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Friday 27 November 2020
Mas De 700 Miembros De Grupos Criminales Transnacionalales Son Arrestados En Centro America En Operativo Con Asistencia De Los Estados UnidosRead the Press Release
Oficiales principales de las agencias del orden público de los Estados Unidos, El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras anunciaron hoy la radicación de imputaciones de más de 700 miembros de organizaciones criminales transnacionales, principalmente miembros de las pandillas de la MS-13 y Calle 18 en Centroamérica, en una operativo judicial coordinado que duró por una semana conocido como Operación Escudo Regional (OER). OER comenzó en el 2017 y es una iniciativa liderada por el Departamento de Justicia para combatir el crimen organizado transnacional que une a fiscales anti-pandillas e investigadores de El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico y los Estados Unidos. A través de reuniones de coordinación celebradas trimestralmente, este grupo ha coordinado investigaciones que abarcan varios países y arrestos a través de la región.
Las autoridades también anunciaron los arrestos de 36 individuos en El Salvador y Honduras involucrados con redes de tráfico de personas que abarcan Centroamérica y los Estados Unidos. Entre los imputados en Honduras se encuentra un comisionado de la policía, un sub-inspector de la policía y tres agentes del orden público. Los arrestados están imputados con violaciones de tráfico de personas, el lavado de dinero, y asociación ilegal para cometer un delito. Las imputaciones fueron anunciadas por el Fiscal General de los Estados Unidos William P. Barr, el Fiscal General Raúl Melara de El Salvador, la Fiscal General María Consuelo Porras Argueta de Guatemala, y el Fiscal General de Honduras Oscar Fernando Chinchilla, a través de la Oficina de Prensa del Ministerio Público.
“El Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos y nuestros aliados del orden público en Centroamérica están comprometidos con la colaboración continua para localizar y arrestar a los miembros y asociados de las pandillas involucrados en crímenes transnacionales,” dijo el Fiscal General Barr. “Nuestros países están más seguros cuando se trabaja conjuntamente en aras de proteger la seguridad nacional y asegurar la seguridad pública en nuestros vecindarios.”
En el 2017, el Fiscal General de los Estados Unidos en conjunto con sus homólogos de la región se comprometieron en combatir el crimen organizado transnacional y reducir la migración ilegal a los Estados Unidos a través de mayor cooperación y asistencia técnica con los aliados del orden público. Estos esfuerzos han causado los siguientes resultados esta semana:
Fiscales en El Salvador radicaron acusaciones en contra de más de 1,152 miembros de grupos criminales organizados en el país, primordialmente contra las pandillas MS-13 y Calle 18. En cuestión de horas, la Policía Civil Nacional había capturado a 572 individuos imputados por los delitos de terrorismo, asesinato, extorsión, secuestro, robo de vehículos, hurto, conspiración, narcotráfico, el lavado de dinero, violaciones a la ley de armas de fuego, tráfico de personas y trata de personas. Los fiscales y la Policía Nacional incautaron bienes de estos grupos del crimen organizado con el propósito de decomisarlos.
En Guatemala, la Fiscalía Contra el Delito de Anti-Extorsión, la Unidad Contra Delitos Transnacionales de la Fiscalía y la Unidad Especial Anti-Pandillas Transnacionales y la policía ejecutaron 80 órdenes de allanamiento, arrestaron 40 personas, y notificaron 29 órdenes de arresto a personas en custodia, todos ellos miembros de las pandillas Calle 18 y MS-13. Se incautó drogas y un arma de fuego, y se radicaron por cargos de extorsión, asociación ilícita, conspiración para cometer asesinato y obstrucción a la justicia. En este caso hay cuatro compañías de transportistas víctimas de extorsión por un monto que asciende a $54,523
En Honduras, la operación conjunta OER se llevó a cabo en diferentes fases durante el periodo de una semana y resultó en el arresto de aproximadamente 75 miembros de las pandillas MS-13 y Calle 18, y la ejecución de más de 10 órdenes de allanamiento. Armas de fuego ilegales, teléfonos celulares, drogas y dinero fueron incautados. Los individuos arrestados fueron imputados con asociación ilícita, asesinato y conspiración para cometer asesinato, extorsión y narcotráfico.
El 9 de febrero de 2017, el Presidente Donald J. Trump emitió la Orden Ejecutiva Para Hacer Cumplir la Ley Federal Sobre las Organizaciones de Crímenes Transnacionales y Prevenir el Tráfico Internacional para desmantelar y erradicar las pandillas transnacionales que amenazan la seguridad de nuestras comunidades. Conforme a esa orden, el Departamento de Justicia ha hecho su prioridad el desmantelar las redes criminales transnacionales de tráfico de personas y pandillas incluyendo la MS-13.
Los esfuerzos anti-pandilla de Escudo Regional han conducido a la radicación de cargos criminales en contra de más de 11,000 miembros de pandillas desde el 2017, incluyendo líderes de pandillas a nivel nacional. Muchas de estas imputaciones incluyen la incautación de bienes pertenecientes a las pandillas incluyendo armas de fuego y dinero. También durante este tiempo más de una docena de redes involucradas en el tráfico y/o trata de personas fueron desmanteladas. La asistencia técnica provista por la Oficina Internacional para el Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación Técnica del Departamento de Justicia (OPDAT) en la región de Centroamérica ha tenido un rol clave para reunir a los Fiscales Generales de El Salvador, Guatemala, y Honduras para desarrollar operaciones regionales enfocadas en combatir pandillas incluyendo la MS-13 y Calle 18, como también organizaciones transnacionales dedicadas al tráfico de personas. Además, como resultado de la asistencia técnica provista por OPDAT, los aliados del Departamento de Justicia en Centro América han fortalecido la cooperación y desarrollado las habilidades, herramientas y técnicas para maximizar resultados contra todo tipo de crimen organizado transnacional impactando la región y los Estados Unidos.
“Desde el 2017, se ha trabajado de manera conjunta y coordinada entre los países que conforman el triángulo norte y nuestro socio estratégico, los Estados Unidos de América,” dijo el Fiscal General de El Salvador Raúl Melara. “Para dar respuesta a la población salvadoreña y procurar que los criminales respondan ante la justicia, hemos reforzado el trabajo que realizan las Unidades Especializadas de la Fiscalía para ser efectivos en lucha contra el crimen organizado y estructuras terroristas. Estoy comprometido como Fiscal General a continuar en este esfuerzo coordinado. Solo lograremos erradicar el crimen transnacional uniendo esfuerzos regionales y continuando el trabajo conjunto.”
“Como Fiscal General de la República y Jefe del Ministerio Público, reafirmo mi compromiso en el combate de la delincuencia organizada transnacional, uno de los ejes primordiales de mi gestión,” dijo la Fiscal General de Guatemala María Consuelo Porras Argueta. “Para el efecto, hemos incrementado los esfuerzos para dar una respuesta efectiva a la población mediante la creación de la Fiscalía contra Delitos Transnacionales, la Unidad Especial Antipandillas Transnacionales, la Unidad Especial contra Delitos en Aeropuertos y Aerodromos, la suscripción de la declaración del Gurpo Asesor de Fiscales Generales del Triángulo Norte, la cual tengo a honra presidir; entre otras acciones estratégicas para combatir la delincuencia organizada transnacional con acciones frontales contra el narcotráfico, pandillas, crimen organizado y tráfico ilícito de migrantes.”
“Considero ante la amenaza regional que presentan estos delitos transnacionales, la respuesta debe ser de igual forma interagencial y regional,” dijo el Fiscal General de Honduras Oscar Fernando Chinchilla. “Solo de esta forma se puede neutralizar los efectos dañinos de estas organizaciones criminales.”
En El Salvador, Guatemala, y Honduras, las investigaciones de organizaciones criminales transnacionales se manejan por fiscales regionales anti-pandillas que reciben capacitaciones financiadas por el Departamento de Estado y asesoría por el Negociado Investigaciones Federales (FBI), la Oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (HSI), y la Oficina Internacional para el Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación Técnica del Departamento de Justicia (OPDAT). Con el apoyo de la Oficina de Narcóticos Internacionales y Asuntos de Aplicación de la Ley del Departamento de Estado (INL), los fiscales de OPDAT han ayudado a establecer fuerzas de tarea en la región y trabajan con las Unidades Transnacionales Anti-Pandillas (TAG) del FBI y también las Unidades de Investigaciones Criminales Transnacionales de HSI (TCIU). Estos esfuerzos han ayudado a nuestros aliados en Centroamérica a condenar a miles de criminales, confiscar más de USD$ 1 billón de activos ilícitos, y coordinar docenas de investigaciones transnacionales con sus homólogos de Estados Unidos.
Las agencias del orden público involucrados en esta última sexta operación OER incluyeron El Salvador’s Fiscalia General de la Republica (FGR) y la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC); Honduras Policía Nacional, la Dirección Nacional de Servicios Especiales de Investigación (DNSEI), Agencia Técnica de Investigaciones Criminales (ATIC), y Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y Pandillas (FNAMP) y Guatemala’s Fiscalía Contra Delitos Transnacionales, Fiscalía Contra el Delito de Extorsión, y la Unidad Especial Anti-Pandillas Transnacionales, Policía Nacional Civil, División Especializada en Investigación Criminal y División Nacional Contra las Pandillas de la Policía Nacional Civil.
En Inglés
Mas De 700 Miembros De Grupos Criminales Transnacionalales Son Arrestados En Centro America En Operativo Con Asistencia De Los Estados UnidosRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Oficiales principales de las agencias del orden público de los Estados Unidos, El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras anunciaron hoy la radicación de imputaciones de más de 700 miembros de organizaciones criminales transnacionales, principalmente miembros de las pandillas de la MS-13 y Calle 18 en Centroamérica, en una operativo judicial coordinado que duró por una semana conocido como Operación Escudo Regional (OER). OER comenzó en el 2017 y es una iniciativa liderada por el Departamento de Justicia para combatir el crimen organizado transnacional que une a fiscales anti-pandillas e investigadores de El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico y los Estados Unidos. A través de reuniones de coordinación celebradas trimestralmente, este grupo ha coordinado investigaciones que abarcan varios países y arrestos a través de la región.
Las autoridades también anunciaron los arrestos de 36 individuos en El Salvador y Honduras involucrados con redes de tráfico de personas que abarcan Centroamérica y los Estados Unidos. Entre los imputados en Honduras se encuentra un comisionado de la policía, un sub-inspector de la policía y tres agentes del orden público. Los arrestados están imputados con violaciones de tráfico de personas, el lavado de dinero, y asociación ilegal para cometer un delito. Las imputaciones fueron anunciadas por el Fiscal General de los Estados Unidos William P. Barr, el Fiscal General Raúl Melara de El Salvador, la Fiscal General María Consuelo Porras Argueta de Guatemala, y el Fiscal General de Honduras Oscar Fernando Chinchilla, a través de la Oficina de Prensa del Ministerio Público.
“El Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos y nuestros aliados del orden público en Centroamérica están comprometidos con la colaboración continua para localizar y arrestar a los miembros y asociados de las pandillas involucrados en crímenes transnacionales,” dijo el Fiscal General Barr. “Nuestros países están más seguros cuando se trabaja conjuntamente en aras de proteger la seguridad nacional y asegurar la seguridad pública en nuestros vecindarios.”
En el 2017, el Fiscal General de los Estados Unidos en conjunto con sus homólogos de la región se comprometieron en combatir el crimen organizado transnacional y reducir la migración ilegal a los Estados Unidos a través de mayor cooperación y asistencia técnica con los aliados del orden público. Estos esfuerzos han causado los siguientes resultados esta semana:
Fiscales en El Salvador radicaron acusaciones en contra de más de 1,152 miembros de grupos criminales organizados en el país, primordialmente contra las pandillas MS-13 y Calle 18. En cuestión de horas, la Policía Civil Nacional había capturado a 572 individuos imputados por los delitos de terrorismo, asesinato, extorsión, secuestro, robo de vehículos, hurto, conspiración, narcotráfico, el lavado de dinero, violaciones a la ley de armas de fuego, tráfico de personas y trata de personas. Los fiscales y la Policía Nacional incautaron bienes de estos grupos del crimen organizado con el propósito de decomisarlos.
En Guatemala, la Fiscalía Contra el Delito de Anti-Extorsión, la Unidad Contra Delitos Transnacionales de la Fiscalía y la Unidad Especial Anti-Pandillas Transnacionales y la policía ejecutaron 80 órdenes de allanamiento, arrestaron 40 personas, y notificaron 29 órdenes de arresto a personas en custodia, todos ellos miembros de las pandillas Calle 18 y MS-13. Se incautó drogas y un arma de fuego, y se radicaron por cargos de extorsión, asociación ilícita, conspiración para cometer asesinato y obstrucción a la justicia. En este caso hay cuatro compañías de transportistas víctimas de extorsión por un monto que asciende a $54,523
En Honduras, la operación conjunta OER se llevó a cabo en diferentes fases durante el periodo de una semana y resultó en el arresto de aproximadamente 75 miembros de las pandillas MS-13 y Calle 18, y la ejecución de más de 10 órdenes de allanamiento. Armas de fuego ilegales, teléfonos celulares, drogas y dinero fueron incautados. Los individuos arrestados fueron imputados con asociación ilícita, asesinato y conspiración para cometer asesinato, extorsión y narcotráfico.
El 9 de febrero de 2017, el Presidente Donald J. Trump emitió la Orden Ejecutiva Para Hacer Cumplir la Ley Federal Sobre las Organizaciones de Crímenes Transnacionales y Prevenir el Tráfico Internacional para desmantelar y erradicar las pandillas transnacionales que amenazan la seguridad de nuestras comunidades. Conforme a esa orden, el Departamento de Justicia ha hecho su prioridad el desmantelar las redes criminales transnacionales de tráfico de personas y pandillas incluyendo la MS-13.
Los esfuerzos anti-pandilla de Escudo Regional han conducido a la radicación de cargos criminales en contra de más de 11,000 miembros de pandillas desde el 2017, incluyendo líderes de pandillas a nivel nacional. Muchas de estas imputaciones incluyen la incautación de bienes pertenecientes a las pandillas incluyendo armas de fuego y dinero. También durante este tiempo más de una docena de redes involucradas en el tráfico y/o trata de personas fueron desmanteladas. La asistencia técnica provista por la Oficina Internacional para el Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación Técnica del Departamento de Justicia (OPDAT) en la región de Centroamérica ha tenido un rol clave para reunir a los Fiscales Generales de El Salvador, Guatemala, y Honduras para desarrollar operaciones regionales enfocadas en combatir pandillas incluyendo la MS-13 y Calle 18, como también organizaciones transnacionales dedicadas al tráfico de personas. Además, como resultado de la asistencia técnica provista por OPDAT, los aliados del Departamento de Justicia en Centro América han fortalecido la cooperación y desarrollado las habilidades, herramientas y técnicas para maximizar resultados contra todo tipo de crimen organizado transnacional impactando la región y los Estados Unidos.
“Desde el 2017, se ha trabajado de manera conjunta y coordinada entre los países que conforman el triángulo norte y nuestro socio estratégico, los Estados Unidos de América,” dijo el Fiscal General de El Salvador Raúl Melara. “Para dar respuesta a la población salvadoreña y procurar que los criminales respondan ante la justicia, hemos reforzado el trabajo que realizan las Unidades Especializadas de la Fiscalía para ser efectivos en lucha contra el crimen organizado y estructuras terroristas. Estoy comprometido como Fiscal General a continuar en este esfuerzo coordinado. Solo lograremos erradicar el crimen transnacional uniendo esfuerzos regionales y continuando el trabajo conjunto.”
“Como Fiscal General de la República y Jefe del Ministerio Público, reafirmo mi compromiso en el combate de la delincuencia organizada transnacional, uno de los ejes primordiales de mi gestión,” dijo la Fiscal General de Guatemala María Consuelo Porras Argueta. “Para el efecto, hemos incrementado los esfuerzos para dar una respuesta efectiva a la población mediante la creación de la Fiscalía contra Delitos Transnacionales, la Unidad Especial Antipandillas Transnacionales, la Unidad Especial contra Delitos en Aeropuertos y Aerodromos, la suscripción de la declaración del Gurpo Asesor de Fiscales Generales del Triángulo Norte, la cual tengo a honra presidir; entre otras acciones estratégicas para combatir la delincuencia organizada transnacional con acciones frontales contra el narcotráfico, pandillas, crimen organizado y tráfico ilícito de migrantes.”
“Considero ante la amenaza regional que presentan estos delitos transnacionales, la respuesta debe ser de igual forma interagencial y regional,” dijo el Fiscal General de Honduras Oscar Fernando Chinchilla. “Solo de esta forma se puede neutralizar los efectos dañinos de estas organizaciones criminales.”
En El Salvador, Guatemala, y Honduras, las investigaciones de organizaciones criminales transnacionales se manejan por fiscales regionales anti-pandillas que reciben capacitaciones financiadas por el Departamento de Estado y asesoría por el Negociado Investigaciones Federales (FBI), la Oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (HSI), y la Oficina Internacional para el Desarrollo, Asistencia y Capacitación Técnica del Departamento de Justicia (OPDAT). Con el apoyo de la Oficina de Narcóticos Internacionales y Asuntos de Aplicación de la Ley del Departamento de Estado (INL), los fiscales de OPDAT han ayudado a establecer fuerzas de tarea en la región y trabajan con las Unidades Transnacionales Anti-Pandillas (TAG) del FBI y también las Unidades de Investigaciones Criminales Transnacionales de HSI (TCIU). Estos esfuerzos han ayudado a nuestros aliados en Centroamérica a condenar a miles de criminales, confiscar más de USD$ 1 billón de activos ilícitos, y coordinar docenas de investigaciones transnacionales con sus homólogos de Estados Unidos.
Las agencias del orden público involucrados en esta última sexta operación OER incluyeron El Salvador’s Fiscalia General de la Republica (FGR) y la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC); Honduras Policía Nacional, la Dirección Nacional de Servicios Especiales de Investigación (DNSEI), Agencia Técnica de Investigaciones Criminales (ATIC), y Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y Pandillas (FNAMP) y Guatemala’s Fiscalía Contra Delitos Transnacionales, Fiscalía Contra el Delito de Extorsión, y la Unidad Especial Anti-Pandillas Transnacionales, Policía Nacional Civil, División Especializada en Investigación Criminal y División Nacional Contra las Pandillas de la Policía Nacional Civil.
En el 2020 el Departamento de Justica cumple sus 150 años de aniversario. Use el enlace para conocer más sobre la historia de nuestra institución, www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Boston Man Arrested Carrying Loaded Firearm at MBTA Station in BostonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was arrested last night and charged with illegally carrying a loaded pistol. The defendant, who allegedly purchased a firearm and body armor, and material that could be used to assemble explosives, adheres to the anti-government/anti-authority sovereign citizen extremist ideology.
Pepo Herd El a/k/a Pepo Wamchawi Herd (El), 47, of Dorchester, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Following an initial appearance, El was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 2, 2020.
According to the criminal complaint, El is suspected of compiling chemicals that can be used to manufacture explosives and has been under law enforcement surveillance.
It is alleged that in the early afternoon of Nov. 26, 2020, El took a bus from his house in Dorchester to the Ruggles MBTA station. At Ruggles, El was detained and searched pursuant to a search warrant. During that search, law enforcement discovered that El was in possession of a loaded pistol, three spare magazines that were also fully loaded, a knife and a bullet-proof vest. El was also wearing a security jacket although he is not believed to work as a security guard. Due to a 2004 state conviction for possessing firearms without permits, El is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. The investigation remains ongoing.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force with substantial assistance from the Boston Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Beck and Benjamin Tolkoff of Lelling’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wednesday 25 November 2020
Venezuelan Business Executive Charged in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A dual Venezuelan-Italian citizen who controlled multiple companies via U.S. based bank accounts was charged in an indictment returned Tuesday for his role in laundering the proceeds of inflated contracts that were obtained by making bribe payments to officials at Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Tyler R. Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
Natalino D’Amato, 61, of Venezuela, was charged in an 11-count indictment filed in the Southern District of Florida. D’Amato was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, four counts of international money laundering, three counts of promotional money laundering, and three counts of engaging in transactions involving criminally derived property.
The indictment alleges that, beginning in January 2013 and continuing through December 2017, D’Amato conspired with others, including officials at joint ventures between PDVSA and various foreign companies in the oil-rich Orinoco belt of Venezuela, to launder the proceeds of an illegal bribery scheme to and from bank accounts located in South Florida. These joint ventures were majority owned and controlled by PDVSA. According to the indictment, D’Amato offered and paid bribes to numerous Venezuelan officials who worked at the PDVSA joint ventures in order to obtain highly inflated and lucrative contracts to provide goods and services to the PDVSA joint ventures. The indictment further alleges that over the course of the conspiracy, companies controlled by D’Amato received approximately $160 million from the PDVSA joint ventures into accounts he controlled in South Florida. According to the charges, D’Amato used a portion of those funds to make payments to or for the benefit of the Venezuelan officials.
The indictment also includes allegations seeking criminal forfeiture of bank accounts involved in the charged offenses, with funds totaling approximately $45 million.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the HSI Miami Field Office and IRS-CI Miami Field Office. Trial Attorney Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Berger of the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrienne E. Rosen of the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture.
The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Two Youngstown men each sentenced to more than 15 years for multiple armed robberiesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that Melvin Lee Jackson, 18, and Edgar Ramirez, 22, both of Youngstown, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Benita Y. Pearson after they each pleaded guilty to committing a string of armed robberies at several locations in the Youngstown, Struthers and Boardman areas.
“Both of these men will now spend almost two decades behind bars for their actions that terrorized a community,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “The length of these sentences should show that pointing a gun at the head of innocent people simply trying to do their job and demanding money will put you in jail for a very long time.”
Melvin Lee Jackson was sentenced to 192 months imprisonment and required to pay $7,870.99 in restitution. Edgar Ramirez was sentenced to 228 months and ordered to pay $4,787.62 in restitution.
From December 17 to December 21, 2019, Jackson and Ramirez committed a series of armed robberies at a Speedway in Boardman, a Subway in Youngstown and a Kwik Fill in Struthers. During each robbery, Ramirez and Jackson held store employees at gunpoint, threatened violence and demanded money.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank investigators with the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center and the Youngstown, Boardman, and Struthers police departments for their cooperation with this matter. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Toepfer and Yasmine Makridis.
Swedish Medical Center First Hill settles allegations it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in caring for patients who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearingRead the Press Release
Seattle - The U.S. Department of Justice and Swedish Medical Center First Hill have settled allegations that the medical center violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in its care and treatment of three different patients with vision and hearing impairments, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. Swedish will pay $50,000 to the government and $90,000 to the impacted individuals whose rights were violated. Swedish Medical Center First Hill will make significant changes to its policies and procedures and to its training programs to ensure it meets the needs of all patients who have hearing or visual impairments.
“In this, the 30th year of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is critical that all organizations—but especially health care providers—deliver services in a way that meets the needs of people with different impairments,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “I am pleased to see that Swedish is adopting a detailed plan to improve its services and will report back to my office on its ongoing efforts.”
The ADA mandates that public accommodations, including healthcare providers, provide auxiliary aids and services free of charge to patients who need them in order to communicate effectively. According to the settlement documents, on multiple occasions Swedish First Hill failed to provide qualified tactile or sign language interpreters to communicate with two patients who are deaf-blind and one who is deaf. The medical center failed to provide patient D.A. who is deaf‑blind with a qualified tactile interpreter necessary to effective communication on several occasions in 2018, including pre-surgical consultation, surgery, and post-surgical care. At times, D.A. was offered video remote interpreting (“VRI”), which relies on the ability to see a screen. In order to communicate at all, D.A.’s brother was put in the difficult position of serving as both a supportive companion and medical interpreter, a position for which he is not qualified. Swedish is paying D.A. $50,000 and his brother $10,000 as part of the settlement.
A second patient who is deaf-blind, B.V., also did not get a qualified tactile interpreter necessary to effective communication during his March 2019 visit to the emergency room and during his discharge from the hospital. B.V. was also offered VRI instead of a tactile interpreter. B.V. will receive $15,000 as part of the settlement.
Finally, the medical center failed to provide J.A. who is deaf with a qualified American Sign Language (“ASL”) interpreter necessary to effective communication during her post-surgical consultation/discharge meeting with her health care provider. J.A. is also receiving $15,000 as part of the settlement.
Under the terms of the settlement, Swedish will train staff on new procedures for ensuring qualified interpreters are present for patients who need them. The hospital will log the use of interpreters and provide that information to the U.S. Attorney’s Office every six months. Further, the medical center will notify the U.S. Attorney’s Office of any complaints alleging that Swedish First Hill failed to provide auxiliary aids and services to patients or companions who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, or otherwise failed to provide effective communication with such patients or companions.
The investigation and settlement were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christina Fogg. Ms. Fogg coordinates the Civil Rights Program for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Sussex County Woman Charged with Concealing Terrorist Financing to Syrian Al-Nusra Front, a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
A Sussex County, New Jersey, woman, Maria Bell, a/k/a “Maria Sue Bell,” 53, of Hopatcong, New Jersey, was arrested at her home today and charged with one count of knowingly concealing the provision of material support and resources to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the District of New Jersey announced.
She is scheduled to appear by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor.
According to documents filed in Court, beginning at least as early as March of 2017, Bell used mobile applications to communicate with and provide advice to fighters based in Syria who were members of various factions fighting the Assad regime. The complaint is centered on her communications with, and provision of money to, one specific fighter based in Syria, a self-identified member of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alias for the the designated Foreign Terrorist Organization the al-Nusra Front (ANF). Notably, Bell sent currency to this fighter via Western Union using an intermediary to conceal the source of the funds, and also provided him advice on weapons and ammunition.
The charge of concealment of terrorist financing to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit with the assistance of the Department of Justice, National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sussex County Woman Charged with Concealing Terrorist Financing to Syrian Al-Nusra Front, a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Sussex County, New Jersey, woman, was arrested at her home today in connection with concealing sending money to a Syrian foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Maria Bell, a/k/a “Maria Sue Bell,” 53, of Hopatcong, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of knowingly concealing the provision of material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. She is scheduled to appear by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From February of 2017, Bell used encrypted applications to communicate with and provide advice to fighters based in Syria who were members of the al-Nusra Front (ANF), also known by other aliases, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), fighting the Assad regime. Bell communicated with and provided money to one self-identified member of HTS based in Syria, identified in the complaint as “User 1.” Bell sent currency to User 1 via Western Union, using an intermediary to conceal the source of the funds, and also provided him advice on weapons and ammunition.
In communications with HTS fighters, Bell cited her professional experience – including her specialized weapons training while on active duty in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard – to provide guidance concerning operational security issues, firearms purchases, and military knowledge. She had thousands of encrypted communications with User 1 about operational planning and provided details with regard to concealing payments sent to User 1.
User 1 made his status as an HTS fighter clear. In one communication, Bell and User 1 discussed User 1’s pledge to HTS and the ongoing Syrian conflict. Bell stated: “If Assad wins, mujahideen will be persecuted again,” and “If Assad wins, I cannot get a visa into Syria. I cannot come to you.” In the same communication, the defendant later asked User 1 if he was ready to fight:
Bell: Are you ready to fight in front line with other fighters? You are no longer young child like you used to be.
Bell: It will be frightening. But I am with you
In another communication, User 1, after discussing U.S. support for the Syrian regime, which HTS and other groups were fighting at the time, stated: “If you want to hit the Syrian airports, we will return to revenge within New York.” Later in the encrypted communication, Bell states “If there were ever an attack in New York, all Muslims and helpers like me will be arrested….”
Bell provided advice to User 1 regarding the purchase of a firearm and ammunition for User 1. They discussed the cost and type of weapons that would be good for User 1, in addition to various types of ammunition.
Bell also wired money, often at the direction of User 1, to individuals in Turkey and Syria who are supporters of HTS, knowing that the funds would support acts of terrorism by HTS. The defendant concealed the nature, location, and ownership of payments, sending at least 18 payments totaling $3,150 to several accounts used by User-1’s associates. In one communication, she expressed concern that her transfers could be tracked by U.S. law enforcement:
Bell: But I will not have my account watched more closely than it is already.
Bell: Each time I withdraw money, it is noted because Western Union is trying to track fraud and terrorists for the government.
The charge of concealment of terrorist financing to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., and special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit and Trial Attorney Brenda Sue Thornton of the Department of Justice, National Security Division.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Second Extradited Israeli Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Conducting Illegal Gambling Business, Money Laundering, and Failure to AppearRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Orel Gohar, 30, formerly of San Francisco, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conducting an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and failure to appear, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Gohar participated in operating an organization that installed and maintained illegal video slot machines at businesses open to the public across Northern California. Gohar also participated in two different conspiracies to launder the proceeds of the lucrative gambling business through co-defendants’ other businesses. In total, Gohar participated in laundering at least $650,000.
Court documents also detail Gohar’s escape from the United States by charter jet through Mexico, France, and Israel. Gohar was first arrested on Dec. 8, 2017, in connection with his initial charges and granted pretrial release. On Jan. 8, 2018, he failed to appear in federal court for a hearing, and he remained a fugitive for nearly two years until his arrest in Israel in December 2019.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and California Department of Justice – Bureau of Gambling Control. Assistance was provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Israeli authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Miriam R. Hinman is prosecuting the case.
Co-defendant Eran Buhbut, 35, of Oakland, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. The remaining co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
Gohar is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge John A. Mendez on March 2, 2021. Gohar faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison for the illegal gambling offense, 20 years in prison for each of the money laundering conspiracies, and five years in prison for the failure to appear (to be served consecutively to the other sentences imposed). 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.
Rumney Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Shane Thompson, 46, of Rumney, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 4, 2019, law enforcement officers went to Thompson’s home to arrest him on outstanding warrants. Officers encountered Thompson as he was fleeing from them in the woods by his home. When officers arrested him, they found a handgun in his pocket. Officers obtained a warrant to search Thompson’s home and seized large quantities of ammunition as well as a .40 caliber magazine. As a convicted felon, Thompson is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2021.
“In order to protect the public from violent crime, we need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We will continue to work closely with ATF, New Hampshire State Police and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who violate federal law by illegally possessing firearms.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Dealing EcstasyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tomas Martinez-Devedia, 27, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possessing with intent to distribute and distributing MDMA (Ecstasy). The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha Couslon, who is handling the case, stated that in June 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating the defendant's possession and distribution of controlled substances that he acquired via Bitcoin. On October 26 and December 3, 2018, HSI conducted controlled purchases of MDMA from Martinez-Devedia. On December 10, 2018, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s University Avenue apartment in Rochester. They recovered cutting agents, a scale, $4,990.00, multiple electronic devices, and three bags containing suspected ketamine.
The defendant was charged by a criminal complaint December 2018 and, following his initial appearance in District Court, was released on conditions, including that he not commit any offense in violation of federal, state, or local law. On January 6, 2020, Customs and Border Protection notified HSI that three international mail parcels originating in Barcelona, Spain, and destined for two addresses in the Rochester area, had been inspected and found to contain a brown chunky substance that field tested positive for MDMA. On January 10, 2020, members of the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted a controlled delivery of the three suspicious postal packages. Investigators then executed search warrants at the two locations. When questioned, the recipients of the packages advised investigators that the packages were supposed to be delivered to the defendant. Later that day, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of two parcels filled with sham to the defendant, who was arrested at that time.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations; and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Repeat Narcotics Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sold narcotics out of his home near Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, was sentenced November 24, 2020, to more than four years in federal prison.
Virgil Lee Hubbard, age 40, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute near a protected location. There was also a firearm found inside the residence.
At the guilty plea, Hubbard admitted he possessed at least five grams of pure ice methamphetamine with the intent to distribute or sell it. He possessed the meth and a gun at a home located near Loras College. This was not his first conviction for drug trafficking. Hubbard was previously convicted of distributing heroin within 1,000 feet of a park in Iowa.
Hubbard was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court C.J. Williams. Hubbard was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He must also serve an 8-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Hubbard is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 20-CR-1004.
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Rapid City Priest Sentenced to 7 Years and 9 Months in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, Transportation of Stolen Money, and Filing a False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Marcin Stanislaw Garbacz, age 42, an ordained priest assigned to the Catholic Diocese in Rapid City, South Dakota, was sentenced on November 23, 2020 by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge, on fifty counts of Wire Fraud, nine counts of Money Laundering, one count of Transportation of Stolen Money, and five counts of Making and Subscribing a False Tax Return. Garbacz was convicted in March 2020 following a week-long jury trial at the federal courthouse in Rapid City.
Garbacz was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Garbacz was ordered to pay a $6,500 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and $258,696.19 in restitution to be split equally between three churches - St. Therese the Little Flower, Blessed Sacrament, and Cathedral of our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), and $46,008 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
The evidence at trial established Garbacz, while employed as a priest and Chaplin with the Catholic Diocese in Rapid City, devised a scheme to steal cash collected from parishioners at various church services by secretly entering the areas in three parish churches where weekly donations were stored. Garbacz entered the church buildings late in the evening, removing and replacing special, tamper-proof bank bags, and making multiple same-day deposits totaling tens of thousands of dollars of stolen cash donations. Between 2012 and 2018, Garbacz stole $258,696.19 from St. Therese, Blessed Sacrament, and Cathedral OLPH Catholic Parishes in Rapid City. Garbacz also filed false tax returns for tax years 2013 through 2017.
Garbacz used the more than $250,000.00 in stolen donations to purchase for himself over a dozen gold-plated chalices, numerous bronze statues, a $10,000 diamond ring, a grand piano, Mont Blanc fountain pens, and other items.
Once he was made aware of the federal investigation, Garbacz drained his bank account of $50,500 and bought a one-way plane ticket to Poland. Fortunately, he was arrested by federal agents at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in May 2019 just before his flight was to depart.
“Parishioners put their faith and trust in this man, and in return, he put their money in his pocket, all in the name of selfishness and greed. Marcin Garbacz not only betrayed the parishioners, he betrayed his fellow priests, so he could carry out his vendetta against the Catholic Church,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “This office will always stand up and help protect victims of financial fraud, and I appreciate the hard work of the IRS, which worked tirelessly to investigate this case and Garbacz’s criminal behavior.”
“While serving as a priest from 2012 through 2018, Mr. Garbacz violated the trust of the members of St. Therese the Little Flower, Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Blessed Sacrament for his own personal gain. Now, as a convicted felon, it is time for Mr. Garbacz to face his community and pay back the money he stole from the three parishes plus pay 5 years of unpaid federal taxes to the IRS,” said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the St. Louis Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office remain committed to protect the integrity of the tax system and innocent victims that suffer monetary loss.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted and tried the case, and the investigation was led by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Garbacz was immediately remanded to the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his custody sentence.
Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Indicted for Bank, Tax Fraud and Theft of Union Benefit FundsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Donald Dougherty, 54, of Philadelphia, PA, the owner of Dougherty Electric, Inc., (DEI) an electrical contracting business based in Philadelphia, PA, was charged by Indictment with multiple charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and theft from employee benefit plans. Also charged in the Indictment is Michael McKale, 47, of Warrington, PA, an accountant who worked for Dougherty, with counts related to tax fraud.
Specifically, Dougherty was charged with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, six counts of filing false tax returns, bank fraud, making a false statement to a bank, ten counts of filing false reports with unions, and 18 counts of failing to make contributions to union employee benefit funds on behalf of employees. McKale was charged with conspiracy to defraud the IRS and three counts of aiding and abetting the preparation and filing of false income tax returns.
According to the Indictment, Dougherty and his accountant, McKale, worked together to falsify corporate records so that Dougherty could pay less federal income tax than he was legally required to pay. The Indictment also charges that Dougherty gave his wife a no-show job at DEI, which paid $166,400 annually, mere weeks before she purchased a Jersey shore condominium for more than $900,000, and that he caused the falsification of corporate records in order to disguise her no-show salary as a legitimate business expense. In total, the defendant is charged with claiming a total of approximately $1.16 million in improper business expense deductions, causing a tax loss of approximately $416,300.
The Indictment further charges that in November 2015, Dougherty learned that the IRS had received an anonymous letter which reported that his wife had been given a no-show job and that DEI labor had renovated her condominium. Allegedly, after receiving that information, Dougherty filed amended income tax returns which removed certain improper business deductions but which still claimed false business deductions for his wife’s salary and car expenses. The Indictment alleges that McKale helped him commit this fraud while working remotely on DEI’s internal bookkeeping records by secretly changing properly recorded personal expenditures to make them appear to be business expenses in order to suppress Dougherty’s tax liability through fraud.
The Indictment also charges that Dougherty fraudulently represented to Wells Fargo Bank that he and his wife could not pay the mortgages on their $1.7 million South Philadelphia home, ultimately causing the bank to accept a one-time payment of $900,000 to settle the mortgages. However, according to the Indictment, Dougherty’s claims of financial distress were false and, in reality, DEI’s gross income increased from roughly $3 million in 2010 to about $23 million in 2013, causing the defendant’s personal income to surpass $2 million.
In addition to the above, the Indictment alleges that Dougherty committed multiple thefts from employee benefit plans. Specifically, the Indictment charges that Dougherty employed nonunion labor in Pittsburgh and paid them through a pass-through company created by his brother, all in order to avoid more than $500,000 in required contributions to the employee benefit fund of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 5 in Pittsburgh. The Indictment also alleges that Dougherty hired nonunion labor in Philadelphia and failed to pay $26,000 in contributions to IBEW Local 98’s employee benefit fund on their behalf.
“Donald Dougherty’s alleged schemes to enrich himself had multiple victims: hard-working union employees, bank stakeholders, and honest American taxpayers who pay their tax obligations,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams. “Further, he found an accountant to help him defraud the IRS by secretly changing properly recorded expenses into fraudulent ones. And when the defendants thought their scheme might be uncovered, they allegedly cooked the books even further to cover their tracks. The wide-ranging fraud alleged in this Indictment displays greed compounded by more greed, and it will be met with criminal consequences befitting such audacious conduct.”
“Donald Dougherty and Michael McKale are suspected of falsifying financial records to hide Donald Dougherty’s use of his business as a personal piggy bank,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso. “Criminal behavior like this is a slap in the face to all hardworking Americans who pay their tax obligations. Rest assured that protecting the integrity of the tax system continues to be a top priority for IRS-CI, as we strive to ensure that everyone pays their fair share.”
“Donald Dougherty allegedly cheated the government, his bank, and his employees,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Simply put, anyone seeking to evade their legitimate financial obligations through blatant and willful deception needs to answer for that fraud.”
“Employers may not, by scheme or subterfuge, deprive their employees of the hard–earned contributions due their employee benefit plans. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and its law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate this activity and pursue criminal charges as warranted,” said Michael Schloss, Regional Director of EBSA’s Philadelphia Regional Office.
If convicted, Dougherty faces in excess of 200 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a $9,250,000 fine, and McKale faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul L. Gray and Frank R. Costello.
Owner and Employees of Chicago-Area Child Care Centers Charged with Defrauding Illinois Low-Income Daycare Program Out of $6.1 MillionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The owner of Chicago-area child care centers and several of her employees fraudulently schemed to pocket more than $6.1 million from a State of Illinois program designed to help low-income families afford child care, according to an indictment returned in federal court.
ALEESHA McDOWELL owned child care providers A&A Kiddy Kollege Inc. in Calumet City, A&A Kiddy Kollege 2 in Calumet Park, and Kreative Kidz Academy Inc., Kreative Kidz Academy II Inc., and Kreative Kidz Academy III Inc. in Chicago. From 2012 to 2020, McDowell schemed with four directors of her centers and others to defraud the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Child Care Assistance Program by submitting and causing the submission of materially false information, including fraudulent paystubs and income verification letters, regarding a parent’s eligibility to qualify for state subsidy payments, the indictment states. McDowell and the co-schemers also assisted parents in completing false IDHS applications that fraudulently caused the state to issue subsidy payments to the centers, the indictment alleges. As a result of the scheme, the defendants caused IDHS to suffer a loss of at least $6.1 million, the indictment states.
The charges accuse McDowell of spending some of the criminally derived money on a 2017 Bentley Bentayga and a house in Mokena, Ill.
McDowell, 41, of Mokena, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Also charged with wire fraud are NICOLE LACEY, 36, of Burnham, Ill., who worked as director at AAKK and AAKK-2 (ten counts); STACY SIMS, 43, of Chicago, director at KKA-2 (two counts); JANELLE JORDAN, 40, of Chicago, director at KKA-3 (three counts); LAUREN COLEY, 40, of Phoenix, Ariz., director at AAKK and KKA (two counts); SHAVON JOHNSON, 47, of Country Club Hills, Ill. (four counts); and SEAN BLUNT, 44, of Matteson, Ill. (two counts).
The indictment was ordered unsealed on Monday. Most of the defendants have made initial appearances in federal court in Chicago.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Anthony Mohatt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Midwest Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Hernandez and Kate McClelland.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Owner of Rochester Trucking Company Charged with Lying to the Department of TransportationRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tony Kirik, a/k/a Anatoliy Kirik, 39, of Rochester, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with making false statements to the Federal Motor Commission Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and conspiring to do the same. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant owned and controlled a trucking business called Dallas Logistics. The company was put in the name of a nominee owner to conceal the fact that it was affiliated with another trucking company, Orange Transportation, that Kirik also controlled. Orange Transportation had received a negative rating from the Department of Transportation, and that negative rating would have been applied to Dallas Logistics had the true relationship between the two entities been disclosed to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In order to prevent the government from learning that the two entities were related and affiliated, Kirik directed his employees to create and present false documents and representations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was released.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas Shoemaker, Northeast Region, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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North Carolina Sport Supplement Company and Its Owner Plead Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Steroid-like DrugsRead the Press Release
A North Carolina resident and his sport supplement company pleaded guilty today to a felony charge relating to the introduction of unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce, the Department of Justice announced.
Brian Michael Parks, 47, of Apex, North Carolina, and MedFitRX, Inc, now known as MedFit Sarmacuticals Inc., a sport supplement company based in Cary, North Carolina, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia to one count of distributing unapproved new drugs with the intent to mislead and defraud the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and consumers. Parks admitted that, from approximately June 2017 to September 2019, he and his company unlawfully distributed Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and other substances that the FDA has not approved, including Ostarine (MK-2866), Ligandrol (LGD-4033), and Testolone (RAD-140). SARMs are synthetic chemicals designed to mimic the effects of testosterone and other anabolic steroids. The FDA has long warned against the use of SARMs like those found in MedFit products, including stating in a 2017 warning letter to another firm that SARMs have been linked to life-threatening reactions including liver toxicity, and have the potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
“Drugs must undergo FDA approval to ensure they are safe and effective for the public, and this defendant put consumers at risk by deliberately ignoring that process,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work hand-in-hand with FDA to investigate and prosecute anyone who puts personal profit before public health.”
“FDA enforces laws that are designed to protect the public health by ensuring, among other things, that drugs are safe and effective for their intended uses. Drugs disguised as supplements, of unknown origin and possibly toxic ingredients, that are manufactured and distributed outside the FDA’s oversight, endanger consumers,” said Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations Catherine A. Hermsen. “We remain committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who mislead the public and attempt to subvert the regulatory functions of the FDA by distributing unapproved and potentially dangerous products.”
“Parks and his company put his customers’ health at risk when he unlawfully distributed drugs without their being FDA approved,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar. “FDA regulations are integral to safeguarding consumers, and I am proud of our federal team that took on this investigation to ensure the process and the public are protected.”
In connection with his plea, Parks agreed to forfeit $1.2 million, reflecting the amount of MedFitRX products he sold across the United States through retail outlets and over the internet.
In pleading guilty, Parks also admitted that he intended to mislead and defraud the FDA and consumers by omitting ingredients on MedFitRX product labels, falsely claiming MedFitRX was licensed and registered to sell these new drugs, importing raw drug ingredients with the intent to avoid regulatory scrutiny, and misrepresenting MedFitRX products as “dietary supplements” or “sports supplements” to create the impression that they were safe and legal to use.
U.S. District Judge James P. Jones heard the defendants’ guilty pleas in federal court in Abingdon, Virginia, and set sentencing for Feb. 16, 2021.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Speare Hodges of the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. This matter was investigated by the FDAs Office of Criminal Investigations.
Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Rosemarie Cote, 45, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cote was part of a drug trafficking organization that sold fentanyl and cocaine to customers in Manchester. In July 2019, a cooperating individual purchased fentanyl from Cote. The investigation revealed that Cote worked with another drug trafficker and had sold drugs as part of a drug trafficking organization on numerous occasions.
Cote is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2021.
“Fentanyl trafficking has caused serious damage to Manchester and communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “We are committed to working with the FBI and all of our state and local law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the fentanyl dealers who are jeopardizing public health and safety. Those who choose to sell this deadly drug will find themselves facing potential federal prison time.”
“Today, Rosemarie Cote finally accepted responsibility for her role in a drug trafficking organization that ran several drug distribution houses throughout the city of Manchester that profited from those struggling with addiction,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations like this one is a critical part of the FBI’s mission, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stem the flow of illegal narcotics that are making their way into our neighborhoods.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI NH Safe Streets Gang Task Force which is comprised of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Hampshire State Police, Dover Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, and Nashua Police Department. The Manchester Police Department provided valuable assistance as well. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. MacDonald and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on November 24, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Philip Battese, a/k/a Philip Anthony Battese, Jr., age 39, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Battese was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 9, 2019. He pled guilty on July 31, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in at least January 2016, continuing to April 9, 2019, wherein Battese was involved with several others to distribute at least 200 grams of methamphetamine in and around the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations in South Dakota. The individuals who provided Battese with the methamphetamine knew that he intended to engage in further distribution of the methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Crow Creek Agency and Lower Brule Agency, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Battese was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Linda Jean Pangelinan Palacios Sentenced for Unauthorized Access of a Protected Computer in Furtherance of FraudRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Linda Jean Pangelinan Palacios, age 48, from Dededo, Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to five months imprisonment for Unauthorized Access of a Protected Computer in Furtherance of Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(4) and 1030(c)(3)(A). The Court also ordered three years of supervised release following imprisonment and restitution of $5,625 to the Department of Revenue and Taxation, Government of Guam. In addition, the defendant was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Palacios was previously employed as a Driver’s License Examiner I with the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT), Motor Vehicle Division. Between April 2015 and November 2015, Palacios used her access to the DRT’s computer system to create, process and issue fraudulent Guam driver’s licenses. Palacios processed at least 75 fraudulent Guam driver’s licenses for her own financial benefit. Palacios advised law enforcement that she entered information into the system when nobody was around, and she did not think she would ever get caught.
This case was a result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Guam Police Department, and the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation. The case was prosecuted by Stephen F. Leon Guerrero, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
Lawrenceville Man Charged with Setting Fire to Wilkinsburg DuplexRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Malicious Destruction of Property, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, announced today.
The one-count Indictment returned on November 17, 2020, named Lawrence Attisano, age 34, of Pittsburgh's Lawrencville neighborhood, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 16, 2020, Attisano set fire to the duplex located at 421-423 Lamar Avenue in Wilkinsburg. The occupants of the two residences were able to escape without injury.
Attisano faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Laplace Woman Charged with Theft of More Than $280,000 in Federal Student AidRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ASHLY HOWARD (“HOWARD”), age 33, of LaPlace, Louisiana, was charged November 24, 2020 by a Bill of Information for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 and Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(a)(7).
According to the Bill of Information, beginning in 2018 and through 2019, HOWARD fraudulently submitted Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or Master Promissory Notes (MPN) in individuals’ names in an effort to obtain federal financial aid. HOWARD facilitated the submission of thirty (30) applications for admission to Nunez Community College in Chalmette, Louisiana in these individuals’ names. HOWARD facilitated the creation of debit cards in these individuals’ names so that the student loan proceeds could be disbursed. HOWARD accepted the grants and student loans and used the federal financial aid funds under the names of these individuals; some with, and some without, their knowledge or consent. Accordingly, HOWARD fraudulently received approximately $280,000 in Department of Education funds she was not entitled to receive.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, HOWARD faces a maximum penalty of fifteen (15) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn McHugh.
Justice Department Requires Divestiture of Credit Karma Tax for Intuit to Proceed with Acquisition of Credit KarmaRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today that it is requiring Intuit Inc. and Credit Karma Inc. (Credit Karma) to divest Credit Karma’s tax business, Credit Karma Tax, to Square Inc. in order for Intuit, the creator of TurboTax, to proceed with its $7.1 billion acquisition of Credit Karma. The department said that without this divestiture, the proposed transaction would substantially lessen competition for digital do-it-yourself (DDIY) tax preparation products, which are software programs used by American taxpayers to prepare and file their federal and state returns.
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block Intuit’s acquisition of Credit Karma. At the same time, the department filed a proposed settlement that, if approved by the court, would resolve the competitive harm alleged in the department’s complaint.
“Intuit’s TurboTax has long led the market for digital do-it-yourself tax filing services, but disruptive competition from Credit Karma Tax has brought substantial benefits to American taxpayers,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s divestiture to Square, another highly successful and disruptive fintech company, ensures that taxpayers will continue to both benefit from this competition and benefit from new innovative financial service offerings from both Intuit and Square.”
According to the complaint, Intuit’s TurboTax has enjoyed a dominant position in the market for DDIY tax preparation products for more than a decade. Since entering four years ago, Credit Karma Tax has become a disruptive competitor with a significant competitive impact. Unlike other providers, including Intuit, Credit Karma Tax never charges for its products, regardless of the complexity of an individual’s tax preparation needs. This always-free business model has enabled Credit Karma Tax to compete aggressively for filers who pay for TurboTax, which helps constrain TurboTax prices and push Intuit to improve TurboTax offerings. The combination of Intuit and Credit Karma would eliminate this competition, likely resulting in higher prices, lower quality, and less choice for consumers of DDIY tax preparation products.
Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Intuit and Credit Karma must divest the assets that comprise Credit Karma Tax to Square, Inc., including relevant software and intellectual property. Square is also expected to hire certain key Credit Karma employees that today support Credit Karma Tax. Intuit and Credit Karma have agreed to provide certain transition support services to Square while Square integrates Credit Karma Tax into its Cash App platform.
Intuit is a Delaware corporation based in Mountain View, California, that offers tax preparation, accounting, payroll, and personal finance solutions to individuals and small businesses. Intuit offers DDIY tax preparation products under the TurboTax brand. Approximately 41 million individuals filed individual federal tax returns in 2020 using TurboTax. Intuit, through its TurboTax business, is the largest provider of DDIY tax preparation products for U.S. federal and state tax returns. In 2019, Intuit earned over $6.5 billion in revenue, including over $2.5 billion from sales of TurboTax products.
Credit Karma is a privately-held Delaware corporation based in San Francisco, California, that offers an online and mobile personal finance platform. Credit Karma’s platform provides individuals with access to free credit scores, credit monitoring, and DDIY tax preparation, among other products and services. Credit Karma is home to more than 100 million customers and in any given month, over 35 million customers are actively engaged on the Credit Karma platform. Credit Karma Tax is Credit Karma’s DDIY tax preparation business. It is the fifth-largest provider of DDIY tax preparation products for U.S. federal and state tax returns. Approximately two million individuals filed U.S. federal tax returns with Credit Karma Tax in 2020.
Square is a Delaware corporation based in San Francisco, California, that offers business and consumer financial services and tools. Square’s consumer finance service platform, Cash App, provides its more than 30 million users peer-to-peer money transfer services, a debit card product, and equity and cryptocurrency investment services. Square earned over $4.71 billion in revenue in 2019.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed consent decree, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement during a 60-day comment period to Robert Lepore, Chief, Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 8000, Washington, D.C. 20530. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia may enter the final judgment upon a finding that it serves the public interest.
Judge sentences St. Louis man for carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Devion Perryman to 78 months in prison today. The 24-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On February 6, 2019, a victim parked his car behind a residence on McCree Avenue in St. Louis. While the victim was on a cell phone in his vehicle, Perryman approached and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at the victim. The gun had a green laser site, which was illuminated. Perryman demanded the victim get out of the vehicle and walk to the gangway between the buildings. At gunpoint, Perryman told the victim to put his keys and cell phone on the ground. The victim complied. While still pointing the gun at the victim, Perryman picked up the cell phone and keys, got into the victim’s vehicle and drove off.
Officers worked with the vehicle’s manufacturer to get its location. Later that evening, officers spotted the stolen vehicle at the intersection of Labadie and Newstead. Spike strips were deployed causing the stolen vehicle’s tires to deflate. Perryman continued to speed away.
Perryman refused to stop until leaving the roadway and crashing into a residence. Officers saw Perryman run from the vehicle and hide between some buildings. During a search of the area, officers spoke to a resident who told them the person they were looking for was inside a house. Officers found Perryman hiding in the basement and arrested him.
Police found a pistol matching the one used in the carjacking hidden under the porch of a neighboring residence. The gun’s magazine was loaded with a round in the chamber.
The St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department and FBI investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is handling the case.
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Hollygrove Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – BRIAN TILLMAN, a/k/a “Cosca,” a/k/a “Costa,” a/k/a “Speedy,” age 33, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and over 28 grams of cocaine base and a quantity of marijuana in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(D) and 846. TILLMAN faces a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, at least four years of Supervised Release and a $100.00 special assessment fee.
TILLMAN and his co-conspirators sold drugs in the Hollygrove neighborhood in and around a corner-store named “Mel’s” in 2017 and 2018. TILLMAN was intercepted on a Title III wiretap arranging to purchase and/or sell heroin and cocaine base during multiple days in March and April of 2018.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Gang Task Force. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Myles Ranier and Kathryn McHugh.
Grand Jury Indicts A Previously Convicted Bank Robber for Escaping from Federal Prison and Committing Two Robberies, Including Another Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Joseph Licata, 52, of Buffalo, NY, on charges of bank robbery, entering a bank with intent to commit a larceny, Hobbs Act robbery, and escape from custody. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint, in mid to late-January 2020, the defendant escaped from the custody of the United States Penitentiary Coleman II in Sumterville, Florida. On January 21, 2020, the defendant entered the M&T Bank branch on Grant Street in Buffalo, and passed a demand note to the victim-teller. The note threatened the teller if the teller did not give him cash. The victim-teller complied and gave Licata U.S. currency. Later that same day, the defendant entered a Speedway Gas Station on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo and demanded cash. The victim-clerk complied and gave U.S. currency to the defendant. Later that same day, the defendant entered a Speedway Gas Station on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo and demanded cash. The victim-clerk complied and gave U.S. currency to the defendant. Law enforcement officers arrested Licata and found him in possession of currency taken during the robberies.
In 2010, Licata, having previously been convicted in federal court of committing a bank robbery in Buffalo, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Four Toledo men accused of making false statements during the purchase of a firearmRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that four men in the Toledo area were indicted on charges of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. These defendants are all accused of knowingly making a false or fictitious statement intended to deceive a licensed firearms dealer as to the lawfulness of the transaction.
These are separate cases and are not related. In each case, the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a court-issued protection order or previous domestic violence conviction.
“Those who make false statements when attempting to purchase a firearm are usually attempting to conceal their criminal history or prohibited status for some nefarious reason,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Statistics show that a firearm in the hands of someone prohibited from owning one is more likely to be used in a crime of violence.”
“The background check system exists to help prevent individuals with criminal histories from obtaining firearms,” stated Roland Herndon, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “That is the bottom line, if you are prohibited from possessing a firearm, you cannot purchase it. Lying on the background check has consequences, and if it is discovered that you lied on the form to purchase a firearm, you are subject to federal prosecution. It’s not worth it, don’t do it.”
Antonio Allen, age 28, of Toledo, was charged with one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. According to the indictment, the defendant is accused of failing to disclose that he was the subject of a protection order issued in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas while attempting to purchase a .22 caliber rifle from a licensed firearms dealer in Oregon, Ohio on January 24, 2020. As part of the court order, the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Jordan McGinnis, age 26, of Toledo, was charged with one count of a false statement made during the purchase of a firearm. The defendant is accused of failing to disclose that he had been convicted of a domestic violence offense when attempting to purchase a 9mm pistol from a licensed weapons dealer on July 30, 2020, in Swanton, Ohio. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic violence offense from possessing a firearm.
Shaun Nelson, age 32, of Toledo, was charged with one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm while subject to a court order. According to court documents, the defendant is accused of failing to disclose that he was the subject of a protection order issued in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas while attempting to purchase a 9mm pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in Oregon, Ohio, on June 25, 2020. As part of the court order, the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The defendant completed the purchase of the firearm on July 10, 2020.
Andy Ross Thomas, age 35, of Toledo, was charged with one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. According to the indictment, the defendant is accused of failing to disclose that he was the subject of a protection order issued in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas while attempting to purchase a 9mm pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in Oregon, Ohio, on April 30, 2020. As part of the court order, the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding each indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deyana Unis.
Fort Thompson Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, man convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse was sentenced on November 23, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Roland Hawk, Sr., age 52, was sentenced to 222 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 9, 2019. He pled guilty on June 16, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident in November 2018, in Fort Thompson, when Hawk knowingly engaged in and attempted to engage in a sexual act with an individual by the use of force.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Hawk was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Former Oconomowoc Investment Broker Charged with $2.6 Million Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Defendant Alleged to Have Defrauded at Least 23 Clients, Many of Whom Are Elderly
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced that, on November 25, 2020, he issued a three-count information charging Edward Matthes (age: 50) with wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and that Matthes has entered into an agreement to plead guilty to the charges.
According to the written plea agreement filed in the case, Matthes, who previously was employed as an independent investment broker for Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (MOIS), devised and executed a scheme to defraud his clients and to obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses and representations. The essence of Matthes’ scheme was to persuade clients to transfer investment funds from their existing accounts to a new MOIS-sponsored account, which Matthes claimed would perform better. Instead of opening new MOIS accounts for his clients, Matthes deposited their money into his personal bank accounts and converted it to his own use. Matthes lulled his clients into believing their investments were performing well by sending fictitious MOIS account statements and by phoning and meeting with clients to discuss the performance of their investments. According to the plea agreement, Matthes fraudulently obtained more than $2.6 million dollars from at least 23 clients, many of whom are elderly.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release following any prison term.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Matthes has agreed to a 13-year debarment period, during which he will be prohibited from participating in, or having decision-making authority over, any employee benefit plan.
An information is only a charging document, and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
United States Attorney Krueger commended the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Oconomowoc Police Department during the investigation of this matter.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
414-297-1700
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Former Credit Union Employee Sentenced for EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 24, 2020, Kaylyn Wolfe, age 32, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, for embezzling from Members 1st Federal Credit Union. The term of supervised release includes six months of a curfew and electronic monitoring. Wolfe was also ordered to pay $85,679 in restitution.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Wolfe previously admitted that she committed the offense from September 2016 through September 2017, while employed in the Members 1st credit card services department. Wolfe acknowledged that she made numerous unauthorized changes to her and her husband’s Members 1st credit card accounts that allowed her to, among other things, obtain significant cash advances.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
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Florida Attorney Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – David Wayne Aring, 49, formerly of Tallahassee, pled guilty on Monday, November 23, to a federal charge of receipt of child pornography. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.
Between March 26, 2017, and December 2, 2019, from his former Tallahassee apartment, Aring used a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download digital images and videos depicting child pornography. A search warrant was executed on Aring’s apartment on January 7, 2020, and investigators located a USB storage device and a desktop computer. Investigators determined the USB device contained thousands of digital files that contained child pornography, including bestiality and bondage involving children under the age of 12 (most notably infants and toddlers).
“We make a priority of punishing crimes against children as among the most heinous kinds of offenses -- and that includes the egregious crime of child pornography,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Those who seek to view and maintain this illegal content facilitate the efforts of those who produce child pornography, which is robbing so many of our children of their innocence and their very childhood.”
Aring’s desktop computer was forensically analyzed and was found to contain thousands of digital images that depicted child pornography. Further, installed on the desktop computer was a peer-to-peer file sharing program that was used to search for terms germane to child pornography, and the file sharing program was found to have been used to download over 17,000 files since May 6, 2018.
This case was jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Meredith Steer are prosecuting the case.
“One of our most important jobs is combatting crimes against our children, and FDLE agents continue to investigate and arrest criminals who want to harm our youth,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez. “I appreciate our partnership with U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe and thank our agents for their work on this case.”
Aring faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Further, Aring faces up to life on supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Aring’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2021, at the United States District Court in Tallahassee, before Judge Allen Winsor.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Press Release - AringFederal Firearm and Methamphetamine Charges Result from Initiative to Address Violent Crime in Green BayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 24, 2020, a federal criminal complaint against John Yang (age: 32) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was issued stemming from an arrest on November 23, 2020, in the 700 block of West Walnut Street, in the City of Green Bay.
The complaint alleges that Yang possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drug to others. It further alleges that while resisting arrest, a .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm fell from Yang’s waistband. The firearm was loaded and had an obliterated serial number. Yang, a convicted felon, is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm. Yang also stands accused of possessing the firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Based on the current charges and his criminal history, Yang faces a mandatory 15 years of imprisonment and a possible life sentence if convicted on all charges.
The federal charges resulted from a renewed effort under Project Guardian to join federal and local law enforcement resources to address the recent increase in violent crime in Green Bay. Through this initiative, federal prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are working with the Brown County District Attorney’s Office and the Green Bay Police Department to identify individuals associated with firearms offenses for federal prosecution.
“We know that drug trafficking goes hand-in-hand with firearms and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger. “The Justice Department is committed to working with law enforcement partners in Green Bay to ensure that all of its residents can enjoy safe neighborhoods.”
Project Guardian is one of the U.S. Department of Justice’s initiatives to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF 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.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Green Bay Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
414-297-1700
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Fall River Woman Charged with Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fall River woman was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on child sexual exploitation charges.
Nichole Cyr, 25, was indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of children. According to the indictment, Cyr produced child pornography involving two minors on various dates between November 2019 and July 2020. Cyr will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date. She is currently in state custody.
The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; David Magdycz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; Fall River Police Chief John M. Souza; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ex-manager of Flathead irrigation board sentenced to one year in prison for embezzlementRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — The former executive manager of a Flathead area irrigation board was sentenced to prison on Tuesday after she admitted stealing from the organization to buy personal items like a calving pen, a guitar and tires, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.
Johanna Estella Clark, 44, formerly of Kalispell and currently of Florence, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11 to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided and sentenced Clark to one year and one day in prison and to three years of supervised released. Judge Molloy also ordered Clark to pay $265,131 in restitution.
The prosecution said in court documents in the case that Clark worked for the Flathead Joint Board of Control (FJBC) from 2013 until May 2017. During those years FJBC was a government-owed and operated organization that represented about 2,400 irrigators in the Flathead, Mission and Jocko valleys. The board had 12 elected members and one full-time employee. Clark was the only full-time employee when she started in 2013 and eventually became the executive manager. Clark had the authority to make financial decisions for FJBC and had control of multiple FJBC bank cards and signature stamps for all of the board members, which she could use to issue checks.
In August 2014, Clark began making personal charges on FJBC credit cards and continued the activity until shortly before her termination in May 2017. Purchases included furniture, a calving pen, a guitar and accessories and tires for a personal vehicle.
Clark attempted to mislead investigators about her fraud by drafting a memorandum with signatures of certain FJBC board members that appeared to authorize her to charge personal expenses to FJBC’s bank cards. Investigators determined that Clark likely used the board members’ signature stamps to sign the memo, and the board members either denied or could not recall giving her permission to use board funds for personal expenses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon was sentenced on November 23, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Chae Lynn LeClaire, age 29, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
LeClaire was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2019. She pled guilty on August 10, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 23, 2019, when LeClaire assaulted an individual with a chair with the intent to do bodily harm.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
LeClaire was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography, was sentenced on November 23, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Dustin Red Legs, age 41, was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Red Legs was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 14, 2019. He was found guilty by a jury at trial on July 31, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on September 24, 2018, when Red Legs knowingly used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Red Legs further knowingly possessed and attempted to possess material that contained an image of child pornography, which had been mailed and shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Red Legs was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Dexter W. Long Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Dexter Wilton Long, age 59, from Barrigada, Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 87 months imprisonment for Possession of Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
On May 9, 2019, Long was apprehended at the airport after arriving on Guam via United Airlines Flight 201. A secondary inspection of his luggage resulted in the recovery of 430 net grams of 99% pure methamphetamine hydrochloride (“ice”). The subsequent investigation revealed that Long had also mailed a package to himself from Honolulu that contained two separate bags containing 2.05 net grams of 98% pure methamphetamine and 182 net grams of 99% pure methamphetamine.
This case was a result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Laura C. Sambataro, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
Convenience Store Operator Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – HAFIZ ALKHAWAJAH, a/k/a “Ock” age 59, pleaded guilty on November 18, 2020, to aiding and abetting a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and 846, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). ALKHAWAJAH faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and at least three years of Supervised Release as to Count One, and up to 10 years imprisonment and three years of Supervised Release as to Count Two. Additionally, ALKHAWAJAH faces $100.00 special assessment fee for each count.
ALKHAWAJAH operated a corner-store named “Mel’s” in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans in 2018 and allowed his co-conspirators to sell drugs in and around the store. When he was arrested in February of 2019, he was also found in possession of firearm, after having been previously been convicted of a felony in Jefferson Parish in 2013.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Gang Task Force. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Myles Ranier and Kathryn McHugh.
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Colorado Man Indicted on Meth Trafficking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Boulder, Colorado, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
James Rutledge, age 49, was indicted on November 10, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 23, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum 10 years, up to life in federal prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, at least five years, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown, but no later than on or about the March 1, 2020, and continuing to on or about November 10, 2020, Rutledge did knowingly and intentionally, combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with persons known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in central South Dakota. Further, on or about August 28, 2020, Rutledge did knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and then being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, did knowingly possess a handgun, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce.
The charges are merely accusations and Rutlege is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Rutledge was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Colorado Man Indicted for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Denver, Colorado, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Timothy Zuk, age 47, was indicted on August 11, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on November 23, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum 10 years, up to life in prison and/or a $10,000,000 fine, at least five years, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each Count. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that beginning at a time unknown but no later than on or about January 1, 2019, and continuing to on or about January 1, 2020, Zuk, did knowingly and intentionally, combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with persons known and unknown, to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation.
The charge is merely an accusation and Zuk is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.
Zuk was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Cherry Creek Man Sentenced for ArsonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Arson was sentenced on November 24, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Joshua Adams Hale, age 30, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $46,621.20, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Hale was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020. He pled guilty on July 27, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on January 9, 2020, wherein Hale willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned the chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cherry Creek. The chapel was completely destroyed by the fire.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Hale was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
California Man Sentenced to Prison for Misbranding and Smuggling Conspiracy Involving Online Sale and Distribution of Unapproved Drugs Obtained from OverseasRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Murrieta, California, was sentenced yesterday in federal court for one count of conspiracy to smuggle misbranded drugs into the United States and introduce them into interstate commerce, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab sentenced Justin Ash, 37, to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Ash was also ordered to forfeit a total of approximately $780,000.
During his plea hearing on January 16, 2020, Ash admitted that between January 2016 and May 8, 2018, he engaged in a conspiracy to obtain unapproved drugs in bulk quantities from overseas suppliers, including suppliers in China, for the purpose of pressing the drugs into pills and distributing them to customers throughout the United States via his internet-based business Domestic RCS. Ash’s website, www.domesticrcs.com, advertised multiple unapproved or "misbranded" drugs—clonazolam, diclazepam, flubromazolam, and etizolam—each of which was a non-prescription benzodiazepine or substance with a similar chemical composition. As Ash further acknowledged, these substances carried risks of dependency, toxicity, and even fatal overdose, particularly when combined with other central nervous system depressants. Although his website and the packaging contained in his shipments indicated that the substances were for "research purposes only," Ash admitted that he was aware that the vast majority of his customers purchased the drugs for individual consumption. Indeed, Ash or others acting at his direction communicated directly with individual customers about, among other things, the effects of the drugs when used for personal consumption. In an effort to evade detection by United States federal authorities, including the United States Food and Drug Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Customs and Border Protection, Ash also admitted that he caused his overseas suppliers to ship drugs to multiple addresses under his control and in smaller quantities that would draw less government scrutiny.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The United States Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
California Man Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lancaster, California, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on November 23, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Bryan Howard a/k/a “Chase Profit,” age 32, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Howard was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 12, 2019. He pled guilty on February 10, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between May 1, 2015, and October 31, 2015, when Howard knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 1.5 kilograms or more of methamphetamine in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.
Howard was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Brother and Sister Defendants Sentenced to Ten and Three Years for Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that Shawn Tyson, 34, and Natasha France, 30, brother and sister, both of St. Thomas, were sentenced yesterday for their roles in a firearms trafficking scheme. Tyson, who was found guilty after a two-day trial of being a felon in possession of ammunition and of mailing firearms, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. France was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for her convictions of willfully transferring weapons out of state to another unlicensed person, unlawfully mailing firearms, and delivering firearms to a common carrier without written notice.
According to trial testimony, in November 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted five United States Postal Service (USPS) parcels France had mailed from Atlanta, Georgia to Tyson at the St. Thomas Jet Center in St. Thomas. Collectively, the parcels contained gun parts sufficient to assemble eight ATI Omni Maxx pistols, along with three additional lower receivers and other gun components. In total, nine of the eleven gun lower receivers, all of which constitute firearms under federal law, were ATI Omni Maxx Hybrids. The serial numbers on all eleven of the lower receivers were obliterated, in violation of federal law. USPS surveillance video captured France mailing the parcels on November 10, 2018.
After CBP confiscated the first five parcels, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) intercepted four additional parcels that were en route from Atlanta to defendant Tyson at the St. Thomas Jet Center. Two of the four parcels had been placed in the mail on November 13, 2018 and were addressed from Natasha France to Shawn Tyson. These two parcels contained the parts sufficient to assemble two Mini Draco, 7.62 pistols. The other two parcels were placed in the mail on November 14, 2018 and were addressed from Shawn Tyson to Shawn Tyson. These parcels contained the parts sufficient to assemble three ATI Omni Maxx hybrids, as well as two additional ATI lower receivers. The serial numbers on all seven of the lower receivers contained in the four parcels were obliterated. Evidence at trial proved that defendant Tyson paid for the parcels mailed to/from himself on November 14, 2018.
The trial evidence also established that between November 2, 2018 and November 9, 2018, defendant France and two associates collectively purchased nine ATI Omni Max Hybrid pistols from various gun stores in the greater Atlanta area. Thereafter, on November 11, 2018, France purchased two additional Mini Draco pistols—the same make, model, and quantity of firearms that she mailed to Tyson two days later. On the same date that she mailed the two Mini Dracos, France was captured on a pawn store’s surveillance video staging her arrival time with Tyson and several other associates. Two of the associates purchased a total of five ATI Omni Maxx Hybrids. A store employee recalled Tyson having provided one of the associates with the cash to pay for her purchase.
Evidence at trial also established that on December 13, 2018, while executing a search warrant, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recovered .223 caliber, 9 mm caliber, and .40 caliber ammunition from defendant Tyson’s locked bedroom in St. Thomas, and a total of five auto sears from the residence. The sole purpose of an auto sear is to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm—in other words, a machinegun. At sentencing, the United States submitted proof that Tyson had illegally purchased and received over one hundred such auto sears.
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith J. Edwards.
Brian Sanchez Chan Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Brian Sanchez Chan, age 40, from Dededo, Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 71 months imprisonment for Possession of Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.
On September 16, 2019, Chan was arrested after agreeing to sell five ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer from the Drug Enforcement Administration in exchange for $27,000. The parties agreed to meet in the parking lot of the Guam Hilton Hotel in Tumon to complete the sale. Chan stated that he was uncomfortable selling that high of a quantity, and would bring two ounces first, and then when he had the money in hand, would leave and return with the rest. Once the transaction was made, Chan was arrested and 55.6 net grams of 97% pure methamphetamine hydrochloride was recovered.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Laura C. Sambataro, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.
Baltimore Fentanyl Dealer Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – On November 24, 2020, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Lovell Patterson, age 40, of Baltimore, to 123 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after Patterson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and with violating his supervised release from a previous federal felony drug conviction by committing these crimes.
The guilty plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
“Lovell Patterson admitted that he sold fentanyl—an especially deadly drug, of which just two milligrams can kill you,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “But the organization he worked with also had guns to facilitate their drug dealing. The primary focus of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force will continue to be violent DTOs, who bring misery to our streets both through the deadly drugs they import and sell, and through the guns that they wield.”
According to Patterson’s plea agreement, from at least November 2019 through April 16, 2020, Patterson participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in and around the 1800 block of Penrose Avenue in West Baltimore. The DTO sold fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on a daily basis in street-level quantities. During the time of the conspiracy, law enforcement overheard calls between Patterson and other DTO members, conducted surveillance on the DTO, purchased narcotics from DTO members—including Patterson—and executed multiple search warrants at locations used by the DTO to store and process narcotics.
As detailed in the plea agreement, Patterson obtained drugs from suppliers and had a co-conspirator combine drugs with adulterants and package the drugs. Between February 4 and April 1, 2020, Patterson also personally sold fentanyl, fentanyl/heroin gel caps, and cocaine to an undercover officer. For example, on March 2, 2020, Patterson sold an undercover officer six grams of fentanyl and 100 gel caps of a heroin-fentanyl mixture for $1,100. During the conversation Patterson told the undercover officer that he was boss, but let another conspirator run the block. Patterson and the undercover officer also discussed future purchases of drugs.
On April 16, 2020, law enforcement executed search warrants at three houses used by the DTO to process narcotics. During the searches, law enforcement recovered: a loaded 9mm handgun and a fully loaded revolver; a total of $5,701 in cash; 332 grams of fentanyl; hundreds of gel caps; cutting agents; and drug paraphernalia, including gloves, sifters, and scales.
Patterson admitted that he supervised five or more members of the DTO and that he distributed, or knew the members of the conspiracy distributed or possessed with intent to distribute, at least 400 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine.
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The specific mission of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey N. McCulley and Clinton J. Fuchs, who prosecuted the case.
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Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
An Arizona man pleaded guilty this morning to conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Anthony Ward Irving, 36, pleaded guilty this morning before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan.
“Anthony Irving’s recipe for illegal profit was a combination of methamphetamine, cell phones, drug couriers, and electronic transfers. He lived in Arizona but facilitated meth trafficking in Northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Thanks to a formidable partnership of state, local, and federal drug agents, Irving’s operation was disrupted and dismantled.”
In his plea agreement, Irving admitted that from January 2018 to February 2019, he knowingly conspired with codefendants, to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. During the same time period, he knowingly conspired with the same people to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
Irving admitted that his role in the conspiracy included acting as a broker for the transfer of drugs between bulk distributors in Arizona and associates in Northeast Oklahoma and elsewhere. Irving admitted that he and his codefendants agreed to distribute the drugs to make money for themselves. Although Irving lived in Arizona during the conspiracy, he acknowledged that some overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy were performed in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Irving stated that he and his coconspirators coordinated drug deals from a distance through the use of cellular phones, drug couriers, and electronic transfers of cash.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Duncombe is prosecuting the case.
Akron man charged with distributing fentanyl that caused overdose deathRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland returned a four-count indictment charging Quentin D. Watson, age 34, of Akron with the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of an Akron woman. This charge carries a potential sentencing enhancement due to a death resulting from the use of a controlled substance. The grand jury further charged Watson with additional counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to court documents, on June 24, 2020, the defendant is accused of distributing fentanyl to an Akron woman identified in court documents as M.M., who later died after ingesting a fatal dose. On October 24, 2020, Akron police stopped the defendant in a vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine and a 9mm pistol.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The matter was investigated by the Akron Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell.
Tuesday 24 November 2020
Zapata man sentenced after attempting to smuggle 18 bundles of marijuanaRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 44-year-old U.S. citizen has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Roberto Villarreal, Zapata, pleaded guilty Aug. 4.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Villarreal a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by eight years of supervised release.
At the hearing, the court heard that he has two prior federal marijuana-related convictions and was serving a supervised term of release for one of those sentences when he was arrested for the current crime. The court revoked the remainder of that term and ordered Villarreal serve an additional 30 months to be served concurrently for a total 120-month term of imprisonment.
Villarreal admitted that on March 15 he drove to a ranch near Falcon Lake intending to pick up 183 kilograms of marijuana. He initially grabbed the 18 bundles, but saw authorities and returned the drugs to the ranch and intended to get them later.
Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, at which time Villarreal admitted his plan. He then led them to the ranch where he left the drugs. There, authorities discovered a boot print matching Villarreal’s shoes.
Villarreal has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Harrison prosecuted the case.
Violent Felon Indicted on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ERNEST DUNN, age 30 of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged, on November 20, 2020, in a single count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922 and 924.
According to court documents, DUNN was previously convicted of armed robbery and purse snatching. Being a convicted felon, DUNN is alleged to be in possession of five firearms including an assault rifle on November 6, 2020. If convicted of the firearms offense, DUNN faces a maximum term of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00, three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee.
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.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/project-guardian.
The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.
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