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11 February 2021
U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop Announces His ResignationRead the Press Release
Spokane – United States Attorney William D. Hyslop, of Spokane, Washington, announced today he will resign his position effective midnight February 28, 2021.
Yesterday, the Acting Attorney General conveyed to all Presidentially-appointed Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys the request from the President for their resignations. Mr. Hyslop honors and respects the President’s request. The Department of Justice has named Joseph H. Harrington, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, as the Acting U.S. Attorney following Mr. Hyslop’s resignation. Harrington previously served in this role and will do so again until a new Presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney is confirmed by the United States Senate.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop was sworn in as U.S. Attorney on July 19, 2019, after having been named by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate. He previously served in this role from 1991 to 1993 in the President George H.W. Bush Administration. Hyslop has practiced law in Washington State for over 40 years and is a Past President of the Washington State Bar Association. He previously was a principal in the Lukins & Annis, P.S. law firm for many years. A graduate from Washington State University in 1973, Hyslop received a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington in 1977, and earned his Law Degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 1980.
In his resignation letter to The President, U.S. Attorney Hyslop, stated, “It goes without saying that serving our great Country as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington has been the highest honor and most fulfilling duty of my professional career. I previously served in this role in President George H.W. Bush’s Administration and have been honored and privileged to serve again these past years. The women and men of my Office are outstanding public servants and I have certainly appreciated the support of the Department of Justice and all law enforcement as we have worked to support the safety and security of the residents of the Eastern District of Washington. We have accomplished much good together as stewards of our justice system.”
The Eastern District of Washington includes the twenty Washington counties east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The United States Attorney’s Office, with staffed offices in Spokane and Yakima, Washington, is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the Eastern District of Washington. This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
“With the close cooperation between all federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement, we have met the criminal justice challenges confronting this region, wrongdoers have been held accountable, the rule of law has been enforced, and public safety and security have been advanced. And taxpayers’ interests have been protected. I can’t speak highly enough of the phenomenal prosecutors and staff at the U.S. Attorney’s Office who appear in Court every day to address these tough criminal and civil issues. It has been my incredible honor to lead and work with them,” Hyslop said.
Hyslop has worked to ensure that all law enforcement, whether federal, state, local or Tribal, work closely and cooperatively together to support the safety and security of the residents of Eastern Washington. He has promoted holding criminals accountable and has been proactive in urging the community to get educated about the deadly dangers of Fentanyl and other drugs being smuggled into this region to be sold on our streets.
Ray Duda, who served as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Washington State during Mr. Hyslop’s service stated, "It has been a privilege and an honor to work so closely with a true patriot like U.S. Attorney Bill Hyslop. The focus and determination he has brought to aggressively prosecute those individuals who victimized the citizens of the Eastern District of Washington has been impressive. His hard work and leadership will have a positive impact on our communities for many years to come."
DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis commends USA Hyslop for his outstanding leadership. “During his tenure, he has supported all the agencies focused on reducing supplies of dangerous drugs and related violence impacting our Eastern Washington’s Communities. He has been extremely dedicated to enforcing the rule of law while also exhibiting heartfelt compassion and empathy towards those caught in the deadly grip of addiction. Over the last year he has been the architect and driving force of a multi-pronged fentanyl awareness campaign that was crucial in bringing together law enforcement with all facets of Eastern Washington’s Communities to highlight and educate our citizens on the extreme dangers of fentanyl use. I have no doubt his tireless efforts have saved lives. The DEA wishes USA Hyslop the best in his next endeavors, he has been an invaluable leader and will be greatly missed by law enforcement.”
Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl stated, "U.S. Attorney Hyslop has been a constant partner with SPD in our efforts to keep Spokane the safe community that we all long to live in and raise our families. His engagement with local law enforcement, and commitment to safety first through prevention, education and enforcement, is second to none. We honor his commitment to justice through compassion and accountability, with the needs of the community being his priority."
Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg stated, “We have been blessed to have Bill Hyslop as our U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. Mr. Hyslop has been active and engaged in bringing Federal support and resources to our communities throughout the Eastern District of Washington. He was instrumental in supporting an enhanced Federal presence in the Tri-Cities as well as Federal prosecution on violent career criminals, predators who prey on our children, and major drug trafficking organizations. He coordinated and led our efforts by bringing resources on the Federal level in the fight against Fentanyl which have claimed lives not only locally but throughout our Country. Mr. Hyslop and his office have played an important role in keeping our communities safe during his tenure as our U.S. Attorney in the Eastern Washington and we are grateful for his service.”
Hyslop concluded, “I intend to work to the last day on behalf of the people of Eastern Washington. And after I’m out of office, I want to continue to do all I can to advocate for law enforcement and the hard work they do for us every day to keep us safe. They deserve our thanks and appreciation, and our continued support.”
U.S. Attorney Scott C. Blader Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin has announced he will be resigning as U.S. Attorney effective 11:59 pm, February 26, 2021.
Blader, a graduate of Marquette University Law School, has served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin since 2017. During his tenure, Blader prioritized outreach efforts to all law enforcement agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin resulting in an 63% increase in all cases filed between 2017-2019. Blader also implemented an effective and sustainable strategy to combat violent crime and the distribution of lethal drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in an 104% increase in violent crimes prosecuted and 62% increase in drug cases prosecuted between 2017-2019. He also advanced a host of Department of Justice initiatives targeting child exploitation and human trafficking. As United States Attorney, he served as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committees for Native American Affairs, Management and Personnel issues and Opioid and Heroin Interdiction.
“Serving as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career. I thank Attorneys General Barr and Sessions for the trust they placed in me and their leadership and support. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the extraordinary men and women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who deserve the true credit for our successes,“ said U.S. Attorney Blader. “I am also honored to have been given the opportunity to serve with our brave and dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners who work daily to protect our citizens and make the Western District of Wisconsin a better place.”
As the FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge, I consider U.S. Attorney Blader a great partner and leader in the Wisconsin law enforcement community,” said SAC Robert E. Hughes. “His talents and leadership have assisted in creating a strong cohesive team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has resulted in a strong coalition of all federal law enforcement agencies in upholding the Constitution and protecting the citizens of Wisconsin.”
“Scott Blader has admirably served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, relentlessly working to protect citizens from the effects of drug trafficking and drug-related violence. Scott’s office vigorously prosecuted violent drug trafficking crimes and illegal gang activity, while ensuring equity in all matters. Scott and his leadership will be missed,” said Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Division.
“I have never seen a stronger partnership between law enforcement in our state and the U.S. Attorney’s Office than we have seen in the last four years,” said Administrator Brian R. O’Keefe of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. “U.S. Attorney Blader has made tremendous efforts to build and nurture the relationships our law enforcement community now enjoy with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, making Wisconsin a better place to live, work, and play.”
“ATF’s mission to protect our communities from violent criminals was no doubt shared by U.S. Attorney Scott Blader and his cadre of hardworking prosecutors,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I wish him the very best and look forward to continuing the great relationship ATF has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Wisconsin.”
“U.S. Attorney Scott Blader championed the partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement in Wisconsin,” said Kim Gaffney, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Wisconsin. “His leadership and guidance brought together local, state and federal partners all ‘pulling the rope in the same direction,’ protecting our citizens and holding accountable those who violate our laws.”
The Western District encompasses 44 counties and covers approximately 60% of the State of Wisconsin, including the cities of Madison, Wausau, Superior, Eau Claire and La Crosse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, located in Madison, is responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.
U.S. Attorney John C. Milhiser Announces DepartureRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – United States Attorney John C. Milhiser announced today that he has submitted his resignation to the President, to be effective Feb. 28, 2021.
Mr. Milhiser thanked Senators Duckworth and Durbin, and Representatives Davis, LaHood, and former Representative Shimkus for their support in recommending him as a nominee to President Donald J. Trump. Milhiser was nominated in August 2018 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2019. Pending Senate confirmation, Milhiser was appointed to the position by the federal judiciary in the Central District on Oct. 31, 2018.
“It has been an honor to serve as United States Attorney. I was privileged to work alongside the men and women in law enforcement across the 46 counties served by the office,” said Milhiser. “We owe these selfless public servants our gratitude as they risk their lives each day protecting all of us.”
Milhiser added, “When I accepted this position, I knew this day would come. My plan was simple - to do my best each day to make our community a safer, better place, until I’m asked to leave. And, now, I’ve been asked to leave by the Biden administration.”
During Milhiser’s tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted numerous defendants including the weeks-long trials of Brent Christenson who, in July 2019, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the June 2017 murder of visiting Chinese scholar Yingying Zhang, and of 13 members of a Peoria street gang convicted and sentenced for acts of violence including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking. Pending cases include civil rights charges against three Illinois correctional officers who allegedly assaulted an inmate, who was restrained and handcuffed behind his back, and who later died, and the recent indictment of former Illinois senator and gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann for fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion related to his alleged misuse of campaign funds.
As U.S. Attorney, Milhiser focused on building strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement and with the community. While guiding the office during the longest-ever government shutdown and an unprecedented global pandemic, Milhiser initiated and conducted numerous training and educational events. This included a new initiative known as BLAST, Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community, that not only introduced high school students to career opportunities in criminal justice, but also promoted greater mutual understanding between citizens and law enforcement officers.
“I appreciate the opportunity to have served the people of Central Illinois and to lead the lawyers and staff who will continue the important work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Milhiser.
Prior to serving as U.S. Attorney, Milhiser served eight years as the elected State’s Attorney in Sangamon County, Springfield, Ill., where he partnered with the court and service providers to establish specialized court programs for non-violent, first-time drug offenders, defendants with mental health needs, and veterans with specialized needs. A strong advocate for victims, Milhiser established a program that hosts a courthouse facility dog to assist victims and witnesses as they participate in the prosecution of violent crimes.
The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois serves as the chief law enforcement officer for the 46 counties across the mid-section of the state. The district’s headquarters office is in Springfield with district offices in Peoria, Rock Island, and Urbana, Ill. The office is responsible for conducting federal criminal prosecutions and protecting the interests of the United States by pursuing and defending against claims in civil litigation.
U.S. Attorney Garrison Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United States Attorney Tim Garrison has submitted to President Biden his resignation as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Western District of Missouri, effective Feb. 28, 2021.
“It has been the privilege of my career to lead the office where I began my service as a federal prosecutor 14 years ago,” Garrison said in his letter. “The lawyers and staff of my office accomplished a great deal for the people of Missouri in the last three years … The dedicated public servants in this office represent the United States in criminal and civil matters with excellence and integrity, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them.”
Garrison was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney on Jan. 3, 2018, and began serving as U.S. Attorney for the district following unanimous confirmation by the Senate on April 26, 2018. Prior to that, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the district’s Springfield office. As a federal prosecutor, Garrison focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals. He also prosecuted firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration.
“Western Missouri is consistently a national leader among the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in combatting violent crime, child exploitation, and drug trafficking,” Garrison said. “I am particularly gratified by our work in Operation LeGend, in which we arrested more than 500 violent criminals in and around Kansas City and took hundreds of illegal firearms out of their hands, serving as a catalyst for similar state and federal collaboration in eight other American cities.”
Garrison led several initiatives to target violent crime, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses:
Operation LeGend
Operation LeGend brought an unprecedented surge of federal agents to Kansas City, Mo., to work collaboratively with the Kansas City Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to address the increase in homicides and violent crime in the city. The operation honors the memory of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, one of the youngest fatalities during a record-breaking year of homicides and shootings.
Operation LeGend, which became a model for eight more cities to follow, resulted in 518 arrests. During the 10 weeks from the announcement of Operation LeGend on July 8 through Sept. 16, homicides in Kansas City were down 22 percent, non-fatal shootings were down 24 percent, and aggravated assaults were down 44 percent, as compared to the 10 weeks before July 8. Among those arrests were 37 homicide cases (including a defendant charged in state court with the murder of LeGend Taliferro). In addition to the arrests, agents and officers seized 176 firearms, large quantities of illegal drugs, and several stolen vehicles during Operation LeGend.
OCDETF Strike Force
A new Kansas City Metro OCDETF Strike Force was launched in April 2019 to target drug traffickers and violent criminals on both sides of the state line. This new Strike Force presents a united front, with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from Missouri and Kansas working under the same roof, armed with additional investigative resources, to combat drug trafficking and violent crime throughout the metropolitan area.
Operation Triple Beam
Operation Triple Beam, an initiative led by the U.S. Marshals Service to track down some of the metropolitan area’s most violent and persistent offenders, resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of dozens of firearms and illegal drugs. Operation Triple Beam brought a laser focus by all levels of law enforcement – federal, state, and local – to combat violent crime by targeting the worst offenders. Armed and dangerous fugitives were located, arrested, and taken off the street to face justice in state and federal court. During Operation Triple Beam, which ran from May to August 2019, law enforcement officers made 355 state and federal arrests for outstanding warrants, violent crimes, and drugs. Many of the arrestees were among the most violent and active offenders in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and many of these fugitives had multiple outstanding warrants from more than one agency. Law enforcement officers seized 69 firearms, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 4.4 kilograms of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.
Additional Federal Prosecutors
In June 2018, the Department of Justice announced a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice allocated 311 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Among the 190 violent crime prosecutors were three new prosecutors being added to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Western District of Missouri. A new federal prosecutor was added to the staff in each of the Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City offices.
Safer Streets Initiative
Additional state prosecutors from the office of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt have been designated as new Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Kansas City and Springfield to prosecute violent offenders in federal court.
Alongside these initiatives, some of the significant cases prosecuted under Garrison’s leadership in the Western District of Missouri included:
James Samuels, a former captain in the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department, was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole for illegally selling dozens of firearms over a five-year period, and to selling firearms to convicted felons.
Raynal King, 27, and Howard R. Ross, III, both of Kansas City, Mo., were each sentenced to multiple life terms in federal prison for the kidnapping and murder of another man. King and Ross each were found guilty at trial of multiple counts related to the carjacking, kidnapping and murder of Jaime Patton.
Shannon R. Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to life in federal prison without parole, followed by a consecutive sentence of 72 years in federal prison without parole, for his role in a three-months-long conspiracy that included more than 27 armed robberies, culminating in the armed robbery of a Walgreens in Blue Springs, Mo., in which a suspect was fatally shot by law enforcement officers. Thomas was found guilty at trial of participating in the conspiracy as well as participating in 10 armed robberies. He was also found guilty of 10 counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The life sentence was imposed for Thomas’s conviction of brandishing a firearm during the Walgreens robbery that resulted in the death of Jermon Seals. Several co-defendants have also been convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms in this case.
Two Kansas City, Kansas, men were sentenced for a violent, hours-long crime spree in which they kidnapped, robbed, and terrorized three women. Anthony B. Williams was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in federal prison without parole. Jamerl M. Wortham was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison without parole. Williams was sentenced as an armed career criminal and “three strikes” violent felon, due to his prior felony convictions for crimes of violence. Williams and Wortham were found guilty at trial of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping, one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, one count of distribution of PCP, three counts of possession of a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, one count of being felons in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Zaragoza-Navarrette of El Paso, Texas, and Jose Luis Armendariz-Rascon of Kansas City, Kan., were among nine co-defendants convicted of their roles in a conspiracy that distributed more than 720 kilograms of cocaine in the metropolitan area. The drug-trafficking organization transported cocaine to the Kansas City metropolitan area from Mexico. Armendariz-Rascon admitted that he distributed 360 kilograms of cocaine per year in 2015 and 2016.
Jorge A. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, of Kansas City, Missouri, was charged with drug trafficking after investigators seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in automobile wheels inside his shed.
Jovan J. Denson, of Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison without parole for leading a drug-trafficking organization that distributed as much as 10 kilograms of heroin in Greene County, Mo., over a 15-month time period.
Six Texas men were convicted and sentenced for stealing 654 firearms from United Parcel Service trailers in Springfield, Mo., en route to Bass Pro Shops. They admitted they stole 600 Beretta .380-caliber handguns and 54 Beretta 12-gauge shotguns from United Parcel Service (UPS) trailers in Springfield in October 2017. The cargo was being shipped across state lines, from Beretta USA in Maryland to the state of Missouri. Raynord Hunt was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. Frank McChriston, Derrick White, Quinton Haywood, and Eric White were each sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison without parole. Keith Lowe was sentenced to six years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered each of the defendants to pay $206,132 in restitution, for which they are jointly and severally liable.
Lester Brown, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with using a GPS tracking device to assist in the murder of a rival drug trafficker who was fatally shot in front of his 8-year-old daughter.
In a case Garrison personally indicted prior to his appointment as United States Attorney, Yovanny Aroldo Mendivil-Balderama, a Mexican national, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison without parole for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in the murder of a co-conspirator. Co-defendant Brooke Danielle Beckley, of Nixa, Mo., was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Anthony Edward Donovan, of Springfield, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole. Co-defendant Nathaniel Austin Lee, of Seymour, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole. They all pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Greene County, Dallas County, Webster County and Christian County, Mo., from April 28, 2015, to April 26, 2016. They also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, resulting in the murder of Oscar Adan Martinez-Gaxiola on April 25, 2016, in Webster County.
Paul Lloyd, of Joplin, Mo., was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole for the armed robbery of Select Jewelers in Joplin and a carjacking. Lloyd pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines.
Derron D. Nevels, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged with the armed robbery of a female Z-Trip driver who was shot at least 20 times.
Tim Garrison
Garrison is an eighth generation Missourian, and grew up in Greene County. He graduated magna cum laude from Drury University with a degree in political science, and holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a law degree from the University of Missouri.
Garrison received his officer’s commission after graduating from Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in 2003, and served as a military prosecutor. His active duty military career took him to duty stations on the East Coast, West Coast, and Iraq.
In 2007, Garrison left active duty and returned with his family to Missouri, where he served as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Garrison’s efforts focused on large-scale interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and violent criminals, but also included firearms offenses, tax evasion, sex crimes, and illegal immigration. He served in the district’s Springfield office until his appointment as United States Attorney.
Since leaving active duty, Garrison has continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves. In 2014, he deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as the Chief of Operational Law for an eight-nation multinational force. Upon his return to the United States, Garrison worked on military criminal justice legislation and policy at Marine Corps Headquarters, and then served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is currently Associate Deputy General Counsel for International Affairs at the Department of Defense. Garrison is a distinguished graduate of both the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School and Command and Staff College. A lieutenant colonel, Garrison’s personal decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Garrison has received awards from the Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School for excellence in trial advocacy, and from the Missouri Bar Foundation for his appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Garrison Letter of ResignationU.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Announces Resignation After Serving the District of Idaho for More Than 3 YearsRead the Press Release
BOISE – United States Attorney Bart McKay Davis, 65, of Idaho Falls, has announced his resignation effective February 28, 2021.
“It has been the honor of my professional legal career to serve the people of Idaho, alongside the incredibly hard-working team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Davis said. “In the last three-plus years, this team has overcome tremendous challenges, from the longest federal government shutdown in American history, to a global pandemic. Through it all, the lawyers and support staff of this office have faithfully enforced the law, supported our law enforcement partners, and protected our fellow citizens. I could not be prouder of the work that they have accomplished. I am extremely pleased to leave this office in their capable hands.”
Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. will immediately assume office as Acting United States Attorney, a position which he held in 2017 for seven months, as provided for under the Vacancies Reform Act. Gonzalez has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney—a non-political position—since September 2010 and served as the office’s criminal division chief the five years preceding. He is a career prosecutor, having served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 1995 and with the Department of Justice since 1991.
While in office, U.S. Attorney Davis hired 26 federal employees, including ten Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) and four Special AUSAs, which is more than one-third of the office’s attorneys. Davis said, “We’ve been incredibly successful the last three years in hiring outstanding public servants. They are my legacy.”
During Davis’ tenure, the office:
- filed more than 1,000 criminal cases, more than in any other three-year period;
- prioritized protecting children from online predators in partnership with the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force and prosecuted nearly 100 offenders;
- partnered with county prosecutors across the state to target repeat violent offenders under the Project Safe Neighborhoods banner; more than 1,200 violent offenders were removed from the community;
- garnered federal resources to stem the tide of drugs flowing into Idaho by funding task forces in Bannock and Kootenai counties and a special Assistant U.S. Attorney for Ada and Canyon counties and removing 450 illicit drug wholesalers from Idaho;
- brought to justice an employee who worked for two decades in the accounts receivable department for Saint Alphonsus in Boise, who used her access to money raised at the annual Festival of Trees to defraud the organization of nearly $1.5 million;
- prosecuted a doctor who knowingly implanted in patients nine pairs of misbranded breast implants that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration;
- targeted scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hoarding, price-gouging, and PPP fraud;
- prosecuted a government contract/honest services fraud in which an FBI employee accepted bribes for contract awards in the building of a data center in Pocatello, resulting in guilty pleas by the employee and the contractor;
- convicted the CEO and majority partner of an investment firm in Idaho Falls stemming from a complex investment fraud scheme he devised;
- collected through its Financial Litigation and Asset Forfeiture units approximately $24.5 million;
- filed 86 appellate briefs and argued 34 cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals;
- argued and obtained orders of outright dismissal in two APHIS predator control cases, a novel grazing rights dispute, and a FOIA case dismissed under the deliberative process and presidential privileges;
- defended and resolved all employment discrimination cases without the payment of money damages or attorney fees; and
- successfully used the False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act to investigate and prosecute several civil opioid outliers.
“I am grateful for the special trust and confidence shown me by Senator Michael D. Crapo and Senator James E. Risch, and all of those who supported me throughout this process and my career,” said Davis.
U.S. Attorney Davis, a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, had previously served nearly twenty years as a member of the Idaho Senate, including eight terms as Idaho Senate Majority Leader. He represented Idaho as a commissioner to the Uniform Law Commission and is past chairman of The Council of State Governments. During his tenure as United States Attorney, USA Davis served on three Attorney General Advisory Council subcommittees and working groups: the Native American Issues Subcommittee, the Border and Immigration Subcommittee, and the Marijuana Working Group.
The District of Idaho covers all 44 counties and five tribal reservations across the state. The United States Attorney’s Office, with staffed offices in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d’Alene, employs 33 attorneys and 40 support staff who are responsible for conducting all criminal and civil litigation in the district involving the United States government.
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Two Louisiana Return Preparers Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Two Louisiana tax preparers pleaded guilty on February 10, 2021 to conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from January through April 2015, Morgan Antoine and Jennifer Austin conspired to file false tax returns for clients of Pelicans Income Tax and Payroll Service, a tax preparation business located in Kenner and Westwego, Louisiana. Antoine and Austin prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. In addition to preparing false returns for her clients, Antoine also filed a fraudulent personal return that claimed a false dependent. In total, Antoine and Austin caused a tax loss of more than $550,000.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2021. At sentencing, Antoine and Austin each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Antoine and Austin also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Strasser commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Jessica Kraft and William Montague of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the Division’s website.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty today after committing two separate robberies in two days, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
James Jordan Buckley, 21, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell. Buckley is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His sentencing is set for May 10, 2021.
“The commission of two violent robberies in two days was a pattern of criminal conduct that caught the attention of law enforcement. Thank goodness they identified and arrested James Buckley before he could rob another victim,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In addition to the FBI and Tulsa Police, I want to commend the efforts of New Jersey-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra Williams who came to help prosecute violent crimes in the wake of the McGirt decision. This prosecution is a great example of work she and other detailees are doing to make our community safer.”
In his plea agreement, Buckley admitted that on March 31, 2020, he kicked in the front door of the elderly victim’s residence and demanded the key to her vehicle. He admitted that he took her vehicle by force, violence, intimidation, and without her permission. Buckley further admitted that on April 1, 2020, he approached the vehicle of a different victim and entered the vehicle without permission. Buckley then demanded that the victim drive him to Broken Arrow and pointed a knife at the driver as he made his demands. The victims in the car escaped the vehicle and following their escape Buckley got in the driver’s seat and attempted to take the vehicle.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence ChargeRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was in federal court today to plead guilty to domestic violence allegations, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Craig Lamar Gonzales, 22, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit a felony. In his plea agreement, Gonzales admitted that in December 2019, he pulled the victim from her vehicle, dragged her by her hair, pushed her to the ground, and spit on her during an attempted kidnapping. Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for May 10, 2021.
“One in four women experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Those numbers are even higher for victims who are Native American. This office is proud to stand with survivors of domestic violence and hold accountable their abusers. These cases are not always easy to prosecute, but they are some of the most important because you can help prevent a future homicide. Today, domestic abuser Craig Gonzales entered a plea of guilty for the assault he committed on an intimate partner,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Credit goes to the FBI and Tulsa Police Department who worked to investigate this matter.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aimee Cooper and Devon Lash are prosecuting the case. AUSAs Cooper and Lash are prosecutors from the Eastern District of Texas and the Eastern District of New York. Both volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress. The United States and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have jurisdiction of cases that occur on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants.
Trenton Man Charged with Spree of Armed Carjackings and Robberies, Brandishing Firearms During Crimes of Violence, and Possession of Firearm as Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. –A Trenton man has been charged with committing a string of armed carjackings and armed robberies, including the armed robbery of a commercial establishment in Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced today.
Joshua Perez, 22, of Trenton, is charged by complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of carjacking, three counts of possession of and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony offense. Perez is currently in custody on unrelated charges. He will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman at a date to be determined.
According to the criminal complaint filed today:
Law enforcement officers investigated a series of armed robberies and carjackings in and around Trenton in late 2020. The investigation revealed that Perez, a previously convicted felon, and other individuals committed at least three of those armed carjackings and robberies.
On Oct. 10, 2020, law enforcement responded to a report of an armed robbery and carjacking of a vehicle in Trenton. The victims reported that they were exiting their car when three men got out of a white sedan, pointed handguns at them, and demanded their money and cell phones. Two of the subjects fled in the white sedan and one drove away in the victim’s car. The armed carjacking was captured by security cameras in the area. After the white sedan was found abandoned, a search of it revealed, among other things, a victim’s cellular telephone, and a latent fingerprint belonging to Perez.
On Dec. 5, 2020, law enforcement responded to a report of another armed robbery and carjacking in Trenton. The victim reported sitting in a car when two men ran up and pointed handguns at the victim. The men ordered the victim out of the car at gunpoint, stole money and a cell phone, and the victim’s car.
Approximately one hour later, that victim’s carjacked vehicle was used in connection with an armed robbery of a nearby Trenton gas station. Law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the gas station. The victims reported that three males pulled up, one subject ordered them to the ground at gunpoint and pistol-whipped them. Another subject, later identified as Perez, entered the gas station, and robbed the attendant at gunpoint. Security camera footage recorded the armed robbery in progress. During a court-ordered search of Perez’s residence, Perez pointed a firearm at law enforcement officers. Officers arrested Perez and recovered the firearm, and seized other evidence linking Perez to the Dec. 5, 2021, carjacking and armed robbery of the gas station.
The Hobbs Act robbery count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The two carjacking counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence each carry a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, which must run consecutive to each other and to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum term of life in prison. The felon-in-possession count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; officers of the Trenton Police Department (TPD), under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley; and detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The case was investigated as part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Mercer County, New Jersey. The VCI was formed in August 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Trenton Police Department for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Trenton. As part of this partnership, federal, state, and local agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the Trenton Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Magee Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the defendant are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tohono O'odham Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sexual AbusesRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Isaiah Joseph Rios, 22, of Sells, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to concurrent terms of 121 months and 120 months in prison. Rios previously pleaded guilty on November 22, 2019 to one count of Abusive Sexual Contact and one count of Sexual Abuse involving minors. Following his release from federal prison, Rios will be placed on lifetime federal supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.
In October of 2016, Rios, then 18 years of age, forcibly fondled a minor without her consent. In March of 2017, Rios forcibly fondled another minor and then engaged in a sexual act, all without her consent. The victims reported the assaults in August 2017. Rios is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tohono O’odham Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Schmit, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-2416-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2021-005_Rios# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Three Baltimore-Area Men Facing Federal Charges for Fraud Scheme Purporting to Sell Covid-19 VaccinesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging three men on the federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to allegedly sell purported COVID-19 vaccines. The criminal complaint was filed on February 9, 2021 and was unsealed today upon the defendants’ arrests. Charged in the criminal complaint are:
Olakitan Oluwalade (“Olaki”), age 22, of Windsor Mill, Maryland; Olaki’s cousin, Odunayo Baba Oluwalade (“Baba”), age 25, of Windsor Mill; and
Kelly Lamont Williams, age 22, of Owings Mills, Maryland.The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis. We will also continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and if you see something that doesn’t seem right, please report it. Don’t become a victim.”
“As the public seeks vaccines to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19, fraudsters are waiting to take advantage of their desperation. We want to remind the public to exercise extreme caution online, especially when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and protective equipment,” said Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of HSI Baltimore. “HSI, with our local and federal partners, is working tirelessly around the country to get fraudulent websites off the internet and counterfeit personal protective equipment and medications off the streets to protect the public from these dangerous scams.”
“It remains a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to protect all Americans from individuals who take advantage of people during this public health emergency. We continue to work in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in the COVID-19 Anti-Fraud Task Force to bring those who exploit people during this pandemic to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
“The FDA, along with its law enforcement partners across the country, continues its critical work of protecting American consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic by monitoring the U.S. marketplace for fraudulent COVID-19 products,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “We remain committed to bringing to justice those individuals and companies that seek to profit from this public health emergency.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 11, 2021, the HSI Intellectual Property Rights Center and the HSI Cyber Crimes Center became aware of a fraudulent replication of the website of Company 1, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that focuses on drug discovery, drug development, and vaccine technologies, including a vaccine for COVID-19. On December 18, 2020, the FDA issued an emergency-use authorization for Company 1’s COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the United States. Company 1’s public website, www.modernatx.com, provides information to the public on the products the company has developed, or is in the process of developing, including those focusing on combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
As detailed in the complaint affidavit, the home page of the fraudulent replication of Company 1’s website, named “Modernatx.shop” (the “Fake Domain”) appeared visually similar to Company 1’s real website and displayed the name and trademarked logos for Company 1, and the logo, markings, colors and texts on the Fake Domain were visually similar to that of Company 1’s actual home page. The source code of the Fake Domain indicated that the creator of the site used a website tool to copy Company 1’s actual website in order to create the Fake Domain.
However, the affidavit alleges that the Fake Domain (unlike Company 1’s home page) had the text: “YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BUY A COVID-19 VACCINE AHEAD OF TIME,” with a link to “Contact us.” On January 11, 2021, at approximately 3:58 p.m., an HSI Special Agent, in an undercover capacity (“UC”), contacted a number listed on the Fake Domain, which investigators determined was linked to an account on an encrypted messaging application which also allows voice-over-Internet calls and video chats. The number replied approximately two hours later requesting an e-mail address to contact the UC, which the UC provided. The affidavit alleges that approximately four minutes later the UC received an e-mail from [email protected], an e-mail address which appears on the Fake Domain, purporting to welcome the UC to Company 1 and providing a brief description of Company 1 and the storage requirements of Company 1’s vaccine.
According to the affidavit, after several additional e-mails, the UC received information regarding payment, delivery, and purchase for alleged Company 1 vaccines from a Google e-mail address. The UC was sent a purported invoice for 200 doses of Company 1’s vaccine at $30.00 per dose, for a total of $6,000, with payment terms listed as 50% up front and 50% upon delivery. The UC was allegedly instructed to send payment to a Navy Federal Credit Union account in the name of Kelly Lamont Williams. The UC transferred a portion of the funds to Williams’s account as directed.
On January 15, 2021, the government seized the Fake Domain and HSI agents executed a search warrant at Williams’s home. Law enforcement subsequently executed search warrants at Olaki’s and Baba’s homes. As a result of these searches, investigators recovered a number of communications between Baba, Olaki, and Williams discussing the fraud scheme. After the search at Williams’s residence, but before the searches at Olaki’s and Baba’s homes, investigators used Williams’s phone to send Baba a message: “Yo where u want me send the bread?” (referring to the cash investigators had sent to Williams’s bank account for the purchase of alleged vaccines as directed). Baba allegedly replied, “Yea send me some thru zelle and some through cash app.” Both Zelle & Cash App are online payment platforms. The affidavit alleges that Baba provided his Cash App User ID name, and investigators made a cash transfer of the funds to Baba’s Cash App account per his request.
As detailed in the affidavit, Olaki allegedly referred Williams to Baba as someone who could assist with the fraud. Williams allegedly agreed to allow the conspirators to use his bank account to deposit the fraud payments in exchange for a cut of the fraud proceeds. Olaki allegedly was also supposed to receive a part of the fraud proceeds. Several of the recovered communications also indicated that Olaki allegedly applied for, and received a fraudulent COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan funded by the federal government in the summer of 2020.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants will have an initial appearance on February 12, 2021, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
Federal law enforcement agencies are united in our efforts to fight against COVID-19 fraud. HSI has identified tips to recognize and report COVID-19 fraud. If you believe you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you may also call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or go to justice.gov/coronavirus.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S. J. Zelinsky and Sean Delaney, who are prosecuting the case.
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Sharing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for sharing videos of child pornography with users of an online messaging application.
AUSTIN BURCHERT, 22, of Elk Grove Village, possessed on his cell phone more than 3,000 images and approximately 54 videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Under the screenname “so_raven_,” Burchert on Feb. 12, 2018, shared 13 such images and one video file in a chat group on the Kik online messaging application. There were approximately 50 people in the chat group at the time, including an undercover law enforcement agent.
Burchert pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of transportation of child pornography. In addition to the nine-year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso on Tuesday ordered Burchert to pay $65,000 in restitution to the known victims depicted in the pornographic images and videos.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Richard S. Fitzgerald, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations. Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the Elk Grove Village Police Department, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Deerfield Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Misty N. Wright and Esther Mignanelli.
“The defendant’s crime contributed to the perpetual victimization of hundreds of children by contributing to the ever-growing market for the creation and distribution of child pornography,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Misty N. Wright argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s victims and their parents have to live with the fact that these photos and videos depicting their abuse were shared and may be viewed for years to come by pedophiles.”
“Let this sentence serve as a reminder that HSI is committed to standing firmly in the way of those who prey on and exploit our most vulnerable population – our children,” said HSI Acting SAC Fitzgerald. “HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and judicial partners to identify and bring to justice individuals who commit these very serious crimes.”
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or log on to http://www.missingkids.com. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
State Employee Pleads Guilty to $2M Scheme to Defraud the Office of AIDSRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Schenelle M. Flores, 45, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in relation to a scheme to divert funds from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Flores used her employment at the Office of AIDS, within the California Department of Public Health, to coordinate the fraud scheme between December 2017 and November 2018. The Office of AIDS is responsible for working on behalf of the State of California to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Flores’s scheme involved directing a state contractor to make payments allegedly on behalf of the Office of AIDS and causing the contractor to charge those payments to the state. As part of the scheme, Flores caused the contractor to pay for personal expenses on its debit cards, order gift cards for personal use, and pay false invoices to shell companies for services allegedly provided to the Office of AIDS. Flores, other participants in the scheme, and their families and friends obtained at least $2 million in personal benefits, including cash and purchased items.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was referred by the California Department of Public Health and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miriam R. Hinman and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.
Flores is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on May 27. Flores faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
St. Louis man pleads guilty to carjacking four people and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Brandon Shell, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Shell appeared today before United States District Stephen R. Clark, who set sentencing for May 13, 2021.
On October 12, 2019, Shell approached four people who had just exited a Kia Optima near the 3700 block of Juniata in St. Louis. Shell brandished a handgun and demanded the four victims give him all their money. The victims complied. After they did so, Shell further demanded “That’s not all you have, give me the keys!” One of the victims handed Shell the keys to the Optima. Another victim threw several items back in the Optima.
Shell then drove away in the Optima. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detectives were able to locate Shell driving the Optima, shortly after the carjacking. Shell pulled over in the 5300 block of Oriole in St. Louis. When Shell saw detectives, he ran away from them, but was eventually taken into custody.
Detectives found a loaded .380 caliber Kel-Tec semiautomatic pistol on Shell’s person. He was then arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
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St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Andre McIntosh, 49, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McIntosh entered his guilty plea today before United States District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk. McIntosh is set to be sentenced on May 13, 2021.
Just before midnight on January 7, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolling the Jeff Vander Lou neighborhood discovered that the license plate of an unoccupied vehicle was registered to McIntosh, who was a non-compliant sex offender on parole from the Missouri Department of Corrections. McIntosh also had several outstanding traffic warrants.
Officers canvassed the area and, after locating McIntosh, asked McIntosh to stop. McIntosh refused the officers’ requests for him to stop, and instead started to run from the officers as they approached him. While running from the officers, McIntosh pulled a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm from his pocket and threw it. McIntosh was ultimately detained by police. A post-arrest computer inquiry of the Smith & Wesson firearm thrown by McIntosh revealed it to be reported stolen, and a post-arrest search of McIntosh revealed him to be in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Prior to January 7, 2020, McIntosh had been convicted of one or more felony crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case.
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St. Louis man pleads guilty to armed robbery at Family Dollar and brandishing a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – Michael Saffold, 27, of St. Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Saffold appeared today before United States District Judge John A. Ross who accepted the plea and set sentencing for February 25, 2021.
On June 23, 2019, Saffold approached the register of the Family Dollar at 8971 Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Saffold gave the cashier money for Starburst candy. The cashier opened the cash register to complete the transaction. Saffold then displayed a black semiautomatic handgun to the cashier, demanding money. The cashier complied with Saffold’s demands, giving him all of the money in the cash register drawer. Saffold then escaped.
Family Dollar surveillance footage later revealed that Saffold took a glove from the store, in the moments before the robbery. Saffold then wore that glove during the robbery, leaving the open package of gloves in the store. Investigators took fingerprint lifts from the box of gloves. Those lifts were later matched to Saffold. Saffold was subsequently arrested and charged.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
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Six Waycross-area defendants indicted for conspiracy to traffic drugs, including Fentanyl and heroinRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS, GA: An indictment recently unsealed in U.S. District Court alleges a drug trafficking conspiracy was responsible for distributing deadly addictive drugs that led to overdoses.
As alleged in USA vs. Hayes, et. al, the indictment charges six people with participating in the conspiracy to distribute a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin, said Acting U.S. Attorney David H. Estes. The indictment includes sentencing enhancements for two of the defendants that could mean up to life in prison upon conviction, and there is no parole in the federal system.
“As the number of victims of opioid addiction continues to rise, our office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt the illegal networks that distribute these drugs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “We are committed to ending this deadly crisis.”
As described in the indictment, the indictment alleges the drug trafficking conspiracy started as early as March 2020 in Pierce and Ware counties, and that “serious bodily injury resulted from the distribution of the controlled substance.” Those charged in the indictment include:
- Eric LeShawn Hayes, a/k/a “Pee Wee,” 27, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; three counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Davey Green, a/k/a “Little Dave,” 35, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); two counts of Distribution of Fentanyl; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl;
- Cyrlus LaShawn Hayes, a/k/a “Dubo,” 44, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin);
- Renalba Jamar Green, a/k/a “Reno,” 34, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin);
- Crystal Champagne, 33, of Waycross, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin); and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; and,
- Preston Connor Luke, 26, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and To Distribute a Controlled Substance (40 grams or more of a mixture of Fentanyl and heroin).
Because of specific prior felony convictions, Eric LaShawn Hayes, Cyrlus LaShawn Hayes, and Renalba Jamar Green each face enhanced punishment if convicted on any one of the drug charges alleged in the indictment which could result in additional prison time for these defendants, including sentences of up to life imprisonment if they are convicted on the Conspiracy charge.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“DEA and its law enforcement partners will continue to expend its time, energy and resources in an effort to stem the tide against the growing opioid epidemic,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Field Division, Robert J. Murphy. “These defendants are alleged to have delivered countless doses of poison to the Waycross community. DEA and its law enforcement partners stand united to protect our communities from the scourge of drug abuse.”
The cases are being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Blackshear Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank M. Pennington II and Noah J. Abrams.
Savannah man who murdered wife of deployed soldier sentenced to nearly 60 years in prisonRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah man who admitted killing the wife of a deployed U.S. Army soldier on post at Fort Stewart has been sentenced to nearly 60 years in federal prison.
Stafon Jamar Davis, 28, was sentenced to 700 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker after pleading guilty to Premeditated Murder and Possession of a Firearm, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison term, Davis will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Stafon Davis is a cold-blooded murderer who shot and killed the wife of a deployed soldier in her sleep and burned her car to cover his tracks,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “Army CID, the FBI and the Savannah Police did an exemplary job of bringing this cowardly killer to justice.”
Abree Boykin, 24, was a resident of post housing at Fort Stewart Army Reservation, married to SGT Shawn Boykin, a member of the U.S. Army who was assigned to Fort Stewart’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. At the time of the murder, SGT Boykin was deployed in South Korea. Davis, who had known Abree Boykin since childhood, was a fugitive from federal supervised release after having served a nearly eight-year federal prison sentence for armed robbery.
In pleading guilty to the murder, Davis admitted to shooting and killing Abree Boykin as she slept in her post residence in the early morning hours of July 9, 2018. Davis then fled Fort Stewart in her vehicle. He gave the murder weapon to an acquaintance who later sold it, and engaged the assistance of an accomplice to burn the vehicle in a remote area outside Hardeeville, S.C.
“Although glad to see today’s sentencing, it will never bring back Abree Boykin, the wife of a deployed soldier when she was killed. She was needlessly gunned down in her sleep by this career criminal,” said Army CID Special Agent Joseph Thompson, who was the CID agent in charge at the time of the murder. “We sincerely appreciate all the hard work and cooperation from our fellow law enforcement agencies on this lengthy investigation.”
“The tireless work of the FBI Savannah Resident Agency, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and other law enforcement partners has brought this tragic and senseless case to a conclusion that will hopefully provide some solace to Abree Boykin’s family,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Justice has been served.”
Two other defendants also are implicated in the case:
- Jenard Patilla, 36, of Savannah, was found in possession of the murder weapon, a 9mm Taurus PT111 semi-automatic handgun, and was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He pled guilty and was sentenced May 28, 2020, to 45 months in federal prison and ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
- Devin Ryan, 30, of Hardeeville, S.C. awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Use of Fire in Commission of a Federal Felony. Ryan, who met Davis while the two were in a halfway house serving federal supervised release, admitted helping Davis destroy Abree Boykin’s 2018 Honda Accord by dousing the interior with gasoline and setting it on fire.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Army CID, and the Savannah Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Katelyn Semales with assistance from Trial Attorney Jared Hosid of the U.S. Department of Justice Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section, and Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office Investigative Analyst Karen Hartley.
Salt Lake City Violent Crime Reduction Partnership Announces the Results of First Month of ActionRead the Press Release
One month ago, Mayor Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, Chief Mike Brown of the Salt Lake City Police Department and Commissioner Jess Anderson of the Utah Department of Public Safety joined members of the Utah federal law enforcement community, including United States Marshal Matthew Harris and United States Attorney John Huber, to announce a strategic partnership to reduce violent crime in Salt Lake City.
Since that time, the partnerships gained have been central to the success of this strategic initiative. Leaders from every federal law enforcement agency in Utah with a mission to combat violent crime have joined the partnership, including the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service. The partnership has also gained valuable partners in the Utah State Bureau of Investigation, the Unified Police Department, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Since the beginning of January, this partnership has resulted in 24 defendants who present a threat to the safety to the citizens of Salt Lake City being charged or convicted in federal court. Of these 24 defendants, 16 illegally possessed firearms, and nine of the firearms involved in these cases were reported stolen; nine are currently on probation or parole for other offenses; eight have been charged with federal drug trafficking violations; seven are affiliated with a street gang; and five have a previous or current domestic violence charge; the narcotics seized includes heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine.
Examples of cases that have come from the partnership include Jordan Gonzales, 27, of Salt Lake City, who was allegedly involved in a drive-by shooting on January 20 in Salt Lake City. Gonzales was charged in federal court with one count of illegally possessing a firearm within a day of his arrest thanks to the ATF. The federal complaint filed by the United States alleges that Gonzales is a Norteno gang member who was the driver of a car involved in a drive-by shooting who fled from the police during a pursuit. After his vehicle became inoperable, it is alleged that Gonzales exited the driver’s side door, began to flee on foot, and removed a firearm from his waistband while an officer was within 5-10 feet of him. Due to the efforts of the SLCPD, the firearm was recovered, and Gonzales was apprehended after the deployment of a K9 officer. Gonzales’ case is currently pending in United States District Court.
Brian Keith Stack, 60, of Salt Lake City, is currently under indictment in federal court for allegedly enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity in Salt Lake City. Stack was charged by a federal grand jury with two counts related to the enticement of a minor and the attempted production of child pornography. This case was investigated by the SLCPD and brought to federal court due to the enhanced partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office.
Artemio Rivera-Luna, 34, of West Valley City, has been charged with three counts related to the distribution of multiple pounds of heroin and methamphetamine, along with the illegal possession of nine firearms. Due to the partnership with HSI and SBI, Rivera-Luna was charged in federal court on January 20 for conduct that occurred in Salt Lake City, and his case is currently pending.
Kirk Madsen, 41, of Granstsville, has been federally indicted for the possession of illegal firearms. Madsen allegedly opened fire with a large capacity automatic rifle outside of a Salt Lake City apartment complex during a domestic violence related incident. According to court documents, he admitted to emptying an entire 30 round rifle magazine during the incident. Because of the close partnership between the FBI, SLCPD, and the USAO, Madsen was arrested and indicted on federal charges on February 3.
“We mean what we say,” said United States Attorney John W. Huber. “As partners, we are serious in our commitment to aggressively pursue justice in Utah’s capital. Our goal is to make Salt Lake City a safer place, and after one month of targeted work, we are off to a promising start.”
“It’s our job to ensure residents, businesses, and visitors are safe in Salt Lake City and I am encouraged by the early outcomes of this partnership,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. “These apprehensions are an important step in making a difference for our community and reducing our crime rates.”
“While we expected to see some early success, the results so far have exceeded our expectations. Keeping these offenders off the street not only helps bring justice to their victims, but also keeps others from becoming victims,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “The success of our partnerships will ultimately be measured in our ability to keep our community safe by limiting the opportunity for criminals to pray on our neighbors, and this is a great start.”
"The Utah Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Investigation is committed to removing those who victimize our communities,” said DPS Commissioner Jess Anderson. “We are excited to be part of an extensive and ongoing crime reduction effort in Salt Lake City. We appreciate the great partnerships and are thrilled to see the early success of this project."
"The FBI plays a key role in combatting violent crime, focusing on issues that pose major threats to our society," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Meacham of the Salt Lake City FBI. "No community is untouched, which is why a concerted effort is necessary to fight this issue. Partnerships pool together the best of what law enforcement agencies have to offer. When we share resources, intelligence, and skills, it allows us to remain focused on one goal - keeping our communities safe."
“ATF’s success in fighting violent crime has always been a direct result of our strong partnerships with the Salt Lake City Police Department, the State of Utah, our local law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said ATF Denver Field Division Special Agent in Charge David S. Booth. “With the combined dedication and skill of our Federal partners, I am confident we will have even greater success in the future and ensure that our communities stay safe.”
“HSI routinely leverages its investigative authority and expertise in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement colleagues to address violent crime,” said HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steve Andres. “We bring the ability to fight local crime and elevate it to a national or even international level as criminal networks are uncovered,” said Andres. “Our partnerships act as a force multiplier to keep our community safe.”
Indictments are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in an indictment are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
Sacramento Man Charged with Fentanyl OffenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Assadulla Mohammed Khaliqdad, 26, of Sacramento, charging him with possessing fentanyl for distribution and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers responded to Khaliqdad’s residence based on a report of shots fired. In Khaliqdad’s bedroom, officers found thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, a loaded 9 mm handgun, and over $28,000 in cash.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Khaliqdad faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison on the fentanyl charge and a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. 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 effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Randolph Man Sentenced for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Randolph man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for two firearms offenses.
Levenson Merilus, 29, of Randolph, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to time served and two years of supervised release. In issuing this sentence, Judge Casper cited Merilus’s successful completion of the Court-run RISE (Repair, Invest, Succeed, Emerge) Program, which is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of applicable defendants who have pleaded guilty and are under pretrial supervision prior to sentencing.
In February 2020, Merilus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license and one count of making false statements to acquire firearms from a licensed dealer.
Between February and March 2019, Merilus conspired with co-defendant Charles Slayden Jr. to purchase firearms and re-sell them for profit to individuals in Boston. Specifically, Merilus purchased at least seven guns from a licensed dealer, falsely claiming to be purchasing them for himself.
Slayden previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December 2020 to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today.
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.
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Narcotics TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Landon Marquale Dupree, 35, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
Although Dupree had previously been convicted of selling cocaine in Neshoba County, Mississippi, he again sold and distributed drugs (methamphetamine) in Philadelphia on July 15, 2019.
Dupree is scheduled for sentencing on May 12, 2021 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $8,000,000 fine.
This OCDETF operation is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed "Operation Highlife", which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi that involved the distribution of methamphetamine. The distribution network encompasses the States of Texas and Mississippi.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The case is part of a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Philadelphia Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, Neshoba County District Attorney’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Flowood Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, Union Police Department, Louisville Police Department, and Mississippi Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.
Philadelphia Man Convicted at Trial of Illegally Carrying a Gun Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that William Johnson, 35, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III for his conviction of being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.
In September 2020, the defendant was convicted after trial of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred a year earlier in September 2019. Philadelphia Police Department Highway Patrol Officers responded to reports of a person with a gun at 15th Street and West Allegheny Avenue in North Philadelphia. Upon arrival, the officers observed Johnson walking with a person that matched the description in the report. When the officers got out of their car to investigate, Johnson took off in a full sprint while holding onto his waistband. He then cut through an empty lot and climbed a fence in an attempt to flee. An officer drove around to where Johnson would be expected to emerge on the other side of the lot. When Johnson climbed the fence that led away from the lot, he spotted yet another police officer. The defendant then jumped down from the fence and an officer observed him toss a firearm a few feet away. The officers took Johnson into custody and secured the firearm.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes very seriously the staggering homicide and violent crime rates in Philadelphia, and we’re doing all we can to get guns off the streets and out of the hands of convicted felons,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “If you are convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, you will go to prison for a very long time. As punishment for his illegal gun possession, William Johnson will now lose fifteen years of freedom. He went to prison in his mid-thirties, and he won’t get out until he is nearly fifty. Don’t take that risk: don’t carry illegally.”
“The disturbing level of gun violence in Philadelphia is undeniably exacerbated by the abundance of the illegal firearms on the street,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “The FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department are working together to battle that tide, and whether it’s through takedowns of violent gun-toting gangs or, one by one, arresting felons like Mr. Johnson in criminal possession of a firearm, we will continue to do all we can to make this city safer.”
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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert.
Owner of Consumer Electronics Wholesale Business Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Operating an Unlicensed Money Transmitting BusinessRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that AMIT AGARWAL, the operator of an international wholesale consumer electronics business based in New Jersey, pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business that operated primarily between Colombia and the United States. AGARWAL pled guilty before United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.
Miguel Cespedes, Omar Mogollon, Luis Felipe Gonzalez Arcila, Ivan Rojas Acosta, Alex Barrera Forero, and David Ortiz Villamizar were previously charged in three separate indictments for their roles in the scheme. They were arrested in Colombia, and the United States Government is seeking their extradition to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As he admitted today, Amit Agarwal was a key player in a shadow financial network that allowed the movement of drug traffickers’ profits into our banking system and across our borders. Now he awaits sentencing for his crimes.”
According to the Indictments, the superseding Information, and statements made in open court:
From at least in or about June 2018 through at least in or about 2019, AMIT AGARWAL participated in a scheme to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business to move funds between the United States and Colombia, among other places. Among other things, the purpose of the scheme was to enable clients with cash located in the United States to transfer the value of that cash to other countries, principally Colombia, without the need for physically transporting United States currency across an international border or directly depositing large amounts of cash into the legitimate financial system.
To effectuate the scheme, “clients,” i.e., the owners of funds located in the United States, utilized the services of money brokers operating primarily in Colombia (the “Money Brokers”). The Money Brokers offered “contracts” typically requiring (a) the pick-up of United States currency from couriers throughout the United States and the receipt of international wires in the United States, and (b) the delivery of a corresponding amount of pesos in Colombia to the Money Brokers. In exchange for successfully delivering on a contract, the Money Brokers earned a commission, taken from the pesos received by them in Colombia. The person(s) with whom the Money Brokers contracted to arrange for the pick-up and receipt of United States currency also received a commission taken from the pesos received by the Money Brokers in Colombia. Although the payment of commissions from the funds collected pursuant to a contract meant that the clients did not receive the full value of the funds that the clients owned in the United States, this scheme enabled the clients to avoid the risks of having large quantities of cash detected at international borders and to avoid triggering financial reporting requirements.
Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz engaged in the scheme as Money Brokers. As Money Brokers, working at times independently and at times together, they offered and executed upon multiple contracts requiring the pick-up of funds throughout the United States, and the delivery of a corresponding value of pesos to them in Colombia. In exchange for their work as Money Brokers, they received a commission taken from the pesos delivered to them in Colombia, as did the individuals with whom they contracted.
AGARWAL was the chief executive officer of a consumer electronics products business based in East Hanover, New Jersey (the “Agarwal Electronics Business”). Among other things, the Agarwal Electronics Business exported consumer electronics to purchasers throughout the world, including purchasers located in Colombia. In connection with its business activities, the Agarwal Electronics Business maintained a bank account in the United States, controlled and operated by AGARWAL (the “Agarwal Bank Account”).
Typically, as part of the scheme, the funds collected in the United States pursuant to contracts offered by Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz were deposited in a bank account located in the United States (“Bank Account-1”), and then transferred to the Agarwal Bank Account. AGARWAL agreed to accept these funds into the Agarwal Bank Account, and AGARWAL also agreed to accept funds into the Agarwal Bank Account that had been wired to Bank Account-1 from foreign locations, including Mexico.
Upon receiving confirmation that funds collected pursuant to a Money Broker contract issued by Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, or Ortiz were available for deposit into the Agarwal Bank Account, AGARWAL arranged for the export of a roughly equivalent value of consumer electronics products to certain consumer electronic product suppliers located in Colombia (the “Colombian Electronics Suppliers”). The Colombian Electronics Suppliers, in turn, arranged to pay for the products by delivering pesos to an individual in Colombia, who then delivered those funds to the Money Brokers. In this way, funds collected in the United States were remitted to Colombia, without requiring that they be reported, declared, or smuggled over international borders.
During the execution of the scheme, federal law enforcement agents working in an undercover capacity, and persons operating at the direction of federal law enforcement agents, informed AGARWAL that the funds he agreed to receive in the Agarwal Bank Account from Bank Account-1, pursuant to the scheme, represented the proceeds of narcotics trafficking activity. AGARWAL, however, continued to accept the funds into the Agarwal Bank Account while facilitating the Money Broker contracts.
* * *
AGARWAL, 39, a citizen of India, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. AGARWAL will be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on July 14, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.
Cespedes is charged in United States v. Miguel Cespedes, 19 Cr. 839, with one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Barrera and Ortiz are charged in United States v. Alex Barrera Forero and David Ortiz Villamizar, 19 Cr. 840, with one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business, and one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Mogollon, Gonzalez, and Rojas are charged in United States v. Omar Mogollon, et al., 19 Cr. 837, with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business and operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Mogollon is also charged with one count of international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the DEA, and thanked authorities in Colombia, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division for their assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Tara M. La Morte and Cecilia E. Vogel are in charge of the prosecution.
The allegations in the Indictments charging Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ottumwa Man Found Guilty of Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Des Moines, IA—On February 10, 2021, Hector Ramon Iglesias Tovar, age 34, of Ottumwa, Iowa, was found guilty by a jury of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in violation of federal law. The verdict came after a two-day trial before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
The evidence at trial included an AR-15 rifle seized from the residence of Iglesias Tovar and a .45 handgun seized from a vehicle he was driving. Law enforcement also seized 142 grams of methamphetamine from the residence of Iglesias Tovar. The jury found Iglesias Tovar possessed both firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. He faces a sentence of 5 years to life on the possession in furtherance of drug trafficking charge and a sentence of up to 10 years on the prohibited person in possession of a firearm charge. Iglesias Tovar previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine which were also charged in this case. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2021.
The investigation was conducted by the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force, the Ottumwa Police Department, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Possessing HeroinRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Columbus, Ohio, has plead guilty to one count in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Evan Jones, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count before U.S. District Judge Donnetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, on or about July 26, 2018, Jones possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.
Jones was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 37 months, followed by a term of supervised release of six years.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
Nineteen South Bay Residents Charged in Alleged Scheme to Funnel Drugs into U.S and Firearms to MexicoRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment charging fourteen defendants, mostly South Bay residents, with crimes related to two conspiracies—one to transport drugs from Mexico to the San Jose Area, the other to transport firearms illegally from the United States to Mexico, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. In a press conference earlier today, U.S. Attorney Anderson announced all the charges were the culmination of a federal investigation—one of four simultaneous investigations into the movement of drugs from Mexico to the streets of the San Jose area.
“One methamphetamine seizure outlined in this indictment represents the largest federal seizure of methamphetamine ever in the Northern District of California,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “The vast majority of these drugs were acquired in Mexico, including from Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. Firearms and their components, as described in the indictment, are acquired in the United States to export to Mexico. The two-way flow of drug shipments heading north and firearms, including assault weapons, sniper rifles and grenade launchers, heading south is a potently dangerous situation. It is impossible to characterize this alleged conduct as victimless.”
“Methamphetamine that is pure, potent and cheap has flooded the American market and drug trafficking organizations see an opportunity to profit. They utilize distribution hubs, like the Bay Area, to distribute their poison,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “As methamphetamine overdoses rise, the significant drug seizures in this investigation has undoubtedly saved lives. DEA will continue to target and to bring to justice these criminal organizations who traffic drugs in our community to keep Americans safe.”
“As a result of Operation Burnt Orange, the FBI and DEA successfully seized 16 firearms, 17.4 pounds of heroin, and 817.7 pounds of methamphetamine from this dangerous organization - which ranks as one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in recent memory here in the Northern District of California,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Fair. “Simply put, we won’t allow dangerous and violent groups to use our neighborhoods as a thoroughfare to traffic drugs or as a venue to conduct illegal activity.”
The superseding indictment, filed February 4, 2021, charges David Campoy as the leader of two related conspiracies: a drug trafficking conspiracy and a firearms trafficking conspiracy. With respect to the drug trafficking conspiracy, David Campoy, his adult son, Jose Melchor Campoy, and co-conspirators David Wilcott Greenman, Kimberly Carrasco, Lamberto (a Mexican national whose last name currently is unknown), Juan Carlos Velazquez Ortiz, Ignacio Espinoza, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Naranjo, and Nicolas Ardanuy are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. David Campoy allegedly used connections with the Cártel de Sinaloa (or Sinaloa Cartel) in Mexico as well as connections in Southern California to obtain methamphetamine and heroin. The indictment alleges David Campoy and Jose Campoy delivered controlled substances to other members of the drug trafficking organization for distribution. In addition to the conspiracy charge, several of the defendants face additional charges in connection with individual drug sales and use of a communication facility to assist in such sales.
The facts disclosed in the indictment and additional court documents depict a prolific drug distribution operation. The indictment describes a drug ledger in which drug purchase orders are recorded in quantities such as of hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, and payments are made in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, during his arrest in January 2021 with his son and others, law enforcement seized approximately 572 pounds of methamphetamine, several pounds of heroin, and 16 firearms. In additional court filings the government argues that based on intercepts and intelligence obtained during the investigation, David Campoy, through the quantity he controlled and trafficked, exercised market power over the price and availability of methamphetamine in Northern California.
With respect to the firearms conspiracy, the indictment alleges David Campoy, Michael Ozuna Guizar, Roberto Campoy Robles, Luis Guillermo Sendino, and Ivan Campoy Morales orchestrated illegal exports to Mexico of weapons and components of firearms for sale in the black market. The defendants manufactured, exported, and dealt in weapons including assault weapons. The superseding indictment describes how defendants allegedly unlawfully purchased firearms and components of firearms in the United States through licensed federal firearm dealers. The defendants allegedly combined the firearms with grenade launchers assembled in Mexico, and attempted to obtain .50 caliber sniper rifles and grenade launchers for resale on the black market.
In sum, the defendants are charged with the crimes and face maximum penalties as indicted in the chart below:
Defendant/Age
Charges
Statute
Maximum Penalties
David Campoy, 46
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; Possession with the intent to distribute heroin; Use of a communication facility in facilitating the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act; Felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to export arms and munitions; Unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms; Arms export control act export of arms and munitions
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(B)
21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
18 U.S.C. § 371
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(n)
22 U.S.C. §§ 2778(b)(2) and (c) and 22 C.F.R. §§ 121.1, 123.1, and 127.1
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
4 years’ imprisonment
$30,000 fine
1 year supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
Lifetime imprisonment
$250,000 fine
5 years’ supervised release
5 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
20 years’ imprisonment
$1 million fine
3 years’ supervised release
Jose Melchor Campoy, 21
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; Possession with the intent to distribute heroin; Use of a communication facility in facilitating the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(B)
21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
4 years’ imprisonment
$30,000 fine
1 year supervised release
David Wolcott Greenman, 34
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Attempt to possess with the intent to distribute heroin; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(B)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Kimberly Carrasco, 27
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine;
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Lamberto LNU, age unknown
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Use of a communication facility in facilitating the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
4 years’ imprisonment
$30,000 fine
1 year supervised release
Juan Carlos Velazquez Ortiz, 32
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana;
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Ignacio Espinoza, 30
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Use of a communication facility in facilitating the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
4 years’ imprisonment
$30,000 fine
1 year supervised release
Jose Manuel Rodriguez Naranjo, 39
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Nicholas Ardanuy, 52
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Michael Ozuna Guizar, 40
Use of a communication facility in facilitating the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substances Act; Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to export arms and munitions; Unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms; Arms export control act export of arms and munitions
21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
18 U.S.C. § 371
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(n)
22 U.S.C. §§ 2778(b)(2) and (c) and 22 C.F.R. §§ 121.1, 123.1, and 127.1
4 years’ imprisonment
$30,000 fine
1 year supervised release
5 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
20 years’ imprisonment
$1 million fine
3 years’ supervised release
Miguel Angel Carrizal Zamora, 23
Possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Roberto Campoy Robles, 48
Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to export arms and munitions; Unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms; Arms export control act export of arms and munitions
18 U.S.C. § 371
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(n)
22 U.S.C. §§ 2778(b)(2) and (c) and 22 C.F.R. §§ 121.1, 123.1, and 127.1
5 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
20 years’ imprisonment
$1 million fine
3 years’ supervised release
Luis Guillermo Sendino, 48
Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to export arms and munitions; Unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms; Arms export control act export of arms and munitions
18 U.S.C. § 371
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(n)
22 U.S.C. §§ 2778(b)(2) and (c) and 22 C.F.R. §§ 121.1, 123.1, and 127.1
5 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
20 years’ imprisonment
$1 million fine
3 years’ supervised release
Ivan Campoy Morales, age unknown
Conspiracy to manufacture and deal in firearms; Conspiracy to export arms and munitions; Unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms; Arms export control act export of arms and munitions
18 U.S.C. § 371
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(n)
22 U.S.C. §§ 2778(b)(2) and (c) and 22 C.F.R. §§ 121.1, 123.1, and 127.1
5 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
10 years’ imprisonment
$250,000 fine
3 years’ supervised release
20 years’ imprisonment
$1 million fine
3 years’ supervised release
Juan Leopoldo Garate Aguirre, 25
Possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Jose Manuel Rodriguez Naranjo, 39
Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Miguel Martin Pacheco Martinez, 34
Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Alberto Martinez Navarro, 36
Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine
21 U.S.C.
§§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
Miguel Angel Moreno, 46
Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)
Lifetime imprisonment
$10 million fine
Lifetime supervised release
An indictment and a criminal complaint merely allege that crimes have been committed, and each defendant must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court may order additional terms of supervised release and restitution, if appropriate; however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.The defendants who are scheduled to appear before the court are as follows:
Defendant
Next Court Date
David Campoy, David Wolcott Greenman, Kimberly Carrasco
February 12, 2021
Jose Melchor Campoy, Ignacio Espinoza, Nicholas Ardanuy, Michael Ozuna Guizar, Miguel Angel Carrizal Zamora, Luis Guillermo Sendino, Juan Leopoldo Garate Aguirre, Miguel Martin Pacheco Martinez
February 11, 2021
Miguel Angel Moreno
March 3, 2021
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. The investigation of this case was conducted by the DEA and the FBI San Francisco Division. Assistance was provided by FBI Los Angeles, Phoenix and Tuscon; LA IMPACT Group 1; California Highway Patrol; San Jose Police Department the police departments of Santa Clara, Watsonville, Vallejo; the Sheriff’s Offices of Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County; and the U.S. Marshal Service.
This investigation and prosecution is part of OCDETF, which 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.
New Orleans Felon Indicted on Numerous Gun and Drug Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that CHRISTOPHER MAY, age 28 of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a six count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922 and 924 and the Federal Drug Control Act, Title 21 United States Code, Section 841.
According to court documents, MAY was previously convicted of a drug offense in Orleans Parish. This present charge alleges he was in possession of a DRACO AK-47 pistol in December of 2020. Later, he is accused of possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and a heroin mixture containing fentanyl. During the drug trafficking crime, he is charged with possessing a Glock 23 handgun. In addition to the Glock 23, he is accused of having a stockpile of ammunition. MAY is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history. If convicted on all counts, MAY faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000.00, five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.
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Michigan Man Indicted for Hate Crimes After Attacking African-American TeenagersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Lee Mouat, 42, has been indicted for federal hate crimes. Mouat is charged with two counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 249 by willfully causing bodily injury to a Black teenager and attempting to cause bodily injury to another Black teenager, through the use of a dangerous weapon, because of the teenagers’ race. Mouat was previously charged with the former count by criminal complaint in federal district court on Oct. 13, 2020.
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Mouat confronted a group of Black teenagers, including the victim, at a state park in Monroe, Michigan. Mouat repeatedly used racial slurs and said that Black people had no right to use the public beach where the incident occurred. Mouat then struck one of the teens in the face with a bike lock, knocking out several of the victim’s teeth and fracturing his jaw. According to the indictment, Mouat attempted to strike another teen with the bike lock.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, Mouat faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count.
This case is being investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Carlson of the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
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Man from Mescalero pleads guilty to federal threat charge in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thaddeus Ponce, 58, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty in federal court Feb. 5 to influencing federal officials by threat.
In the plea agreement, Ponce admitted to calling the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) emergency dispatch multiple times from Aug. 10, 2019, to Oct. 7, 2019, in Otero County, New Mexico. Ponce threatened to kill federal dispatch operators and their families during numerous recorded calls. The BIA dispatch center is located on the Mescalero Reservation.
Ponce is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to 10 years in pri
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
Man from Albuquerque pleads guilty to federal armed robbery of medical products and drug chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joseph Matney, 40, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on Feb. 4 to armed robbery of a pharmacy, theft of medical products and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam.
According to his plea agreement, Matney entered and robbed an Albuquerque pharmacy on Jan. 31, 2018. Matney, and a juvenile accomplice, held the employees at gunpoint and demanded opioid painkillers, anxiety pills and money from behind the counter. They fled with more than 2,500 pills before law enforcement arrived. On Feb. 12, 2018, law enforcement in Denver, Colorado, arrested Matney after a searching his vehicle and finding 1,600 of the stolen prescription pills and a firearm.
Matney is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces seven to 30 years in prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Denver Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Eicker is prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced for Operating Multi-Million Dollar International Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A Ukrainian man was sentenced today to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $98,751.64 in restitution after pleading guilty to committing wire fraud, stemming from his participation in a scheme to launder funds for Eastern European cybercriminals who hacked into and stole funds from online bank accounts of U.S. businesses.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina and Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Charlotte Division made the announcement.
According the plea agreement and other court documents, from 2009 to 2012, Aleksandr Musienko, 38, of Odessa, Ukraine, partnered with Eastern European computer hackers to obtain over $3 million from U.S. victims’ bank accounts and launder the stolen funds from U.S. bank accounts overseas. Musienko’s partners in the scheme hacked and stole information from victims in the United States and used that information to impersonate the victims. By deceiving the victims’ banks into believing that withdrawals from the victims’ accounts were requested by the victims, Musienko and others were able to steal large amounts of money from the victims’ accounts.
Musienko was involved in recruiting, supervising, and directing a network of “money mules,” or individuals who transmitted funds, with American corporate and individual bank accounts that could receive the stolen funds and transmit it overseas. Musienko, using an alias, recruited American “mules” by advertising on employment websites that he was hiring a financial assistant. Musienko instructed the mules, who believed they were working for a legitimate business, that they were to assist clients transfer funds overseas. In September 2011, Musienko’s partners in the scheme hacked into the online accounts of a North Carolina-based company and transferred a total of $296,278 to two bank accounts controlled by Musienko’s mules. Musienko instructed the mules to wire the funds to several European bank accounts, although the company’s bank detected the fraud and deducted $197,526.36 in stolen funds from one of the mules before it was wired overseas.
Sealed charges were filed against Musienko in 2016 in the Western District of North Carolina. Musienko was arrested in South Korea in 2018 and extradited to the United States in 2019. In or about April 2019, the FBI searched Musienko’s laptop and identified files containing approximately 120,000 payment card numbers and associated identifying information for persons other than Musienko.
This case was investigated by the FBI. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendant’s extradition and with obtaining evidence from South Korea. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the Western District of North Carolina, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Phillips, now with the Middle District of Tennessee.
Man Sentenced for Operating Multi-Million Dollar International Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Ukrainian man was sentenced today to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $98,751.64 in restitution after pleading guilty to committing wire fraud, stemming from his participation in a scheme to launder funds for Eastern European cybercriminals who hacked into and stole funds from online bank accounts of U.S. businesses.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina and Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Charlotte Division made the announcement.
According the plea agreement and other court documents, from 2009 to 2012, Aleksandr Musienko, 38, of Odessa, Ukraine, partnered with Eastern European computer hackers to obtain over $3 million from U.S. victims’ bank accounts and launder the stolen funds from U.S. bank accounts overseas. Musienko’s partners in the scheme hacked and stole information from victims in the United States and used that information to impersonate the victims. By deceiving the victims’ banks into believing that withdrawals from the victims’ accounts were requested by the victims, Musienko and others were able to steal large amounts of money from the victims’ accounts.
Musienko was involved in recruiting, supervising, and directing a network of “money mules,” or individuals who transmitted funds, with American corporate and individual bank accounts that could receive the stolen funds and transmit it overseas. Musienko, using an alias, recruited American “mules” by advertising on employment websites that he was hiring a financial assistant. Musienko instructed the mules, who believed they were working for a legitimate business, that they were to assist clients transfer funds overseas. In September 2011, Musienko’s partners in the scheme hacked into the online accounts of a North Carolina-based company and transferred a total of $296,278 to two bank accounts controlled by Musienko’s mules. Musienko instructed the mules to wire the funds to several European bank accounts, although the company’s bank detected the fraud and deducted $197,526.36 in stolen funds from one of the mules before it was wired overseas.
Sealed charges were filed against Musienko in 2016 in the Western District of North Carolina. Musienko was arrested in South Korea in 2018 and extradited to the United States in 2019. In or about April 2019, the FBI searched Musienko’s laptop and identified files containing approximately 120,000 payment card numbers and associated identifying information for persons other than Musienko.
This case was investigated by the FBI. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendant’s extradition and with obtaining evidence from South Korea. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the Western District of North Carolina, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Phillips, now with the Middle District of Tennessee.
Man Purchased Lamborghini After Receiving $3.9 Million PPP LoanRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. – A Florida man pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and using those funds, in part, to purchase a $318,000 Lamborghini sports car for himself.
Authorities seized the Lamborghini and $3.4 million from the bank accounts of David T. Hines, 29, of Miami, at the time of his arrest. Hines pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14.
As part of his guilty plea, Hines admitted that he fraudulently sought millions of dollars in PPP loans through applications to an insured financial institution on behalf of different companies. Hines caused to be submitted fraudulent loan applications that made numerous false and misleading statements about the companies’ respective payroll expenses. The financial institution approved and funded approximately $3.9 million in PPP loans.
Hines further admitted that within days of receiving the PPP funds, he used the funds to purchase a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan sports car for approximately $318,000. Plea documents indicate that in the days and weeks following the disbursement of PPP funds, Hines did not make payroll payments that he claimed on his loan applications. He did, however, use the PPP proceeds for personal expenses.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Investigation’s Atlanta Regional Office, Inspector in Charge Antonio Gomez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Miami Division, Special Agent in Charge Kevin A. Kupperbusch of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) OIG, Investigations Division, Eastern Regional Office, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. De Palma of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Miami Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Donnelly of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection OIG, Eastern Region, made the announcement.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
This case was investigated by the FDIC-OIG, USPIS, IRS-CI, the SBA-OIG, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Berger of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Department’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. In the months since the CARES Act passed, Fraud Section attorneys have prosecuted more than 100 defendants in more than 70 criminal cases. The Fraud Section has also seized more than $60 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
You may find related court documents on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-20011.
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Man Arrested in Sabine Parish Sentenced on Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Robert Tyrone Kimbrough, 35, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 120 months (10 years) in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
On July 5, 2018, law enforcement officers with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Kimbrough in Many, Louisiana, on an outstanding warrant. Law enforcement officers obtained consent to search the apartment Kimbrough was in and found a bag in a closet containing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Agents also found another firearm in the same closet. Kimbrough admitted that the firearms were his and that he knew the serial number was obliterated from the firearm. Kimbrough has a previous felony conviction for aggravated robbery in 2010 which prohibited him from possessing any firearms. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges on September 1, 2020.
The ATF and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg 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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Long Lake Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Arson of Dakota County Government BuildingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea and sentencing of GARRETT PATRICK ZIEGLER, 25, to 60 months in prison for aiding and abetting arson. ZIEGLER who also plead guilty today, was sentenced by Judge Susan Richard Nelson, in U.S. District Court, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to ZIEGLER’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, in the early morning hours of May 29, 2020, ZIEGLER drove himself and co-defendant Fornandous Cortez Henderson to the Dakota County Western Service Center (the ''WSC") located at 14955 Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The WSC houses state and local agencies and organizations, including Dakota County court facilities, as well as a U.S. Passport center. Once there, ZIEGLER and Henderson broke multiple windows using baseball bats. ZIEGLER and Henderson threw in multiple Molotov cocktails into the broken windows. Some of these devices successfully ignited and caused fire damage to the WSC. ZIEGLER and Henderson also started and attempted to start other fires at the WSC by pouring ignitable liquids, and throwing unlit Molotov cocktails, in and around the broken windows, then attempting to start the liquids on fire. Henderson selected the WSC as a target because he had previous court appearances at the WSC and was angry with law enforcement regarding the recent death of George Floyd. ZIEGLER who was also angry at law enforcement agreed to the target because of its connection to law enforcement.
ZIEGLER also admitted in his guilty plea that on May 26 through May 28, 2020, he purchased or provided a number of items that were used to construct the Molotov cocktails and carry out the attack on the WSC, including mason jars, pushpins and other similar sharp objects, isopropyl alcohol, nail polish remover, bottles of high-proof alcohol, lighter fluid, bandanas/scarves, and a baseball bat.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Apple Valley Police Department, and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander D. Chiquoine and Chelsea A. Walcker.
Defendant Information:
GARRETT PATRICK ZIEGLER, 25
Long Lake, Minn.
Convicted:
- Aiding and abetting arson, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 60 months in prison
- 3 years supervised release
- $205,872.53 in restitution
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Lincoln Man Convicted for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that James Chase, 53, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln by Senior United States District Judge Richard G. Kopf for receipt of child pornography. Chase was sentenced to 6 years in prison and 8 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case began with a cyber tip from Kik indicating that Chase uploaded an image of suspected child pornography in November of 2018. Following a review of the cyber tip and image, agents with Homeland Security Investigations went to Chase’s home and interviewed him on November 12, 2019. Chase informed the agent of his email – which was the email used to create the Kik account that uploaded the child pornography. Chase admitted that he came across child pornography on Kik and that he had been in some child pornography Kik groups.
Chase provided consent to search his tablet and phone. The examination of the tablet revealed 20 images containing child pornography. Based on the images found on the tablet, a search warrant was received authorizing a search of Chase’s home to seize electronic devices found therein. The search warrant was executed on November 18, 2019. A forensics examination was completed on the devices seized, revealing an additional 6 images and 3 videos of child pornography on Chase’s laptop computer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for selling fentanyl.
Marino Amador Baez, 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In July 2020, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
On Sept. 11, 2019, an undercover agent reached a deal with Baez to buy 100 grams of fentanyl. Baez brought the fentanyl to the pre-arranged meeting location and got into the undercover’s vehicle to make the sale. He was subsequently arrested.
This case was part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway” that culminated in September 2019. The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve A. Piemonte of Lelling’s Office prosecuted the case.
Large-Scale, Spokane-Based Fentanyl, Heroin, and Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Todd Earl Bridges, age 38, a resident of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on November 16, 2020, to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Bridges to a 180 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5 year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the Spokane Police Department (“SPD”) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) identified Todd Earl Bridges as a distributor of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl-laced pills in the Spokane, Washington area. On June 11, 2020, a controlled buy of fentanyl-laced pills was conducted from Bridges. A search warrant was executed on a hotel room Bridges was staying at, and a large quantity of fentanyl-laced pills were located. Bridges was not present at the time.
On June 26, 2020, a marked SPD patrol unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Bridges. The vehicle did not stop and attempted to elude law enforcement. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and Bridges fled from the vehicle but was eventually caught by pursuing officers and arrested. Bridges provided a post-Miranda statement where he admitted he threw heroin and fentanyl-laced pills during his flight from law enforcement. He also admitted there was approximately 12 ounces of methamphetamine in the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the methamphetamine was recovered. SPD also located the heroin and fentanyl-laced pills Bridges admitted he discarded along his route of travel. During his statement, Bridges further advised that he had been engaged in drug trafficking for approximately the previous year, while he was still on supervision with the Washington State Department of Corrections after just being released from a 116-month state sentence. Bridges estimated he was selling approximately $20,000 worth of various combinations of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl-laced pills per day during that time period. He also estimated he had 50 different local drug customers he was supplying.
Bridges posted bond on state charges stemming from the June 26, 2020 incident. Subsequently, he was indicted in federal court and arrested. At the time he was arrested on federal charges, he was in possession of several additional ounces of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “The distribution and sale of illegal narcotics wreaks havoc upon our community. People are hurt. Fortunately, another repeated large scale prolific drug trafficker has now been taken off our streets and will be behind bars for the next fifteen years. The combined investigative efforts of the DEA, ATF, and the Spokane Police Department, the prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Court’s sentence made this occur. As a community, we have to remain vigilant in this battle against illegal drugs and against those who will prey upon our residents. Drug trafficking in Spokane cannot be tolerated.”
“It is clear that this defendant contributed to the fentanyl epidemic in the Eastern Washington Region,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “This career criminal and drug trafficker will no longer have the freedom to recklessly distribute the poison that continues to flow through our city streets, even during the pandemic. It is our commitment to the public and our law enforcement partners to remain vigilant and steadfast in our investigations and prosecutions of people like Todd Earl Bridges.”
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation entitled Operation Its All Bueno. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Caitlin Baunsgard, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Lancaster Man Sentenced to 9 ½ Years for Drug Trafficking Offenses and Illegal Possession of More than Twenty FirearmsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Tyshaun Williams, 29, of Lancaster, PA, was sentenced to 115 months in prison and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., for firearms and drug trafficking offenses.
In September 2020, the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon, one count of possessing firearms not registered under the National Firearms Act, one count of distributing cocaine, and one count of possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The charges stemmed from an incident in which Williams sold cocaine to a confidential informant and was subsequently caught illegally possessing an arsenal of 27 firearms and more than 900 rounds of ammunition.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to keep illegal weapons out of the hands of people who are not permitted to possess them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “Tyshaun Williams presented a danger to the community in Lancaster, and for his crimes he will now spend nearly a decade in prison.”
“Keeping dangerous felons who illegally possess firearms off the streets is a core belief of ATF,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Today’s sentencing reflects our long-lasting partnership with our local, state and federal colleagues to pursue violent criminals. I truly appreciate the United States Attorney’s office for their continued efforts in prosecuting these types of crimes, which undoubtedly makes our communities safer.”
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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn Deal and Kishan Nair.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Nevada to End Discriminatory Policies Against Inmates with HIV and Inmates with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
Click to view the settlement agreement.
The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Nevada to ensure that inmates with HIV are not illegally segregated or otherwise discriminated against on the basis of HIV status and that inmates with disabilities are provided an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) programs.
The agreement resolves the department’s findings that NDOC violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by unjustifiably isolating and segregating inmates with HIV, failing to keep their HIV status confidential, and denying them equal employment opportunities, including in food service positions. The department found that NDOC’s HIV housing policy stigmatized inmates with HIV and had the effect of indiscriminately disclosing their confidential HIV status to NDOC employees and inmates. As leading public health and correctional authorities oppose the routine segregation of inmates with HIV as medically unnecessary, the department determined that NDOC’s policy had no legitimate health justification. Nevada has since taken steps to desegregate inmates with HIV and also cooperated with the department throughout the investigation.
The agreement also resolves the department’s findings that NDOC denied inmates with disabilities — including mobility disabilities, HIV, and other physical or mental health conditions — classification and housing at lower-custody levels and facilities. These facilities offer opportunities for inmates to gradually reintegrate back into the community, including various employment positions and reintegration programs, and earn additional credits to reduce the lengths of their sentences. By denying inmates with disabilities opportunities to participate in these programs, the department found that NDOC deprived them of an equal opportunity to engage in productive activities and to accelerate their NDOC release dates. NDOC also confined certain inmates with disabilities for longer periods and in more restrictive settings than they otherwise would have been housed, such as medium or high custody facilities.
“The routine segregation of inmates with HIV is unnecessary, stigmatizing, and harmful, and the Department of Justice will enforce the ADA to stop such discrimination. Compliance with the ADA ensures that prisoners with disabilities have equal access to educational, rehabilitative, and other programs and opportunities available to other inmates,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela S. Karlan of the Civil Rights Division. “We commend Nevada for working collaboratively with the department, ending its illegal segregation of inmates based on HIV, and integrating current and future inmates with disabilities into critical community reintegration housing placements and programs.”
Among the terms of the agreement, Nevada will amend its policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that inmates with HIV are not isolated or segregated solely because of their HIV status and will keep information related to inmates’ disabilities confidential. Nevada will also ensure that qualified inmates with disabilities are not excluded from employment opportunities and lower-custody classifications, housing placements, services, and programs. The agreement also requires Nevada to train NDOC staff and inmates on HIV and disability discrimination, designate statewide and facility-specific ADA Coordinators, and implement an ADA grievance procedure.
For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.
Joseph H. Harrington to Serve as Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of WashingtonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney William D. Hyslop announced that, by way of the Vacancy Reform Act, Joseph H. Harrington (currently the First Assistant United States Attorney) will serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington beginning March 1, 2021.
Harrington previously led the U.S. Attorneys’ Office from March, 2017 through July, 2019 as the Acting, then Court-Appointed United States Attorney. Harrington’s experience as a litigator in an exclusive federal-court practice and as a manager of over 65 employees has provided him with the necessary qualifications and skills to execute appropriately the significant responsibilities attendant with the position of Acting U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington. He has been with the office for over 30 years.
During his tenure in the United States Attorney’s Office Harrington has handled all aspects of both civil and criminal trial as well as appellate litigation. His civil litigation experience has been varied, involving lawsuits involving the defense of medical malpractice, employment discrimination, wrongful death, and contract disputes. His criminal litigation experience covers the full spectrum of serious criminal offenses. Of particular note, he prosecuted Kevin Harpham, an avowed white supremacist who placed an improvised explosive device along the path of Spokane’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity March. He also prosecuted members of the anti-government Phineas Priest domestic terrorism group who bombed a Planned Parenthood clinic and a Spokane newspaper facility and executed armed take-over robberies (and a bombing) of a bank in Spokane, Washington. Harrington also served as co-counsel, primarily supervising the trial team, in the civil rights prosecution of then-Spokane police officer Karl F. Thompson, a case involving the untimely death of Mr. Otto Zehm.
Harrington’s administrative experiences and responsibilities includes pro-actively managing, hiring, and supporting a diverse workforce, together with providing opportunities for increased professional development. He was instrumental in the Office’s appointment of its first two female Deputy Criminal Chiefs, a female Senior Litigation Counsel, and extending offers of employment to a diverse group of female Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
Harrington has established and continues to build robust law enforcement and community relationships, including relationships with the four Native American Tribes in Eastern Washington. He has played a pivotal role in the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s on-going efforts to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.
U.S. Attorney Hyslop stated: “The Eastern District of Washington will be well-served by soon-to-be Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington.”
Individual Charged with Threatening the President of the United States Appears in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal criminal complaint was unsealed in federal court today, charging David Kyle Reeves, 27, of, Gastonia, N.C., with threatening the President of the United States, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Reeves was arrested on Friday, February 5, 2021, and had a court hearing this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.
Reginald A. DeMatteis, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney Murray for making today’s announcement.
According allegations in the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, between January 28 and February 1, 2021, Reeves contacted multiple times the White House switchboard via telephone and made threats against President Biden and others. The criminal complaint alleges that, on February 1, 2021, a Secret Service agent contacted Reeves to discuss the threats. Reeves allegedly called back the Secret Service agent multiple times throughout the day, and repeated the threats against the President, the Secret Service agent, and others. According to filed court documents, on the same day, Reeves also contacted the U.S. Capitol Police switchboard and communicated similar threats.
Following today’s hearing, Judge Keesler ordered Reeves to remain in custody.
The charge of making a threat against the President of the United States carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
All charges in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office Remind Taxpayers to File Accurate Returns; Choose a Tax Preparer CarefullyRead the Press Release
Kansas City, Kansas — The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas reminded taxpayers today to file accurate tax returns and choose a tax preparer wisely. The nation’s tax season starts on Friday, February 12, 2021, when the agency begins accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.
U.S. persons are subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources. Most taxpayers meet this obligation by reporting all taxable income and paying taxes according to the law. However, those who willfully hide income should know that the IRS works across its divisions to ensure the highest possible tax compliance. Taxpayers found to be committing fraud may be subject to penalties including payment of taxes owed plus interest, fines and jail time.
“As we approach the beginning of the tax return filing season, it is important for taxpayers to be careful in selecting the tax professional who will prepare their return. The IRS does not want individuals to become victims of an unscrupulous return preparer,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Talcott at the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. “Each year, IRS-CI special agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office investigate and prosecute return preparer fraud, which includes adding false deductions and credits in order to inflate refunds. This criminal activity affects taxpayers, but has serious consequences for the unscrupulous preparer.”
“We want to remind everyone to work with reputable tax preparers as we enter this filing season,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “Tax fraud costs U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars each year, my office will continue to hold those found to be behind these fraudulent claims accountable.”
Tax return preparers are vital to the U.S. tax system. As of tax year 2018, 55 percent of taxpayers used a paid preparer. Although most preparers provide honest and professional services, there is a small number of dishonest preparers who set up shop
during filing season to steal money, personal and financial information from clients. Taxpayers can avoid falling victim to unscrupulous preparers by following important steps.Tips when choosing a tax preparer:
- Look for a preparer who is available year-round in case questions arise after the filing season.
- Ask if the preparer has an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), which is required for paid preparers.
- Inquire about the preparer’s credentials and check their qualifications.
- Ask about service fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of their client’s refund or claim to offer a bigger refund than their competition.
- Never sign a blank or incomplete return and review it before signing. Refunds should go directly to the taxpayer, not the preparer.
For more tips on choosing a tax professional or to file a complaint against one, visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business, may report it to the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral.
The IRS Criminal Investigation St. Louis Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas are committed to protecting Kansas taxpayers from others cheating the U.S. tax system. Here an example of a current investigation that has been brought to justice:
- In July 2020, Sonia Hernandez-Smith pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false returns. She admitted she put false information on her client’s Schedule 8812, which is used to claim the Child Tax Credit. She obtained Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or ITINs for children she knew did not live in the United States, and whom were ineligible to claim the child tax credit. However, Hernandez-Smith put them as dependents on her client’s tax returns when her clients were not entitled to them. Lastly, she admitted she did this for numerous clients. Her sentencing is scheduled on May 17, 2021.
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Hartford Gang Member Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICARDO REYES, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 216 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics and firearms.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Reyes, a member of the Los Solidos street gang, who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford. On September 9, 2018, Reyes was arrested by Hartford Police on state charges after they found him in possession of a firearm and approximately 250 bags of heroin/fentanyl. Between January and June 2019, while Reyes was released on bond in his state case, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes. Court authorized wiretaps confirmed that Reyes was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to Reyes and associates who sold drugs on his behalf.
Intercepted communications also revealed that Norman Klosek of Enfield was acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms for Reyes. On April 22, 2019, Reyes picked up Klosek in Enfield and drove to a licensed gun dealer in Newington, where Klosek, who had a valid state firearm permit, purchased two handguns. Klosek then provided the guns to Reyes after the purchase. Later that day, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Reyes’ vehicle in New Britain and seized the two firearms. A search of the vehicle also revealed approximately 450 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, more than one pound of marijuana, and $1,160 in cash. Reyes was charged with state offenses, released on bond, and resumed his drug trafficking activity.
Reyes and several co-defendants were arrested on a federal criminal complaints on June 17, 2019. On that date, investigators seized two additional guns that had been purchased by Klosek, one that was in Reyes’ car and one that was in a Rowe Avenue residence that Reyes’ used as a stash location. Investigators also seized approximately 3,500 bags of fentanyl from the stash house, and approximately $6,000 from Reyes’ residence.
Reyes has been detained since his federal arrest.
On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes and 14 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. On March 4, 2020, Reyes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Reyes’ criminal history includes state drug convictions, and a federal conviction for dealing firearms without a license. The previous federal case involved Reyes and an associate, who had a valid state firearm permit, purchasing at least 13 firearms and selling them to drug dealers. Reyes was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for that offense.
On March 2, 2020, Klosek pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license, and one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. Klosek, who was addicted to heroin/fentanyl, admitted that he had purchased a total of 47 handguns, and that he had sold or “loaned” the guns he had purchased to support his drug addiction. On October 14, 2020, Klosek was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment.
To date, approximately 11 of the 47 handguns purchased by Klosek have been recovered by law enforcement. One gun was recovered after it was used in a shooting in Hartford on August 22, 2019. In September 2020, handguns purchased by Klosek were recovered as part of criminal investigations in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and Riverside, California. In October 2020, another firearm was recovered by Hartford Police.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Offense under Project EJECTRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Mississippi – Kevin Jaquan Willis, 23, of Gulfport, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Brad L. Byerley, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”).
On October 7, 2020, Gulfport police officers stopped a vehicle driven by Willis and discovered in the vehicle 98 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and a Smith and Wesson M&P 15, assault style rifle. The rifle was loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition.
Willis admitted to regularly smoking marijuana since he was 15 years old. He also indicated that he smoked about an ounce of marijuana per day. Finally, Willis admitted to possessing both the marijuana and the rifle.
Willis will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on May 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the DEA and the Gulfport Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
Gulfport Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Offense under Project EJECTRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Mississippi – Marquise Deshun Spanks, 30, of Gulfport, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Michele Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) in Mississippi.
On October 20, 2020, Biloxi police officers stopped a vehicle being driven by Spanks and discovered he possessed two firearms in the vehicle, one of which was reported stolen. Spanks was previously convicted of a felony drug offense.
On November 4, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Spanks for possessing the firearms after having been convicted of a felony. He will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on May 20, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the offense. If the Court determines that Spanks is an Armed Career Criminal, he will face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Biloxi Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 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.
Grand jury indicts St. Louis County man for tax fraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury, on Wednesday, indicted 49-year-old Richard Rief on 14 counts of failure to collect and pay over employment taxes and two counts of failure to file or pay tax.
According to the indictment, Richard Rief owned and operated Med Plus Staffing, LLC (MPS) and Rief Healthcare (RHC). MPS was a healthcare staffing business and RHC was a hospice care business. Both businesses were based in St. Louis County.
Rief filed IRS forms reporting employment taxes due and owing but failed to pay those taxes, except when necessary to convince the IRS to delay a levy or accept an installment agreement. In total, Rief failed to pay more than $522,270 in employment taxes which had been withheld from employees’ paychecks and were due to the federal government.
In addition, Rief failed to pay his individual income tax liability in 2015 and 2016, instead he chose to spend the money on lavish purchases. In 2017, while Rief faced back taxes for both his businesses and himself, he spent large sums of money on a 50-foot yacht, a Maserati and a hangar for his airplane. In total, during the calendar years alleged in the indictment, Rief failed to pay approximately $107,332 in individual taxes owed.
For each count of willful failure to collect or pay over tax, Rief faces no more than five years in prison and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.
For each count of willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax, Rief faces no more than one year in prison and/or a fine of no more than $25,000.
Charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The IRS investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Box handled the case.
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Fresno Man Previously Convicted of Assault with a Firearm on a Person Indicted for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Steven Eric Cabrera, 25, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Cabrera communicated over the social media platform Snap Chat to arrange the sale of a handgun at a local park. When he arrived, his car was stopped by law enforcement officers who searched the car and found a bag with a towel-wrapped handgun hidden inside. Cabrera cannot legally possess firearms because in 2017 he was convicted of assaulting a person with a firearm, a felony.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Cabrera 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.
Fresno Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Hector Kioni Gongora, 43, of Fresno, charging him with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted of a felony, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, on Jan. 11, Gongora was arrested on a felony warrant and found to be in possession of a firearm and methamphetamine. A search of his residence recovered 177 additional rounds of ammunition. Gongora is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the possession of methamphetamine count, Gongora faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. If convicted of the counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, Gongora faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. 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.