company Sentenced in Federal Court for Assisting Client with Hiring of Undocumented WorkersRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former executive vice president of a Chicago staffing company was sentenced today in federal court for assisting a factory owner with the hiring of undocumented workers.
SERGIO BADANI used his role as Vice President of Operations for a large Chicago staffing company to knowingly conceal from the U.S. government the true identities of 17 undocumented workers. The workers had previously been identified by law enforcement as undocumented during a civil audit of the factory. After the factory owners assured the government that the undocumented workers were terminated, the factory owners worked with Badani to hire them back using false identity documents. Badani admitted that he learned of the illegal scheme and assisted in concealing the information from the government while his staffing company continued to collect more than $1 million in fees from the factory owners. Badani admitted that he received a portion of the profit from this contract in the form of monetary bonuses.
Badani, 51, of St. Charles, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to commit alien harboring for purposes of commercial advantage. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis sentenced Badani to two years’ probation and fined him $15,000.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and R. Sean Fitzgerald, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and U.S. Social Security Administration provided valuable assistance.
“Undocumented workers are at a significant disadvantage in the workplace, making them much more likely to be exploited by employers,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher V. Parente and Ashley A. Chung argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.
“When businesses knowingly hire an illegal workforce, it threatens the integrity of our country’s immigration system, economic health and puts the security of our homeland at risk,” said HSI Acting SAC Fitzgerald. “HSI is committed to protecting our communities from the abuses of corrupt business owners seeking to gain an illegal advantage and make a steep profit off the backs of others.”
Four employees of the staffing agency’s manufacturing client, KSO MetalFab Inc. of Streamwood, Ill., were previously charged in federal court with knowingly hiring and harboring undocumented workers. They pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
EDVA Commemorates Women’s History MonthRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – During this year’s Women’s History Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) honors the achievements and invaluable contributions women have made over the course of American history and today.
“Women have made, and continue to make, immeasurable contributions to our Office,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their unparalleled leadership and dedication have helped secure the safety of our Nation and have promoted equal justice for all. Our Office recognizes that these changes did not take place overnight, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that all participants in the legal process, no matter their race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or citizenship, have equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. As a part of that commitment, EDVA is dedicated to furthering our collective efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in all forms through our hiring, advancement, and community outreach practices.”
During this year’s Women’s History Month celebration, EDVA will host multiple events, including a virtual discussion with Judge Cheryl Ann Krause of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and a virtual discussion with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela Karlan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration with a 1987 presidential proclamation. Since 1995, Presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. The National Women’s History Alliance extended the theme, “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced,” for the 2021 celebration.
In recent decades, women have held senior leadership positions in the Department of Justice, including as Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and throughout the country’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices—including EDVA.
Women serve an essential role in and contribute to every aspect of the Eastern District of Virginia’s mission. Over 60% of the more than 300 total staff members in EDVA, to include prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel, are women.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Duval Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Deshawn Maceo Richardson (27, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Richardson to forfeit a Glock .40 caliber pistol and ammunition. Richardson had pleaded guilty on October 07, 2020.
According to court documents, Richardson sold suspected methamphetamine several times in July and August 2019. Immediately following the final drug transaction, in the parking lot of a hotel on the southside of Jacksonville, Richardson fled from law enforcement on foot. While fleeing, Richardson dropped a stolen .40 caliber Glock pistol with a 30-round capacity magazine. The magazine had 17 rounds of ammunition and one round in the chamber.
Prior to these events, Richardson had been convicted of grand theft auto, sale/manufacture/deliver cocaine, sale/deliver heroin, and child abuse and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Beatriz Gonzalez and Special Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus P. Zomorodian.
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 and enhances coordination of Federal, State, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Dubuque Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Opioids that Caused Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
A man who distributed a deadly cocktail of opioids pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Julius Gene Irvin, age 30, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of distribution of controlled substances near a protected location resulting in death.
At the plea hearing, Irvin admitted that he distributed a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and valeryl fentanyl to another person on May 19, 2019. That person later used the drugs and was found deceased on May 20, 2019. Another man, Travis Gordon Jones, previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute the same drugs that caused the victim’s death, as well as two other deaths. Jones is awaiting sentencing.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Irvin was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Irvin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and six years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 21-CR-1011-CJW-MAR.
The case file number for Jones is 19-CR-1037-CJW-MAR.
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Douglas J. Quivey to Serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of IllinoisRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Effective today, Douglas J. Quivey begins serving as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Mr. Quivey, who has served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district since January 2019, assumes the position as Acting U.S. Attorney by virtue of the Vacancies Reform Act.
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Quivey served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Central District of Illinois from October 2014 to December 2018.
Mr. Quivey was in private practice from 1996 to 2014 in Charleston, Urbana, and Springfield, Ill. He received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and began his legal career as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Richard Mills from 1994 to 1996. He earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University.
In 2010, Mr. Quivey retired as a lieutenant colonel following 26 years of service in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve.
A native of Charleston, Ill., Mr. Quivey resides with his wife and family in Springfield.
Donald E. Clark Named Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of MaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Donald E. Clark became Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine on March 1, 2021, by virtue of the resignation of U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank and the Vacancies Reform Act. Acting U.S. Attorney Clark is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in Maine.
Clark grew up in Somerville, New Jersey and Lisbon, Maine. Prior to becoming Acting U.S. Attorney, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) for nearly 29 years, prosecuting federal crimes and forfeiture actions. He started his career as an AUSA in 1992 in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Since 1995, he has served as an AUSA in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland. He became First Assistant U.S. Attorney in September 2019. He has also served as Senior Litigation Counsel, Public Information Officer and an Asset Forfeiture Attorney. He is a 1987 graduate of Syracuse Law School, J.D., summa cum laude; a 1983 graduate of Harvard College, B.A., in English; and a 1979 graduate of Lisbon High School in Lisbon Falls. He started his legal career in 1987 with the law firm Latham & Watkins in New York City.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clark will serve in the position until a successor is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Role in Unlawful Distribution of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
An Ohio physician was sentenced to 40 months in prison today for his role in illegally distributing controlled substances.
George Griffin, M.D., 71, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful distribution of controlled substances on Oct. 5, 2020.
According to court documents, Griffin prescribed controlled substances to patients in amounts and for lengths of time that were outside the scope of legitimate medical practice. Griffin routinely prescribed controlled substances to patients even though various “red flags” suggested that he should stop writing those prescriptions, change the prescriptions, and/or counsel patients accordingly. Further, according to court documents, Griffin prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs known to heighten the risk of overdose and death.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal Patel of the Southern District of Ohio; Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Detroit Division; Special Agent in Charge William “Chris” Hoffman of the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office made the announcement.
The DEA; FBI; HHS-OIG; Ohio Attorney General’s Office; Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation; and Ohio Board of Pharmacy investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Chris Jason, and Katherine Pridemore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force, which operates in 10 districts, has charged 91 defendants, including 68 licensed medical professionals, and its casework has targeted the alleged illegal distribution of more than 65 million controlled substance pills involving more than 350,000 prescriptions. Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for approximately $19 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website for more information.
Dallas Tax Preparer Sentenced, Ordered to Pay $11.9 Million for Filing Fraudulent Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A North Dallas tax return preparer was sentenced to 3½ years in prison and ordered to pay $11.9 million in restitution for filing fraudulent income tax returns, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Alma Jean Gilbert, 54, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a materially false tax return in October 2019. She was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn.
According to plea papers, since 2011, Ms. Gilbert has owned and operated In Touch Tax Solutions in Dallas. In 2016, she opened an additional office in Mesquite and hired employees to prepare and file tax returns on behalf of clients there.
Between 2012 and 2017, Mrs. Gilbert knowingly prepared and caused to be filed hundreds of fraudulent tax returns for clients.
The fraudulent returns contained materially false credits and deductions – including false education credits, fuel tax credits, and business losses – for the purpose of increasing the refunds to the clients.
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Jarvis prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Who Possessed Multiple Firearms Sentenced to More Than Four Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who possessed handguns and an assault rifle was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison.
Dandre Montrell Gantt, age 22, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after September 29, 2020 bench verdict finding him guilty of being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The evidence at trial established that, on January 26, 2020, police officers were conducting a routine patrol in Waterloo, Iowa. At approximately 1:30 a.m., officers observed Gantt and another man seated in a parked car in downtown Waterloo. After surveilling the car, an officer approached it to talk to Gantt. During the conversation, the officer observed a gun holster in the front of the car in the space between the passenger and driver’s seat. Another officer arrived and as he approached the vehicle from the driver’s side, he observed a semi-automatic Romarm/Cugir 7.62x39 rifle in the backseat of the vehicle. Officers eventually also seized a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol and a loaded Taurus .45 caliber pistol from the passenger’s seat
Gantt was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gantt was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see /media/1122011/dl?inline.
Gantt is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams, Pat Reinert, Jacob Schunk and was investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-2020.
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Clint Johnson Assumes the Role of Acting U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of OklahomaRead the Press Release
Today, Clint Johnson assumed the role of Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
As Acting U.S. Attorney, Johnson is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Northern District of Oklahoma, an area covering eleven counties and including thirteen federally recognized Indian tribes. He leads a staff of more than 100 attorneys and support personnel to accomplish this mission.
“I am honored to lead this incredible office that continues to provide justice to the citizens of the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I will continue to work with our local, state, federal and tribal partners to ensure the fair administration of justice, and I will continue to advocate for the resources needed to make that happen.”
Most recently, Johnson held the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney where he supervised the criminal, civil, and administrative divisions for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He further managed the agency’s budget and resources and took an active role in the hiring of personnel and expansion of office space as the U.S. Attorney’s Office was required to grow dramatically to fulfill its public safety mission.
Johnson is a career federal prosecutor with 26 years of experience. He has investigated and prosecuted violent felonies, white-collar offenses, public corruption, drug and gun-related crimes, and human trafficking in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Previously, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Branch Chief in the District of New Mexico. Johnson began his legal career as an active duty Army attorney.
Simultaneously, Johnson continues to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps, he holds the positions of Chief Trial Judge and Commander of the 150th Legal Operational Detachment headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Col. Johnson has also served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School and the National Judicial College. He is a graduate of the Officer Basic Course, Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and Military Judge’s Course.
Johnson is licensed to practice in all federal Courts in the State of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
He received his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law where he served as an editor for the Tulsa Law Journal. He received his master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College and his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University.
Johnson will hold the Acting position until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a new U.S. Attorney.