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26 February 2021
Brandon Quinata Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute over 50 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Brandon Quinata, age 37, from Umatac, Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 57 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, a Schedule II controlled substance in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(A)(viii). The Court also ordered 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, 50 hours of community service, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
In February 2018, Quinata agreed with others to distribute methamphetamine. Two packages were mailed from Las Vegas to Quinata and another individual on Guam. Prior to delivery, law enforcement intercepted the packages, removed the methamphetamine, replaced it with a sham substance. The controlled delivery of the packages was conducted, a week later Quinata was interviewed and confessed to the crime. The combined weight of the drugs was approximately 223 grams, with a purity of 98%.
U.S. Attorney Anderson stated, “As revealed in this case, substantial quantities of drugs continue to be sent through our mail system. Federal law enforcement will remain vigilant in combating this activity. Traffickers can expect substantial terms of imprisonment because of our prosecutions.”
This was a joint investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Stephen F. Leon Guerrero, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
Bowling Green Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chief U.S. District Judge Greg Stivers sentenced Traci D. Reeder to 120 months’ imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine, announced Michael A. Bennett, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
“This case demonstrates the value of cooperation between our federal and state law enforcement partners and showcases the solid leadership of the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kentucky State Police,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bennett. “It also sends a valuable message to would be offenders in the Western District of Kentucky – peddle your poison here and expect to spend significant time in federal prison.”
“To protect our nation and the residents of our communities, Homeland Security Investigations continues to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to seize dangerous narcotics and arrest those who traffic them,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Jerry C. Templet, Jr. “Methamphetamine is a dangerous and highly addictive drug that destroys lives.”
“The Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force is a partnership of state, local, and federal investigators working as a team to get career criminals and illegal drugs out of our community. The opening of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Bowling Green has enhanced our ability to bring these types of serious cases into the federal system,” stated the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force Director, Tommy Loving.
In October and November 2019, the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force utilized a confidential source to purchase two ounces of crystal methamphetamine from Reeder on two separate occasions. On November 5, 2019, officers arrested Reeder for several outstanding arrest warrants. When he was arrested Reeder had in his possession some recorded “buy money” which had been used during a previous controlled purchase.
After a positive alert by a Kentucky State Police K-9, officers conducted a search of Reeder’s vehicle. Inside the trunk officers located a toolbox containing three large bags of methamphetamine and over $5,000 in cash. In total, over one pound of crystal methamphetamine was purchased and seized from Reeder.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II of the Bowling Green United States Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force, Kentucky State Police, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
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Bowie Man Pleads Guilty to Copyright Infringement for Selling More Than $300,000 Worth of Counterfeit DVDs Containing Copyrighted Works, Including Popular Movies, TV Shows, and Fitness ProgramsRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – Olayinka Wahab, a/k/a Sulaimon Olayinka Wahab, age 45, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to copyright infringement in connection with his sale of counterfeit DVDs containing copyrighted works, including popular movies, television shows, and fitness programs.
The guilty plea 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 (HSI) Baltimore.
According to his guilty plea, between May 2009 and May 2018, Wahab sold approximately 18,306 DVDs or DVD sets, with a total retail value of $315,761.44. Wahab knowingly sold counterfeit DVDs containing copyrighted works belonging to ABC Studios/Disney, Anchor Bay Entertainment; Beachbody; Disney; Fox; HBO Home Entertainment; Lionsgate; MGM; Netflix; Paramount; Sony; Universal; and Warner Brothers.
In 2017, representatives from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) identified a seller on an Internet marketplace offering DVD movies for sale at a discount. MPA purchased an item and analyzed the DVD upon receipt. The packaging and labeling were substantially indistinguishable from the packaging and labeling found on legitimate copies of the movie. The MPA was able to determine that the movie was counterfeit. Records obtained from the Internet marketplace revealed that this seller had made over 10,000 sales of DVD or Blu-Ray discs of popular movies, television shows, or fitness programs between August 2016 and April 2018.
Law enforcement officers, operating in an undercover capacity, subsequently conducted purchases from the seller, including DVD titles of “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Walking Dead,” “Grimm,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Peter Pan,” “The Lion King,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “The Fate of the Furious,” and “Finding Dory,” among others. The DVDs purchased by the undercover officers were provided to MPA representatives for authentication and were determined to be counterfeit. Law enforcement determined that Wahab was the individual selling the counterfeit items.
A search warrant was executed at Wahab’s residence and law enforcement seized two laptop computers, cellular phones, printers, and 589 counterfeit DVDs, all used by Wahab to commit copyright infringement. Wahab also advised law enforcement that he purchased the counterfeit DVDs that he sold from China, because the prices were much lower than normal prices.
As part of his plea agreement, Wahab will be required to forfeit the items seized from his home during the search, as well as $20,243.25 in cash seized from several bank accounts, 0.65595896 bitcoins sized from a Coinbase account, and $230.40 seized from a PayPal account used by Wahab to facilitate copyright infringement. Wahab has also agreed to pay restitution for the full amount of the victims’ losses, which will be determined by the Court.
Wahab faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for copyright infringement. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Wahab on May 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI for its work in the investigation and thanked the MPA for its substantial assistance in this matter. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajeev R. Raghavan and Thomas M. Sullivan, who are prosecuting the case.
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Berks County Woman Sentenced to 63 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Francheska Quinones, age 28, formerly of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 25, 2021, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 63 months’ imprisonment for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy which operated in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Schuylkill Counties.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Quinones previously pled guilty and admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Schuylkill Counties between January 2017 and December 2018.
Adam Holcomb and William Terron were indicted in December 2018 for the same methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy along with Amanda Boyle who was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and Adam Holcomb who is awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Baltimore Businessman Facing New Federal Charge for Transporting Individual to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal information has been filed charging Charles “Chuck” Nabit, age 64, of Baltimore, Maryland with transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution. Specifically, the criminal information alleges that on July 29, 2019, Nabit transported an individual from Maryland to Florida with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution.
Nabit was previously charged by federal criminal complaint for using a phone and the Internet to promote a prostitution business. The criminal complaint alleged that Nabit arranged for commercial sex workers to be brought to his office and other locations in and around Baltimore to engage in commercial sex acts.
The new charge was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Chief Lisa Myers of the Howard County Police Department.
“Sex trafficking continues to be a significant problem in our society, forcing, threatening and otherwise pressuring victims to engage in commercial sex acts,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan Lenzner. “This defendant allegedly used his wealth, business, and position in society to facilitate a pattern of commercial sex. No one is above the law, no matter their wealth or stature, and this case reflects our commitment to prosecute commercial sex crimes - whether they occur on the street or the halls of high society.”
According to the federal criminal information and court documents, as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation, commercial sex workers allegedly identified Nabit as a regular wealthy client. Beginning in March 2019, on at least 52 occasions Nabit allegedly used a cash app to pay for commercial sex acts performed by the women. Further, Nabit allegedly engaged in commercial sex acts with commercial sex workers, using his office in downtown Baltimore and his vehicle to facilitate the activity. The payments allegedly made by Nabit for commercial sex during that time frame total more than $90,000.
If convicted, Nabit faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for transporting an individual to engage in prostitution. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Nabit is not yet scheduled for an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Nabit remains released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.
A federal criminal information is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by information is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the HSI and Howard County Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary W. Setzer and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Atlanta Man Sentenced to 270 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – An Atlanta man, Tramone Brandon Horne, 36, was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison on Friday, by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier, after previously admitting to engaging in a conspiracy to distribute aggravated amounts of methamphetamine throughout Whitley, Laurel, and Knox Counties.
In his guilty plea agreement, Horne admitted to traveling from Georgia into Whitley County to deliver methamphetamine in pound quantities. The Court found that Horne occupied a management role in the conspiracy, and employed violence and firearms. Horne has several prior felony convictions, including convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, burglary, terroristic threats, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Horne had been released from a prior period of state incarceration less than four months before he joined the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Horne pled guilty in August of 2020. Under federal law, Horne must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years, after his release from prison.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn S. Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Rusty Hedrick, Chief of the Corbin Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Corbin Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenna E. Reed.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, Acting U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans Appointed as Interim United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS –Assistant U.S (AUSA). Attorney Duane A. Evans will serve as Interim United States Attorney pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546, which provides that “the Attorney General may appoint a United States Attorney for the district in which the office of United States Attorney is vacant.” This appointment will take effect on March 1, 2021.
“I am grateful to the Department of Justice for the opportunity to once again serve the citizens of the Eastern District of Louisiana,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Evans. “I am looking forward to once again working closely with the wonderful and dedicated people of our office and together, we will tackle any challenges that lie ahead.” “I also would like to assure our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that our working relationships and communication bonds will remain strong.”
Duane A. Evans’ first tenure as Acting/Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana began on March 11, 2017. Since September 2018, AUSA Evans was assigned to the Executive Unit. The Executive Unit is comprised of senior attorneys who investigate and prosecute a wide variety of offenses. Prosecutors assigned to the Unit prosecute violent crime and drug trafficking offenses, white-collar financial crimes, public corruption cases, complex health-care fraud schemes, and capital crimes. Executive Unit attorneys also participate as mentors in criminal investigations and trials conducted by more junior attorneys. Previously, AUSA Evans served as the First Assistant United States Attorney and assisted with management of the daily operations of the office. Prior to becoming First Assistant, Mr. Evans served as a Senior Litigation Counsel and later, Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Evans first joined the United States Attorney’s Office in August 2000. His first assignment was to the Violent Crimes Unit where he later became the Unit’s Chief. In 2010, he became Chief of the Strike Force and Anti-Gang Unit. During his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Evans successfully prosecuted matters related to firearms, public corruption, violent crime, illegal narcotics trafficking, access device fraud, government theft, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization Act (RICO).
Mr. Evans is a 2006 recipient of the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team.
Mr. Evans received his juris doctorate degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1995 and received a B.S.E.E. from Tulane University School of Engineering in 1990. Mr. Evans clerked for Virgin Islands Superior Court Judge Ishmael A. Meyers (deceased). He later served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 2000. He is a native of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.
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Arizona Man Charged for Immigration Scheme Targeting Chinese NationalsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – An Arizona resident made his initial appearance in federal court today for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than one million dollars from clients by falsely promising them U.S. citizenship, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI.
“The defendant is accused of orchestrating a scheme that deceived individuals on the false promise of U.S. citizenship,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Citizenship cannot be bought. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable individuals who manipulate and defraud others for their personal financial gain.”
Douglas Lee Thayer, 68, of Mohave Valley, Arizona is charged with one count of wire fraud and six counts of mail fraud. U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach scheduled a jury trial for April 19, 2021.
According to allegations in the indictment, Thayer operated U.S. Adult Adoption Services Inc. (USAAS) in 2015-2016, a business that promised its clients U.S. citizenship in exchange for money. Thayer fraudulently represented to clients, who were mostly Chinese nationals, that they would be adopted (as adults) by United State citizens. This would supposedly allow the clients to obtain new birth certificates and, subsequently, obtain United States citizenship for themselves. Thayer charged each client an upfront payment between $5,000 and $20,000 for USAAS’s services. Thayer allegedly received more than $1,018,337.83 in total payments from clients.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties per count of conviction are 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Simon F. Kung is prosecuting the case.
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Arizona Accountant Charged with Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A former certified public accountant and former chief financial officer of a McMinnville, Oregon company faces federal criminal charges after allegedly evading $99,000 in personal income taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Kent Jensen, 58, a resident of Gilbert, Arizona, has been charged by criminal information with two counts of felony tax evasion.
According to court documents, in 2014 and 2015, Jenson, who also previously worked as an auditor with an international accounting firm and a financial consultant for a business in Milwaukie, Oregon, allegedly set up several nominee companies and nominee bank accounts to conceal most of his personal income from the IRS. Jensen arranged for his financial consulting clients to pay his consulting fees to these nominee companies. He then deposited the funds into nominee bank accounts and used the proceeds for personal expenses. In 2014 and 2015, Jensen submitted fraudulent personal income tax returns that substantially underreported his personal income and the taxes owed.
“Now that the tax filing season has begun, and tax revenues are right now being used to assist Americans through the COVID pandemic, cases like this are a reminder that all taxpayers have a lawful duty to file accurate tax returns and pay their fair share of taxes,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “This office and the IRS will aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who criminally abuses the tax system.”
Jensen faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release for each of two counts of tax evasion. He will be arraigned on March 18, 2021 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
This case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Argument with Neighbor Results in Federal Prison Sentence for Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
A federal judge in Austin sentenced 29-year-old four-time convicted felon Patrell Sanders to 42 months imprisonment for illegally possessing a loaded Kel-Tec 9 mm pistol, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
According to court records, Austin Police officers arrested Sanders on August 22, 2020, following an argument between Sanders and his neighbor. During the incident, Sanders pointed the gun at his neighbor. The two began to struggle, and the firearm discharged. Sanders’ criminal history reveals four prior felony convictions ranging from burglary to possession of a controlled substance.
On December 10, 2020, Sanders pleaded guilty to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
In addition to the 42-month prison term handed down today, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Sanders be placed under supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
The Austin Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke prosecuted this case.
This case is part of Operation Undaunted, a program which draws on the partnerships among federal, state and local law enforcement coupled with prosecution authorities to tackle violent crime and protect the communities of central and west Texas.
Alto man sentenced to over 12 years in prison for kidnappingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joshua Neil Bowen, 28, of Alto, New Mexico, was sentenced on Feb. 16 in federal court to 12 years and seven months in prison for kidnapping. Upon his release, Bowen will be subject to three years of supervised release.
According to Bowen’s plea agreement and other public court documents, he and four co-defendants abducted the victim from a travel center in Mescalero, New Mexico, on April 4, 2019. Bowen and Roberto Cervantes, 25, of Chaparral, New Mexico, each had a firearm at the time. Cervantes hit the victim in the face several times. They also tied and bound the victim in an attempted robbery.
Bowen and his co-defendants took the victim to Chaparral where the co-defendants tried to withdraw money from the victim’s bank account with a debit card. From there, some of the co-defendants traveled to El Paso, Texas, where Bowen took the victim to a bank. Bowen ordered the victim to pretend to be Bowen’s grandfather and change the PIN for the victim’s ATM card. After changing the PIN, Bowen transported the victim back to New Mexico. Some of the co-defendants obtained money from the victim’s bank account.
Bowen and his co-defendants checked into a hotel in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 5, 2019, where they prevented the victim from leaving. Bowen and Brittany Priddy, 30, of Ruidoso, New Mexico, left the hotel on April 7, 2019, and traveled to a residence. On April 8, 2019, the victim managed to call his son and tell him where he was. An officer from the Las Cruces Police Department responded and rescued the victim.
Priddy pleaded guilty to kidnapping on April 28. Derek Welborn, 30, of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to kidnapping on April 30. Cervantes and Alison Comstock, 28, of Carrizozo, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to kidnapping on May 19. All of the remaining defendants are in custody awaiting sentencing.
The FBI investigated this case with the New Mexico State Police, Ruidoso Downs Police Department, Las Cruces Police Department and Dona Ana Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and Matilda McCarthy Villalobos are prosecuting the case.
Acton Woman Sentenced for Defrauding the Treasury Department of over $50 Million in Tax Free Energy GrantsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Acton woman was sentenced today in connection with her role in defrauding the U.S. Treasury Department of more than $50 million in tax free energy grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Jessica Metivier, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one year of probation. In September 2020, Metivier pleaded guilty to attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws.
Metivier was originally charged in 2017 along with her partner, Christopher N. Condron, 49. Condron has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Metivier admitted that fraudulent applications submitted in her name to the Treasury Department for energy grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 resulted in millions of dollars in undeserved federal grants. The Recovery Act provided tax-free grants to individuals and businesses who put certain “specified energy property”—such as wind farms and gasification systems that convert trash into electricity—into service in a trade or business.
The government alleges that from May 2009 to June 2013, fraudulent grant applications were submitted in Metivier’s name to the Treasury Department on behalf of four different Massachusetts companies: Acton Bio Energy, Concord Nurseries, Kansas Green Energy, and ocean Wave Energy. According to the government, each application falsely claimed that Metivier and her entities had acquired, placed into service, or started construction of energy property, which included three different bio-fuel gasification systems, purportedly built at a cost of approximately $88 million. The applications sought reimbursement for more than $50 million based on those costs — costs the government alleges were never actually incurred. The government further alleges that the fraudulent applications in Metivier’s name resulted in federal grants totaling more than $8 million.
Metivier has admitted that she provided false information to federal agents investigating the fraudulent applications. For example, she falsely claimed that Concord Nurseries paid $26 million for the claimed bio-fuel gasification systems. She made false statements to agents regarding the manufacturer and financier of the systems, and she falsely claimed she first met Condron through the Acton Bio transaction, when in fact they had lived together for years before that transaction.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. The U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil J. Gallagher, Jr. and Elysa Wan of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This release was modified on March 9, 2021.
25 February 2021
Wise, Virginia Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Methamphetamine CaseRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va.- Daniel Shane Carter, a Wise, Virginia man who distributed methamphetamine in Scott County, Virginia, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 10 years in federal prison, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced.
Carter, 37, pleaded guilty in 2020 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, Carter trafficked methamphetamine from Kingsport, Tennessee into Scott County, Virginia and possessed a Ruger, 9mm pistol after having previously been convicted of a felony.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.
Wilkinsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge as part of “11 Hunnit” Gang InvestigationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County (PA), pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Sanzio Williams, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (in the form commonly known as "crack") before United States District Judge Stephanie Haines. Williams was indicted and charged with drug trafficking following a months-long wiretap investigation targeting the narcotics trafficking activity of the "11 Hunnit" neighborhood street gang operating in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh and elsewhere.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Mr. Williams’s criminal conduct was detected through a wiretap investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation beginning in November 2019. At that time, the United States received authorization to intercept communications over several telephones utilized by suspected narcotics traffickers, and through those intercepted communications, along with other evidence, agents gathered evidence showing that Williams conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for Monday, June 28, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. The Court remanded Mr. Williams to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing. The law provides for a total sentence of imprisonment of not less than five nor more than forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (Bureau of Narcotics Investigations) led the multi-agency investigation in this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. This Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force investigation is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Vacaville Felon Indicted for Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Guy Joseph Bass, 29, of Vacaville, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2020, police officers arrested Bass on an outstanding arrest warrant. During the arrest, officers searched Bass and found a Glock style ghost gun loaded with an extended magazine containing 17 rounds.
Additionally, on Nov. 18, 2020, police officers approached a parked vehicle with two occupants. A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, and Bass handed a bag containing approximately a quarter ounce of suspected methamphetamine to the officers. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an unserialized .223‑caliber AR-style pistol and a 30‑round magazine loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Vacaville Police Department, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Bass faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the district court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Utica Man Charged with Online Enticement and Interstate Travel with the Intent to Engage in A Sexual Act with A MinorRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joan Perez, age 20, of Utica, New York, was indicted on February 23, 2021, by a federal grand jury for online enticement of a minor and interstate travel with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Perez used his cellphone to entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Perez travelled to Pennsylvania in order to engage in a sexual act with said minor.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division, the Scranton Police Department, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalties under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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United States Attorney Halsey Frank Announces Resignation and Highlights Accomplishments During TenureRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey Frank announced that he has submitted his resignation to the President, to be effective at 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2021. The announcement follows a request by Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson for almost all politically appointed U.S. Attorneys to resign to make way for President Joe Biden to appoint new U.S. Attorneys.
“Serving the people of Maine as U.S. Attorney has been the honor and privilege of my professional life,” Frank said. “I hope that my leadership has been positive for Maine and for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
U.S. Attorney Frank is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the District of Maine. He was proposed by Senator Susan Collins, nominated by President Donald Trump on July 27, 2017, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 4, 2017. He was sworn in as U.S. Attorney on October 10, 2017.
Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the District of Maine where, from 1999 to 2017, he prosecuted federal crimes and defended the United States in civil actions in federal district court. From 1990 to 1999, he served as an AUSA in the District of Columbia, where he prosecuted crimes in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and defended the United States in civil actions in the district court.
As the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, Mr. Frank:
- Led an office of 56 people through the longest federal government shutdown in American history, unprecedented civil unrest, and a global pandemic;
- Led federal efforts to combat Maine’s opioid crisis, to combat violent crime, and to prevent elder fraud;
- Supervised the revival of Project Safe Neighborhoods – a national initiative bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and to develop comprehensive solutions;
- Established a liaison program to improve collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District Attorneys’ Offices, and state law enforcement agencies;
- Implemented the Disruption and Early Engagement Program – a national initiative designed to leverage relationships with law enforcement, community groups, and health professionals to identify threats of violence and mitigate them;
- Implemented Project Guardian – a national initiative promoting collaborative approach to decreasing gun violence by those dealing with mental health issues and domestic abusers. As part of this effort, he organized the Project Guardian working group that included Acadia Hospital, Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Department of Education, Muskie School of Public Service, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Maine State Forensic Service;
- Created and chaired a working group of law enforcement and educators to study school violence and authored a policy paper advocating adoption of a multi-disciplinary, threat assessment team approach;
- Expanded the U.S. Attorney’s Office public information operation, hired the first full-time public information officer, produced public service announcements, and wrote op-eds on a variety of topics;
- Created a program, Teaching Respect and Understanding Through Simulation Training, to improve high school students’ understanding of law enforcement; and
- Developed a program to promote high school students’ understanding of the source and meaning of the national value of religious tolerance.
In addition, on a national level, Mr. Frank:
- Served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), a select group of federal prosecutors advising the Attorney General on policy and operational issues;
- Chaired the AGAC’s Victim and Community Issues Workgroup; collaborated on revisions to the Attorney General’s Guidelines for the Victim Witness Program and drafted standards to increase the program’s systemization and professionalism;
- Wrote a Guide to Crisis Management for U.S. Attorneys; and
- Created an online resource of best practices for U.S. Attorneys, covering topics ranging from office management to case development to conduct of investigations.
Members of Maine’s Congressional delegation have empaneled a group of Maine citizens from the public and private sectors to recommend a new U.S. Attorney. The candidate who emerges as the nominee will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark, who has served nearly 29 years with the Department of Justice, will serve as acting U.S. Attorney in the interim.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald to Depart Justice DepartmentRead the Press Release
On February 28, 2021, United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald will step down as United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. After her departure, First Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney.
“My highest priority as U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota has always been safety and security of the individuals, families, and communities of this great state and nation,” said U.S. Attorney MacDonald. “Serving as the United States Attorney has been my great honor and privilege. I have always been and continue to be humbled and inspired by the women and men of this office whose dedication to the pursuit of truth and justice is unwavering.”
“We Minnesotans have been very fortunate to have Erica MacDonald serve as our United States Attorney for the last three years. Erica has been a leader in the fight for justice and a great working partner to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office: she’s taken initiative, been responsive, and shown up every time we’ve needed her. She’s been a champion for Minnesotans trying to afford their lives and a leader in the fight against consumer fraud. At start of the pandemic, Erica took the initiative to found the Minnesota COVID-19 Action Team that brought together both of our offices, county attorneys, and federal, state, and local law enforcement to ensure that we were all working together to protect Minnesotans from scams, fraud, and abuse as we navigated America’s deadliest public-health crisis in a century. She provided determined, rock-solid leadership at a time when Minnesotans needed it most — and characteristically, did it not to get credit or praise, but because it was the right thing to do,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “Erica MacDonald has earned Minnesotans’ respect, and I’m grateful for her partnership and her friendship. She’s talented, gifted, and cares about people, so wherever she goes next, she’s sure to be well appreciated and very successful. I wish her the best.”
“As I think back to my time as the special agent in charge of the Minneapolis Division, working with Erica McDonald is one of the highlights of that part of my FBI career. From the day I attended her swearing in, I saw Erica’s dedication to the law, and her unwavering commitment to making Minnesota a better and safter place to live and raise a family,” said FBI Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Jill Sanborn. “All of our Federal partners appreciated her leadership in leading what we called the federal family in Minnesota, where we worked to build on the strong foundation of trust and partnership that the public expects from its law enforcement leaders. I’ve often said that the strongest partnerships often lead to lasting friendships, and I’m proud not only call Erica a colleague, but a friend as well.”
“United States Attorney Erica MacDonald on countless occasions during her tenure showed her care and support to the residents and businesses in the city of Minneapolis. U.S. Attorney MacDonald was an active leader in public safety assisting the Minneapolis Police Department in addressing violent crime and lead a task force last year that brought resources to keep our city safe,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. “She also recognized the importance in trying to steer young people away from making bad decisions that could harm them and our communities. She was a key member of our local Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program and met regularly with our city’s African American Faith leadership. As Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department I want to thank U.S. Attorney MacDonald for her honorable and dedicated service to public safety and the citizens of Minneapolis.”
Since June 11, 2018, Ms. MacDonald has served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Minnesota. During her tenure, Ms. MacDonald lead an office of approximately 130 employees, including 18 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 17 new support staff she hired. The
Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, representing the United States in affirmative and defensive civil cases, and assisting communities throughout Minnesota in appropriate crime prevention and community-building efforts.
Under Ms. MacDonald’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritized the prosecution of violent crime and narcotics, public safety in Indian Country, prosecutions of child exploitation and human trafficking cases, cybercrime investigations and prosecutions, and national security cases. Ms. MacDonald also led impactful outreach connected to cases involving child victims and human trafficking victims a priority of her work as U.S. Attorney.
In addition to outreach and prosecutions, during her tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recovered more than $36 million in restitution for victims of crime, vigorously defended the government in numerous civil actions, reenforced law enforcement partnerships, and sought to enhance public safety through community engagement. A few of the many significant achievements of the Office during Ms. MacDonald’s tenure include:
- On December 9, 2020, Michael Hari was convicted of hate crimes and civil rights violations for his role in the 2017 bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Ms. MacDonald described the conviction as a condemnation of hatred and ignorance, and an affirmation of our fundamental right to live and worship free from the threat of violence and discrimination.
- Ms. MacDonald took an aggressive approach to combating child exploitation, human trafficking and the growing epidemic of sextortion, a form of cybercrime involving the extortion of vulnerable victims, often minors, by disseminating or threatening to disseminate sexually explicit content. The Office brought several successful sextortion prosecutions and held multiple community education and outreach events around the state to help build awareness about this heinous crime.
- Ms. MacDonald’s passion for fighting for the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals extended to elderly populations who are often the targets of scam artists. On October 28, 2020, the Office brought criminal conspiracy charges against 60 defendants for their roles in a $300 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens. To date, the Office has secured 24 guilty pleas in these cases. Under Ms. MacDonald’s leadership the Office also hosted roundtables and trainings with stakeholders focused on reporting and combatting elder abuse.
- In September of 2019, Ms. MacDonald was appointed by Attorney General William P. Barr to be a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). Created in 1973, the AGAC is a group of 15 U.S. Attorneys who advise the Attorney General on matters of policy and substantive issues affecting the Justice Department. Ms. MacDonald also served as the co-chair of the AGAC’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Working Group.
- In January of 2020, Attorney General William P. Barr appointed Ms. MacDonald to the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. The purpose of the Commission was to conduct a modern study of the state of American policing and determine specific measures to reduce crime and promote the rule of law.
- In accordance with one of her top priorities, Ms. MacDonald increased the number of prosecutors and support staff assigned to the violent crime and narcotics section. Under the Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) initiative, Ms. MacDonald worked in close partnership with local organizations, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and prosecutors to ensure the most significant violent crime problems facing the district were addressed through enforcement actions, treatment options, and prevention efforts.
- Under Ms. MacDonald’s leadership, the Office’s PSN strategy focused on the reduction of gang and group violence within the Twin Cities. As part of that strategy the Office continued its active partnership in the City of Minneapolis’ Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Initiative, which consists of a cohesive partnership between local government, state, and federal law enforcement, community leaders, and social service providers who seek to improve public safety by challenging the peer dynamics in violent street groups in Minneapolis. Working with community organizations and leadership and based on the evidence-based successes seen in the Minneapolis GVI, the Office supported the development of a Group Violence Intervention in St. Paul. The Office further supported programmatic planning to reduce recidivism rates and assist in reentry for violent crime and drug offenders, within the City of Duluth.
- In the summer of 2020, Ms. MacDonald stood up a Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force to marshal federal and state resources in response to an extraordinary spike in gun violence and violent crime.
- During her tenure, Ms. MacDonald committed additional resources to enhancing public safety and prosecuting crimes in Indian Country, including appointing two Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs) and a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Coordinator. These resources have increased the Office’s ability to address the violent crime that disproportionately impacts Native Americans, particularly women and children.
- The Office’s Civil Division continued its enforcement of federal civil rights statutes, including the ADA, Fair Housing Act, and servicemember rights’ statutes. The Civil Division has a robust program supporting DOJ’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, which included trainings with community and local housing organizations and a sexual harassment lawsuit against several Minneapolis rental properties. In addition, the Civil Division defended more than 1,200 lawsuits challenging policies and actions of the executive branch with excellent results.
- During her tenure, the Civil Division’s Financial Litigation Unit successfully collected more than $36 million in criminal restitution payments for victims of crime and another $25 million in civil recoveries for the United States. Many of the civil recoveries were the result of civil investigations, litigation, and settlement in False Claims Act and other federal fraud statutes enforced by the Civil Division.
- Ms. MacDonald also oversaw the establishment and expansion and of a training and mentorship program for new Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and an employee wellness program.
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Union City Man Pleads to Child Porn ChargeRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Union City, Pennsylvania waived indictment and pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Matthew Swanson, 30, 9988 Elgin Road, Union City, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in and around August 2020, Swanson possessed computer images depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $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.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Swanson on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Swanson.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces 37 People Indicted in Large-Scale Meth Trafficking Network in Operation Say UncleRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that 37 people have been federally indicted as part of OCDETF Operation Say Uncle. OCDETF stands for Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which is a “keystone of the Attorney General’s strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics throughout the United States using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime.” OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, and transnational criminal organizations.
Federal prosecutors in Rapid City, South Dakota, working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies across the State, federally charged 37 defendants with drug-related offenses, despite the challenges imposed on the criminal justice system and law enforcement officers everywhere by COVID-19. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office charged nine persons with state offenses as part of the same Operation. The charges allege the defendants conspired with each other to bring multiple pounds of methamphetamine into Western South Dakota beginning in 2019 and continuing into 2020.
Agencies involved in this effort include the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Deadwood Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Spearfish Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Outside of South Dakota, agencies assisted from the Reno County (KS) Drug Enforcement Unit, Billings (MT) Drug Task Force, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Saint Joe (MO) Drug Task Force, Utah Highway Patrol, Utah State Bureau of Investigation, Greensboro (NC) Drug Task Force, and the Yuba City (CA) NET5 Drug Task Force.
"These indictments are the result of tremendous cooperation and teamwork between all levels of law enforcement in South Dakota," said U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons. "I'm incredibly proud of these dedicated state, local, tribal, and federal officers and agents, and all hands are on deck as we continue to work together to defeat the scourge of illegal drugs that is devastating communities across the State."
“Our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s office has been incredibly successful in this matter,” said David Natvig, Director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. “Their cooperation and assistance have helped all the law enforcement agencies involved to see the fruits of the hard work they put into building this case.”
Those federally charged include: Erick Anaya (30, Archdale, NC); Kelly Barker (67, Rapid City, SD ); Ricardo Barragan (30, Aurora, CO); Christopher Bell (27, Rapid City, SD); Nathan Bellew (39, Hot Springs, SD); Kelley Blevins (42, Box Elder, SD); Robert Brenden (33, Rapid City, SD); Jennifer Cagle (32, Box Elder, SD); Robert Cagle (31, Box Elder, SD); Uzziel Carillo-Rojas (33, Mazatlan, Mexico); Charles Clark (42, Box Elder, SD); Jennifer Clark (41, Box Elder, SD); Mason Colbath (29, Rapid City, SD); Michael Cole (30, Rapid City, SD); Melvin Corbine (43, Rapid City, SD); Justin Coyle (34, Rapid City, SD); Lenin Flores-Herrera (27, Mazatlan, Mexico); Matthew Foster (43, Huron, SD); Luis Gonzalez Meza (42, Tijuana, Mexico); Patrick Greenfield (30, Rapid City, SD); Erin Hunter (35, Rapid City, SD); Rayne Jackson (27, Denver, CO); Stephen Jordan (30, Rapid City, SD); Scott Kallstrom (40, Rapid City, SD); Christina Kruse (23, Sioux Falls, SD); Anthony Larson (40, Rapid City, SD); Delaine Martinez (43, Billings, MT); Michael McLeod (41, Rapid City, SD); Teri Moore (36, Hot Springs, SD); Javier Reyna (56, Oceanside, CA); Tiana Rountree (24, Rapid City, SD); Aynjel Schumacher (26, Rapid City, SD); Martin Shaw (45, Rapid City, SD); Michael Sherard (34, Brooklyn Park, MN); John Thornberry (23, Spearfish, SD); Darwin Toof (30, Box Elder, SD ); and Eric Yockey (35, Black Hawk, SD). All but three of the defendants have been arrested. All arrested defendants are pending trial, with the exceptions of Barker, Bell, Hunter, and Schumacher, each of whom has pleaded guilty. Bell was sentenced on November 16, 2020, to more than 12 years in federal prison. Barker, Hunter, and Schumacher are pending sentencing.
These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office has charged Travis Maho, Alex Nimmor, Duane Apple, Keith Laframboise, Orlyn Anderson, Tabitha Range, Chris Luke, Zack Franzen, and Christopher Tomac in connection with this investigation. Those charges, as well, are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Finally, Kansas authorities prosecuted co-conspirator Jennie Wallace, who was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted federally by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich. The state charged defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Trevor Thielen.
U.S. Attorney Scott Brady and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro Announce Indictment in Nursing Home InvestigationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – The former administrator of a Mount Lebanon skilled nursing home has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud and obstruction of a federal audit, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today.
The three-count Indictment, returned on February 24, 2021, named Susan Gilbert, age 60, of Lawrence, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
"These criminal charges represent the first step in holding accountable those who put profit over the health and safety of seniors," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "From 2018-2020, Gilbert and co-conspirators deprived seniors of patient care using inflated nursing hours, falsified timecards and other schemes that they concealed with two sets of records. We will continue to pursue every lead until justice has been achieved for seniors and their families in western Pennsylvania."
"These crimes put facility residents at risk by only providing a dangerously low amount of nursing staff just before COVID began to surge across the country," said AG Shapiro. "By filing these false reports, the facility met minimum staffing levels only on paper — while Pennsylvanians who depended on them to care for their well-being didn’t have enough people to turn to. Our ongoing investigation will hold nursing and long-term care facilities criminally accountable wherever we find evidence someone neglected a resident."
According to the Indictment, from October 10, 2018 through February 20, 2020, Gilbert conspired with others to defraud the United States of money and property by impeding, impairing, obstructing, defeating, and interfering with the lawful governmental functions of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in the administration of Medicare and Pennsylvania Medicaid; and committed health care fraud and the obstruction of a federal auditor. The Indictment alleges that Gilbert was the Administrator of a skilled nursing home, Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (MLRWC), located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Indictment further alleges that Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed employees of MLRWC to falsify records to give the appearance that the facility met federal and state staffing requirements. MLRWC is part of an ownership structure that owns multiple long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania, including Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.
In addition, the Indictment alleges several schemes utilized in the conspiracy:
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed administrative and management-level nursing staff and other employees to "clock in" for shifts but not actually work. In doing so, MLRWC created falsified timecard documentation that made it appear as though these individuals were providing direct resident care, when in fact they were not in the building and therefore not providing direct resident care.
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators caused management-level nursing staff to be paid monetary bonuses to "clock in" for shifts they did not actually work.
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed MLRWC staff not to clock in and out when they left the facility for their 30-minute lunch breaks. In doing so, MLRWC created falsified timecard documentation that made it appear as though these individuals were providing direct resident care during their lunch breaks, even when they were not in the building and not providing direct resident care.
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators directed MLRWC staff to include the hours worked by management-level nursing staff and other administrative staff on three-week staffing sheets provided to Department of Health (DOH), when in fact those employees did not provide direct resident care during the dates and hours listed.
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators caused administrative staff to keep two sets of books reflecting staffing levels. One book contained accurate information regarding the actual hours nursing staff provided direct resident care while the other contained falsified information that made it appear as though MLRWC had higher staffing levels.
• Gilbert and/or co-conspirators directed administrative staff to provide the falsified staffing documents to DOH investigators during the course of federally mandated inspections to make it appear as though MLRWC met federal and state mandated staffing requirements.
• Gilbert and/or other co-conspirators engaged in the above-described acts in order to make it appear as though the facility was in compliance with the conditions of participation for Medicare and PA Medicaid, including the condition that the facility had "sufficient" nursing staff to meet residents’ needs and that the facility was operating and providing services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes.
"The FBI and our law enforcement partners will expose and hold accountable those who commit healthcare fraud," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "Health care fraud deprives patients of critical health care services and results in billions of dollars in losses that impacts everyone."
"This indictment shows that health care fraud is not a victimless crime. Falsifying records to avoid quality of care requirements can result in substandard, dangerous conditions for nursing home residents and a waste of taxpayer dollars," said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the Health and Human Services Department Office of Inspector General. "Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate such scams and hold accountable bad actors who ignore their responsibilities to patients and the vital programs designed to serve them."
"Today’s indictment is the byproduct of the cooperative efforts of IRS-Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners" said Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. "Regulations governing the administration of nursing homes are put in place for a reason. Any attempt to skirt these regulations can have major consequences."
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Karen Gal-Or are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
On December 18, 2023, a federal jury acquitted the defendant, Susan Gilbert, of the charged offenses.
Two men charged in a conspiracy to send drug-infused letters to inmates at a federal prison in South CarolinaRead the Press Release
A Northfield, Ohio man made his initial appearance in federal court today after a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland handed down a six-count indictment alleging that he participated in a conspiracy to send drug-infused letters to federal inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute in Edgefield, South Carolina (FCI Edgefield), in exchange for payments.
The indictment charges Frank GORDON III, age 64, of Northfield and Shawn GILREATH, age 45, a federal inmate at FCI Edgefield, with conspiracy to provide and possess prohibited objects in federal prison; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues; two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance analogue.
GORDON III entered a plea of not guilty to counts 1-6 of the indictment and was released on a $20,000 bond. GILREATH will have his initial appearance on March 23 before Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Parker.
The indictment alleges that GILRTEATH was a federal inmate incarcerated at FCI Edgefield, and from time to time, GORDON III would mail letters infused with controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, such as synthetic cannabinoids, to GILREATH and other inmates at FCI Edgefield in exchange for payments.
The indictment states that once a letter was received, it could be broken down into smaller pieces and ingested or distributed to other inmates.
According to the indictment, from March through December of 2020, GORDON III mailed a series of these drug-infused letters from the Northern District of Ohio addressed to GILREATH and other inmates at FCI Edgefield. Investigators seized and inspected these letters and found that that they contained detectable amounts of controlled substances and analogues. Each letter contained various photographs and bore a return address for GORDON III' s residence in the Northern District of Ohio.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
This case was investigated by Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force (NOLETF) and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistance was provided by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James P. Lewis.
Two Men Plead Guilty to Looting Artifacts from Federal LandRead the Press Release
Two men pleaded guilty this week to illegally excavating approximately 1,500 artifacts from federal land, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Jeffrey Alan Vance, 37, of San Marcos, and Dax Wheatley, 32, of Amarillo, pleaded guilty this week to violating the Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA).
“Looting from federal lands will always trigger swift enforcement action,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “The Justice Department will not stand for the theft of precious cultural artifacts. We are working aggressively to safeguard our nation’s Native American heritage and root out those who violate the law.”
“The federal law enforcement officers of the Bureau of Land Management and our state archaeologists work tirelessly to protect our nation’s natural and cultural resources,” said Eric A. Kriley Director of the BLM’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security. “I hope the sentences in this case will deter others from illegally collecting and trading in Native American cultural artifacts and other items protected by the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. I want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their outstanding cooperation and commitment in the prosecution of this case.”
In March 2019, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a tip that an illegal excavation had occurred on a Native American cultural site at the Cross Bar Management Area, just north of Amarillo, Texas. BLM determined that the illegal excavation took place at a site known as 41PT109 – a former homestead of the Antelope Creek Culture, Native Americans who lived in the Texas panhandle between approximately 1200-1500 A.D.
A BLM agent received information that a person, later identified as Mr. Vance, had posted photographs of the illegal excavation on social media. While commenting on the photo, a Facebook user informed Mr. Vance that the area he was “digging in is federal land and Rangers enforce” there. Mr. Vance replied, “I’m not scared of the feds.”
Mr. Wheatley also posted photographs of illegal excavations that he and Mr. Vance conducted at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site in Austin, Texas. Mr. Vance posted more information on social media about other dig sites in the Austin, Texas area and the San Marcos, Texas area.
According to plea papers, a search warrant was executed at the homes of both Mr. Vance and Mr. Wheatley in November 2019. Mr. Vance admitted that there were human remains inside his residence and Mr. Wheatly had a photograph of the excavation site 41PT109 taped to his refrigerator.
Law enforcement sized Mr. Vance’s cell phone and conducted a forensic analysis. He had several discussions with people about selling the illegally obtained Native American artifacts and remains. In one text message, Mr. Vance stated, “Don’t be telling people we are digging on government property!” Vance also bragged that he is an “infamous illegal excavator of Native American artifacts in Texas” and that he is “a criminal.”
In total, approximately 1,500 artifacts were recovered by federal authorities including burial beads and petrified wood. BLM will consult with the appropriate tribes to determine cultural affiliation and to facilitate repatriation of the remains and artifacts.
Each defendant faces up to 2 years in federal prison and restitution for their crimes.
The Bureau of Land Management, FBI Evidence Recovery Team, National Parks Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell is prosecuting the case.
Two Indicted for Trafficking Fentanyl Pills and Methamphetamine to RocklinRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Demecio Navarro Sanchez, 66, of Mexico, and Daniel Melchor, 20, of Santa Ana, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Oct. 16, 2020, law enforcement officers seized approximately 19,000 counterfeit oxycodone M-30 pills containing fentanyl and about 38.5 pounds of methamphetamine that Navarro and Melchor transported to Rocklin in separate vehicles on behalf of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the California Highway Patrol, and the Rocklin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Spencer is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Navarro Sanchez and Melchor face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Two Doctors Charged in Illegal Opioid Distribution and Health Care Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Kentucky returned an indictment Wednesday charging two doctors for their alleged involvement in conspiracies to illegally distribute opioids and commit health care fraud.
According to court documents, Drs. William Lawrence Siefert, 67, of Dayton, Ohio, and Timothy Ehn, 48, of Union, Kentucky, orchestrated their alleged illegal prescribing and health care fraud conspiracies through Northern Kentucky Center for Pain Relief, a pain clinic in Florence, Kentucky. Siefert, a medical doctor, was employed by the clinic, while Ehn, a chiropractor, was the clinic’s owner. Siefert and Ehn allegedly offered drug-seeking patients who should not have received opioids easy access to these dangerous controlled substances, then billed Medicaid for millions of dollars in medically unnecessary urinalysis testing related to these patients.
The indictment alleges that Siefert and Ehn’s alleged illegal opioid prescribing conspiracy was a contributing factor in the opioid overdose deaths of at least six former clinic patients.
Siefert and Ehn are each charged with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Separately, Siefert was charged with three counts of health care fraud and 11 counts of illegal distribution of controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, and clonazepam, and Ehn was charged with eight counts of health care fraud.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV of the Eastern District of Kentucky; Special Agent in Charge Keith W. Martin of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Detroit Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Derrick Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Atlanta Region; Special Agent In Charge James “Robert” Brown Jr. of the FBI’s Louisville Field Office; and Executive Director W. Bryan Hubbard of the Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Detroit Field Division, Cincinnati District Office Diversion Group; the FBI’s Louisville Field Office; HHS-OIG’s Louisville Field Office; and the Kentucky MFCU.
Trial Attorney Dermot Lynch and Assistant Chief Kilby Macfadden 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic Stop of Vehicle Traveling 95 MPH on the NYS Thruway Results in Felony Firearms ChargeRead 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 Jaron Flagg, 31, of Syracuse, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing marijuana and cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 10, 2021, a New York State Trooper observed the defendant driving 97 miles per hour on the New York State Thruway in Wheatland, NY. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, during which he smelled marijuana and learned that Flagg did not have a valid driver’s license. The defendant was arrested, and a search of his vehicle recovered quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded 9mm handgun, which had been reported as stolen. Flagg has two prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John DeVito and the New York State Police under the direction of Major Barry Chase.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Three South Louisiana Men Sentenced for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that three men from South Louisiana were sentenced today for illegally possessing firearms by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr.
Jaquan Smith, 27, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of an unregistered firearm. On October 10, 2018, law enforcement officers in Jennings, Louisiana stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in which Smith was a passenger. Officers found Smith to have a square-shaped object bearing a Glock insignia in his possession. The device is capable of converting a firearm into a machine gun. The machine gun converter device was not registered to Smith in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Smith knew that the purpose of the converter device was to turn a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun and was illegal for him to possess.
The ATF and Jennings Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Forrest Phillips and Robert C. Abendroth prosecuted the case.
Jeffery James Sullivan, 24, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. On August 18, 2018, Sullivan attempted to purchase a firearm while under indictment on felony charges in the 14th Judicial District Court in the State of Louisiana, including aggravated second degree battery and illegal use of a weapon in commission of a crime of violence. While completing the ATF Form 4473 to purchase the firearm, Sullivan falsely answered “NO” to the question on the form, “Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year?” Sullivan made this false statement intending to deceive the firearms dealer in order to purchase the firearm and was therefore charged.
The ATF conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.
Timothy Caudle, 43, of Oakdale, Louisiana, was sentenced to 2 years of supervised probation, for illegally possessing firearms at a federal facility. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 10, 2019, when Caudle went to the Fort Polk Community Based Outpatient Clinic for an appointment. When clinic administrators told Caudle they would not be able to order his medication because he was behind on his scheduled appointments with the Clinic, Caudle became upset and made threatening remarks to the staff. This behavior caused law enforcement officers to monitor Caudle and determine whether or not he had any weapons on his person or in his vehicle, which possession was strictly prohibited in the federal facility and on the federal property. Officers found that Caudle illegally possessed two firearms in his vehicle on the federal property.
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leon H. Whitten and John W. Nickel.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Three Pittsburgh Men Indicted for Violating Federal Drug and Gun LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Three residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The ten-count Indictment named:
James Patrick Lewis, Jr., age 29;
Antoine Key, age 29; and
Lance Rucker, age 24.
According to the Indictment, from September 21, 2020 to February 4, 2021, Lewis, Key and Rucker conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Also on February 4, 2021, Lewis, Key and Rucker, all convicted felons, were in possession of firearms, and that Rucker possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm. The indictment further alleges that Lewis, on March 10, June 10 and September 17, 2020, possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Also, on September 3, 2020, Lewis possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than life in prison, a fine of $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Individuals Charged with Federal Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Three individuals have been indicted on tax offenses in separate indictments returned in federal court in Chicago.
EDWARD ACEVEDO, 57, of Chicago, is charged with four counts of willfully failing to file an income tax return and two counts of tax evasion. MICHAEL ACEVEDO, 34, of Chicago, is charged with three counts of willfully failing to file an income tax return and one count of willfully filing a false tax return. ALEX ACEVEDO, 35, of Chicago, is charged with two counts of willfully filing a false tax return.
Arraignment for Alex Acevedo is set for March 3, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang. Arraignment for Michael Acevedo is set for March 3, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz. Arraignment for Edward Acevedo is set for March 5, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly.
The indictments were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Sarah E. Streicker, Diane MacArthur, Timothy J. Chapman, Matthew L. Kutcher, and Michelle Kramer.
According to the indictment against Edward Acevedo, Edward Acevedo received gross income from an Illinois company in the calendar years 2017 and 2018 but he attempted to evade taxes for those years by receiving payments in cash and handling his affairs in a manner so as to avoid the creation and maintenance of customary business and accounting records, the indictment states. He also willfully failed to file individual income tax returns for those years, as well as for the calendar years 2015 and 2016, the indictment states.
The charges against Michael Acevedo allege that he willfully failed to file an income tax return for the calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018, while the charges against Alex Acevedo accuse him of willfully filing a false tax return for the calendar years 2016 and 2018.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
St. Louis man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire, witness tampering and drug chargesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Maurice Woodson, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine; one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death; and one count of witness tampering. Woodson appeared today before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey who accepted the plea.
Woodson was a member of a large-scale and long-term cocaine trafficking conspiracy between 2012 and 2016. Woodson and others bought large quantities of cocaine from convicted drug trafficker Adrian Lemons and Lemons’ associates in the St. Louis area. The investigation into Woodson and his associates developed evidence of a well-defined distribution network with a direct Mexican source of supply for cocaine. During the course of investigation, agents seized more than 70 kilograms of cocaine and well over $1 million, among other things.
In furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, Woodson was recruited to kill victim B.E. Woodson agreed to commit the murder. On December 5, 2013, Woodson intentionally shot and killed B.E. as B.E. attempted to enter his vehicle in the 3500 block of Kossuth. Woodson received both drugs and money as compensation for the murder. Similarly, Woodson was recruited to kill victim D.J. in furtherance of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On November 28, 2014, Woodson lured victim D.J. to a meeting. When D.J. arrived at the 900 block of Harlan, Woodson intentionally shot and killed D.J. Victim D.J. died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Two others who accompanied victim D.J. were also shot and injured.
In January 2016, Woodson was indicted in federal court for his roles in the drug conspiracy and December 2013 murder. Woodson was ordered detained by a magistrate judge pending trial. While detained in a local holding facility, Woodson initiated a murder-for-hire scheme. As part of the scheme, Woodson recruited an individual to murder a potential witness to the December 2013 murder committed by Woodson. Utilizing female companions, Woodson arranged meetings with and payments to the individual recruited to murder the potential witness. Unbeknownst to Woodson, the individual recruited by Woodson to commit the murder-for-hire was an undercover law enforcement official.
The judge will sentence Woodson in June 2021. In exchange for his guilty plea, the parties will jointly recommend to the Court that Woodson be imprisoned for 276 months.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department; the Kennett, Missouri, Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Springfield Man Involved in 2014 Murder Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOEL JAQUEZ, 36, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 192 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in the murder of a Connecticut man in 2014.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2014, Jesus Silva, 24, of Meriden, was murdered by a gunshot to the head as he sat in his car on Yeaton Street in New Britain. The investigation revealed that Hector Cardona-Diaz, of Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, was a large-scale narcotics trafficker who regularly supplied Silva and others in the Hartford and Springfield area with distribution quantities of cocaine that he concealed in ceramic moldings and shipped in packages using the U.S. Mail. Silva and others then mailed cash proceeds of the sale of cocaine to Cardona-Diaz in Puerto Rico. In November 2014, investigators seized two packages containing a total of approximately $40,000 in drug proceeds that had been mailed to Cardona-Diaz.
After Cardona-Diaz learned that Silva had taken a large amount of cash generated from the drug trafficking enterprise, Cardona hired Jesus Sierra, of Springfield, to murder Silva with a promise to pay him $5,000 and supply him with future shipments of cocaine. Sierra then received a firearm from Jaquez and promised to pay Jaquez a portion of the money Sierra was going to be paid by Cardona-Diaz.
On December 30, 2014, Sierra arranged to meet Silva in Meriden, purportedly to purchase a car from him. Sierra and Jaquez then traveled to Connecticut to meet Silva. Sierra and Silva then drove together to New Britain under the ruse that Sierra needed a mechanic in New Britain to examine the car. Jaquez followed Sierra and Silva in a separate car. In New Britain, Sierra shot and killed and Silva.
Jaquez has been detained since his arrest in May 2015. On January 10, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of murder for hire by interstate travel resulting in death.
Sierra pleaded guilty to the same charge on January 6, 2017.
On September 26, 2017, a jury found Cardona-Diaz guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire resulting in death, one count of murder for hire by interstate travel resulting in death, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Sierra and Cardona-Diaz are detained and awaiting sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the New Britain Police Department. The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for being Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on February 22, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Anthony James Howard, age 28, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Howard was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020. He pled guilty on November 23, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 20, 2020, when Howard, possessed a Glock handgun. Sioux Falls police responded to a report of shots fired, and found spent shell casings in the street. A few hours later, police found Howard passed out in his vehicle with methamphetamine and a gun. The shell casings found at the scene matched the caliber of gun found in Howard’s possession. Howard had previously been convicted of a felony, which prohibited him from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Howard was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced February 19, 2021, to more than 18 years in federal prison.
Delfina Torres-Perez, 33, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 25, 2020, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Torres-Perez was previously convicted in the Northern District of Iowa for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2012.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from about November 2019 through March 2020, Torres-Perez and others conspired to distribute more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine. On two occasions in March 2020, Torres-Perez distributed about one pound of methamphetamine to persons cooperating with law enforcement. Torres-Perez also traveled to California, obtained 20 pounds of methamphetamine, which she brought back to northwest Iowa, hidden in the gas tank of the vehicle for later distribution. Torres-Perez also admitted to involvement in an additional 30 pounds of methamphetamine distribution in the northwest Iowa area, obtained from large-scale sources in the Sioux City area.
Torres-Perez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Torres-Perez was sentenced to 204 months’ imprisonment, consecutive to 18 months’ imprisonment, ordered to be served for violation of her previous federal supervised release. She must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Torres-Perez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4051. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Sioux City Woman Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty February 18, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa.
Jennie Kazena, 38, from Sioux City, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Kazena was previously convicted in federal court of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on February 19, 2010
At the plea hearing, Kazena admitted that between on or about January 2019 and continuing to on or about October 2019 she and others distributed more than 150 grams of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. In March 2019, in a traffic stop in South Dakota, Kazena was found to possess 12 grams of methamphetamine. In October 2019, in a controlled operation by law enforcement, Kazena distributed nearly ¼ pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Later, in October 2019, in a traffic stop by Sioux City police, Kazena was found to possess ½ ounce of methamphetamine. Kazena admitted to agents her involvement in the distribution of about two pounds of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Kazena remains in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Kazena faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and at least 10 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4037. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Sioux City Man to Federal Prison for Distributing MethRead the Press Release
A man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced on February 24, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.
Silas Bui, 25, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine on October 14, 2020.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings, showed that on July 8, 2019, Bui distributed 27.37 grams of methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Bui was previously convicted of the following crimes: Harassment – 1st Degree and Domestic Abuse Assault Display or Use of a Weapon – 1st Offense, on or about September 12, 2018; Theft 2nd, on or about April 11, 2019; Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, on or about September 3, 2019, all in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Bui was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3 year term of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Bui remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transferred to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4053. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Sioux City Man Who Sold Meth, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A Sioux City man who sold methamphetamine, oxycodone, and fentanyl was sentenced February 23, 2021, to more than 8 years in federal prison.
Rufus Joy Stevens, age 39, from Sioux City, IA, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute oxycodone in Sioux City.
Stevens admitted that in February 2020 he conspired and possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 oxycodone pills, over 27 grams of methamphetamine, and 10 fentanyl patches around the Sioux City area.
Stevens was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Stevens was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Stevens is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4059.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on February 18, 2021, in federal court, in Sioux City, Iowa.
Hugo Arechiga Torres, 39, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Torres was previously convicted three times in South Dakota, for serious felony drug trafficking offenses, including a federal case in 2014.
At the plea hearing, Torres admitted that between December 2019 and August 2020, he and others distributed at least 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. During two separate controlled operations in August 2020, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine from Torres. Later, upon his arrest in August 2020, officers seized $754 from Torres, including five $100 bills that were found to be pre-serialized money provided to Torres in a controlled methamphetamine purchase, as part of a drug debt payment.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Torres remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Torres faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and at least 10 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-4067. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Shreveport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Demarcus Deandre Jackson, 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 40 months (3 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 10, 2020 charging Jackson following an incident that occurred on January 9, 2020. Jackson was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by officers with the Shreveport Police Department for a traffic violation. Officers found that Jackson had marijuana in his possession and placed him in handcuffs. While searching the vehicle, officers found a loaded semi-automatic pistol and Jackson admitted it belonged to him.
Jackson has previous felony convictions for attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a weapon (2006) and knew that it was illegal for him to possess a firearm. He pleaded guilty to the federal charge on October 8, 2020.
The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Moody prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
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Scranton Man Charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Zachary Watkins, age 20, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 23, 2021, by a federal grand jury for the receipt and distribution of child pornography.
According to Acting United States Attorney, Bruce D. Bandler, the indictment alleges that between January 1, 2020, and January 27, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Watkins received and distributed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years imprisonment imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The mandatory minimum for these offenses is 5 years imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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San Diego Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Three RobberiesRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Matthew Brehm (619) 546-8983
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 25, 2021
SAN DIEGO – Ryan W. Nelson of San Diego was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 60 months in prison for committing three robberies, including two bank robberies and the armed robbery of a shoe store.
During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant told the defendant: “I just can’t ignore what you did in this case. It was dangerous and it was scary.” Nelson was also ordered to pay $11,572 in restitution to the businesses he robbed.
“These robberies were a terrifying and unforgettable experience for the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Hopefully this sentence will restore a sense of safety to the victims and the community.” Brewer praised prosecutor Matthew Brehm, FBI agents and officials with the San Diego, National City and La Mesa police departments for their excellent work on this case.
“The FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force is out on the street with our local partners every day working to keep San Diegans safe,” said Suzanne Turner, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office. “Violent crime investigations are a priority and our agents are dedicated to bringing justice for the victims and the communities affected by these robberies.”
Nelson entered his guilty plea in October of 2020, admitting that on July 29, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., he entered the Shoe Palace, located within the Plaza Bonita Mall in National City, dressed as a construction worker with a safety vest, safety glasses, and a hard hat.
In his plea agreement, Nelson admitted he told a Shoe Palace clerk that he was working on construction in the store above Shoe Palace and needed to inspect an electrical breaker panel in a room in the back of the store. When Nelson returned to the front of the store, he approached a clerk, who was pregnant at the time, and pointed a black handgun at her. He demanded cash from the cash register, stating, “Give me all the money.” The clerk gave Nelson access to the cash register, and he took approximately $600 from the register and a nearby safe. After he took the cash, Nelson told the clerk, “Don’t call anyone or I will be back in five minutes!” He then fled the store, walked outside the mall, removed his construction worker disguise, retrieved a backpack hidden outside the mall, and changed his shirt.
Nelson also admitted that on August 15, 2019, at approximately 10:10 a.m., he entered the Vons Supermarket at 6155 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, and approached the teller window of the U.S. Bank branch located inside. Nelson pretended to talk on his cell phone but in fact gave the teller step-by-step verbal commands, demanding the teller to give him money by stating something similar to, “Grab a bag.
Start with the hundreds. Put all the money in the bag and give it to me, or I’m gonna shoot.” The teller complied with demands and provided Nelson with money from his teller drawer, totaling approximately $1,372. Prior to fleeing, Nelson told the victim teller, “Wait seven minutes, I’ve got someone in the store.” He then turned and exited the bank area, leaving out the east exit of the Vons Supermarket.
Nelson further admitted on August 23, 2019, at approximately 11:56 a.m., he entered the Vons Supermarket at 8011 University Avenue, La Mesa, California, and approached the teller window of the Wells Fargo branch located inside. Nelson pretended to talk on his cell phone but in fact demanded money from the three victim tellers by giving step-by-step verbal commands, stating something similar to, “Start with your 100s and put them in a bag, or I’ll start shooting.” The tellers complied with the demands and provided Nelson with a bag containing money from each of the teller’s drawers totaling approximately $9,600. He then left out of the Vons Supermarket’s main entrance.
Nelson also admitted that on August 29, 2019, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at his residence and found a black bomber jacket, dark colored pants with white stripes down the sides, a navy blue-colored backpack, and a large black wristwatch, which were all items he was recorded wearing by surveillance cameras during, or just after, one of the bank robberies. FBI agents found a loaded, black .380 Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun in a drawer in Nelson’s room, which matched the description of the firearm he brandished during the Shoe Palace robbery. Agents also found $2,030 in cash on Nelson’s person, during his arrest.
This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019 by U.S. Attorney Brewer, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood.
DEFENDANT Case Number 19cr3563-BAS
Ryan W. Nelson Age: 38 San Diego, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Hobbs Act Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1951
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigations
San Diego Police Department
National City Police Department
La Mesa Police Department
Rochester Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Thomas Fall, 44, of Rochester, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Fall conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in 2018 and 2019. In July and August of 2019, an individual who was cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration participated in four controlled drug purchases from Fall and another individual at their Rochester, New Hampshire residence. In total, the transactions involved approximately 100 grams of fentanyl.
On January 14, 2020, the DEA and other law enforcement agencies arrested Fall. In his post-arrest interview, Fall admitted to participating in the drug conspiracy and stated that for a period of three to six months in 2018 and 2019, he and another individual purchased fentanyl from a Massachusetts-based source and then distributed some of the fentanyl to New Hampshire-based drug customers.
Fall previously pleaded guilty on November 18, 2020.
“Fentanyl trafficking has caused tremendous damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who are responsible for bringing this deadly drug into the Granite State need to be held accountable for their conduct. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the drug dealers who are responsible for distributing fentanyl and other deadly opioids in our state.”
“Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Fall, who are contributing to the crisis. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”
This case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the New Hampshire State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Strafford County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Redding Man Charged with Two Counts of Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Tyson Farrell, 26, of Redding, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Farrell was arrested twice in the span of five months and found to be in possession of a firearm each time. Farrell has multiple felony convictions and may not legally possess firearms.
On Sept. 16, 2020, while driving without a valid license, Farrell was stopped by a law enforcement officer who noticed that Farrell’s car had a nonfunctioning brake light, in violation of the California Vehicle Code. Farrell was on post release community supervision from a prior conviction and found to have a partially dismantled Ruger Model 77/17 in the back seat.
On Jan. 10, 2021, a police officer stopped a car in which Farrell was a passenger, having recognized the driver and knowing he was driving on a restricted license. The officer also recognized Farrell and confirmed through a records check that Farrell was the subject of a pending felony warrant. The officer searched the car and recovered a Colt .38 caliber revolver from a laundry bag in the car’s back seat where Farrell had been sitting.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Redding Police Department, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Farrell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on February 22, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Calvin Spotted Tail, age 40, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Spotted Tail was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 14, 2020. He pled guilty on December 14, 2020.
Spotted Tail was convicted of Sexual Abuse in December 2005. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. In January 2020, Spotted Tail was released from a term of imprisonment and began a period of supervised release. At that time, he updated his sex offender registration to reflect that he was residing in Rapid City. In June 2020, Spotted Tail moved from his registered address and absconded from supervised release. Thereafter he failed to update his sex offender registration. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued and on September 25, 2020, Spotted Tail was arrested at a residence in St. Francis, South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Spotted Tail was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Randolph Morris Indicted for Wire Fraud and Federal Tax Violations for Failing to Report Income from Professional Basketball in ChinaRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Randolph Morris was indicted yesterday on federal charges of wire fraud and making false statements on his federal tax returns. As alleged in the indictment, from 2010 to 2017, Morris failed to report more than $13 million dollars that he earned while working as a professional basketball player in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
A federal grand jury sitting in Lexington returned an 11-count indictment against the 35-year-old Morris, who played at the University of Kentucky from 2004 to 2007, before entering the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he played until 2010. The wire fraud counts allege that Morris submitted false income information to the Kentucky Department of Revenue, for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 tax years, when he played for the Beijing Ducks. The alleged failure to report any of his earnings from his Chinese team during those years deprived the state of Kentucky of more than $400,000 in tax revenue. The remaining eight counts allege that Morris failed to report his earnings from the Beijing Ducks on his federal 1040 and 1040A forms, for the years 2010 through 2017.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Cincinnati Field Office, jointly announced the indictment.
A date for Morris to appear in federal court has not yet been scheduled. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each wire fraud count. For the counts of making false statements on tax returns, he faces a maximum prison sentence of three years. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Project Parkersburg Update: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that Michael Rhodes, 41, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rhodes was prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a poly-drug, multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO).
“Project Parkersburg was a huge success,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “As a result of this lengthy investigation, a major DTO responsible for distributing significant amounts of methamphetamine in and around Parkersburg was shut down. At least 29 individuals were charged in federal and state court and 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin and 478 grams of fentanyl were seized.”
Rhodes previously pled guilty and admitted to distributing methamphetamine in and around Parkersburg. At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Irene C. Berger noted that Rhodes had traveled from Parkersburg to Arizona and California in 2018 and that records showed calls and money transfers from Parkersburg to Sinaloa, Mexico. The Court also found that Rhodes received methamphetamine in one and two pound quantities at a time from co-defendant Terrance McGuirk. The Court further noted that Rhodes’ intercepted communications revealed that he owed $80,000 to his supplier and that he was distributing user and low-level dealer quantities of methamphetamine to people in Parkersburg.
Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department, and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. Of the defendants charged in federal court, Terrence McGuirk, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, Troy Pastorino, Michael Holley, Colleen Moyle, Amanda Atkinson, and Michael Rhodes have been sentenced. Aurelius Edmonds awaits sentencing later this year. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Jeremy Wolfe are 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. 2:18-cr-00225.
Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart
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Parmelee Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on February 22, 2021, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Jean Xarles Neck, a/k/a John Neck, age 21, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Restitution may also be ordered.
Neck was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 14, 2020. He pled guilty on November 30, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 6, 2020, in Todd County, South Dakota. On that date Neck assaulted an individual, by discharging a firearm multiple times at a home where the individual was an occupant.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Elmore prosecuted the case.
Neck was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Orlando Man Sentenced to 170 Years in Federal Prison for Using A Minor to Produce Sexually Explicit Photos and Distributing Child Sex Abuse Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced George Poulo (27, Orlando) to 170 years in federal prison for using a minor to produce sexually explicit conduct and distributing child pornography. Poulo was also ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. Poulo had been found guilty following a bench trial on September 30, 2020.
According to evidence presented at trial, Poulo interacted with undercover law enforcement officers while using the Kik social media application. On Kik, Poulo discussed sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl whom he knew and also discussed a desire to have sex with other children. During these chats, Poulo sent the undercover officers five photographs of the minor watching him masturbate. Later, Poulo also sent the law enforcement officers a video of an adult male sexually abusing a young child.
At sentencing, the court found that Poulo had engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse involving the minor child from the summer of 2019 until February 2020, when the FBI executed a search warrant at his home.
“No amount of prison time can erase what this monster did to a young, innocent child.”, said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Tampa Division Michael McPherson. “The 170-year prison sentence handed down in this case proves the seriousness of law enforcement’s commitment and conviction to finding these predators and removing them from society so they can’t hurt another child again.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Winnebago County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
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.
O'Fallon Building Co. Settles Fraud ClaimsRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – R&W Builders, Inc. (R&W) of O’Fallon, Illinois, has agreed to pay the United States $400,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently obtaining construction contracts reserved for disadvantaged small businesses, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced today.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program helps provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals by limiting competition for certain federal contracts to Program participants. To increase the opportunities available to these disadvantaged businesses, the SBA also permits Program participants to partner with another company on certain contracts through approved joint venture agreements. The SBA requires the joint venture agreements to include specific terms to ensure the relationship is fair and provides a benefit to the disadvantaged business, including provisions designating the disadvantaged business as the managing partner of the joint venture and requiring the disadvantaged business to perform a specified percentage of the work. It is important that 8(a) joint ventures comply with the SBA’s criteria because misuse of the Program deprives real disadvantaged businesses of valuable economic opportunities and undermines the Program’s integrity.
In 2014, after R&W was no longer eligible to participate in the 8(a) Program, it entered into a joint venture agreement with Global Environmental, Inc. (GEI), an 8(a) Program participant based in St. Louis, Missouri. R&W and GEI named the joint venture Patriot Commercial Construction, LLC (Patriot) and successfully secured an award set aside solely for Program participants on the Multiple Award Construction Contract (MACC) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
The United States contends that R&W falsely represented it would abide by the Program requirements and the Patriot joint venture agreement to obtain the SBA’s approval. Immediately after Patriot received an 8(a) award on the MACC, R&W began managing the joint venture and using its own employees to complete nearly all of the work Patriot performed. Over the next two years, R&W caused Patriot to receive numerous MACC task orders set aside for 8(a) Program participants when Patriot was under R&W’s control, in violation of SBA requirements.
“The 8(a) Business Development Program is vital to helping disadvantaged businesses gain valuable experience and access to federal contracts,” U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said.
“When contractors abuse the Program and divert opportunities to themselves, it takes away critical assistance from those who truly need it. We will continue to fight this type of fraud to ensure that disadvantaged businesses in Southern Illinois have the chance to compete.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) will investigate all allegations of abuse related to Government set aside programs designed to encourage and support veteran, woman and minority owned small businesses,” stated Gregory P. Shilling, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. “Schemes like this one undermine not only the integrity of the programs, but the Government contracting process as a whole. This cannot be allowed.”
“The Department of the Air Force takes the protection of federal SBA set-aside funds seriously, especially when abuses impact the military’s warfighting capability,” said Nicholas J. Groesbeck, Special Agent in Charge of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Procurement Fraud Detachment 4. “OSI along with our joint partners are dedicated to protecting the integrity of government procurement practices from fraud, waste and abuse while ensuring those who violate the law are held accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by the SBA Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Air of Force OSI, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Barke.
Nesquehoning Man Indicted for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kenneth Persise, age 32, of Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 23, 2021, by a federal grand jury for distribution of child pornography.
According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on February 26, 2020, March 4, 2020 and June 14, 2020, in Carbon County, Persise distributed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Nashua Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Chad Landry, 37, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 11, 2018, Landry was arrested on a parole violation warrant. A search by his Probation Officer incident to arrest yielded 8.04 grams of fentanyl on his person. The Officer also seized his telephone and secured screen shots of text exchanges consistent with drug distribution. Landry later admitted to selling about 30 grams of heroin/fentanyl per day. A subsequent search of his telephone pursuant to a warrant disclosed numerous drug distribution-related conversations.
Landry is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2021.
“Fentanyl distributors are causing grave harm in our communities by distributing a deadly substance,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Through Operation SOS, we are working with our law enforcement partners in Hillsborough County to identify and prosecute fentanyl traffickers. By holding these drug dealers accountable for their actions, we are securing a safer community for the citizens of the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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