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Wednesday 14 October 2020
Five Arrested, More Than $1.1M Seized in Federal, State Investigation into CARES Act Unemployment Benefits Fraud in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Five individuals in Florida have been arrested and more than $1.1 million dollars in cash has been seized in a wide-ranging, ongoing joint federal and state investigation into a significant number of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT), and elsewhere, for benefits funded in part by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was passed by Congress to assist, among others, individuals whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic.
On Tuesday, four individuals were arrested in the Southern District of Florida by Rhode Island-based FBI and IRS agents. A fifth defendant was arrested in the Middle District of Florida on Wednesday.
At the time of the arrests, court-authorized searches resulted in the seizure of more than $1.2 million dollars in cash, several hundred debit cards in the names of individuals whose identities were allegedly stolen, a large collection of high-end jewelry, and six firearms.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Allen Bien-Aime, 29, of Lehigh Acres, James Legerme, 29, of Sunrise, Junior Mertile, 30, of Pembroke Pines, Tony Mertile, 28, of Miramar, and Irvin Vilneus, 28, of North Lauderdale, were involved in complex schemes to use stolen personal identifying information belonging to Rhode Islanders, and others, to apply online for unemployment benefits, and to have those benefits direct deposited into one of many bank accounts opened expressly for receiving fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefit payments, as well as fraudulently obtained federal and state tax refunds.
It is alleged that, using stolen personal identifying information, at least three of the individuals filed fraudulent applications with RIDLT or other state unemployment systems to obtain unemployment benefits. All five are alleged to have withdrawn fraudulently obtained funds shortly after the funds were deposited and posted to bank accounts in the names of other individuals.
“As today's announcement makes clear, there are serious, criminal, consequences to making use of stolen personal identification information, filing fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance, and withdrawing such fraudulently obtained funds for one's own, unlawful, benefit,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The federal government, with its many dedicated components and with the invaluable assistance of our state and local law enforcement partners, is committed to and will spare no effort in ensuring that unemployment insurance funds not be fraudulently misdirected by scammers and away from the hardworking Rhode Islanders entitled to and deserving of unemployment benefits.”
“What these individuals are accused of doing is absolutely despicable. They cashed in on a public health crisis by allegedly stealing the identities of innocent victims and unemployment benefits that are a lifeline for thousands of Rhode Islanders trying to feed their families,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “It’s critical that every dollar spent goes to someone who actually needs it, and not to con artists trying to cheat the system. That’s why the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until everyone responsible has been identified and brought to justice.”
“When people collect benefits they aren’t entitled to, as is alleged here, they reduce the amount of benefits that are available to those who are eligible and who really need them,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “These defendants’ alleged conduct sought to defraud the government during a crucial time as it provided assistance to struggling Rhode Islanders. That’s why this work is important, and that's why we do it.”
Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety stated, “During a time when life was brought to a standstill by an unprecedented pandemic, these individuals chose to prey on the most vulnerable and those in need of the government’s assistance. Their indiscriminate criminal actions affected tens of thousands of Americans and the full weight of Federal, State and Local investigative forces was used to bring them to justice.”
“Investigating fraud involving the Unemployment Insurance Program is an important part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, particularly now when our nation is providing billions of dollars in unemployment benefits to American workers in need due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate unemployment insurance fraud,” stated Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“Stealing funds designated to help American taxpayers during the COVID pandemic is both disgraceful and criminal,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Joleen Simpson of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. “Today’s arrests exemplify IRS-CI’s commitment to provide resources to combat COVID related fraud and to work jointly with our law enforcement partners in pursuit of this endeavor.”
The five defendants, each charged by way of federal criminal complaints with bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, conspiracy to commit theft of public money, conspiracy to commit access, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft, were arrested without incident and have made initial appearances in U.S. District Courts in Florida. The defendants will appear in U.S. District Court in Providence on dates yet to be determined.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tony Mertile, Junior Mertile, James Legerme, and Irvin Vilneus made their initial appearances in Magistrate Court this morning in the Southern District of Florida. They have been detained in custody pending further proceedings scheduled for Monday, October 26.
The case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton and Stacey P. Veroni and Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General John M. Moreira, chief of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rhode Island State Police, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, and United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the Miami Division of the FBI and the Fort Myers Resident Agency of the FBI Tampa Division for assistance they provided to the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Unit in the arrest of the defendants, and the U.S. Marshal Service in Florida for their assistance detaining the defendants.
United States Attorney Weisman extends his gratitude to the United States Attorneys and prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida for their assistance.
Rhode Islanders who believe their personal identification has been stolen and used to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits from the RIDLT are urged to contact the Rhode Island State Police at [email protected] or the FBI Providence office at (401) 272-8310.
Final Member of Violent Baltimore "Trained to Go" Gang Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering and Drug ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
A Baltimore, Maryland, man was sentenced today to 138 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for federal charges of conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG), and for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Roger Taylor, aka Milk, 28, a fugitive since July 2017, was arrested on June 30, 2019, and sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake. Taylor previously pleaded guilty to racketeering activities including narcotics distribution and robbery of rival drug dealers and gang members in TTG territory.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Taylor was associated with a drug trafficking organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore. Taylor was a self-identified member of a group known as the “Young Go Getters” (YGG), which assisted members and associates of the drug trafficking organization in their activities. As of 2014, the organization became known as TTG. Taylor, along with other members of YGG, provided support to TTG in the form of money, drugs, and other types of assistance, such as providing a vehicle to TTG members looking for several individuals that had robbed a TTG member of narcotics. Further, Taylor and his co-conspirators agreed that each of them would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity.
On Aug. 10, 2015, Postal Inspectors interdicted four packages addressed to a fictitious residence and addressee in Windsor Mill, Maryland. Because of the false address and name, the packages could not be delivered. Taylor, in an effort to obtain the packages, contacted the post office and requested the packages be re-delivered to a different address in Windsor Mill. Additional investigation revealed that the four packages contained 9.9 kilograms of cocaine.
During the course of the conspiracy, the quantity of cocaine within the scope of Taylor’s agreement with his co-conspirators and reasonably foreseeable to Taylor was the equivalent of between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine.
The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, aka Tana, and Tanner, 23, and his brother, Terrell Sivells, aka Rell, 27, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 15 and April 26, 2019, respectively. Co-defendants Brandon Wilson, aka Ali, 24, and Taurus Tillman, aka Tash, age 30, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 1 and May 21, 2019, respectively. Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, aka Binkie, 28, and Linton Broughton, aka Marty, 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019. Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case was further assisted by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The Justice Department commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in these investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Ex-‘Arsenio Hall Show’ Musical Director Sentenced to over 2 Years in Prison for Embezzling Nearly $1 Million Intended for Charity ConcertRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – The former musical director of “The Arsenio Hall Show” was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $1 million from a charity concert intended to raise money for children made homeless by wars.
Robin DiMaggio, 49, of Woodland Hills, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee, who described his actions as “a despicable crime of sheer greed.” Judge Gee also ordered DiMaggio to service one year of home confinement once he has finished serving his prison sentence. A restitution hearing in this case will be scheduled in the coming months.
During the summer of 2016, DiMaggio promised to help the Bulgaria-based non-profit organization Peace for You Peace for Me Foundation organize a concert in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. The concert was intended to raise money to help children who lost their homes because of global conflicts.
DiMaggio, a professional drummer who also had served as a musical director for the United Nations, offered to get world-famous musicians and celebrities to perform at the concert, and he claimed to need money to book these artists. Relying on these promises, the foundation’s financial sponsor wired nearly $1 million to DiMaggio.
Rather than use the money for the charity concert, DiMaggio instead used it to fund his personal lifestyle and pay his debts. Within weeks of the last wire transfer of $750,000, he used $251,370 of the funds to purchase a Calabasas home for his ex-wife. DiMaggio also bought his mother a $35,000 car and bought his son a $24,000 car. He also wired $150,000 of the funds to a bank account in the name of his company, DiMagic Entertainment Inc. None of the transfers was sent to artists or their management in connection with the charity concert in Bulgaria.
“The concert never happened and this much-needed money was never raised for this charitable cause,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. “[DiMaggio] lined his own pockets at the expense of [the foundation’s financial sponsor] and the children that would have benefited from the concert’s proceeds.”
The sponsor later sued DiMaggio in Los Angeles Superior Court, where DiMaggio continued to lie in court proceedings that someone else had stolen the money. DiMaggio also forged bank documents and deleted correspondence while this civil litigation was pending, and he ultimately filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. In his September 2017 bankruptcy filing, DiMaggio made false statements that he had not made alimony payments or given any gifts worth more than $600 to any person in the prior two years.
The FBI investigated this matter.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Poonam G. Kumar of the Major Frauds Section.
Ex-oil exec admits to stealing more than $2 millionRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Katy man has entered a guilty plea to embezzling over $2 million from a local oil services company, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan. K. Patrick.
Robert Andrew Bishop was the vice president of resource management at International Professional Management (IPM), an oil services company located in Houston. As part of his duties, he was in charge of securing short term loans to cover IPM’s monthly operating capital.
Today, he admitted he would inflate the loan amount needed and then divert the excess money to fake vendor accounts he controlled.
Over the span of approximately six years, Bishop diverted roughly $2.1 million from the company’s operating expenses.
The owners of IPM discovered his fraud scheme in August 2019.
Sentencing has been set for Jan. 5, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison. At that time, Bishop faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter is prosecuting the case.
Essex County Man Indicted for Armed Robbery of Three PharmaciesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury today indicted an Essex County, New Jersey, man for his role in three armed robberies of pharmacies in West Orange, Belleville and East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Malik Conley, 27, of Newark, is charged with three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing firearms in furtherance of the robberies and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will be arraigned on a date to be determined.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Oct. 21, 2019, Conley and a conspirator entered a pharmacy in West Orange, New Jersey, while wearing face masks. One of the men entered the pharmacy holding a silver handgun pointed at employees. The men demanded cash from the register as well as prescription medication. Conley and his conspirator fled the pharmacy with stolen medication and cash.
On Dec. 3, 2019, Conley entered a pharmacy in Belleville, New Jersey, while wearing a face covering and pointing a silver gun at employees. He demanded cash from the register as well as prescription medication, and ultimately fled the pharmacy with stolen medication and cash. Law enforcement recovered the firearm believed to be used in this robbery later that day in Conley’s girlfriend’s car.
On Jan. 13, 2020, Conley and a conspirator entered a pharmacy in East Orange, New Jersey, while both wearing face masks. One of the men entered the pharmacy holding a gun pointed at employees. Both men demanded cash and prescription medication, and ultimately fled the pharmacy with stolen medication and cash. Conley was arrested later that evening with the car keys to the vehicle believed to be used in the East Orange robbery in his pocket. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and recovered prescription medication traceable to the East Orange Pharmacy.
Each count of Hobbs Act robbery carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Each count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a bank robbery carries a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie Patterson in Newark; the West Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Abbott; the Belleville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Minichini; and the East Orange Police Department, under the direction Chief William C. Robinson, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma Spiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Enfield Man Sentenced to Prison for Putting Dozens of Guns on the Street to Feed Drug AddictionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NORMAN KLOSEK, also known as Rich Klosek, 36, of Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally purchasing and selling numerous firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes. Court-authorized wiretaps confirmed that Reyes was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to Reyes and associates who sold drugs on his behalf.
Intercepted communications also revealed Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms, and that Klosek, who had a valid state pistol permit, was acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms for Reyes. Klosek was addicted to heroin/fentanyl, and he purchased and transferred the firearms to support his drug addiction.
On April 22, 2019, Reyes picked up Klosek in Enfield and drove to the Newington Gun Exchange, a licensed gun dealer in Newington, where Klosek purchased two handguns. During the purchase, Klosek completed and signed an ATF Form 4473 form in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms and was not acquiring the firearms for another person. He also represented that he was not an unlawful user, or addicted to, any controlled substances. Klosek provided the guns to Reyes after the purchase. Later that day, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Reyes’ vehicle and recovered the two firearms.
Reyes and several co-defendants were arrested on federal criminal complaints on June 17, 2019. On that date, investigators seized two additional guns that had been purchased by Klosek.
The investigation revealed that Klosek first purchased and registered a firearm with the State of Connecticut on November 6, 2018. Since that date, Klosek purchased a total of 47 handguns. Twenty-five of the guns were purchased in a six-week period between March 8 and April 22, 2019.
On April 24, 2019, a search of Klosek’s residence revealed empty gun boxes and receipts for firearm purchases, but no firearms. Klosek was arrested the following day in Hartford. He possessed fentanyl/heroin at the time of his arrest.
To date, approximately 10 of the 47 handguns purchased by Klosek have been recovered by law enforcement. One gun was recovered after it was used in a shooting in Hartford on August 22, 2019. In September 2020, handguns purchased by Klosek were recovered as part of criminal investigations in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and Riverside, California.
On March 2, 2020, Klosek pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.
Klosek, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 17, 2020.
On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes and 14 other members and associates of Los Solidos with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. Reyes has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and the New Britain Police Department have provided valuable assistance to the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Yesterday, the Justice Department announced that more than 14,200 defendants were charged with federal firearms-related offenses during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. “The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms.”
East Bay Man Convicted of United States Postal Service Mail BombingRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury convicted Ross Gordon Laverty of multiple felonies in connection with mailing two explosive devices with the intent to injure or kill his targets, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez. The verdict was delivered after a one-week trial before the Hon. William H. Orrick, United States District Judge.
“A federal jury convicted Ross Laverty of mailing two bombs through United States Post Office to homes in East Palo Alto and Alameda. In addition to his intended victims, Laverty put others, including postal workers and mail carriers in grave danger,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “The guilty verdicts are a reminder that law enforcement will investigate unlawful use of the mail, whether for the violent ends Laverty sought, or other illegal purposes.”
“As the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service, the safety of postal employees and the public is our top priority,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Nuñez. “Postal Inspectors worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the East Palo Alto Police Department, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, the Alameda Police Department, the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI, the Verdugo Crime Laboratory, and especially the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to arrest and prosecute the individual responsible for mailing two explosive devices, one to East Palo Alto, CA and one to Alameda, CA, endangering U.S. Postal Service employees and the public.”
The evidence at trial established that on or about October 9, 2017, Laverty, 59, of Oakland, mailed an improvised explosive device to an address in East Palo Alto, Calif., that the victim opened on October 19. The victim carried the package outside of his home and opened it in his back yard, causing it to detonate, inflicting injuries to him, and blasting a hole through a wood frame and fence. Further, the evidence at trial established that on or about November 24, 2017, Laverty mailed an identical explosive device to an address in Alameda. The intended victim’s wife opened the package inside of her home, causing it to explode. Additional evidence proved Laverty’s motives for mailing the devices. First, evidence demonstrated Laverty sought revenge against a corrections officer sharing the same name as the East Palo Alto victim who had strip searched Laverty while he was incarcerated at San Mateo jail in April of 2014. Second, the evidence demonstrated Laverty sought revenge against an Alameda Police Department Officer involved in the probation search of his residence and his arrest in October of 2013.
On May 21, 2019, a federal grand jury handed down a superseding indictment charging Laverty with two counts of mailing an explosive devise with the intent to injure or kill, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1716(a) and (j)(2); two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); and two counts of using an explosive during the commission of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1) and (2). Laverty was found guilty on all counts.
Laverty faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, maximum fines of $10,000 to $250,000 per count, a term of supervised release, and restitution. The sentence following conviction will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The prosecution was handled by the Special Prosecutions Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Dominican National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON - A Dominican national who was previously deported was sentenced today for illegal reentry.
Irvin Gabriel Bautista Chala, 28, a/k/a Luis Figueroa-Cabrera, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 12 months and one day in prison. The Court ordered Bautista Chala’s sentence to be served consecutive to a sentence imposed by the Suffolk Superior Court in September 2019. Following the completion of his prison term, Bautista Chala will be placed into removal proceedings and deported to the Dominican Republic.
In 2017, Bautista Chala was arrested by the Boston Police during the execution of a search warrant and charged with distribution of heroin. At that time, Bautista Chala was determined to be illegally present in the United States and on Aug. 7, 2017, he was deported to the Dominican Republic. Sometime after his removal, Bautista Chala, using the alias Luis Figueroa-Cabrera, illegally reentered the United States and was rearrested, and later convicted of distribution of heroin in the Suffolk County Superior Court and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. In October 2019, while serving this sentence, Bautista Chala, was encountered by ICE agents and again determined to be illegally present in the United States.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month featured grant and organizationRead the Press Release
Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today’s Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women featured grant and grant recipient.
“To date, we have been able to help 142 victims and their children have peace of mind with safe supervised visits and exchanges,” said Judge Mary Margaret Lloyd, of the Vanderburgh Superior Court. “More than 1,600 victims have obtained help with their protection orders, navigating the court system, and obtaining referrals to local agencies to give them further aid. Twenty- seven family cases have had guardian ad litems represent the child of a domestic violence victim in court on custody or visitation issues. Our appreciation to the Justice for Families Program for allowing us to continue our work providing these services to the children and victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and stalking is immense.”
Justice for Families Program
The Grants to Support Families in the Justice System program (referred to as the Justice for Families Program) was authorized in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.
The program supports the following activities for improving the capacity of courts and communities to respond to families affected by the targeted crimes: court-based and court-related programs; supervised visitation and safe exchange by and between parents; training for people who work with families in the court system; civil legal services; and the provision of resources in juvenile court matters. Projects supported by the Justice for Families Program are those that focus on keeping victims and their children safe from further abuse and holding offenders accountable.
Vanderburgh County Superior Court and its Collaborative Partners
Vanderburgh County Superior Court and its collaborative partners, Parenting Time Center, Albion Fellows Bacon Center, YWCA, CASA, Holly’s House, Amends Program of Evansville, Legal Aid Society of Evansville, and multiple law enforcement agencies, will use this continuation award to:
- Continue to provide supervised child visitation and safe exchange services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and stalking;
- Continue to provide services of the Protective Order Assistance Office to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and stalking;
- Continue to provide trained guardian ad litems to represent the children of domestic violence victims in their visitation and custody cases; and
- To provide training within the civil justice system to gain awareness of victim safety issues and barriers that victims face when accessing the justice system.
For more information about this grant, contact the Office on Violence Against Women at 202/307-6026 and ask for the Outreach and Communications Division.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in Fiscal Year 2020 - Middle District of Louisiana Charged 72 CasesRead the Press Release
This week, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorney’s Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged nationwide, 72 firearms cases have been filed in the Middle District of Louisiana during the same period, announced United States Attorney Brandon Fremin. The majority of these cases have involved convicted felons who illegally possessed firearms. However, the district has also addressed, among other gun crimes, false statements to licensed firearms dealers and domestic violence offenders who themselves cannot legally possess firearms. The 72 local case total also reflects matters where firearms were possessed, carried, or used in connection with federal violent crime or narcotics trafficking offenses. Even with COVID 19 challenges, United States Attorney Fremin noted, the Middle District of Louisiana continues to obtain successful results against dangerous firearms offenders. Recently a federal trial jury convicted Robert Earl Tucker, Jr., age 45, of various gun charges, to include brandishing a loaded firearm at a Wal-Mart in Baton Rouge and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. Tucker now faces a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Fremin stated: “Our office has made protecting the community from violent crime a top priority in the Middle District of Louisiana. We have successfully used some of the best tools available to law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a danger to the innocent, and to prosecute and convict prohibited persons from possessing or using firearms to bring violence. We are joined in this by the various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who are the front line defenders of the public, and without their tireless efforts, our success would not be possible.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in Fiscal Year 2020Read the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced that 183 of those cases have been brought in the District of South Carolina, and have targeted the most violent offenders in the state. Of the nearly 100 judicial districts across the country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina is among the top ten offices for the number of defendants who received sentences of five years or more for firearms-related charges.
These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“Working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners, this office identifies, investigates, and prosecutes those who use firearms to commit crime,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, this office has made extraordinary strides in bringing cases against the most violent offenders and those with lengthy rap sheets. This approach has allowed this office, and the ATF here in South Carolina, to lead the way in quality firearms-related prosecutions.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged across the country, 183 cases have been brought by the District of South Carolina in Fiscal Year 2020, announced U.S. Attorney McCoy. The charges led to the seizure of hundreds of firearms. Further, more than 50% of the defendants charged with firearms-related offenses in the District of South Carolina received sentences of at least five years or more, putting the office among the top U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country. These lengthy sentences highlight the office’s focus on the worst offenders with the most serious prior records. Such sentences also show the significant, long-term impact each case can have on the safety of affected communities.
Operation Soda City illustrates the efforts here in the District of South Carolina. The operation was a violent-crime proactive effort led by ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbia, in partnership with numerous state and local agencies. Agents with Operation Soda City cultivated data to prioritize violent crime targets associated with shots fired reports and shell casings collected in Columbia. For three months in 2020, undercover ATF agents purchased guns and drugs that led to charges against at least 24 defendants and the removal 49 firearms from the streets. Of the 49 recovered firearms, 18 were stolen and five were associated with prior crimes.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on standard ATF forms used to lawfully purchase a firearm is also a federal offense, as is unlicensed dealing in firearms and possession of certain types of illegal weapons. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
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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.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in Fiscal Year 2020Read the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: The Department of Justice announced that it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its impact on the criminal justice process.
These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine charged 25 defendants with firearms-related crimes in FY 2020, U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank announced.
“Our office has always prioritized bringing to justice those who are in illegal possession of firearms, and will continue to so,” Frank said. “The prosecutions we have pursued here in Maine underscore our commitment to keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase—or even to attempt to illegally purchase—firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law-abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process.
These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“Project Guardian — along with Project Safe Neighborhoods and our recent initiative, Project Veronica — is a cornerstone of our office’s violent crime reduction strategy,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “To reduce gun violence in Nevada, we will continue prosecuting those who use firearms during a drug trafficking or violent crime offense; felons, domestic abusers, and others prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition; and those who knowingly buy guns for prohibited persons.”
“Protecting the public is at the forefront of ATF’s mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “In November 2019, the United States Attorney General announced the launch of the Project Guardian initiative. The initiative focuses on ATF’s central role to combat gun violence. Project Guardian leverages three long-standing pillars of ATF’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy, which are the close collaboration between ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and our law enforcement partners, as well as vigorous prosecution of federal firearms laws and the robust use of crime gun intelligence. Since the start of the Project Guardian initiative, the San Francisco Field Division has worked diligently with our partners to reduce gun violence in our local communities and will continue to advocate the comprehensive use of our National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), firearm tracing and Crime Gun Intelligence Centers by our local, state, and federal partners. We will also continue to deploy our investigative resources strategically and stay intensely focused on our core mission of investigating violent criminals and the firearm traffickers and straw purchasers that arm them.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged, over 130 cases have been brought by the District of Nevada, announced U.S. Attorney Trutanich.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law-abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
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Cortland County Farm Worker Indicted for Illegal Reentry Following Prior DeportationRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Timoteo Ramirez-Lopez, age 32, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Syracuse for illegally re-entering the United States without authorization after being deported previously. The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas E. Feeley, Field Office Director, Buffalo Field Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
In charging Ramirez-Lopez, the government has alleged that he was previously deported from Texas to his native country of Guatemala in March 2008, returned to the United States without permission at some point afterward, and was then found on July 29, 2020 working on a farm in Cortland County, where he was arrested for having allegedly returned to the United States without authorization.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The defendant has the right to a jury trial, a date for which has not yet been set.
If convicted, Ramirez-Lopez faces up to two years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to one year, and a fine of up to $250,000. He may also face immigration consequences, including deportation or removal, which are adjudicated in a separate civil proceeding in immigration court.
This case is being investigated by ICE-ERO, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Collin County Man Found Guilty of Financial Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Victimizing Senior Citizens, School Districts, and CharitiesRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas –A 30-year-old Plano, Texas man has been convicted of federal violations related to a bank fraud and money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.
Babatope Joseph Aderinoye was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering; wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and mail fraud. The guilty verdict came following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant.
“We are committed to protecting East Texas victims—and especially our senior citizens—from financial threats, both foreign and domestic,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “We will hold perpetrators of these fraudulent schemes accountable wherever they are and will use all tools at our disposal to punish offenders and recover their ill-gotten gains.”
According to information presented in court, Aderinoye would obtain fake passports in the names of others. He would then use those fraudulent passports and the identifying information of others to establish false business entities and fraudulent bank accounts. To this date, 13 individual aliases and 12 business aliases have been tied to Aderinoye, and there is evidence to suggest more aliases exist. Once Aderinoye would open the fraudulent bank accounts, co-conspirators would engage in various business email compromise scams and telephone compromise scams to defraud individuals and businesses out of money. In these scams, co-conspirators would pose as a known individual and direct the targeted victims to wire or send funds to Aderinoye or the fraudulent accounts Aderinoye had set up. Once the money hit Aderinoye’s fraudulent accounts, he would immediately withdraw the funds, transfer them to other fraudulent accounts, or wire them internationally to a bank account he had set up in Nigeria. The illicit proceeds were used to pay off co-conspirators and further fund their fraudulent schemes. From June 2018 through September 2019, over $6.7 million was deposited into alias accounts of Aderinoye, with almost all of those funds being withdrawn or wired internationally. The victims of the BEC scams included school districts such as Community ISD, Project 4031, a non-profit organization that helps families of the terminally ill, an individual whose identity was used to drain his retirement account, and an elderly man who had over $352,000 stolen from his investment account. The investigation is ongoing, as co-conspirators and victims continue to be identified.
Under federal statutes, Aderinoye faces up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wes Wynne and Will Tatum.
California Inmate Pleads Guilty to Arranging Drug Shipments from PrisonRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Lancaster, California man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, while he was serving a life sentence in a California prison, Nicholas Everet Thurman, 38, acted as a contact between drug customers and suppliers, using various means including contraband mobile telephones. Thurman arranged for methamphetamine and other controlled substances to be shipped from drug suppliers in California and Mexico to drug distributors in the Eastern District of Virginia and New Jersey for further distribution.
On May 24, 2019, a federal grand jury in Norfolk returned an indictment charging Thurman and others with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Following his indictment, Thurman was transported to Norfolk, where the U.S. Marshal placed Thurman in custody at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk. Upon arrival, Thurman regularly communicated with Sallie Renee Jones, a Chesapeake resident. From September 2019, and continuing thereafter until October 2019, Thurman and Jones routinely discussed ongoing shipments of controlled substances and corresponding payments for drug shipments. It was revealed to investigators that Thurman had access to multiple drug trafficking organizations based in California, as well as Mexico, which he used to have methamphetamine and other illegal controlled substances mailed to the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere for distribution.
Between June 2019 and October 2019, Thurman caused approximately 24 parcels containing methamphetamine and other controlled substances to be shipped through the U.S. Mail from California to Jones in the South Hampton Roads area. Jones received the final such parcel on October 21, 2019, at her residence in Chesapeake. On October 24, 2019, the police seized 207.07 grams of methamphetamine from Jones and her passenger during a traffic stop in Virginia Beach. On the same date, the police seized 303.4 grams of methamphetamine from Jones’ residence in Chesapeake.
Jones pleaded guilty on July 26 and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 30.
Thurman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Thurman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life in prison when sentenced on February 25, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Anthony F. Zucaro, Jr., Interim Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-83.
California Fraudster Sentenced in Maryland to Three Years in Federal Prison for International Mail and Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel yesterday sentenced Saulina Helen Eady, age 38, of Los Angeles, California, to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain goods using what appeared to be a military e-mail address, but was actually a registered Yahoo e-mail address. Judge Hazel also entered an order requiring Eady to forfeit and to pay restitution in the full amount of one of the victim’s losses, which is $640,172.80. Eady has been detained since her arrest in October 2018.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr. of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Nasir Khan of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement's Washington Field Office.
According to Eady’s plea agreement, a co-conspirator established and used what was purported to be a U.S. Navy e-mail address, authentic forms, titles, addresses and other indicia to pose as A U.S. government contracting agent and fraudulently obtain merchandise, including large-screen televisions, specialized communications equipment, cellular telephones and computers. Much of the fraud scheme was conducted from outside the United States, including from Nigeria. Three victim companies—one that provided wireless voice and data services that was headquartered in Washington State, one that was a wholesale audio-video distributor and manufacturer’s representative located in Virginia, and a defense contractor that designed, manufactured, and marketed communications equipment that was headquartered in Maryland—shipped merchandise, without prior payment, to Eady’s East Coast co-conspirators. Those individuals then shipped the stolen items to Eady and others on the West Coast.
Specifically, Eady admitted that from October 2015 until March 2017, she assisted in receiving, transporting, and storing the stolen televisions, ostensibly on behalf of the United States government, by renting trucks and transporting the stolen televisions to storage locations in the Los Angeles area, where Eady and others had rented storage units. Following the sale of the televisions, Eady was paid in cash for receiving and moving the televisions. According to her plea agreement, the organization obtained approximately 2,109 televisions over the course of the scheme, and the number of televisions and loss attributable to Eady is 493 televisions worth at least $1,181,290.80, but no more than $3.5 million.
However, based on bank records, surveillance footage, financial and business records of the victim companies, and other information, the Court determined at the sentencing that the loss foreseeable to Saulina Eady was between $1.5 million and $3.5 million.
Of the nine defendants charged in this case, seven have pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud scheme, including Saulina Eady. In February 2020, Saulina’s brother, Saul Eady was sentenced to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution of $640,127.80. One defendant, Eunice Nkongho, is scheduled for trial in December, and one defendant, Peter Unakalu, is a fugitive.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement for their work in the investigation, and thanked the FBI Washington Field Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Joseph R. Baldwin, who are prosecuting the case.
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Broken Bow Man Pleads Guilty to Ammunition PossessionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Darin Dawayne Tate, age 42, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Felon In Possession Of Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about March 4, 2020, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma the defendant, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Idabel Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States.
Boston Man Indicted for Being a Felon in PossessionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was indicted today for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, specifically a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number.
Tevin Abercrombie, 25, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Abercrombie is currently detained on a supervised release violation and will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 16, 2020, Abercrombie possessed a black Taurus 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, loaded with one round in the chamber and an additional 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine. In 2016, Abercrombie was convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, cocaine and heroin and sentenced to 60 months in prison. Abercrombie was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense.
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 upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 144 Months in Federal Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Bank and Fraud Wire SchemesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that United States District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Michael Allen Worley, age 60, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 144 months in federal prison following his convictions for bank fraud and wire fraud. The Court further sentenced Worley to serve 3 years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. Worley was also ordered to pay $15,751,905.26 to his various victims. Worley was remanded to federal prison at the conclusion of the hearing.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, Worley executed schemes to defraud both banks and private equity firms by submitting multiple false and fraudulent loan applications on behalf of himself and businesses he owned, operated, or controlled. Between 2014 and 2018, Worley obtained more than $27 million in new loans from federally-insured banks in Baton Rouge and around the country through materially false and fraudulent statements and representations. Through a similar scheme, Worley obtained at least an additional $13 million from private equity firms in Louisiana and Texas, also through materially false and fraudulent statements and representations. During the course of his bank and wire fraud schemes, Worley inflated his assets, understated and omitted his liabilities, misrepresented his income, and often misrepresented other things, including the intended use(s) of millions in loan proceeds. In some instances, Worley and his businesses defaulted on the loans, causing the financial institutions and private equity funds to suffer financial losses of over $15 million. Worley filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2018.
U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin stated, “Mr. Worley defrauded banks and other lenders for his own personal benefit and is held accountable by today’s sentence. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who participate in these types of schemes and, more importantly, restore justice to the victims to the best of our ability. I would like to recognize the efforts of our prosecutor and the FBI for their exemplary work in this case.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals who engage in fraudulent schemes that impact the security of financial institutions will be held accountable. In addition to this sentencing Mr. Worley will be responsible for restitution in excess of $15,500,000. This should be a deterrent to others who would attempt to manipulate the nation’s banking system,” said Bryan Vorndran, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge.
This matter was investigated by the Baton Rouge Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter J. Smyczek.
Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announce update on Operation LegendRead the Press Release
At a roundtable event with law enforcement in Albuquerque today, Attorney General William P. Barr and U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced updates on Operation Legend.
Since Operation Legend’s launch in July 2020, more than 5,000 arrests – including approximately 263 for homicide – have been made; more than 2,000 firearms have been seized; and nearly 22 kilos of heroin, more than 15 kilos of fentanyl (enough to deliver more than 7.5 million fatal doses), more than 130 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 28 kilos of cocaine, and more than $7.3 million in drug proceeds have been seized.
Of the more than 5,000 individuals arrested, approximately 1,057 have been charged with federal offenses. Approximately 568 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses, while approximately 411 have been charged with drug-related crimes. The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.
In Cleveland, 94 defendants have been charged with federal crimes, including 54 defendants charged with narcotics-related offenses, 36 charged with firearms-related offenses and 4 with other violent crimes. U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman released the following statement:
“Operation Legend continues to send a strong message that law enforcement in Cleveland and around the country will not stand around while our neighbors live in fear of senseless violence. As long as drugs, violence, and illegal firearms continue to harm our communities, we will use our collaborative law enforcement partnerships and any resources available under Operation Legend to fight back.”
The Attorney General launched Operation Legend on July 8, 2020, as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The initiative is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
Launched in Kansas City, MO. on July 8, 2020, the operation expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis on August 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district can be found here.
Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Updates on Operation LeGend at Roundtable in AlbuquerqueRead the Press Release
MEMPHIS, TN - At a roundtable with law enforcement in Albuquerque today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation LeGend, which was expanded to Albuquerque on July 22, 2020.
Since Operation LeGend’s launch in July 2020, more than 5,000 arrests – including approximately 263 for homicide – have been made; more than 2,000 firearms have been seized; and nearly 22 kilos of heroin, more than 15 kilos of fentanyl (enough to deliver more than 7.5 million fatal doses), more than 130 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 28 kilos of cocaine, and more than $7.3 million in drug proceeds have been seized.
Of the more than 5,000 individuals arrested, approximately 1,057 have been charged with federal offenses. Approximately 568 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses, while approximately 411 have been charged with drug-related crimes. The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.
The Attorney General launched the operation as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime.
Breakdown of Operation LeGend charges:
The initiative, which was first launched first in Kansas City, MO., on July 8, 2020, is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City. The operation was subsequently expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis on August 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district is below.
Kansas City, MO.
136 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 49 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 76 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 11 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Chicago, Ill.
176 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 40 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 130 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 6 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Albuquerque, NM.
113 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 47 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 56 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 10 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Cleveland, OH.
94 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 54 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 36 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 4 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Detroit, MI.
96 defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below.
- 31 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 62 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 3 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Milwaukee, WI.
54 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 25 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 25 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 4 defendant has been charged with other violent crimes.
St. Louis, MO.
274 defendants have been charged with federal crimes.
- 125 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 125 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 24 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Memphis, TN.
51 defendants have been charged with federal offenses.
- 30 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 14 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 7 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Indianapolis, Indiana
65 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 10 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 46 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 9 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
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Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Updates on Operation Legend at Roundtable in Albuquerque, New MexicoRead the Press Release
At a roundtable with law enforcement in Albuquerque today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation Legend, which was expanded to Albuquerque on July 22, 2020.
Since Operation Legend’s launch in July 2020, more than 5,000 arrests – including approximately 247 for homicide – have been made; more than 2,000 firearms have been seized; and nearly 22 kilos of heroin, more than 15 kilos of fentanyl (enough to deliver more than 7.5 million fatal doses), more than 130 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 28 kilos of cocaine, and more than $7.3 million in drug proceeds have been seized.
Of the more than 5,000 individuals arrested, approximately 1,057 have been charged with federal offenses. Approximately 568 of those defendants have been charged with firearms offenses, while approximately 411 have been charged with drug-related crimes. The remaining defendants have been charged with various offenses.
The Attorney General launched the operation as a sustained, systematic, and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime.
Breakdown of Operation Legend charges:
The initiative, which was first launched first in Kansas City, MO., on July 8, 2020, is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City. The operation was subsequently expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020; to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020; to St. Louis and Memphis on August 6, 2020; and to Indianapolis on August 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district is below.
Kansas City, MO.
136 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 49 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 76 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 11 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Chicago, IL.
176 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 40 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 130 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 6 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Albuquerque, NM.
113 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 47 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 56 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 10 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Cleveland, OH.
94 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 54 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 36 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 4 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Detroit, MI.
96 defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below.
- 31 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 62 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 3 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Milwaukee, WI.
54 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 25 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 25 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 4 defendant has been charged with other violent crimes.
St. Louis, MO.
274 defendants have been charged with federal crimes.
- 125 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 125 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 24 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Memphis, TN.
51 defendants have been charged with federal offenses.
- 30 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 14 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 7 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Indianapolis, IN.
65 defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below.
- 10 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses;
- 46 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; and
- 9 defendants have been charged with other violent crimes.
Arkansas Businessman Pleads Guilty to Income Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Bentonville, Arkansas, resident pleaded guilty today to income tax evasion announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to court-filed documents, James Brassart filed a 2006 individual income tax return reporting adjusted gross income of $1,502,749 and total tax due of $486,438. He did not pay all of the tax due and was assessed penalties and interest. In an effort to continue receiving income but to make it appear as if he did not have income or assets, Brassart used three nominee corporations, Eagle Creek Construction and Development Inc., Mono Pro LLC, and Sierra Madre Contracting LLC, to conduct his business and purchase assets. Between approximately 2010 and 2016, in an effort to further evade paying money owed on his taxes, Brassart filed four false bankruptcy petitions. Each of these petitions listed the IRS as a creditor. During the course of his bankruptcies, Brassart made false statements and filed fraudulent documents in which he concealed his ownership interests in the nominee corporations. As a result of Brassart’s actions, he caused a tax loss of approximately $1,360,682 to the IRS.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks set sentencing for a later date. At sentencing, Brassart faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment on the charge. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and Terri-Lei O’Malley, who are prosecuting the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas (Fayetteville Division) for their substantial assistance.
Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.
Acting United States Attorney Seth D. DuCharme Announces Expansion of Strategies for Rapid Federal Response to Spikes in Gun-Related Violence in the Eastern District of New YorkRead the Press Release
RASP’s Expansion Is Part of Department of Justice’s Project Guardian Initiative to Maximize Impact of Gun Crime Prosecution Strategy
Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), announced today strategies that are being implemented, in coordination with federal and local law enforcement partners, to address the significant spike in gun-related violence in the district. The strategies represent an expansion of the Office’s Rapid and Strategic Prosecution (RASP) Initiative to ensure rapid intake of federal prosecutions in response to gun violence. In September 2020, RASP was expanded to more effectively use crime data to identify, investigate, disrupt and prosecute violent armed criminals and organizations.
“In the middle of a global pandemic, we have also seen a local epidemic of shootings in our city, and we are responding with responsible, data-driven measures to protect our communities from armed repeat offenders and violent gang members to prevent neighborhoods and public housing from being turned into battle zones,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney DuCharme. “Our message is clear: violent criminal offenders will be arrested, detained and incapacitated in the court system.” Mr. DuCharme thanked the District Attorneys of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island for their cooperation and coordination, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; New York City Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Office; United States Marshal Service, EDNY; and Homeland Security Investigations for their partnership.
In October 2019, the EDNY instituted the RASP Initiative. RASP was developed to ensure a rapid federal response by the USAO-EDNY and its federal law enforcement partners to spikes in gun violence in specific areas of responsibility such as precincts, neighborhoods and housing developments. The RASP program was created in response to upticks in violent crime in various areas within the district. The goal of the expanded initiative is to support local law enforcement by rapidly deploying federal resources in order to protect communities from violent crime. The intake considerations include the individual’s prior criminal history; position, if any, in a criminal organization; any threats of witness tampering; the risk of recidivism; the likelihood of detention if charged in the state; current status, if applicable, in federal supervised release or state parole.
Since October 2019, 18 individuals have been charged with various firearms offenses as part of the RASP Initiative under the shared umbrella of the Triggerlock and Project Safe Neighborhood programs – long-standing and successful programs through which federal, state and local law enforcement agencies collaboratively address gun violence. The majority of the defendants have been detained pending trial, some of whom were found to be a danger to the community.
These arrests are in addition to the Office’s pre-existing anti-violence efforts by the General Crimes, Organized Crimes & Gangs, International Narcotics & Money Laundering, National Security & Cybercrime Sections, and the Long Island Criminal Division. For example, in February 2020, 12 members and associates of the 5-9 Brims set of the Bloods street gang were arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics trafficking and murder. In May 2020, 10 members and associates of La Mara Salvatrucha (“MS-13”) were arrested and charged variously with racketeering, murder, narcotics and firearms offenses. In June 2020, seven members and associates of the Elite Assassin Millas set of the Bloods street gang were arrested and charged variously with racketeering conspiracy, murder, stalking and firearms offenses. Between June and September 2020, 14 members and associates of the Bully Gang were arrested and charged variously with narcotics and firearms possession. In addition, since August 7, 2020, the Organized Crime & Gangs and General Crimes Sections have charged approximately 33 defendants with illegal firearms possession, of which 31 have been ordered detained pending trial.
In September 2020, the EDNY expanded RASP to identify individuals and groups responsible for spikes in gun violence and conduct investigations into a host of federal crimes, including Hobbs Act robbery, domestic violence with a firearm, narcotics trafficking, violent crime in aid-of-racketeering and fraud. RASP is utilizing the following strategies:
- Using data and analytics to identify trends and the drivers of gun violence.
- Aggressively using federal firearms statutes and other statutes like Hobbs Act robbery to address gun violence in the district.
- Assembling a team of more than a dozen experienced Assistant U.S. Attorneys to lead the prosecutions.
- Using three NYPD detectives to assist EDNY federal prosecutors in the investigations of fatal and non-fatal shootings.
- Partnering with two Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys designated by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to facilitate the presentation of firearms and violence cases for prosecution in federal court.
RASP’s expansion is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Guardian initiative focusing on coordinated prosecutions to maximize the impact of federal resources and maintain a robust and effective gun crime prosecution strategy, utilizing crime data to guide the focus. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs, including Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.
22 people indicted in drug trafficking enterprise that spanned several statesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Twenty-two people are facing charges in a multi-state organized drug trafficking enterprise dubbed the “19th Street Enterprise,” U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
“Protecting the community is both my biggest responsibility and greatest honor. This case involves a tangled web of drugs, violence, and money and it was being orchestrated by those outside of our state, with enough fentanyl to kill two and half times the population of West Virginia. We will not tolerate others preying on our residents and will continue to work to bring all of those who do so to justice,” said Powell.
The 22 were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Wheeling on October 7, 2020 on charges involving a drug distribution operation spanning Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and other locations. The criminal enterprise consisted of racketeering to hide thousands of dollars in proceeds from drug sales, acts of violence, and the distribution of more than 400 grams of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine hydrochloride. They are:
• Christopher Arthur Jones, also known as “Smooth,” 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Gregory Reese, also known as “Geez,” 38, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Tyrone Kareem Thomas, also known as “Mack,” 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Eric Jones, 36, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Catia Quinones, 36, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Christian Lamar Goode, also known as “Lil Chris,” 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Dominic Asquith, also known as “Dom,” 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Kathryn Annette Batis, also known as “Kitty,” 35, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Keyontray Daniel Johnson, also known as “38,” 24, of Worton, Maryland
• Michael Davon Moore, also known as “Smiley,” 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Anthony Peterson, also known as “Ant Man,” 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cody Xavier Brown, also known as “Bricks,” 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Brian Jones, also known as “B,” 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Arnel Hategekimana, also known as “Homie,” 21, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
• Andre Jason Burgos, also known as “Ghost,” 30, of Wilmington, Delaware
• Joshua Raymond, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• John Suffare Beavers, II, 34, of Hedgesville, West Virginia
• Barbara Jean Feltner, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Maxwell Edward Sanderlin, 33, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Kevin Gene Barron, 44, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Bonnie Lou Breeden, 51, of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Rebecca Branham, 50, of Martinsburg, West VirginiaThe indictment charges 11 of the 22 defendants with crimes under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering statute (VICAR). These racketeering-based statutes provide criminal penalties up to life imprisonment for acts performed as part of a criminal organization, and support charges for those who only ordered or assisted others to carry out the illegal acts. The indictment alleges that the “19th Street Enterprise” enriched the leaders, members, and associates of the enterprise through among other things, acts of violence, robbery, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere from June 2019 to October 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the West Virginia Air National Guard investigated. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tuesday 13 October 2020
York Man Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Firearms and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 8, 2020, United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson sentenced Edward Lee McDowell, III, age 23, to 57 months’ imprisonment for firearms and drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, McDowell previously pleaded guilty to firearms and drug trafficking offenses based on conduct that occurred in York County in December 2016 and February 2017. In addition to the 57 months in prison, McDowell was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case was investigated by the York County Drug Task Force and the Harrisburg Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Taylor.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Unlicensed New Jersey Investment Adviser Charged with Defrauding Clients Out of More than $2 MillionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Alexander S. Rowland, 29, of Penns Grove, NJ, was charged by Indictment with seven counts of mail fraud, 30 counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of securities fraud, one count of investment adviser fraud, and two counts of money laundering related to a scam in which he purported to be an investment adviser and either stole or lost victims’ money, resulting in total losses of more than $2 million.
The Indictment alleges that Rowland, a former warehouse operator, started an investment company in July 2016 that he incorporated in New Jersey, called Roaring Investments, Inc., and which he operated out of his apartment. The defendant held himself out to potential investors as a licensed investment adviser who would invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency, and promised them a minimum rate of return of 25%, with potential returns of 50% or higher. Through these and other misrepresentations, Rowland was able to dupe his victims into investing almost $3 million in Roaring Investments. Eventually, the defendant was able to move his company from his apartment in New Jersey into office space in Philadelphia.
According to the Indictment, despite telling investors that he was a licensed investment adviser, in reality Rowland did not hold any licenses to sell securities or offer investment advice. Further, the defendant invested only approximately $518,000 of the almost $3 million he obtained from his clients, and those investments lost more than $100,000. The remaining client funds (almost $2.5 million) were used by Rowland in a variety of ways that were never disclosed to his clients, including spending more than $1 million on himself by: taking large cash withdrawals; paying his own personal bills; buying luxury vehicles; paying for vacations and jewelry; paying for gym memberships; and buying more than $47,000 worth of firearms.
The Indictment also alleges that Rowland was able to deceive his clients into believing that their investments were safe and profitable through a variety of fraudulent means, including: (a) operating a “Ponzi” scheme by using new client funds to make payments to earlier clients who had invested with Roaring Investments, thereby tricking those earlier clients into believing that their investments were making money; (b) creating a website, “roaringinvestments.com,” through which clients could check their account balances and on which defendant Rowland posted false account balances for his clients; and (c) emailing false account statements to clients that listed their fictitious account balances and showed non-existent profits.
Finally, the Indictment alleges that the defendant received and ignored an August 2018 cease and desist letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities that instructed Roaring Investments to stop selling unregistered securities and for Rowland to stop serving as an unlicensed investment adviser. Instead, Rowland continued to solicit new investments from clients. All told, due to Rowland’s alleged fraudulent conduct, Roaring Investments’ clients lost more than $2,139,000.
“Honesty, integrity, and trust all play critical roles in the relationship between a financial adviser and a client,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Here, Rowland wasn’t even a legitimate advisor: he is an alleged con man who lived lavishly on his clients’ money – funds they expected him to invest responsibly. The damage done to victims of such fraud can be disastrous. I want to especially thank the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities for their substantial assistance with this case.”
Rowland faces a maximum sentence of 835 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, a fine of $15,345,987.58, and a $4,200 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Department of Justice Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
Spokane – Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
United States Attorney Hyslop said, “Prosecuting firearm-related crimes continues to be a priority here in the Eastern District ofWashington. The number of firearms-related cases prosecuted in the past year is indicative of the close working relationship the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District ofWashington has with its federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners and our joint commitment to making the community safer.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged nationally, 54 cases have been brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District ofWashington, announced U.S. Attorney Hyslop.
The following examples highlight some of the firearm-related cases prosecuted in the Eastern District of Washington during the past year:
Jesus Valencia-Morfin, a resident of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced to an 11-year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to drug trafficking. A firearm recovered during a search of his residence was linked via the NIBIN shell casing tracing system to a shooting on December 24, 2018, in Yakima, Washington. As a result, Valencia-Morfin pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon charges stemming from that incident in the Yakima County Superior Court as well.
Michael Lorenzo Martinez Castoreno, a resident of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced to a 9-year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea for possessing stolen firearms. Martinez Castoreno, a documented Sureno gang member, led police on a high speed chase that ended when he crashed into a police vehicle. Multiple stolen firearms were located in his vehicle.
Joseph Aarnes, a resident of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to a 7.5 year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to possessing a stolen silencer. Aarnes was on Washington State Department of Corrections’ supervision at the time he unlawfully possessed the silencer.
Randall Gross, a resident of Coulee City, Washington, was sentenced to a 10-year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to drug trafficking charges. During a search warrant of his residence, an AR-15 assault rifle was located next to Gross’ bed.
Raymond Guerrero-Garcia, a resident of Toppenish, Washington, was sentenced to a 10-year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In a dispute that stemmed from the reported theft of drugs, Guerrero-Garcia, a documented Sureno gang member, approached the victim who had arrived to give condolences to Guerrero-Garcia for the death of his mother. Guerrero-Garcia pulled out a firearm and shot the victim. Guerrero-Garcia then entered the victim’s vehicle and stole property, including a stereo.
Francisco Salazar, Jr., a resident of Yakima, Washington was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of just over 7 years following his guilty plea to a drug trafficking offense and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. During a search of his residence stemming from a drug trafficking investigation in October 2018, law enforcement located a large quantity of fentanyl-laced pills as well as a firearm. Salazar, Jr. was released pre-trial on state charges. Months later, Salazar Jr., still on pre-trial release, continued to sell fentanyl-laced pills. Another search warrant was served on his residence and vehicle in September 2019. Fentanyl-laced pills and a loaded firearm were located.
Martel Chavez-Mendoza, a resident of Yakima, Washington was sentenced to a 14-year term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to a drug trafficking offense, which included the possession of approximately 90 pounds of methamphetamine. In addition to the drugs, search of Chavez-Mendoza’s residence also resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms.
Gary Jack Gallager, a resident of Colfax, Washington, was sentenced to an 85-month term of imprisonment following his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm.
Maria Andrea Gonzalez, a resident of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced to a 20-year term of imprisonment following jury trial convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and also after having pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated sexual assault of a female federal inmate. When she was arrested, Gonzalez possessed 337 grams of methamphetamine, 135 grams of heroin, a loaded firearm and a large amount of U.S. currency. While awaiting trial, Gonzalez and several other female inmates sexually assaulted another female inmate while searching the other female inmate for drugs.
Gabriel Anthony Zavala, a resident of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced to a 10-year term of imprisonment for discharging a firearm at tribal officers on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation. Tribal officers responded to the scene of a reported shooting, whereupon Zavala exchanged gunfire with the officers from his vehicle. No one was injured and Zavala managed to flee, but his DNA later linked him to the abandoned vehicle and firearm. Zavala was ordered to serve the federal sentence consecutively to a separate 20-year state term of imprisonment for a different assault involving a deadly weapon.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if the person falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense.
The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
A recent study by the United States Sentencing Commission found that offenders convicted of a firearm offense were the most likely to be re-arrested after their release from incarceration at 68.3%. See Recidivism & Federal Sentencing Policy, Recidivism of Federal Offenders: A Comprehensive Overview, United States Sentencing Commission.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
United States Attorney Shappert Announces USVI Efforts to Address Violent Crime: Project Guardian and Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today continuing efforts by federal and territorial law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violent crime in the Territory, as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Guardian initiative and Project Safe Neighborhoods. “On April 14, 2020, Attorney General William Barr instructed each of the 93 United States Attorney’s Offices to implement Project Guardian, the Department’s initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws,” U.S. Attorney Shappert said. “Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of gun crimes. Project Safe Neighborhoods includes our collaboration and partnership with members of our community.”
“ In September, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released its 2019 edition of Crime in the United States, which showed that violent crime decreased nationwide for the third consecutive year,” Shappert said. “After decreases in both 2017 and 2018, the violent crime rate dropped an additional one percent during the year and the property crime rate decreased 4.5 percent. In 2019, there were an estimated 1,203,808 violent crimes and an estimated violent crime rate of 366.7 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. This represents a one percent decrease from the prior year. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data indicates that the violent crime rate dropped 0.7 percent in 2017 and 3.5 percent in 2018 from the prior years.”
“In the U.S. Virgin Islands, however, violent, gun-related crime continues to threaten public safety.” Shappert noted that the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a population of roughly 103,000 people, has averaged 40 homicides a year during the past several years, and has already exceeded that number for 2020. “We are continuing to work closely with our federal and local partners to help turn this situation around. Some of what we do is known to the public, and some of what we do must remain confidential until prosecutions are initiated. We are encouraged by increased levels of coordination among law enforcement agencies and by intelligence information provided to us by citizens in our community.”
Shappert cited examples of Project Guardian initiatives focused on public safety:
I. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Firearms Trafficking Initiative
ATF is continuing to support firearms tracing of crime guns in the USVI. Firearms tracing is the systematic research of the history of a particular firearm, from the manufacturer or importer through the wholesale Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) and retailer FFL to the first retail purchaser, in an effort to identify persons involved in gun crimes and potential gun traffickers. A total of 370 firearms were submitted for tracing from the U.S. Virgin Islands to ATF between January 1, 2017, and September 30, 2020. More than 90 percent of firearms traces were handguns, with the majority of those being traced to Florida, Georgia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Beginning the week of October 19, 2020, ATF Special Agents and a civilian ATF firearms tracing expert will commence a review and reconciliation of the VIPD firearms evidence vaults on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. Firearms in the VIPD vaults will be cataloged and submitted to eTrace, an internet-based application that tracks the purchase and/or use history of firearms involved in violent crimes. Upon conclusion of the reconciliation and submission of firearms into eTrace, ATF’s Violent Crime Analysis Branch (VCAB) will conduct a complete Firearm Trace Study. Results of the trace study will be added to the ATF Crime Gun Intelligence (CGI) arsenal.
ATF’s CGI encompasses all available information gleaned from firearms tracing, NIBIN, Gunshot Detection Technology, local intelligence, crime analysis and social media. CGI leads will be used to assist in identifying offenders who are illegally purchasing or transferring firearms and the offenders who use firearms to commit violent crimes. CGI focuses analysis and criminal intelligence to precisely identify and target criminal shooters and their sources of crime guns. The CGI will distribute the intelligence information to law enforcement, so that they can identify the source of crime guns and track down criminals before those criminals can commit additional violent acts. Timely information-sharing enables investigators to access and respond to information quickly, leading to the apprehension of suspects.
ATF has also purchased and delivered two bullet trap devices to the USVI for use by ATF, other federal law enforcement agencies and by VIPD. A bullet trap is a device designed to apprehend and collect projectiles fired at as a shooting range, to prevent over-penetrations and stray shots. The bullet traps will be used by law enforcement on St. Thomas and St. Croix to safely test-fire crime guns so that their fired cartridge casings can be submitted into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), a national database of digital images of spent bullets and cartridge cases that are found at crime scenes or test-fired from confiscated weapons. NIBIN allows for comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.
In addition, ATF plans to provide firearms identification training to federal and local law enforcement in the USVI, the BVI and Puerto Rico in FY2021.
II. Virgin Islands U.S. Attorney’s Office Initiatives (VI-USAO)
Prosecutors and staff in the VI-USAO continue to prioritize federal firearms prosecutions and to work closely with law enforcement to develop investigations of firearms trafficking in the Territory.
The VI-USAO has continued to provide virtual training opportunities for federal and local law enforcement in the Territory during the COVID-19 pandemic. These trainings have included roll-call training for VIPD officers regarding federal firearms offenses.
In support of its public outreach, the VI-USAO has developed Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) posters and training materials regarding domestic violence to increase community awareness and encourage information-sharing.
The VI-USAO has also produced a public service announcement (PSA) titled “U.S. Virgin Islands Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Crime Stoppers PSA”. The video is accessible on YouTube (https://youtu.be/9FEUfmCEgAI) and emphasizes the importance of, “if you see something, say something.” The PSA was created to encourage more community intelligence sharing with law enforcement in the USVI.
Prosecutors in the VI-USAO continue to prioritize federal firearms prosecutions and to work closely with law enforcement to develop investigations of firearms trafficking in the Territory.
Representatives of the VI-USAO meet regularly with community representatives, service organizations, and community leaders to discuss strategies for increased community engagement and public safety initiatives.
For more information on Project Guardian, see Department of Justice Project Guardian. To Report Illegal Firearms Activity: 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867), [email protected].
U.S. Department of Justice Charges More than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY2020Read the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“2020 has been a grim and tragic year in cities throughout our District,” said Acting United States Attorney Antoinette Bacon. “In Albany, more than 100 people have been shot, including one this weekend, and there have been 15 homicides, including a 17-year old murdered on his way home from a funeral. In Syracuse, 149 people have been shot, and homicides are on pace to set a year-end record. In Troy, an 11-year-old boy was killed last month in a drive-by shooting. The time to take a stand against gun violence is now. Reducing gun violence has been, and will continue to be, one of our District’s top priorities. We must do all we can to ensure that the next time we read about a child in the news, it’s because they won a spelling bee, not because they were the victim of gun violence.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged in fiscal year 2020, 64 cases have been brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon.
“Across the 32-county Northern District of New York we work daily with law enforcement agencies at all levels and local prosecutors to charge criminals who arm themselves with guns,” said Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Southwick and Emmet O’Hanlon, who are assigned to prosecute firearms cases for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces YouTube Video Promoting Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Guardian, and the USVI Crime Stoppers PartnershipRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today a YouTube video promoting the partnership between the USVI Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Guardian, and Crime Stoppers. This initiative encourages reporting violent and gun-related crimes as a means of combatting violent crime and illegal guns in the Territory. This renewed partnership targets violence in the Territory in attempt to reduce crime and make our island a safer place to live. The public service announcement (PSA) is titled “U.S. Virgin Islands Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Crime Stoppers PSA”. The video is accessible on YouTube (https://youtu.be/9FEUfmCEgAI) and emphasizes the importance of “if you see something, say something.” The PSA was created to encourage more community intelligence sharing with law enforcement in the USVI.
According to U.S. Attorney Shappert, "Project Safe Neighborhoods is a centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy. Together with our Project Guardian firearms prosecution initiative, PSN is a tested and proven program to invest in our communities and foster vital partnerships. PSN enables the United States Attorney’s Office, together with our law enforcement partners, to target and prioritize criminal prosecutions on the most violent people in the most violent areas. Second, we engage with a wide variety of stakeholders—from federal and local law enforcement, to community groups, educators, faith-based organizations, and victims’ advocates—in order to identify the needs specific to our communities and to develop strategies to reduce crime.”
“While federal law enforcement and prosecutors work to take violent offenders off our streets, we are collaborating with USVI Crime Stoppers and members of this community who care deeply about the well-being of our Island home. Please support this effort by sharing our video and audio clip,” Shappert said.
Individuals wanting to know more about Project Safe Neighborhoods can check out the
Project Safe Neighborhoods website. For those wishing to participate in the PSN initiative, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 340-774-5757.To find more information about Crime Stoppers or report an anonymous tip online go to http://www.crimestoppersvi.org/ to submit a web tip. Two other easy ways to submit a Tip and possibly receive a cash reward by Calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) where you will be connected to a trained representative who will assist you or on your mobile device using the P3 Tips App. where you can provide crime-solving information, submit photos of suspects and videos of crimes, and have two-way conversations with Crime Stoppers about the crime, their tip, and a reward, ALL WHILE REMAINING ANONYMOUS.
U.S. Attorneys Peter Deegan and Marc Krickbaum Announce $661,955 to Advance Forensic Science in IowaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan of the Northern District of Iowa and U.S. Attorney Marc Krickbaum of the Southern District of Iowa today announced $661,955 in Department of Justice grants to the Iowa Department of Public Safety to fund crime laboratories, decrease DNA backlogs, support basic and applied forensic research, and help law enforcement identify missing persons. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of $192 million in funding to advance forensic science nationwide.
“Developments in forensic science have given investigators an extraordinary array of tools that can be enlisted to solve crimes and bring answers to victims and survivors, often after many years and even decades,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These investments in crime-fighting technology, from DNA analysis to drug toxicology to forensic anthropology, will help identify and convict perpetrators, ensure justice for innocent victims and keep communities safe by deterring future criminal activity.”
“Our offices are committed to prosecuting dangerous and violent offenders,” said Deegan and Krickbaum. “This investment in the Iowa Department of Public Safety will allow our state and local law enforcement partners to better investigate violent crime and bring justice to victims across the state.”
Since 2004, the Office of Justice Programs has received an annual appropriation for DNA and other forensic science activities. The funding, administered through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Institute of Justice, supports DNA analysis, laboratory capacity enhancement and forensic science research that provides knowledge and tools to improve the quality and practice of forensic science.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and more information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray Announces $267,595 Grant to Prevent School Violence in Franklin School DistrictRead the Press Release
CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray today announced a $267,595 Department of Justice grant to prevent violence in the Franklin School District. The grant, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, is part of more than $87 million in grants nationwide to bolster school security, support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident, and conduct research on school safety.
STOP School Violence, a program of OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, improves school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to and help prevent acts of violence. In addition to STOP School Violence Act funding, OJP’s National Institute of Justice is investing in research on school violence.
“Only by removing the threat of violence from our schools can we expect our kids to reap the full benefits of their education, and only after making our places of learning safe can we ask our teachers to instruct and inspire as they are trained to do,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Department of Justice is committed to securing our schools from danger and giving our kids the support they need to learn, grow and thrive.”
“Students should be able to focus on their education without worrying about the risks of violence as they attend classes,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is absolutely critical that our schools be secure places of learning where everyone feels safe. These grant funds will promote learning by helping the Franklin School District to maintain the safety of its students, teachers, and parents.”
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona Announces New Initiative to Combat Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
Birmingham, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announces Operation Safe Families, a new initiative to fight domestic violence in the Northern District of Alabama. Through Operation Safe Families, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work with federal, state, and local law enforcement to use federal firearm laws to combat domestic violence. Additionally, the Office will work closely with partners in the community who are focused on prevention, education, and survivor support. Operation Safe Families is a partnership between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, One Place Family Justice Center, YWCA, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama.
“Domestic violence tears at the fabric of our communities and affects every demographic of society,” U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona stated. “Through Operation Safe Families, we look forward to working with our local partners to combat domestic violence in the Northern District of Alabama. Our top priority is to keep our communities safe by keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.”
“Removing the criminal element that uses a firearm to facilitate violent crimes related to domestic violence is a priority of ATF,” ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge, Toby Taylor stated. “These focused investigations will have a lasting impact within our communities.”
Federal firearm laws prohibit gun possession for domestic abusers. These firearm laws can be used to prosecute abusers – often without the testimony of victims, who may be hesitant to testify in a court proceeding against their abuser. The pertinent federal laws that may relate to domestic violence crimes fall into two broad categories:
- Crimes under the Gun Control Act, which prevents prohibited persons – including convicted felons, individuals previously convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and individuals subject to certain protective orders—from possessing firearms, or from lying to firearms dealers about their status
- Crimes under the Violence Against Women Act, which prohibits interstate stalking, cyber stalking, and using interstate commerce to commit domestic violence or violate protective orders
Beginning this month, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Alabama along with agents from the ATF Birmingham Field Division will provide training to local District Attorney’s Offices and federal, state, and local law enforcement to assist those agencies in selecting cases involving domestic abusers that are appropriate for federal prosecution.
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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.
U.S. Attorney McAllister: 144 Defendants Charged with Firearms Violations in FY 2020Read the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – Federal prosecutors charged 144 defendants with firearm-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 on the criminal justice process, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Nationally, the Department of Justice charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during the same time.
“Investigating, prosecuting and combatting gun crimes are critical parts of our anti-violence strategy,” McAllister said. “We are partnering with federal law enforcement agencies and state and local police departments to reduce gun violence.”
Attorney General William P. Barr said: “The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe. By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences.
“The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms,” he continued. “Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien and an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is required to purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense.
The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law-abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn Announces Results of Effort to Address Recent Rise in Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
DENVER – Amid the rise of violent crime in metro areas across the nation – including Denver and Aurora – the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office has doubled down on efforts to target gun violence and enforce federal firearm laws. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its impact on the criminal justice process, the office filed 51 indictments related to firearms since June.
The Denver Post recently reported that “Denver is on track to have its deadliest year in a decade.” In addition, Aurora has seen homicides and violent crime increase 53 percent since last year.
As part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s effort to address the rise in violent crime, and gun crime in particular, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn has directed his staff to work closely with local law enforcement agencies and aggressively pursue federal felon in possession charges where appropriate. It is illegal under both state and federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. However, federal sentences for such offenses are typically much higher than at the state level. In addition, federal courts are often more willing to grant pre-trial detention requests than state courts. U.S. Attorney Dunn has emphasized to local law enforcement in recent months that his office will take such cases for federal prosecution to help ensure the toughest possible sentences and to assist affected communities in quickly getting the worst actors off the streets.
Specifically, since June, the office has charged 41 individuals with being a felon in possession of a firearm under 18 USC § 922, and 10 individuals with being in possession of a weapon during drug trafficking under 18 USC § 924.
Examples of recent cases involving the felon in possession charge include:
- In September, Andre Daniel Gilmore, a convicted felon from Denver, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm. At the time of his arrest, Gilmore was on bond for an attempted murder case in Denver County.
- In August, Nicholas Meyers, of Denver, was sentenced to serve over 11 years in federal prison followed by 5 years on supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Meyers sold 11 firearms including an assault-style rifle capable of accepting high capacity magazines and just under 10 ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent.
- In June, Jalonni Alexander Moore, also from Denver, was sentenced to serve 16 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges were filed after Moore was involved in a shootout near downtown Denver where one individual was killed.
Other types of crime related to guns or illegal weapons includes straw purchases and going after those illegally in possession of destructive devices like pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails. The focus on weapon-related charges that has been seen in recent months is the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between federal agencies (United States Attorney’s Offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the DEA, and the U.S. Marshals), and local law enforcement.
“We have made a concerted effort this year to focus on preventing future gun crimes and prosecuting those who commit violent crime,” Dunn said. “We’re making sure that the most serious, readily provable charges are brought against anyone who commits a gun-related crime. That ensures that not only are these criminals taken off the street but that they are kept out of the community for a significant period of time.”
Pending any potential changes to the court calendar, this week will see hearings in gun cases brought by the office, including sentencing hearings and change of plea hearings in several cases. The office anticipates sending out a press release on Friday summarizing the results of gun cases from the week.
Throughout the week, the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be joining a nationwide effort to highlight cases that have helped reduce gun violence, to learn more follow us on Twitter.
U.S. Attorney Higdon Announces $749,724 to Address School Violence in the Eastern District of North CarolinaRead the Press Release
RALEIGH– U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. today announced $749,724 in a Department of Justice grant to address violence occurring at our nation’s schools. The grant, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs to the North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center, is part of more than $87 million to bolster school security, support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident, and conduct research on school safety.
STOP School Violence, a program of OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, improves school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to and help prevent acts of violence. In addition to STOP School Violence Act funding, OJP’s National Institute of Justice is investing in research on school violence.
“Only by removing the threat of violence from our schools can we expect our kids to reap the full benefits of their education, and only after making our places of learning safe can we ask our teachers to instruct and inspire as they are trained to do,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Department of Justice is committed to securing our schools from danger and giving our kids the support they need to learn, grow and thrive.”
“School safety – that is the protection of our precious children and young people – is among our most important responsibilities”, said Mr. Higdon. “I am very pleased to see these essential funds provided here in the Eastern District to support this critical need.”
The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center in Lumberton, NC received the grant. More information about this organization can be found at https://preventyouthviolencenc.org/
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank Informs Maine Voters About Potential Election Crimes Ahead of November 2020 ElectionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: Fair elections are the foundation of our democracy in the United States, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to vote. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is issuing this press release to inform voters about federal election crimes and how to avoid them, and to encourage voters to report suspected violations.
“Voting is one of the foundational rights and responsibilities of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank. “Elections must remain free and fair to ensure voters' voices are truly heard. As Mainers get ready to vote, they should remain vigilant and report any suspected criminal scheme targeting voters to the FBI immediately.”
Election Crimes
Election crimes threaten the legitimacy of elections and undermine public confidence in our democracy. Election crimes fall into four broad categories:
- Ballot fraud
- Civil rights violations, such as voter suppression or voter intimidation
- Campaign finance violations
- Patronage offenses
While individual states and localities have the constitutional authority and responsibility to manage elections and have their own election laws, an election crime becomes a federal crime when one or more of the following occurs:
- A ballot includes one or more federal candidates
- Election or polling place officials abuse their office
- The conduct involves false voter registration
- The crime is motivated by hostility toward minority protected classes
- The activity violates federal campaign finance law
Examples of federal election crimes include, but are not limited to:
- Giving false information when registering to vote
- Voting more than once
- Changing ballot markings or otherwise tampering with ballots
- Compensating voters
- Threatening voters with physical or financial harm
- Intentionally lying about the time, manner or place of an election to prevent qualified voters from voting
- Political fundraising by federal employees
- Campaign contributions above legal limits
- Conduit contributions
- Contributions from foreign or other prohibited sources
- Use of campaign funds for personal or unauthorized purposes
Distinguishing between legal and criminal conduct is critical for ensuring the integrity of U.S. elections. The following activities are not federal election crimes:
- Giving voters rides to the polls or time off to vote
- Offering voters a stamp to mail a ballot
- Making false claims about oneself or another candidate
- Forging or faking nominating petitions
- Campaigning too close to polling places
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, plays an important role in preventing violations of Mainers’ constitutional rights, including their right to vote. Report any instances of potential election crimes to your local FBI field office as soon as possible.
Voter Suppression
Intentionally deceiving qualified voters to prevent them from voting is voter suppression—and it is a federal crime.
Do you know when, where, and how you will vote? If not, there are many reputable places you can find this information, including eac.gov, usa.gov/how-to-vote and https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/index.html. However, not all publicly available voting information is accurate, and some is deliberately designed to deceive you to suppress turnout.
Bad actors use various methods to spread disinformation about voting, such as social media platforms, texting, or peer-to-peer messaging applications on smartphones. These bad actors may provide misleading information about the time, manner or place of voting. This can include inaccurate election dates or false claims about voting qualifications or methods, such as false information suggesting that one may vote by text, which is not allowed in any jurisdiction.
Always consider the source of voting information. Ask yourself, “Can I trust this information?” Look for official notices from election offices and verify the information you found is accurate.
Help defend the right to vote by reporting any suspected instances of voter suppression— especially those received through a private communication channel like texting—to your local FBI field office.
Recommendations for Protecting Your Vote
- Know when, where, and how you will vote.
- Seek out election information from trustworthy sources, verify who produced the content, and consider their intent.
- Report potential election crimes—such as disinformation about the manner, time or place of voting—to the FBI.
- If appropriate, make use of in-platform tools offered by social media companies for reporting suspicious posts that appear to be spreading false or inconsistent information about voting and elections.
- Research individuals and entities to whom you are making political donations. If something seems suspicious, reconsider the donation.
Scam PACs
Making political contributions can be a powerful way to exercise your First Amendment rights. But some individuals and groups soliciting contributions are bad actors trying to enrich themselves at your expense.
The billions of dollars in political spending each election cycle attracts criminals who use deception to cheat Americans out of their hard-earned money. The FBI assesses that seniors are at a high risk of being targeted.
Scam PACs are fraudulent political action committees designed to reroute political contributions for personal financial gain. This is a federal crime. Signs that a PAC is a scam include the PAC and its website disappearing, and the phone number going out of service.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam PAC, contact your local FBI field office and ask to speak to an election crimes coordinator.
Victim Reporting and Additional Information
Mainers should report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to their local FBI field office. The telephone number for the FBI’s Boston field office, which covers Maine and several other states, is (857) 386-2000. For additional election-related assistance and resources, please visit the following FBI webpages:
- Election Crimes and Security
- Protected Voices
U.S. Attorney Duncan Announces $1.9 Million in Grants to Address School Violence in KentuckyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. announced Monday over $1.9 Million in Department of Justice grants, to address violence occurring in our nation’s schools. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of more than $87 million that has been awarded to bolster school security, support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident, and conduct research on school safety.
STOP School Violence, a program of OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, improves school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence. In addition to STOP School Violence Act funding, OJP’s National Institute of Justice is investing in research on school violence.
“Only by removing the threat of violence from our schools can we expect our kids to reap the full benefits of their education, and only after making our places of learning safe can we ask our teachers to instruct and inspire as they are trained to do,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Department of Justice is committed to securing our schools from danger and giving our kids the support they need to learn, grow and thrive.”
“The safety of our kids is always foremost in minds of a community,” said U.S. Attorney Duncan. “We send our kids to school trusting that they will be safe and that they are able to learn in a positive environment. As we have experienced far too often, there are times when that is simply not the case. These grants award critical funds to address this tragic issue, and I and pleased that three Kentucky communities will directly benefit from these valuable resources and the ongoing effort to help our kids learn safely.”
The following organizations received funding:
- Fayette County Public Schools - $750,000
- Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services - $750,000
- Fleming County Schools - $430,150
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.S. Attorney Carpenito Announces Reduction in Gun-Related Violence through ‘Project Guardian’Read the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. –The Department of Justice today announced it charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. Of those cases, 342 have been brought by the District of New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as an important part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” Attorney General Barr said. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“When I became U.S. Attorney more than two years ago, I emphasized that our most important job is protecting the public,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Project Guardian is one of the best strategies we have to accomplish that mission. By coordinating with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we have pursued and prosecuted those who violate our firearms laws, and helped to reduce gun violence in our state.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo said. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
The Department of Justice announced its commitment to decreasing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws in an effort to make the communities in America safer through Project Guardian. As part of this strategy, Project Guardian focuses on close coordination with all law enforcement partners to investigate, prosecute and prevent gun crimes, including the illegal acquisition or attempted acquisition, possession, use, and trafficking of firearms.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has continued its long-standing partnerships with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies to implement Project Guardian and has renewed its commitment to prosecute firearms offenses. For example:
On May 6, 2020, Jonathan Brown, 26, of Covington, Georgia, was arrested for trafficking multiple firearms from Georgia to Jersey City, New Jersey, which were subsequently used in acts of violence. Brown was charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit the unlicensed sale of firearms. Brown led a scheme to purchase firearms in or around Georgia and traffic those firearms to individuals in Jersey City. Brown, who is barred from purchasing firearms himself due to multiple prior felony convictions, used straw purchasers in Georgia to obtain the firearms so that Brown could sell those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Brown brought firearms from Georgia to New Jersey for sale. Within months of Brown’s trips to Jersey City, law enforcement arrested numerous individuals in Jersey City in possession of firearms purchased by Brown’s straw purchasers. At least one of the weapons trafficked by Brown was later used in the shooting of another person in Jersey City. At least one of the individuals in possession of one of Brown’s guns had a prior felony conviction, and was therefore barred from possessing a firearm. To date, law enforcement has recovered seven firearms allegedly trafficked by Brown in Jersey City.
On May 29, 2020, a New Jersey man with a prior felony conviction was charged with unlawfully possessing dozens of firearms, including handguns, rifles, a silencer, ammunition, and high-capacity magazines. Darick Nollett, 30, of Heislerville, New Jersey, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and one count of knowingly receiving and possessing a firearm that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Law enforcement officers executing a court-authorized search warrant of Nollett’s residence recovered the following, in addition to a firearm silencer:
• A Remington 710 .270 caliber rifle;
• A Savage 93R17 .17 caliber rifle;
• An Aero Precision DTOM 15 rifle;
• A CMMG Inc. MK4 rifle;
• A Del-Ton DTI-15 rifle;
• An Aero Precision DTOM 15 rifle;
• A Keltec rifle;
• A Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver;
• A Ruger LCP .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol;
• A Colt Python .357 caliber revolver;
• A Taurus PT738 .380 caliber handgun;
• A Sig Sauer P226 .22 caliber handgun;
• A Glock 20 10mm handgun;
• A Heckler & Koch VP9 tactical pistol;
• A Smith & Wesson M&P40 .40 caliber handgun;
• A Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun;
• A Springfield XD-45 .45 caliber handgun;
• A Taurus PT111 G2 9mm handgun;
• A Browning BPS 12 gauge shotgun;
• A Winchester Model 120 12 gauge shotgun;
• A Hatsan Arms Escort PS Magnum 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun;
• A Remington 870 20 gauge shotgun;
• A Mossberg 500E .410 gauge shotgun;
• A Rossi 520 20 gauge shotgun;
• A New England Firearms Pardner SBI 12 gauge shotgun;
• A Fabrica Aguirre y Aranzabal JC Higgins Model 100 12 gauge shotgun;
• A Savage Model 720 12 gauge shotgun;
• A Springfield Armory Model 1896 rifle;
• A Ruger Model 10-22 .22 caliber rifle;
• A Remington 7615 Police .223 caliber rifle;
• A Winchester Model 1864 30 30 rifle; and
• A Mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun;
Law enforcement officers also recovered an assembled AR-15 style rifle with scope that did not bear a serial number, along with unassembled parts for another AR-15 style rifle.
On June 1, 2020, Ibraaheem Islam, a/k/a “Ish,” 32, was charged by superseding complaint with three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (Counts One through Three), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (Count Four), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count Five). Those charges stemmed from Islam’s involvement in narcotics trafficking activity on a regular basis in the vicinity of Chadwick Avenue, Newark. Law enforcement obtained warrants to search two vehicles and one residence associated with Islam. On May 30, 2020, law enforcement recovered a 5.7x28 millimeter caliber FN Herstal model “FN Five-Seven” pistol, loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition, 194 vials containing suspected cocaine base, and 64 glassine envelopes containing suspected heroin.
On July 20, 2020, Tevin Browning, 29, of Newark, was charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of attempted carjacking, one count of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon following his alleged involvement in a July 9, 2020 attempted carjacking in Jersey City during which a victim was shot in the abdomen. Specifically, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on July 9, 2020, a carjacking occurred in the area of Tonnelle and Broadway avenues in Jersey City. Browning and an armed conspirator attempted to forcibly enter an Acura MDX. As the passenger entered the Acura, Browning and his conspirator forcibly attempted to enter the vehicle. Browning attempted to enter the rear right passenger side of the Acura, and punched the passenger in the head. At that point, the driver quickly attempted to drive away from the area. As the driver drove away, the gunman attempted to enter the front passenger side of the Acura and held onto the Acura. After a short distance, the gunman shot the driver in the abdomen, and then fell off the Acura as its driver was able to escape. Moments later, a Dodge Challenger arrived at the scene and picked up the gunman before fleeing the area. Police officers found a spent .45 caliber shell casing stamped “Blazer .45 Auto” in the area where the gunman had fallen to the ground. A lawful search warrant of the Challenger produced a .45 caliber Hi-Point Model JHP semiautomatic handgun, bearing serial number 406099, which was loaded with four rounds of ammunition. Two of the rounds were stamped “Blazer .45 Auto” on the shell casing.
On Oct. 7, 2020, Benjamin Daye, 34, admitted to robbing a Camden barbershop at gunpoint on November 23, 2019. Upon entering the barbershop, Daye grabbed a juvenile customer, pointed a loaded gun at the customer’s head, and demanded cash and belongings from employees and customers. Daye fled and was apprehended shortly thereafter next to a bag containing the handgun and the stolen items.
These are just a few examples of the cases brought in the District of New Jersey under Project Guardian. Between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020, this office charged 342 individuals with gun offenses. Of those individuals, 252 were prior convicted felons who were prohibited from possessing firearms and almost 90 possessed firearms in furtherance of, or in relation to, drug trafficking offenses or crimes of violence, such as carjackings and shootings.
The charges and allegations pending against all defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
Two Sentenced for Roles in Maryland-to-Virginia Heroin Pipeline that Resulted in Fatal OverdoseRead the Press Release
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Two individuals connected with a heroin trafficking conspiracy that brought heroin from Maryland into Shenandoah County, Virginia and caused one fatal and one non-fatal overdose were sentenced last week in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg. Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar and Jesse Fong, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Field Office made the announcement today.
James Harold Lichliter, 52, of Mauretown, Va., was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison. In a separate hearing, Jonathan Dale Neice, 42, of Woodstock, Va., was sentenced to 132 months incarceration.
Both Lichliter and Neice previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute resulting in the death of J.H. and the serious bodily injury of J.W. Co-defendants Craig Kidwell, Norma Kidwell, and Stacy Allen Marston are awaiting sentencing.
“The scourge of heroin is a deadly killer that does not discriminate. This office will do all it can to stem the tide and prosecute anyone who participates in its distribution in our communities,” Acting United States Attorney Bubar said today. “We will use all available resources and continue to closely partner with federal, state and local law enforcement to hold drug dealers like Lichliter and Neice, who seek to profit from this treacherous epidemic, responsible for their actions.”
According to court documents, beginning around June 2017 a Maryland-based drug-trafficking network began selling controlled substances to Virginia-based drug traffickers, who, in turn, transported those drugs to Shenandoah County for redistribution.
Defendants Craig Kidwell and his wife Norma Kidwell repeatedly traveled from their home in Shenandoah County to Maryland to obtain heroin from the Maryland-based drug-trafficking organization. At times, the heroin Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell obtained from their Maryland-based source was mixed with other drugs, such as fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
After obtaining heroin, Craig Kidwell and Norma Kidwell transported the drugs back to Shenandoah County where the drugs were redistributed to others, including, but not limited to, co-defendants Lichliter, Marston, and Neice, who redistributed the drugs to others around Shenandoah County.
As a direct result of the defendants’ drug distribution activities, two overdoses occurred, one of which resulted in the death of victim J.H.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Police, Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodstock Police Department with the assistance of the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Assistant United States Attorney Jeb Terrien is prosecuting the case for the United States.
Two Plead Guilty for Roles in Akron to Huntington Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced that a Huntington woman and Akron man who participated in a conspiracy that saw large quantities of methamphetamine shipped from Akron and sold in Huntington pled guilty today. Niki Renee Maynard, 49, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and Robert Von Wilson, 24, entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“100% pure meth from Akron,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “These two defendants were distributing significant amounts of deadly meth in the Huntington area. Now they each face significant prison sentences for their crimes.”
Maynard admitted that between the fall of 2018 and September of 2019, she participated in a conspiracy with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington area. During the conspiracy, Maynard repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington. Maynard relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and Maynard would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers in Huntington. Maynard also admitted that she permitted others to sell methamphetamine from her residence located at 1223 26th Street in Huntington and that she was responsible for distributing up to 500 grams of methamphetamine during the conspiracy.
Wilson admitted that he was present at 1235 25th Street on June 6, 2019, when investigators executed a search warrant at the residence. During the search, investigators seized over 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. Wilson admitted that he possessed the methamphetamine and intended to distribute it in the Huntington area. The methamphetamine was later examined by a chemist and determined to be 100% pure.
Maynard faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison and Wilson faces 10 years to life in federal prison when sentenced on January 19, 2021.
This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00245.
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Two Passaic County Men Indicted for Committing Multiple Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury today indicted two men for their roles in two armed bank robberies in Passaic and Little Falls, New Jersey, respectively, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Nicholas Ortiz, 37, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Jose Soto, 49, of Passaic, New Jersey, are each charged with two counts of bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, and brandishing firearms in furtherance of the bank robberies. They will be arraigned at a date to be determined.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Feb. 6, 2020, Ortiz and Soto, while wearing ski masks and holding umbrellas, entered the PNC Bank in Passaic and ordered everyone to get down on the floor. One of the men entered the bank brandishing a silver and black handgun. The other man entered the bank and jumped over the teller counter, demanding that the teller turn over all cash in the drawers.
On Feb. 27, 2020, Ortiz and Soto entered the Valley National Bank in Little Falls, New Jersey. One of the men entered brandishing a silver and black gun. The other man jumped over a teller counter, and began rifling through various drawers. Ortiz and Soto forced the bank employees, at gunpoint, to open the vault, and began retrieving cash from the bank vault. They forced all employees into the bank vault and then fled through the rear door of the National Valley Bank.
Each bank robbery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Each count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a bank robbery carries a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the Passaic Police Department, under the direction of Chief Luis A. Guzman; and the Little Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ronald Petrie, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma Spiro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Members of Racketeering Enterprise Each Sentenced to More Than 30 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Marcus Etienne, a/k/a “Hitler,” and Mario Robinson were sentenced today to 34 and 32 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable William Alsup, U.S. District Judge.
The sentences follow guilty pleas by both defendants. According to their plea agreements, Etienne, 39, of St. Martin Parish, La., and Robinson, 37, of Opelousas, La., and Oakland, Calif., were involved in an enterprise based in St. Martin Parish consisting of more than seven members who conducted a continuing and extensive narcotics distribution conspiracy. Etienne admitted that he was the leader of the enterprise beginning as early as 2009. The defendants both acknowledged that the enterprise engaged in narcotics distribution, assault, robbery, extortion, extortionate collection of extensions of credit, murder for hire, murder, money laundering, illegal firearms possession, gambling on dogfighting, and obstruction of justice. Robinson further admitted that in 2015, he moved from California to Louisiana and began receiving marijuana from the enterprise to distribute in Louisiana.Etienne and Robinson admitted their respective roles in the 2016 murder of another enterprise member, Trince Thibodeaux. According to the plea agreements, Etienne ordered the murder of Thibodeaux because Etienne believed Thibodeaux had stolen money and narcotics from the enterprise. Etienne offered Robinson $5,000 to murder Thibodeaux, and Robinson accepted. Robinson then contracted with a third party to complete the murder. On March 22, 2016, Robinson lured Thibodeaux to a location in Oakland where the third party shot and killed Thibodeaux. A week later, Robinson sent a $1,250 wire transfer to the individual who shot Thibodeaux. Robinson acknowledged that he expected to remain in good standing with Etienne and the enterprise by completing the murder at Etienne’s direction.
The plea agreements describe additional activities the defendants engaged in to promote the enterprise. For example, the plea agreements describe how the enterprise purchased marijuana in California and used the United States Postal Service to ship the drugs to Louisiana and Texas. Robinson admitted he received packages containing between one and ten pounds of marijuana every one or two months. Robinson and Etienne used cash proceeds from the narcotics trafficking to purchase marijuana and other controlled substances in California. Robinson also purchased money orders in Louisiana to pay the enterprise’s marijuana suppliers in California. Both Etienne and Robinson admitted that they conducted financial transactions with proceeds of narcotics trafficking to conceal the nature, source, and ownership of the enterprise’s profits.
In addition, Etienne admitted he purchased and maintained dogs used for fighting in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, on a property owned by another member of the enterprise. At the property, Etienne and other members of the enterprise hosted dog-fighting events at which attendees would pay a cover fee and bet money on the dogfights. Dogs, including dogs owned by Etienne, were seriously injured and even killed either during the events or as a result of the training leading up to the events.
On December 18, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Etienne, Robinson, and one other individual for their respective roles in the enterprise. Both Etienne and Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vii), and 846; racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).
When discussing the reasons for sentencing Etienne and Robinson to lengthy terms of incarceration, Judge Alsup made clear that he was moved by the statements of Mr. Thibodeaux’s mother as well as the mother of Mr. Thibodeaux’s child, both of whom addressed the Court at today’s hearing.
Etienne and Robinson have been in U.S. custody and will begin serving their sentences immediately.
The United States Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Strike Force is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oakland Division, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Oakland Police Department, with assistance from the St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Opelousas, Louisiana, Police Department.Two Detroit Men Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that two Detroit, Michigan men were sentenced to prison for federal drug crimes.
“When Carter and Sparks decided to peddle poisons in southern West Virginia, they made the same mistake that many other Detroit drug dealers made,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Now Carter and Sparks will be joining them in federal prison.”
Carlton Carter, 27, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and oxycodone pills. Carter admitted that on July 10, 2019, law enforcement officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) found him in possession of approximately 30 grams of heroin and 114 oxycodone 30 mg pills after they stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger in Charleston. Carter admitted he possessed the drugs with intent to distribute them. MDENT conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani handled the prosecution.
William Anthony Sparks was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Sparks admitted that on April 25, 2019, deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office stopped a car in which he was a passenger and recovered over 40 grams of heroin he possessed with the intent to distribute. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani and former Assistant United States Attorney Drew Inman handled the prosecution.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:20-cr-00009 (Carter) and 2:19-cr-00167 (Sparks).
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Twelfth and Final Member of Violent Baltimore “Trained to Go” Gang Sentenced to More Than Eleven Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering and Drug ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Roger Taylor, a/k/a Milk, age 28, of Baltimore, to 138 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for the federal charges of conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG), and for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Taylor, a fugitive since July 2017, was arrested on June 30, 2019. The racketeering activities to which Taylor pleaded guilty are: narcotics distribution and robberies of other individuals, including rival drug dealers and gang members in TTG territory.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; U.S. Marshal Johnny Hughes; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief William Lowry; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
“Roger Taylor and his fellow gang members brought violence and misery to West Baltimore, in the form of murders, armed robberies, and drug dealing. Taylor will now likely spend over a decade in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who are terrorizing our neighborhoods who will then face the reality of years spent in a federal prison far from home.”
"This case goes to show that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will work to get justice for the victims,” said Jennifer C. Boone, special agent in charge of the Baltimore Division. “The cooperation with our local, national, and international partners should send a message to those committing crimes that we will find you."
According to his plea agreement, Taylor was associated with a drug trafficking organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity. Taylor was self-identified member of a group, known as the “Young Go Getters” (YGG), which assisted members and associates of the criminal enterprise in their activities. As of 2014, the organization became known as “Trained To Go” or “TTG.”
As detailed in his plea agreement, Taylor, who referred to himself as YGG Milk, along with other members of YGG, provided support to TTG in the form of money, drugs, and other assistance. For example, on January 22, 2016, law enforcement learned that two members of TTG were looking for several individuals that had robbed a member of TTG of a small quantity of narcotics. The two members of TTG were spotted by law enforcement driving in the area of the 2500 block of West Lafayette Avenue in west Baltimore. In an effort to escape the police, the occupants of the car fled after crashing into a snow bank. Investigation revealed the car had been provided to them by Taylor.
On August 10, 2015, Postal Inspectors interdicted four packages addressed to a fictitious addressee in Windsor Mill, Maryland. Because the address was also a false address, the packages could not be delivered. Taylor, in an effort to obtain the packages, contacted the post office and requested the packages be re-delivered to a different address in Windsor Mill. Additional investigation revealed that the four packages contained 9.9 kilograms of cocaine.
During the course of the conspiracy, the quantity of cocaine within the scope of Taylor’s agreement with his co-conspirators and reasonably foreseeable as to Taylor was equivalent to between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine.
The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 25, his brother, Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 29, and John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 30, all of Baltimore, were each sentenced to life in prison. Three other co-defendants, Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 27, Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 33, and Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 30, all from Baltimore, were each sentenced to 30 years in prison. Co-defendants Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 26, and Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 31, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to 25 years in prison. Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments. FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore. The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.
This case was further assisted by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in these investigations. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
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St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Enticement, Sex with Illinois MinorRead the Press Release
East St. Louis, Ill. – Joseph L. Hughes, a/k/a “Joe King,” 28, of St. Louis, Missouri, has pleaded
guilty to enticement of a minor and two counts of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct
with a 14 year-old girl in St. Clair County, Illinois. The offenses were committed between Nov. 21,
2018, and Dec. 8, 2018.In pleading guilty, Hughes admitted using the name “Joe King” on Facebook Messenger to text with
the girl and arrange visits to her home in Belleville, Illinois, to have sex. Hughes traveled from
Missouri to the girl’s home on two occasions – Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, 2018. Both times, Hughes engaged
in illicit sexual conduct with the girl. He also admitted that the victim told him her age right
away and that he knew that what he did was against the law.Hughes’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021, in East St. Louis. He faces 10 years to life in
prison on count one (enticement of a minor) and up to 30 years in prison on counts two and three
(travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct). All three counts also carry a fine of up
to $250,000 and a possible lifetime term of supervised release.The case was investigated by the Belleville Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s
Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI. Assistant United States
Attorney Angela Scott is prosecuting the case.St. Croix Man Who Denied Knowing the Whereabouts of a Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Providing False Statement to F.B.I. InvestigatorsRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today that Clintford Joseph, Jr. age 54, of St. Croix pled guilty on October 13, 2020 in federal court to Providing a False Statement to law enforcement investigators with respect to the whereabouts of Paul Girard, Jr. a/k/a “Bogus”.
According to court documents, U.S. Magistrate Judge George Cannon issued a warrant for Girard’s arrest on Oct. 28, 2020 and Joseph “harbored and concealed” Girard between around October 23rd and November 4th. Joseph also knowingly made a false statement to law enforcement officers on November 5th when he told federal investigators that he was unaware Girard “was staying in the bedroom located above the garage of a residence located at 84 Clairmont, St. Croix,” where Joseph, Jr. was the caretaker.
Agents later learned that Girard had been staying in a bedroom above the garage at the Clairmont residence for over a week prior and that Joseph, Jr. in fact knew Girard was staying there when he advised the agents to the contrary. Girard was ultimately arrested at the Clairmont residence on a warrant for a violation of supervised release.
Joseph, Jr. faces up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. A sentencing date has been set for February 11, 2021.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz.
Spencer, Iowa Man to Federal Prison for Meth and Gun ConvictionsRead the Press Release
On October 9, 2020, Christopher Frerichs, 44, from Spencer, Iowa, plead guilty and was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Frerichs was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Evidence at the hearing showed that between March 2019 and August 2019, Frerichs and others conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Iowa Great Lakes area. On August 1, 2019, in Buena Vista County, Iowa, during a controlled drug buy operation, law enforcement seized approximately 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded .45 caliber handgun from Frerichs. Later on the same date, law enforcement seized another 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine from Frerichs’ residence near Worthington, Minnesota. Evidence further showed that Frerichs obtained and distributed over 15 pounds of methamphetamine from the end of 2018 through 2019. During that time, Frerichs made at least three trips to his primary source of supply in Colorado, and one trip to another source of supply in Arizona.
Frerichs was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Frerichs was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Frerichs 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 Shawn S. Wehde and investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Jackson County (MN) Sheriff’s Office, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office and DCI Criminalistics Laboratory. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 19-4061. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.