Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
22 November 2020
Transient Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a transient man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
John McDonald, age 43, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
McDonald was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 7, 2020. He pled guilty on August 27, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on November 25, 2019, when McDonald knowingly had possession of a Taurus model 709 slim, 9 x 19 Luger caliber, semi-automatic pistol and 4 rounds of Hornady brand ammunition.
On November 25, 2019, the Sioux Falls Police Department was dispatched to a "shots fired" call in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Subsequently, law enforcement conducted a search of the involved home, and inside, a firearm and ammunition were located. McDonald knew that he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he had been previously convicted of one or more crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
The seized firearm was manufactured at facilities outside of South Dakota and, thus, was transported across state lines at some point during or before McDonald’s possession of it.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara P. Nash prosecuted the case.
McDonald was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sisseton Man Sentenced to 26 Months in Federal Prison for Transfer of Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, man was sentenced in federal court on November 12, 2020, for transferring obscene material to a minor. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.
Aydan Sam Kirk, age 23, was sentenced to 26 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Kirk was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
According to court documents, on or about September 26, 2019, Kirk knowingly used a computer connected to the internet and a mobile phone to transfer and attempt to transfer obscene matter to another individual who was 15 years old. Kirk utilized Facebook and transferred obscene videos and messages to a minor. At the time of the transfer, Kirk knew the general nature of the contents of the material, specifically discussing sexual acts that he wanted to preform on the minor, and he knew that the minor was 15 years old.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.
Kirk was remanded to custody to serve his sentence.
Sioux Falls and Yankton Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence and Brandishing Firearm During Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Sioux Falls and Yankton, South Dakota, men were sentenced in federal court on November 13, 2020, for Interference with Commerce by Threats and Violence and Brandishing a Firearm During a Federal Crime of Violence. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.
Steven Joseph King, age 30 from Sioux Falls, was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. King was also ordered to pay $1,621 in restitution and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Spencer William Brown, Jr., age 51 from Yankton, was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Brown was also ordered to pay $1,621 in restitution and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
According to court documents, on or about January 6, 2020, King and Brown robbed a victim from a Hartford business, by unlawfully taking and obtaining U.S. currency against the victim’s will by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury immediate and future, by brandishing a firearm, demanding money, and forcibly taking the money.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.
King and Brown were remanded to custody to serve their sentences.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Theft of Government Funds was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Robert Brannon, age 30, was sentenced to 5 years of probation, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brannon was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 3, 2019. He pled guilty on August 27, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from incidents between on or about October 2015 and February 2019, when Brannon willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and purloined money from departments or agencies of the United States, namely, Title XVI program benefits payments made to himself and his wife, which are administered by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA).
In approximately 2009, Brannon was awarded Title XVI supplemental security income (SSI) program benefits payments benefits. He was repeatedly advised of his reporting responsibilities.
In approximately August 2014, Brannon married his wife, who also receives Title XVI SSI program benefits payments. Brannon became his wife’s representative payee and was repeatedly advised of his reporting responsibilities.
On December 15, 2015, Brannon participated in a non-medical review with a Sioux Falls SSA employee regarding both his and his wife’s SSI benefits. During this review, Brannon said that he received no additional income, other than his and his wife’s SSI benefits payments. Once the review was complete, Brannon attested under the penalty of perjury that the information he provided was true and correct to the best of his knowledge. Brannon did not tell the SSA that, in fact, he was employed and earning income.
On November 1, 2018, Brannon and his wife initiated a telephonic non-medical review with a Yankton SSA employee regarding both of their SSI benefits. They did not report any wages. Once the review was complete, they both attested under the penalty of perjury that the information they provided was true and correct to the best of their knowledge. Brannon did not tell the SSA that, in fact, he was employed and earning income.
From approximately October 2015 through February 2019, Brannon was employed by Panera Bread, Billion, Wells Fargo, and Midco. Because Brannon lied to the SSA about his income and failed to disclose his employment, it caused the SSA to mistakenly pay SSI benefits, which exceeded $1,000, to Brannon and his wife. Brannon and his wife used the funds for their own purposes.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Rapid City Woman Sentenced for Meth Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on November 13, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Betsy Running Shield, age 37, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Running Shield was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 3, 2020. She pled guilty on July 1, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about March 2020, when Running Shield, along with at least one other person, reached an agreement, or came to an understanding, to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota.
During her involvement, Running Shield received methamphetamine from a co-conspirator for redistribution in South Dakota and elsewhere.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash prosecuted the case.
Running Shield was allowed to self-surrender on or before January 5, 2021.
Rapid City Man Sentenced on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.
Moses Montileaux Jr., age 39, was sentenced on November 20, 2020, to 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The conviction stems from Montileaux, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, possessing a Bryco Arms 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Montileaux came into contact with Rapid City police officers in March 2019.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Montileaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pierre Man Sentenced on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Nathen Doherty, a/k/a Nathan Doherty, age 22, was sentenced to time served, equaling 38 days, 18 months of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of a firearm.
Doherty was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2019. He pled guilty on September 1, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 11, 2018, at a house in Pierre, wherein Doherty, knowing he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance, knowingly possessed a Remington Arms Company Incorporated, model 870 Express Super Magnum, 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce. The shotgun was found in Doherty’s bedroom along with marijuana, marijuana wax, multiple baggies and a digital scale. Doherty also tested positive for marijuana.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Pierre Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Pierre Man Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Dustin Warnke, age 35, was sentenced to 174 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of a firearm.
Warnke was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 13, 2019. He pled guilty on August 24, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in at least March 2018, and continuing to November 2019, wherein Warnke was involved with several other individuals, including Andrew Bunch, Nicole Hopkins, Adam Tanner and Nathan Thoe (deceased), to distribute methamphetamine in central South Dakota. During the course of the conspiracy, these individuals made numerous trips to Minnesota and Colorado to obtain methamphetamine. Firearms were routinely carried by Warnke, Bunch, and Thoe to protect their product. Bunch was previously sentenced to 27 years in federal prison, Tanner was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, and Hopkins was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pierre Police Department, Stanley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Warnke was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Sentenced for Third Degree BurglaryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Third Degree Burglary was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Debonair Donavan Wright, age 19, was sentenced to time served through November 20, 2020, three years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and restitution in the amount of $620.
Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 13, 2019. He pled guilty on August 31, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 10, 2019, in Todd County, South Dakota, Wright broke into and burglarized Mike’s Pawn Shop and stole multiple items of property valued over $1,000.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.
Wright was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Lower Brule Woman Sentenced for Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Tamper with a Witness was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Dale Lynn James, age 33, was sentenced to a 10 month split sentence – five months in federal prison and five months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
James was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 16, 2020. She pled guilty on September 27, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred between March 3, 2019, and March 14, 2019, where James knowingly and intentionally conspired with Clinton Haukaas, a/k/a Fuddy Haukaas, to publish a list of twenty-eight persons that Haukaas believed would be called to testify against him at his upcoming federal jury trial related to meth trafficking. James coordinated the scheme with Haukaas through text messages while Haukaas was incarcerated at the Hughes County Jail. Haukaas sent James a list of the names through the mail and instructed her to put it on Facebook. James took pictures of the list and sent the images to several different people on Facebook with intent to influence, delay, and prevent the testimony of the named individuals at Haukaas’ trial.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
James will report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on January 4, 2021.
Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on November 16, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Kate Doreen Condon, age 44, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of $170.
Condon was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 14, 2020. She pled guilty on August 24, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 1, 2019, wherein Condon knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute approximately 39 grams of methamphetamine in Eagle Butte.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.
Condon was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
21 November 2020
Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Issues Statement Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the International Military Tribunal at NurembergRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division issued the following statement on his participation in the Robert H. Jackson Center’s virtual reading of Justice Jackson’s opening statement at Nuremberg for the 75th anniversary of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg:
“I was honored and humbled to be a part of this project marking 75 years since the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. Justice Robert Jackson, who was the Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg and once held the position of Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division, has long been a hero of mine for his boundless faith in justice and fairness. His work at Nuremberg showed the world that unspeakable acts of hatred will not go unpunished so long as there are good people willing to stand up for the powerless. In my role overseeing the Antitrust Division, I draw on this faith and commitment to justice to guide our work defending American consumers.”
The virtual reading of Justice Jackson’s opening statement will be available at https://www.youtube.com/RobertHJacksonCenter on Saturday, November 21, 2020.
20 November 2020
Worcester Restaurant Manager Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Attempted Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester restaurant manager was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for conspiring with the wife of a convicted drug dealer to use drug proceeds to renovate and operate a Shrewsbury Street restaurant.
Joseph Herman, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 22 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Herman will also be ordered to pay forfeiture to be determined at a later date. In January 2019, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, making false statements to federal investigators and attempted witness tampering.
Between May 2017 and September 2017, Herman conspired with co-defendant Stacey Gala to launder the proceeds of illegal drug sales by Gala’s husband, Kevin A. Perry Jr. Herman worked as the manager of The Usual, a Worcester restaurant owned and operated by Perry and Gala. Herman admitted that, after Perry’s arrest in March 2017, he and Gala conspired to use Perry’s drug proceeds to renovate the restaurant and to reopen the business under a new name, “The Chameleon,” and ostensibly under new ownership. Herman also admitted that he lied to federal investigators about the source of the funds used to renovate the restaurant, and attempted to convince another witness to falsely testify about Herman’s involvement in the money laundering scheme.
In October 2017, Perry pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug distribution charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In September 2020, Gala was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Boston; and Steven Sargent, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Paying More than $6,500 in Cash Bribes to Metropolitan Police Department Employees in Exchange for Personal Identifying Information of Traffic Crash VictimsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Michelle Cage, 45, of Maryland, pled guilty on November 19, 2020 to bribery for paying more than $6,500 in bribes to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) employee, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin announced.
Cage pled guilty to a criminal Information before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Information charged Cage with one count of bribery of a public official, which carries with it the penalties of up to 15 years of prison followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The guilty plea will be referred to U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan for approval and sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to Cage’s admissions in connection with her guilty plea, dating back to at least 2012, Cage worked, in return for referral fees, to connect people in need of legal representation or medical services with providers of those services. In 2017, Cage started MC Referrals and Marketing L.L.C. (MC Referrals) to provide these referral services. To identify potential clients, Cage obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Traffic Accident Reports, or “PD Form 10s,” which contained the names and contact information of individuals involved in traffic accidents. Beginning in 2015, however, MPD General Order 401.03 limited the distribution of these reports to individuals involved in traffic accidents and their representatives. Cage admitted that, beginning at that time and continuing into 2017, she paid cash bribes in the amount of $50 to $200 per week to a clerk in MPD’s First District station, to influence the clerk to violate the General Order and provide Cage with the confidential reports, which Cage used to contact and solicit potential clients. Cage admitted that she paid the clerk at least $6,500 in bribes.
In announcing the guilty plea, Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin commended the work of those who assisted the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD’s Internal Affairs Division. He also acknowledged the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Sanchez, who prosecuted the case.
Warren County man pleads guilty to attempting to kill to federal officersRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig accepted guilty pleas today from 38-year-old Elijah Moore of Warrenton, Missouri. Moore pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to kill a federal officer, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of carjacking.
According to a plea agreement, on July 29, 2019, a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the U.S. Marshals Service went to a residence in Wentzville to assist the St. Charles County Police Department in an attempt to locate a suspect in a Warren County home invasion.
The TFO noticed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle taken during the home invasion robbery. St. Charles County SWAT found two people and made two arrests. One of those arrested told officers Moore had fled from the residence, tried leaving in the stolen vehicle, but it became stuck in the mud.
Later in the afternoon, a nearby homeowner discovered his home had burglarized and reported several firearms, ammunition and a vehicle as stolen. The TFO and a St. Charles County Police Department detective who was assisting in the operation located Moore later that day. Moore was the passenger in a blue Mustang driven by a female. The blue Mustang fled from officers at a high rate of speed until it stopped in a gravel parking lot. Moore jumped from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at the officers.
The TFO and detective prepared to return fire; however, the driver of the blue Mustang screamed that there were children in the vehicle. Fearing injury to the children, the officers did not return fire, allowing Moore to escape through the woods while continuing to shoot at officers. Moore then stole a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from a nearby business, firing shots to ward off law enforcement and others. Moore once again fled, shooting at pursing officers. He eventually crashed, at which time a gun-battle ensued with Moore continuing to fire at officers. Officers returned fire, striking Moore in the legs. He was taken into custody and crime scene investigators found nearly two dozen bullets and a revolver containing three fired cartridges and three unfired bullets.
Each charge of attempting to kill a federal officer carries a penalty of no more than 20 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000. The charge of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a penalty of no more than life with a fine of no more than $250,000. The carjacking charge carries a penalty of no more than 15 years with a fine of no more than $250,000.
“Today, Elijah Moore entered a plea of guilty from an evening of terror he perpetrated in St. Charles County during the summer of 2019,” said U.S. Marshal John Jordan. “The men and women of area law enforcement including members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force are to be commended for their unwavering bravery of capturing this dangerous felon and bringing him to justice.”
“There is simply no place whatsoever in our society for shooting at law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “Those who engage in these violent acts against our officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Judge Fleissig has set sentencing for February 25, 2021 at 10:00 am. The plea agreement provides that Moore will request a sentence of 25 years and the government will request a sentence of 35 years.
The St. Charles County and Wentzville Police Departments and United States Marshals Service investigated this case.
#####
U.S. Postal Employee in Hartford Charged with Stealing Cash and Gift Cards from LettersRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging NATHANIEL BONILLA, 31, of Bristol, with three counts of theft of mail by a postal employee.
Bonilla was arrested today. Following his arrest, he appeared via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish, entered a plea of not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, Bonilla, a mail processing clerk at the U.S. Postal Service’s Process and Distribution Center in Hartford, opened mail envelopes with a razor blade and removed cash and dozens of gift cards or prepaid debit cards for his own personal use.
If convicted, Bonilla faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
U.S. Attorney Durham encouraged individuals who believe they are a victim of theft related to this case to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.
Two Whitley County Men Indicted on Federal Kidnapping ChargesRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. - Jake Messer, 37, and George Oscar Messer, 61, of Rockholds, Kentucky were indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in London on Thursday, on federal kidnapping charges.
The indictment alleges that, in April of 2018, in Clay and Whitley Counties, the Messers used a means, facility, and instrument of interstate commerce to kidnap two individuals.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted jointly by the ATF and the Kentucky State Police.
Both Defendants are awaiting initial appearances before the United States District Court. If convicted, both men face a maximum of life in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes governing the imposition of sentences.
An indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial, at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
-END-
Two Men Sentenced for Possessing over $1 Million Dollars Cash Onboard a Vessel Outfitted for SmugglingRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Abnel Colon and Jose Ernesto Vazquez Colon, both from Puerto Rico, were sentenced last Thursday for possession of more than $1 million in cash onboard a vessel outfitted for smuggling, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced Abnel Colon to 37 months incarceration, a term of supervised release, and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment. Jose Ernesto Vazquez Colon was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration, a term of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
According to court documents, on or about September 20, 2019, Customs and Border Protection Marine Unit agents were conducting border security patrols near the west side of St. Thomas, VI. At 10:50 P.M., the agents made radar contact with a vessel traveling eastward toward St. Thomas roughly 3 miles north of Savana Island, within the territorial waters of the United States. When agents intercepted the vessel, it was traveling without lights and failed to stop after agents activated their blue lights. Agents observed two individuals throwing large bags overboard into the water. Agents fired flares in an attempt to have the vessel stop, but the vessel did not stop, and so agents disabled the vessel's motor. CBP agents then boarded the boat and found two individuals on board, Abnel Colon and Jose Ernesto Vazquez Colon. Both were identified as the individuals who were throwing the bags overboard, and Jose Ernesto Vazquez Colon was identified as the pilot. CBP agents later recovered the bags that had been thrown overboard, one of which had been weighted with a dumbbell, and the bags were found to contain over $1,000,000 in United States currency. On board the vessel, which had been rented from a business in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, agents found 3-4 dumbbells with ropes attached, as well as a GPS device, which is generally used to pinpoint the location of jettisoned contraband so that it can be retrieved later.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Sleeper and Nathan Brooks.
Two Individuals Charged in Connection with Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging VICTOR RIVERA, 29, and MICHOLS PENA, 38, with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and firearms offenses. RIVERA and PENA were arrested on this morning. PENA was arrested in Queens and will be presented early next week before United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. RIVERA was arrested in Miami and will be presented early next week before United States Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres in the Southern District of Florida. This case is assigned to United States District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants are charged in connection with a violent robbery conspiracy. In one of the robberies a victim was shot. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Special Agents of our office and cooperation across multiple law enforcement agencies, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes. We especially want to thank the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance in this matter.”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
From at least in or about June 2020 up to and including November 2020, VICTOR RIVERA, MICHOLS PENA, and others known and unknown, agreed to commit robberies in which the objects of the robberies were Richard Mille watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the watches were owned by businesses transacting in interstate commerce. RIVERA participated in an armed robbery on June 11, 2020, in which the victim was shot. RIVERA also participated in an armed robbery on August 2, 2020.
* * *
RIVERA and PENA are charged with conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robbery; this count carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. RIVERA is further charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison; aiding and abetting the use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, which firearm was brandished and discharged in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed; and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which firearm was brandished, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York City Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Englewood Cliffs Police Department, the Weehawken Police Department, and the Nassau County Police Department.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Mathew Andrews is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, the description of the Indictment, and the statements made in related court filings and proceedings set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two Honduran Men Sentenced for Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Yojamis Lozano-Amaya, 42, and Hovet Ewersont Paz-Sagastume, 34, both of Honduras, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to re-entry of a removed alien. Judge Skretny then sentenced each defendant to time served (approximately two months).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth R. Moellering, who handled the cases, stated that both defendants were found in Tonawanda on September 14, 2020, by Border Patrol Officers. Defendant Lozano-Amaya was previously deported from the United States in 2004 after being convicted of an aggravated felony. In 2013, defendant Paz-Sagastume was previously deported from the United States. Neither defendant had permission to re-enter the United States nor legal status in this country.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Border Patrol, under the direction of Chief Patrol Agent Eduardo Payan.
# # # #
Twelve Lincoln Gang Members Indicted in Violent Crime and Firearms ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced federal criminal charges against 12 members of the No Name Demons Gang in Lincoln, Nebraska. The charges allege a firearms conspiracy; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act); drug trafficking crimes; and multiple charges of possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes. Some of the charged defendants, if convicted, face up to life in federal prison. Other defendants face up to 60 years in federal prison if convicted of their charges. The indictment was unsealed today and appearances by the defendants are scheduled to begin Monday, November 23, 2020, before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart in Lincoln.
The indictment alleges, as part of the firearms conspiracy, the defendants stole firearms, to include a .45 caliber Smith and Wesson Tactical Handgun that was used in a homicide earlier this year, and purchased weapons illegally in order to arm juvenile members of the gang. The defendants are alleged to have used the firearms not only to further their drug trafficking but also to commit robberies of individuals in Lincoln.
The defendants are:
Jupree Y. Hill, age 25
Krysean Reynolds, age 19
Rice A. Hill, aka “Shay”, age 18
David L. Atem, age 20
Lorenzo Anderson, aka “Peace”, age 27
Kyce James Davis, age 18
Orion J. Ross, age 19
Yuko Joseph Gusko, age 18
Tang Lian, age 19
Isaiah James Dorsey, age 19
Bryan Castillo, age 18
Kalam K. Yiel, age 20
Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside officers and investigators of the Lincoln Police Department, deputies from the United States Marshals Service, and deputies and investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, executed a series of search warrants in connection with these charges earlier today and worked together to take these defendants into custody quickly and safely. All are in custody without incident. The charges announced today are a direct result of the hard work, successful cooperation, and seamless coordination amongst all of these state and federal law enforcement partners.
U.S. Attorney Kelly praised the efforts of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies for coming together on this investigation and prosecution. Kelly added, “Federal statutes provide effective tools to combat violent crimes involving firearms and the cooperation of all levels of law enforcement, as here, will keep our communities safe.”
After today’s arrests, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Protecting the public from violent criminals is a fundamental core of the FBI's mission. Today a violent gang has been dismantled. Working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the Lincoln Safe Streets Gang Task Force has struck a major blow against violent gang activity in the Lincoln area. We will continue to investigate, arrest, and charge violent gang members who terrorize our community. Our Safe Streets Task Force is committed to creating a higher quality of life for all residents in Lincoln by eliminating the threat of gang violence.”
Lincoln Chief of Police Jeffrey Bliemeister stated, “The collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies combined with the support of the citizens of Lincoln are critical to impacting violent crime. We appreciate the focused work by so many talented and driven staff leading to the arrests.”
An Indictment is simply an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent until evidence proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was primarily investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lincoln Police Department with operational assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service.
Tampa Bay Area Medical Biller Indicted on Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Joshua Maywalt (40, Tampa) with 4 counts of health care fraud and 4 counts of aggravated identity theft. Maywalt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each of the health care fraud counts, and up to 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity count. The indictment also notifies Maywalt that the United States intends to forfeit $2.2 million dollars and real property located at 5346 Northdale Boulevard, Tampa, Florida, alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, Maywalt was a medical biller at a local company that provided credentialing and medical billing services for its medical provider clients. In that capacity, Maywalt was able to access and utilize the company’s financial, medical provider, and patient information. Maywalt was assigned to a Tampa Bay-area physician’s account (“Physician #1”) and was responsible for submitting claims to Florida Medicaid HMOs for services rendered by Physician #1 to Medicaid recipients.
The indictment alleges that Maywalt abused his role as a medical biller by wrongfully accessing and utilizing the company’s patient information and Physician #1’s name and identification number to submit false and fraudulent claims to a Florida Medicaid HMO for the medical services purportedly rendered by Physician #1, which were not actually rendered. Maywalt also altered the “pay to” information associated with the Florida Medicaid HMOs’ payment processor so that the payments for the non-rendered medical services were sent to bank accounts under Maywalt’s control.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit – Office of the Florida Attorney General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and Suzanne Nebesky.
Suspected gang member charged in meth conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Houston is set to appear in federal court on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Eduardo Leon-Mata is a suspected member of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación. Today, he is set for an arraignment and detention hearing at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Andrew M. Edison.
On. Nov. 13, authorities executed a search warrant at Boyd Street in Houston, according to the charges. Upon their arrival, Leon-Mata allegedly attempted to flee through a bedroom window and hide in a nearby backyard. They arrested him shortly thereafter.
The residence was allegedly operating as a clandestine drug laboratory for converting meth from liquid to crystalized form. The charges allege law enforcement seized loose material and packages totaling 86 kilograms – 54 and 32 kilograms, respectively, of a crystal-like substance and meth in liquid form.
The complaint alleges Leon-Mata had been smuggled into the United States approximately two weeks prior for the purpose of converting the meth.
If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Smith is prosecuting the case.
OCDETF provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF program can be found HERE.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
St. Thomas Man Apprehended in Red Hook Shopping Center Parking Lot with a 9mm Handgun and Ammunition Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – The United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today that Jabari Hodge, 30, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm followed by a three year term of supervised release.
According to court documents, on October 6, 2019 at approximately 1:10 a.m., VIPD officers approached the defendant, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of his parked vehicle, with the driver’s side door open, in the parking lot of a shopping center in the Red Hook area. Upon approaching, one of the officers noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer saw what appeared to be a marijuana on the floorboard near the defendant’s feet. Another VIPD officer noticed a partially-opened bag with what appeared to be a jar containing marijuana inside. The officers informed the defendant that they were going to search the vehicle, at which point the defendant stated, “Just take the weed and let me go.” The officers proceeded to search the vehicle and located a fully loaded, silver and black 9mm Kel tec handgun with one round in the chamber and seven rounds in the magazine.
Prior to his October 6, 2019 apprehension, the defendant had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was not authorized to possess a firearm under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan A. Albino.
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Carjacking OffensesRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – Chriss Cepeda, 24, of St. Croix, pled guilty on November 20, 2020, in District Court to one count of Using a Firearm During a Violent Crime, and one count of Carjacking, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced.
The firearm offense carries a mandatory minimum of 7 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release up to 5 years. The carjacking offense carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release up to 5 years. Sentencing is set for March 24, 2021.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of September 10, 2017, the defendant, along with two co-defendants, broke into the home of Stephen O’Dea and Kathryn Duncan, while brandishing a firearm. The defendants physically assaulted Mr. O’Dea and threatened to kill the couple while demanding money. The defendants forced the couple at gunpoint into the rear seat of Mr. O’Dea’s Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck and drove to the location where Mr. O’Dea had left his wallet. After obtaining the wallet, the defendants fled in the pick-up truck and Mr. O’Dea’s Jeep Wrangler. In addition to the vehicles, defendants stole $200 in currency, two iPhones valued at $600 each, and an iPad valued at $200.
The Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
South Florida Man Pleads Guilty in Credit Card Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Henry William Carabeo Boned (28, Miami) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Boned faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to victims of his crime. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, in the early part of 2019, Boned and his co-defendants, Duani Garcia and Raiquel Monteagudo Torres used credit or debit cards re-encoded with stolen account numbers to purchase, among other things, phone cards and gift cards at Walmarts throughout the Clay County, Florida area. In February 2019, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detained Boned and Torres at the self-checkout area of a Walmart while both individuals were in the process of attempting to complete a fraudulent transaction. Deputies detained Garcia as he walked out of the store. During a search of the three individuals, deputies located 40 gift and credit cards that had been re-encoded with stolen credit card information. Further investigation resulted in the seizure of computer media associated with the three individuals. A forensic examination of the computer media located an additional 253 stolen credit card account numbers.
On March 16, 2020, United States District Judge Brian J. Davis sentenced Garcia, to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and payment of restitution to the victims. Co-defendant, Torres is a fugitive from law enforcement.
This case was investigated by United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Somerton Man Sentenced to Prison for Transferring Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Wednesday, Miles Spencer Coyote, 26, of Somerton, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 42 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Coyote previously pleaded guilty to transfer of obscene material to a minor.
Between February 11, 2019 and March 28, 2019, Coyote used his Facebook account to transfer obscene material to the minor victim. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) flagged these Facebook communications in June 2019 and referred the case for prosecution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cocopah Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
NCMEC is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation. https://www.missingkids.org/home
CASE NUMBER: CR-19-00956-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-106_Coyote# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Second Individual Charged with Arson of Target HeadquartersRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint against LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34, charging him with attempt to commit arson. WILLIAMS made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to the criminal complaint, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting, and looting, following the suicide of a suspect in a homicide, and in response to false rumors surrounding the man’s death. At approximately 11:06 p.m., City of Minneapolis and Target Headquarters surveillance video showed a man, later identified as WILLIAMS, light a cardboard box on fire and place it inside the Target Headquarters building through a shattered glass door. WILLIAMS made several attempts to reignite the cardboard box. At 11:10 p.m., WILLIAMS was seen making several additional attempts to start a fire inside of the vestibule of the building.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Fire Department, and the Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Richfield Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34
Charges:
- Attempt to commit arson, 1 count
###
Additional news available on our website.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
San Felipe man charged with assault with a dangerous weaponRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Emery Garcia, 36, of San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of San Felipe, appeared in federal court on Nov. 9 on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. On Nov. 12 Garcia was ordered detained pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, on Oct. 8, Garcia allegedly attempted to enter a home through a window and attacked one of the residents, a child, with a board when the resident tried to stop him. Garcia then allegedly struck a second resident who attempted to intervene. The alleged incident occurred on San Felipe Pueblo.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Garcia faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to life in prison.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison C. Jaros is prosecuting the case.
Rochester Man Sentenced to Probation with Required Mental Health Treatment after Threatening Voicemail Message to U.S. CongressmanRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough today sentenced a Rochester, Ill., man, Randall E. Tarr, to serve two years of probation with a requirement that Tarr complete mental health counseling and treatment after he pleaded guilty to leaving a voicemail message in which he threatened to shoot U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis. In addition, Tarr, 65, was ordered to pay a fine of $2,000.
The government, in consultation with the victim, and in joint agreement with defendant’s counsel, recommended to the court that Tarr serve two years of probation with the additional condition that he be required to participate in mental health counseling and treatment as directed by the U.S. Probation Office. Tarr was also ordered to have no contact with the Congressman, his office, and members of his family.
In July 2020, Tarr pleaded guilty to calling the Decatur, Ill., office of Congressman Davis in the early morning hours of Nov. 25, 2019. Tarr then left a profanity-filled voicemail message in which he threatened to shoot the congressman.
According to court documents, the voicemail message was forwarded to U.S. Capitol Police, in Washington, D.C. Through caller ID, police identified Tarr as the alleged caller and U.S. Capitol Police contacted the Rochester Police Department to ask officers to contact Tarr. Rochester police officers made initial contact with Tarr on Nov. 25, at his residence, and FBI special agents subsequently interviewed Tarr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs represented the government at today’s hearing. The U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI, and the Rochester Police Department conducted the investigation.
Richmond Man Sentenced for Distributing Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance containing heroin and fentanyl.
According to court documents, Tavarus Jermaine Williams, 40, was arrested on March 19 as part of a law enforcement focus on high violent crime areas of Richmond. In December 2019, law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of narcotics from Williams. Lab testing confirmed that the substance purchased from Williams on both occasions was heroin mixed with fentanyl. During a search warrant executed on Williams’ residence, officers recovered a loaded Glock pistol with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
In the days following his arrest, Williams used another inmate’s PIN to place phone calls to his girlfriend. In these calls, Williams solicited his girlfriend to find information for the person he believed tipped off law enforcement to his drug activity, and concluded that someone needed to pay this person a visit. ATF agents promptly conducted an investigation to follow up on these phone calls.
At sentencing, Williams received enhancements under the sentencing guidelines for possessing a dangerous weapon for the firearm recovered during the search warrant and obstruction of justice for the phone calls.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and William C. Smith, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Janet Jin Ah Lee prosecuted 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. 3:20-cr-57.
Repeat Bank Robber Sentenced for Committing Bank Robberies in Depew, Gates, and PenfieldRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nicholas Ferrone, 29, of Utica, NY, who was convicted of three counts of bank robbery, was sentenced to serve 76 months in prison by U.S. District David G. Larimer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Eldridge, who handled the case, stated that the defendant committed three bank robberies: on August 20, 2019, Ferrone robbed the Bank of America, located at 5091 Broadway in Depew, NY; on October 31, 2019, Ferrone robbed the Chase Bank, located at 6 Spencerport Road in Gates, NY; and on December 17, 2019, Ferrone robbed the M&T Bank, located at 625 Panorama Trail in Penfield, NY. During each of the robberies, the defendant wore a high-quality latex mask and handed the tellers notes demanding money.
On January 13, 2020, a New York State Trooper conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Ferrone was driving on the New York State Thruway. The vehicle did not have license plates displayed, nor did it display a valid inspection sticker. Troopers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered controlled substances, as well as several high quality latex masks, including one that appears to have been used in the Bank of America robbery in Depew, and another mask that appears to have been used in both the Chase Bank and M&T Bank robberies in Gates and Penfield. Also recovered from the vehicle were numerous items of clothing matching the clothing worn during the three charged robberies, along with two handwritten notes that read “I Have Gun Large Bills” and “I Have Gun All Large Bills.”
Previously, in May 2013, Ferrone was convicted in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York on eight counts of federal bank robbery and sentenced to serve 36 months in prison.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Major Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief James VanBrederode; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; the East Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steve Clancy; the Depew Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jerome Miller; and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Thomas Licata.
# # # #
Postal Worker Charged with Stealing MailRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A U.S. Postal employee was arrested today and charged in connection with stealing mail on at least 21 occasions.
Angela Gomez, 40, of Lynn, was charged in a criminal complaint with theft of mail by an employee. Gomez made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
According to charging documents, postal inspectors received information that customers in Lynn reported missing mail. For example, one USPS customer reported that an expected Lilly Pulitzer gift card never arrived in the mail. Further investigation revealed that USPS City Carrier Assistant Angela Gomez handled that particular customer’s route. Records indicated that the expected gift card was used in January 2020 for purchases delivered to Gomez’s then-home address and that the corresponding email address belonged to Gomez. Subsequent surveillance of Gomez during the performance of her duties revealed that she rifled through and stole mail on 21 separate occasions.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. 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; Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge, North East Area Field Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General; and William Kalb, Special Agent in Charge of the North East Field Division, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Postal Worker Arrested and Charged with Failing to Deliver over 1,300 Pieces of MailRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Sean Barrett, 30, of Sanborn, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with delay or destruction of mail. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on October 13, 2020, the Lewiston, NY, Police Department notified the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) that USPS mail pieces were discovered by witnesses next to a trail in a wooded area off Pletcher Road in Youngstown, NY. The following day, the USPS OIG responded to the Lewiston Police Department and retrieved three mail bins and two garbage bags containing a total of 1,314 first class, certified, and standard mailings. The mail pieces included 15 political mailings and one blank election ballot destined for a Youngstown address. Subsequent investigation determined that the mail was destined for addresses on a mail route assigned to the defendant, who began working for the USPS in 2016. A check of USPS records found that Barrett’s assigned USPS scanner was dormant on October 13, 2020, between 12:20 pm and 3:54 p.m., in the area where the mail pieces were located. During this time period, the defendant’s true location could not be determined.
On October 19, 2020, the USPS OIG returned to the location where the mail pieces were located and found 14 bundles of Western New York Value Papers that had also been discarded. Another 14 bundles of the value papers were found about 30 yards away.
The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kenneth Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, Pittsburgh, PA, and the Lewiston Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Previte.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than 230 Pieces of MailRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Terrell Andre Mosely (40, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee. Mosely faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and payment of restitution to victims of his crime. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, in August 2019, the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) began investigating customer complaints regarding stolen mail involving a postal route in Jacksonville, Florida. During follow up investigation, the USPS-OIG linked a stolen Target gift card to a phone number associated with Mosely. They also determined that Mosely worked on the postal route experiencing mail theft. USPS-OIG agents made contact with Mosely and spoke to him about his connection to the stolen Target gift card. Mosely confessed to stealing gift cards, including the Target gift card, from the mail. During a subsequent search of Mosely’s personal belongings and his car, agents recovered more than 230 pieces of stolen mail.
The United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Ponzi Schemer Who Bilked Investors out of Millions of Dollars is Sentenced to more than Six Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 20, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Jonny Ngo, the former president and chief executive officer of NL Technology, LLC, was sentenced in federal court today to 75 months in prison for operating a $65 million Ponzi scheme that caused investors to lose over $20 million. He was also ordered to pay $20,292,490.60 in restitution to the victims of his fraud.
According to court filings, Ngo induced his victims to invest funds in various short-term investment contracts by making false representations, including that: (a) Investor money would be used to fund wholesale purchase orders of smartphone screens and other electronic goods; (b) NL Technology was a regular supplier of smartphone screens to a number of buyers, including two buyers who each ordered approximately $2 million of product from NL Technology; (c) All wholesale orders funded by investor money was pre-purchased by NL Technology clients; and (d) The quality of the products and safety of investor funds used to purchase the products were guaranteed by a third-party escrow company.
In his plea agreement, Ngo admitted he created counterfeit invoices falsely indicating that NL Technology had substantial purchase orders from alleged wholesale companies. Ngo also provided false financial statements purportedly certified by an accountant showing NL Technology earned income from its wholesale business totaling $12.5 million in 2015 and $15.4 million in 2016. Moreover, Ngo admitted he fabricated bank statements or screenshots from bank statements held in the name of NL Technology with individual line items altered to appear as legitimate wholesale business transactions. Lastly, Ngo created false checks from wholesale companies allegedly doing business with NL Technology.
According to court documents, Ngo told investors that they could roll over their investments into future investment contracts with NL Technology, when in fact no such future investments were possible. Also, Ngo lulled investors about the continued viability of NL Technology through materially false representations, including that NL Technology had an outstanding purchase order from a smartphone repair company for approximately $300,000, when in fact, no such order existed.
Instead of investing the funds in the business, Ngo admitted that he converted investor funds to his own personal use and benefit by spending the money on a home, luxury cars and gambling. As a result of his investment fraud, Ngo caused more than $20 million in losses to investors in his Ponzi scheme.
During today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller said that Ngo was “motivated by greed” to perpetrate a fraud that “was no mere mistake. This was calculated, broad in nature, deep in planning, and deadly in execution.” Judge Miller further noted that the victims “suffered a substantial loss and have had financial ruin, dreams dashed, fruits of a lifetime of labor dissipated, emotional distress, shame, shock, embarrassment, and emotional damage to last a lifetime.”
“Defendant Ngo preyed on his victims, cheated many of them out of their life savings, and caused a devastating impact on their personal and financial health,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Defendant Ngo destroyed the finances of many innocent and hardworking people. Today’s sentence sends a clear message to financial predators: The United States Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners will work tirelessly and relentlessly to unravel your fraud and bring you to justice.” Brewer praised prosecutor Joseph Orabona and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service for their outstanding work on this case.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner said, “Ngo swindled and conned innocent investors out of their hard-earned money to support his lavish lifestyle. The false representations about wholesale purchase orders worth millions and supporting phony business records were all lies. Ngo's actions serve as an example of the unconscionable greed that fuels these all too common fraud cases. The FBI is committed to investigating those who prey upon trusting individuals for their own personal gain. We ask anyone who has information related to investor fraud submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov/.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to scammers who prey upon the public,” stated Postal Inspector in Charge Melisa Llosa. “The Postal Inspection Service has zero tolerance for those who use the nation’s mail system to commit fraud. Postal Inspectors will aggressively investigate these cases with our law enforcement partners to bring the scammers to justice.”
DEFENDANT Case Number: 19CR1391-JM
Jonny Ngo Age: 34 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF THE CHARGE
Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341 – Mail Fraud
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Postal Inspection Service
New York Man and Passaic County Woman Admit Roles in Defrauding Customers of New Jersey Moving CompanyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man and a Passaic County, New Jersey, woman admitted that they participated in a scheme to defraud over 260 customers of their moving company out of more than $540,000, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Lior Atiyas (a/k/a “David Cohen”), 42, of Hewlett, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference today before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Lola Larios (a/k/a “Michelle Jacobs”), 37, of Haledon, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before Judge Cecchi on Nov. 19, 2020, to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From as early as January 2016 through January 2019, Atiyas devised a scheme to enrich himself and his moving company, which used several names to conceal its true identity, including Premier Relocations LLC, Metro Van Lines Inc., Astoria Motor Van Company, Lyon Moving, and Empire Move. Larios began working for the company in January 2018, and immediately joined in the conspiracy. Atiyas and Larios regularly extorted customers by quoting them “low-ball” price estimates for moving household goods. Once the customers’ goods were loaded onto the moving trucks, Premier’s employees, at the direction of Atiyas and Larios, or Atiyas and Larios themselves, would drastically raise the price of the move (often two or three times that of the quoted estimate), and then refuse to deliver the goods until the customers paid the increased price. The aggregate difference between the initial low-ball estimates and the revised inflated amounts charged to victims was $547,525.
Atiyas also admitted participating in a scheme whereby he generated fake paystubs and a fake employment confirmation letter in order for an uncharged conspirator to obtain Medicaid benefits. As a result of his role in the health care fraud conspiracy, Atiyas caused the submission of over $40,000 in fraudulent medical claims.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain to the defendants, or twice the gross pecuniary loss to the victims, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain to the defendant, or twice the gross pecuniary loss to the victims, whichever is greater. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for April 1, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Douglas Shoemaker, Northeast Region, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Amore of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Government Fraud Unit in Newark.
New Bedford Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegally possessing a Mustang .380 pistol and ammunition.
Victor Morales, 35, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon.
According to the indictment, on or about July 20, 2020, Morales possessed a Colt MK IV Mustang .380 loaded pistol and 12 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition in his apartment.
The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $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 New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Naugatuck Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LARRY HALL, also known as “Chuito” and “Bobo,” 49, of Naugatuck, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation headed by Keith Jordan of Waterbury. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Jordan was receiving large quantities of heroin from various suppliers, including Pedro Santos, of Waterbury, and selling to drug to other distributors and street-level customers. Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.
During the investigation, a wiretap identified Hall as Santos’ heroin supplier, and revealed that Hall was supplying other drug sellers with raw heroin on credit.
On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Hall, Jordan, Santos and 26 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.
Hall and several codefendants were arrested on March 20, 2019. In association with the arrests, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.
Approximately $30,000 of the cash seized was found in Hall’s residence.
Hall has been detained since his arrest. On November 4, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin.
Jordan and Santos pleaded guilty to related charges. On September 18, 2020, Santos was sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment. Jordan awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
NDTX Round-Up: November 13-19Read the Press Release
GUILTY PLEA – MICHAEL DYWAYNE HARRIS
On November 17, Michael Dywayne Harris, 39, plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. A coconspirator requested Harris to deliver four kilograms of cocaine to a Dallas area drug house. After delivering the cocaine and collecting the drug proceeds, Harris was stopped by Dallas Police Officers. The officers searched Harris’s car and found $67,137.81 in drug proceeds, cocaine, and pills. Harris faces up to 40 years in federal prison for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanna Etessam is prosecuting this case.
GUILTY PLEA – OLAYINKA ELIZABETH TAIWO
On November 17, Olayinka Elizabeth Taiwo, 34, plead guilty to make a false statement in an application for a passport. Taiwo submitted an executed passported application to the United States Post Office. In her application, Taiwo used another individuals name and personal identifying information as her own. Taiwo faces up to 10 years in federal prison for her crimes. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Walt Junker is prosecuting this case.
SENTENCING – AIRUN DAMON DUNN
On November 18, Airun Damon Dunn, 25, was sentenced to 105 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Dunn sold heroin to another individual five times. In connection with the heroin sales, Dunn unlawfully sold three firearms. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl prosecuted this case.
Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison on Federal Firearms CasesRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II today sentenced Christopher Maurice McCallum, Jr. (28, Ocala) to 8 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition, McCallum received a consecutive 2-year prison term on a related violation of supervision in another firearm case.
According to the plea agreement, on May 25, 2020, City of Ocala police officers responded to a shooting in a local neighborhood. The officers soon observed McCallum driving an automobile that was attempting to flee the area. McCallum was apprehended after a short pursuit, once he abandoned the automobile and tried to run on foot. In the driver-side floorboard of the automobile, officers recovered a stolen rifle loaded with ammunition. McCallum, a multi-convicted felon already on supervision for a federal weapons offense, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under the law.
On June 6, 2020, officers again arrested McCallum on several outstanding federal warrants relating to this conduct. At the time of his arrest, McCallum had barricaded himself inside a rented apartment. A subsequent search of the apartment revealed two more loaded firearms—a stolen handgun and another rifle—along with illegal drugs and paraphernalia. This new criminal activity violated McCallum’s federal supervision from a 2014 conviction for the same charge—possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon.
“A key component of ATF’s mission is reducing violent crime”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier, “ATF continues to aggressively pursue offenders related to firearms offenses and violent crime, and will continue to protect and serve our communities.
This case was investigated by the City of Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
More than 60 Aryan Brotherhood Gang Members and Associates Arrested for Violent Crime, Firearms, Fraud, and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — As part of a multi-agency operation, more than 60 individuals associated with the Aryan Brotherhood were arrested in California, Nevada and Montana on federal and state charges in connection with their gang activities, including violent crimes, illegal firearms trafficking and possession and drug trafficking.
The charges were announced today by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman of the ATF’s San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.
“For the second time in less than 18 months, we are announcing federal charges against Aryan Brotherhood members and associates, a violent gang operating in California prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “Yesterday, five inmates were transferred to federal custody from California state prisons. All were serving lengthy sentences, two were serving life sentences for murder. We are committed to doing everything we can to stop these violent inmates from orchestrating their criminal activities from inside prison walls.”
“This operation was an expansive multi-agency law enforcement investigation into the ongoing violent criminal activity conducted by the Aryan Brotherhood and associated gangs throughout the Fresno area and the nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Gorman. “ATF and our law enforcement partners knew that if we effectively and efficiently leveraged our resources and specialties that we would accomplish much more together than we could alone. From the outset, we had a clear plan and a sharp focus for running an investigation that would impact the community for the better. Thanks to a tremendous amount of great work on the street level, we have accomplished what we set out to do.”
“The FBI continues to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure we all have safe neighborhoods for our families. Our collaborative investigation is a testament to the success of a multi-agency approach to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling criminal organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Ragan. “In addition to the significant efforts of our partners, FBI agents, deputized task force officers, intelligence analysts, and support personnel alone have committed more than 6,000 hours of work to the success of this operation since August 2019.”
Earlier this year, investigators began seeing evidence that Aryan Brotherhood (AB) members and associates in prison were directing criminal activities outside of the prison walls. The AB is gang formed in the California prison system in about 1964 by white inmates who wanted to gain power and authority in prison. It includes other associated gangs, such as Fresnecks, Peckerwoods, and Skinheads.
During the course of the investigation, robberies, murders, drug trafficking, pervasive fraud, and firearms offenses occurring in Fresno, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Inyo, and other areas in California, were tied to the AB prison gang. Eventually, the investigation reached as far as Montana, Missouri, Idaho, and Alabama. Eleven acts of violence were intercepted before they were accomplished, and over 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of heroin, and over 25 firearms were seized.
According to the federal complaint, a network of defendants engaged in a series of firearms and drug trafficking offenses, mostly led by defendants Robert Eversole, Kenneth Bash, and Todd Morgan. The drug offenses involved pound quantities of methamphetamine, and the trafficking extended outside of California. Additionally, several defendants participated in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs and dangerous contraband into prisons. The complaint also alleges illegal firearms possession related to a plan to commit a murder. The complaint charges the following defendants:
1) Kenneth Bash, aka “Bash” of Salinas Valley State Prison (drug trafficking)
2) Robert Eversole, aka “Rage,” of Kern Valley State Prison (firearms and drug trafficking)
3) Stephanie Madsen of Torrance (drug trafficking)
4) Todd Morgan, aka “Fox,” of Salinas Valley State Prison (drug trafficking)
5) David Zachocki, aka “Lil David Z,” of Lodi (felon in possession of a firearm)
6) Cody Brown of Atascadero (drug trafficking)
7) Regina Broomall, aka “G,” of Santa Maria (firearms trafficking)
8) Geoffrey Guess, aka “Active,” of Fresno (firearms trafficking)
9) Angel Lopez, aka “Rascal,” of Salinas Valley State Prison (drug trafficking)
10) Joseph McWilliams, aka “Janky,” (drug trafficking, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense)
11) James Armstrong (drug trafficking)
12) Marlon Palmer, aka “P-Nut,” of Salinas Valley State Prison (drug trafficking)
13) Samantha Booth of Clovis (drug trafficking)
14) Jacob Renshaw, aka “Shredder,” in custody in Montana (drug trafficking)
15) Amanda Gourley, aka “Biggie,” of Fresno (drug trafficking)
The Fresno County District Attorney’s office has charged more than 30 people in connection with this investigation for gang conspiracy, fraud and violent crimes including kidnapping, carjacking, assault with a firearm and arson.
As part of this operation, 39 federal and state search warrants were served in Fresno, Santa Maria, Los Angeles, and Montana. Multiple guns, and over 7 pounds of methamphetamine, prescription pills and heroin were found and seized as a result of these searches. Additionally, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conducted searches of 63 cells in 14 state prisons in California related to this investigation. Among the items seized in the prisons were cellphones and drugs.
This investigation was conducted by the California Department of Justice and California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Services Unit (SSU).
Assisting in the arrests were the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bishop Police Department, and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Stokman and Thomas Newman, and Fresno County Deputy District Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Dennis Lewis are handling the prosecutions.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Montana Chiropractor and his Wife Plead Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Montana chiropractor and his wife pleaded guilty today to tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme for the District of Montana.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jonathan Wilhelm, owned and operated Pro Chiropractic PC (Pro Chiro) and Big Sky Spinal Care Center Inc. (Big Sky). From 2013 through 2018, the Wilhelms directed payments to cash and then did not report the cash transactions on Pro Chiro’s and Big Sky’s books and records, which they provided to a return preparer to prepare the businesses’ tax returns. The Wilhelms knew that omitting the cashed checks and cash payments resulted in an understatement of taxable income totaling $284,691 for tax years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. In total, the defendants caused a tax loss to the IRS of $74,486.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto has scheduled a sentencing for March 12, 2021. At sentencing the defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years. The defendants also each face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Alme commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant Chief Andrew Kameros and Trial Attorney Sarah Kiewlicz of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Molotov Cocktails Earn an Ocala Man Nearly Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II today sentenced Tommy Lee Holt (27, Ocala) to four years and seven months in federal prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device. Following his prison term, Holt is ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
According to the plea agreement, on November 5, 2019, Holt manufactured eight “Molotov cocktails” using glass bottles filled with gasoline. All qualified as destructive devices and were subject to registration requirements under federal law. After illegally manufacturing the devices, Holt took them to a Marion County branch of the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families. Once there, Holt lit the wicks on the destructive devices and unsuccessfully attempted to start a fire by throwing one at the building. When apprehended by police, Holt had a lighter clenched in his right hand and his clothing wreaked of gasoline.
“ATF’s primary focus is protecting the public from crimes involving firearms including the unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Mississippi Man Convicted for Defrauding the Internal Revenue Service for up to $1.7 MillionRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN –After a four-day jury trial with proper COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Terry Benson, 47, of Senatobia, Mississippi, has been found guilty as charged of Theft of Government Funds, Mail Fraud, and Passing Fictitious Instruments. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the conviction today.
Benson was found guilty of defrauding the IRS by submitting fictitious financial instruments in the amounts of $393,053.78 and $1.3 million and other numerous fraudulent documents, causing the IRS to send him a refund check for $297,311.12. He then used those funds to open accounts with Morgan Stanley and Regions Bank and purchase a mobile home and other personal items. In addition, he was found guilty of using the U.S. Mail in furtherance of these crimes.
According to the indictment, Benson executed a scheme to steal funds from the IRS. Benson sent the IRS a fictitious money order as a “Tax Account Settlement Payment” which was applied to balances he owed for tax years 2006, 2007, and 2010 to settle his debt. The IRS issued him a refund check in the amount of $297,311.12 for the overage amount after applying amounts to his IRS debt and debt owed by Benson to the Tennessee Office of Child Support Enforcement Services. Benson filed many fraudulent documents with the IRS naming public officials, organizations or other entities in the documents. In some instances, Benson filed UCC-1 financing statements with the Tennessee Secretary of State naming Regions Bank, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Shelby County Juvenile Court, the IRS and an employee of the IRS as debtors while identifying himself as the creditor.
On March 19, 2019, Benson was indicted for theft of government funds, mail fraud, and passing a fictitious financial instrument. A sentencing hearing is set for February 25, 2021, before U.S. District Court Judge Mark Norris, where Benson faces possible sentences of up to 10 years for the theft of government funds; up to 20 years for the mail fraud; and up to 25 years for passing fictitious instruments. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the integrity of the United States Treasury and the sanctity of the U.S. Mail system is a top priority for the Department of Justice and this office. This guilty verdict demonstrates our ability and resolve to expose fraudulent schemes against the government, hold offenders accountable for their dishonest criminal conduct, and to recover ill-gotten proceeds on behalf of the United States."
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon K. Griffin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eileen Kuo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
###
Mexican National Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Reentry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Mexican national, who had been previously lawfully deported seven times, was sentenced to more than four years in prison for illegally returning to the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada.
Josue Garcia-Rodriguez, also known as “Juan Pablo Mungia-Garcia” and “Josue Garcia Chapo,” 25, of Mexico, was sentenced to 51 months in prison by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan. In addition, the Court ordered the term of imprisonment to run consecutively to an eight month sentence for supervised release violations: illegally reentering the United States and arrest for drug and gun charges in Henderson, Nevada. Garcia-Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a deported alien found in the United States.
According to court documents, from June 2012 to December 2018, Garcia-Rodriguez — a two-time convicted felon — was deported seven times from the United States to Mexico. In June 2019, he illegally reentered and remained in the United States until he was arrested by law enforcement for a possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.
###
Meridian Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison Under Project EJECT for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – Marquis Howard McNeely, 38, of Meridian, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to two 120-month sentences, with the second sentence to be served concurrently with the first sentence, for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Kurt Thielhorn, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. McNeely was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.
On July 24, 2019 at approximately 4:00 a.m., a Lauderdale County Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol on Highway 19 when the deputy encountered McNeely in a vehicle parked in the wrong lane of traffic. McNeely was found to be intoxicated and placed under arrest. A stolen pistol was recovered from the vehicle. McNeely was charged and released on bond.
On October 8, 2019 McNeely drove up to a traffic safety checkpoint being conducted by the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office at the intersection of State Boulevard and Chandler Road. A deputy approached McNeely’s car and immediately saw that McNeely had an assault rifle style pistol held between his right knee and the center console. McNeely was again arrested and charged.
McNeely was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2019 for being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms. McNeely has prior felony convictions for felony DUI, aggravated assault and manslaughter. He pled guilty before Judge Jordan on September 1, 2020.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham.
This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
Member of Navajo Nation sentenced to two years in federal prison for burglary in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Kari Johnson, 33, of Gallup, New Mexico was sentenced on Nov. 2 in federal court in Albuquerque to two years and three months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for residential burglary.
Johnson pleaded guilty to this offense on Sept. 11, 2019. According to court documents, on Feb. 19, 2016, Johnson and her co-defendant, Eric Martinez, forcibly broke into the home of the victims, who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, and stole an array of their personal items worth more than $60,000 dollars. The crime occurred on the Navajo Nation and Johnson and Martinez are both enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.
Martinez, 33, of Mentmore, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to an indictment on Nov. 13, 2019, and was sentenced on Aug. 27 to two years and 3 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release.
The Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations services investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Cowen prosecuted the case.
Martinsburg residents indicted on heroin and fentanyl chargesRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Ian Andre Carr and Kasem Damone Humphrey, both of Martinsburg, West Virginia, are facing drug charges after a grand jury indicted them earlier this week, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Carr, 49, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin,” four counts of “Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin.”
Humphrey, 36, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Fentanyl and Heroin,” and two counts of “Distribution of Heroin.”
Both men are accused of working together to sell heroin and fentanyl from February 2018 to November 2020 in Berkeley County and elsewhere.
Carr and Humphrey each face up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Man admits armed robbery of Billings convenience storeRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A man today admitted allegations that he held up a convenience store in Billings and shot the clerk before leaving in a pickup truck, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Darren Samuel Whiteman, 36, a transient, pleaded guilty to robbery affecting commerce and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence as charged in an indictment. Whiteman faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the robbery charge and a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided and ordered Whiteman detained pending further proceedings.
The prosecution said in court documents that on Nov. 24, 2019, the Billings Police Department responded to a robbery involving a firearm at the Gas n Go, at 800 Jackson Ave. During the robbery, the clerk was shot in the arm by the suspect, who possessed a pistol. Moments before firing, the victim reported that the suspect said, “Open the cash register. I’m robbing the place. Imma pop this bitch.” The suspect left the store immediately after firing the shot and was seen on surveillance footage leaving the area as a passenger in a pickup truck. Through the investigation, the BPD identified the suspect as Whiteman.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department.
This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.
XXX