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16 November 2020
Feds Charge Third Officer from Explorer ProgramRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville Metro Police Department Officer involved with the Explorer Program has been charged with deprivation of rights under the color of law, announced U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. The grand jury charged Schuhmann, while acting under color of law, with willfully depriving Jane Doe, a minor, of a right secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States; that is, the right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law, which includes the right not to have her bodily integrity violated by a person acting under color of law. This offense involved sexual abuse in the first degree under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 510.110(d).
“Justice delayed in the still-ongoing Explorers investigation, by a pandemic, civil unrest, and other hurdles, does not mean justice denied. While I regret the time it has taken us to get to this point, I am proud of the dogged work of career prosecutors, the Louisville Public Corruption & Civil Rights Task Force, and our partners in the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “In stark contrast to those predators with a badge that our office has successfully prosecuted, this city is blessed by some of the finest law enforcement professionals in the nation; federal, state, and local.”
Brad Lee Schuhmann, 32, of Louisville, Kentucky, resigned from LMPD on November 4, 2020. He pled guilty to the Indictment on November 16, 2020.
According to a Plea Agreement, from May 2002 until April 2009, Schuhmann participated in the Louisville Metro Police Department Explorer Program as an Explorer. In April 2009, he applied for an LMPD sworn officer position. Several people associated with the Explorer Program, including the director of the program and other advisors, wrote letters of recommendation for Schuhmann. LMPD hired Schuhmann as a police officer. Upon completion of the training academy, he was sworn in and took the oath of office on January 29, 2010. Schuhmann remained involved in the Explorer Program during his training period and took on a more formal advisor role after being sworn in as a police officer with LMPD.
While working with the Explorer Program as an advisor, Schuhmann met Jane Doe, a minor participating in the program as an Explorer. The two communicated by cellular telephone, including texting. Schuhmann met Jane Doe outside of Explorer Program activities, including at her home and other locations in Louisville. During these meetings and communications, Schuhmann was in a position of authority or special trust, due to his role as an advisor with the Explorer Program. He came into contact with Jane Doe as a result of that position. When the two met at her home and other locations, Schuhmann subjected Jane Doe to sexual contact.
The charge of deprivation of rights under color of law is a federal misdemeanor. The defendant faces no more than one year in prison, a $100,000.00 fine, or both prison and a fine. He also faces one year of federal Supervised Release. Under the terms of his Plea Agreement, Schuhmann will register as a sex offender.
The United States Attorney’s Office previously prosecuted two other LPMD officers associated with the Explorer Program, Brandon Wood and Kenneth Betts. Wood was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment followed by 10 years’ supervised release for attempted enticement. Betts was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment followed by 20 years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty in December of 2018 to enticement, attempted enticement, possession of child pornography, transfer of obscene materials to a minor, and distribution of child pornography.
Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the cases. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit as part of the Louisville Public Corruption and Civil Rights Task Force. Federal prosecution of Mr. Schumann, like that of the two previous Explorers-related convictions, was achieved through close coordination with the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
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El Departamento de Justicia Llega a un Acuerdo con una Junta Escolar que Resuelve Acusaciones de Discriminación Relacionada con la InmigraciónRead the Press Release
El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo con la Junta Escolar del Condado de Palm Beach, Florida (el Distrito). El acuerdo resuelve acusaciones de que el Distrito había discriminado a empleados no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. que tenían autorización para trabajar en los EE. UU. al pedir que presentasen documentos específicos e innecesarios para demostrar su derecho legal a trabajar, debido a su estatus migratorio, en contra de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad («INA», por sus siglas en inglés).
«Los empleadores no deben discriminar a personas no ciudadanas de los EE. UU. que cuentan con autorización para trabajar a causa de sus supuestos erróneos acerca del estatus migratorio de tales personas», afirmó Eric Dreiband, el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles. «Felicitamos a la Junta Escolar del Condado de Palm Beach por su colaboración con el Departamento de Justicia para garantizar la buena implementación de su política antidiscriminatoria».
Con base en su investigación, el Departamento concluyó que la Junta Escolar había solicitado documentos esepcíficos e innecesarios a no ciudadanos de los EE. UU., como, por ejemplo, pedir a trabajadores con autorización para trabajar que presentasen documentos específicos, en contra de la INA. Esto incluye pedir que ciertos individuos presentasen sus Tarjetas de Residencia Permanente (a veces conocidas como «tarjetas verdes» o «micas») o Documentos de Autorización para Trabajar, aunque esos trabajadores ya habían presentado otros documentos que demostraron su autorización para trabajar, tales como carnéts de identidad y tarjetas de seguro social sin restricciones.
La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA prohíbe que los empleadores pidan documentos adicionales o diferentes a los que sean necesarios para demostrar la autorización para trabajar con base en el estatus migratorio o de ciudadanía del empleado o bien por su nacionalidad de origen. A su vez, en la INA, el Congreso determinó que todo individuo con autorización para trabajar, independientemente de su estatus de ciudadanía, puede elegir los documentos válidos y legalmente aceptables que desea presentar para demostrar su elegibilidad para trabajar en los Estados Unidos. No obstante, la INA sí permite que los empleadores rechacen documentos que no parecen ser genuinos.
Conforme los términos del acuerdo, el Distrito pagará una sanción civil a los Estados Unidos que asciende a 90.000 $, pagará hasta 100.000 $ por concepto de pagos retroactivos a las personas que perdieron trabajo a causa de las solicitudes ilícitas de documentos y capacitará a los empleados del Distrito en cuanto a sus deberes legales.
La Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados («IER», por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. La ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión; prácticas documentales injustas; y represalias o la intimidación.
Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su estatus migratorio o de ciudadanía, o bien por su nacionalidad de origen, en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (p. ej. el Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sometidos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688; llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito; o visitar la página web de la IER en inglés o español. Para recibir las últimas noticias de la IER, inscríbase a GovDelivery.
La División de Derechos Civiles quiere enterarse de más vulneraciones de derechos civiles. Miembros del público pueden informarnos de posibles vulneraciones de derechos civiles mediante el portal de declaraciones de la División de Derechos Civiles.
Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido sometidos a: discriminación por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión; discriminación en el proceso de la verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) con base en su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen; o represalias pueden presentar una denuncia o llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores para pedir ayuda.
La Iniciativa para la Protección de Trabajadores en Este País, de la División de Derechos Civiles, se lanzó en el 2017 en la IER y señala,investiga y (donde proceda) aplica medidas de cumplimiento a empleadores que intencionalmente discriminen a trabajadores en este país por motivos de su estatus de ciudadanía para dar preferencia a trabajadores temporales de visa. La IER ha llegado a numerosos acuerdos bajo la Iniciativa para la Protección de Trabajadores en Este País y empleadores han distribuido o acordado distribuir un total combinado de más de 1,2 millónes de dólares por concepto de pagos retroactivos a trabajadores afectadso en este país y sanciones civiles a los Estados Unidos. Estos acuerdos implican empleadores que fueron discriminatorios en su uso de los programas de visa de H-1B, H-2A y H-2B.
Dayton business owner pleads guilty to COVID relief fraudRead the Press Release
DAYTON – Nadine Consuelo Jackson, 32, of Dayton, Ohio, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman today to wire fraud related to two coronavirus relief Paycheck Protection Program loans. She also pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a bank within the jurisdiction of a federal agency related to financial assistance for businesses who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to court records, Consuelo Jackson fraudulently sought forgivable loans in the amount of $1.3 million and $1.2 million from the Small Business Administration by claiming to have 73 employees earning wages at a Dayton-based private investigation and security services business, Extract LLC. In actuality, there were few to no other employees working at Extract LLC. Consuelo Jackson also allegedly submitted false tax documents in support of her fraud.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 27, 2020 designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by the business on certain permissible expenses like payroll costs. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time and uses a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. The amount of PPP funds a business may receive is determined by multiplying its average monthly payroll costs incurred during a specified period.
In Ohio, licensed Class A private investigation and security services businesses must register any employees of their business with the state. The only employee listed for Extract LLC is Nadine Jackson, named as an “Investigator/Caregiver.”
According to court documents, on two occasions Consuelo Jackson listed 73 Extract LLC employees with payroll wages totaling approximately $500,000 on loan application reports. Loans totaling more than $1 million were initially wired to Consuelo Jackson’s accounts and then flagged. The bank recalled one loan and the Government seized the other.
Court documents say Consuelo Jackson also applied for and received more than $46,000 in Economic Injury Disaster loan funding. It is alleged in her loan application, Consuelo Jackson stated Extract LLC had 8 employees. She then wired the funds in five transactions to another account. A seizure warrant was obtained to seize that money as well.
According to court documents, four “employees” named on Consuelo Jackson’s applications were interviewed by agents and stated they did not work for the company. Three of the individuals interviewed stated they had never heard of Extract LLC.
Consuelo Jackson has agreed to forfeit $1,290,817.00 to the U.S. Government as a result of her crimes.
Wire fraud is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Making a false statement within the jurisdiction of a federal agency carries a potential maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Donald Abram, Special Agent in Charge, Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth R. Rabe and Peter K. Glenn-Applegate are representing the United States in this case.
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Charlotte Man Is Sentenced to Prison for String of Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney sentenced Jonathan Dujan Gardin, 36, of Charlotte, to 220 months in prison and three years of supervised release, for committing a string of armed robberies of businesses in the Charlotte area, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Joining U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s is Robert R. Wells, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
According to filed documents and statements made in court, on February 16, 2019, Gardin and his co-conspirator, Mandale Roger Huntley, robbed the Family Dollar store located at 542 Valleydale Road, in Charlotte. According to court records, Huntley drove Gardin to the Family Dollar store, where Gardin entered the store, approached the cashier, pointed a firearm in cashier’s face and at other customers inside the store, and demanded money. Gardin obtained $195 from the cashier, and fled the scene on foot. Law enforcement apprehended Gardin and Huntley shortly thereafter.
Court records show that, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement determined Gardin was responsible for multiple armed robberies of local area businesses, including the January 3, 2018, robbery of the Sam’s Mart, located at 4200 Glenwood Drive, in Charlotte. During that incident, court records show that Gardin entered the Sam’s Mart, approached employees behind the cashier’s desk, pointed his firearm at multiple employees, and demanded the store’s money. During the robbery, a store customer released his dog toward Gardin. Gardin fired his gun at the dog, injuring the canine, before fleeing scene with approximately $250 of the store’s cash.
On January 26, 2020, Gardin pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of a business affecting interstate commerce or “Hobbs Act” robbery, carrying and brandishing a firearm, and discharging a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. Huntley has pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and is currently awaiting sentencing.
The investigation was handled by the FBI and CMPD, with assistance from the Lancaster, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, are prosecuting the case.
Burlington Man Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine OffenseRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa — On Thursday, November 12, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Allen Julian Fields Jr., age 33, of Burlington, to 121 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following his prison term, Fields was ordered to serve four years of supervised release as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
In October of 2019, law enforcement officers attempted to stop Fields’ vehicle, and Fields drove away at a high rate of speed - in excess of 50 miles per hour on city streets. Fields wove in and out of traffic and drove directly at officers. Fields’ vehicle was eventually disabled and Fields and a passenger ran away. After both individuals were caught, officers located a bag containing 446.4 grams of methamphetamine. A search warrant was executed on Fields’ cell phone, which revealed text messages consistent with drug trafficking.
This matter was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force (SEINT); Burlington Police Department; Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office; Henry County Sheriff’s Office; West Burlington Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations; and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Brazilian National Charged with Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian national who previously resided in Chelsea was charged with the April 21, 2020 armed robbery of Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston.
Diego Evangelista DaSilva, 33, was charged on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 with one count of armed robbery.
According to the charging documents, on April 21, 2020 at 8:20 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at Lanzilli’s Grocery in Boston. The robber was observed wearing a gray knit cap, a flesh colored mask, and a gray hooded sweatshirt with a red garment/jacket underneath. During the robbery, the robber passed a demand note to the clerk, made verbal demands for money and displayed what appeared to be a firearm tucked into the waistline of his pants. Following the robbery, law enforcement obtained surveillance photographs of the robber approaching Lanzillis, exiting the area, and at one point going between two buildings and later emerging wearing a red jacket and bulky clothing underneath. The robber then entered a store and used the store’s Wi-Fi to order a cab, which dropped off the robber near Washington Park in East Boston.
On April 26, 2020, law enforcement surveilled the area of Washington Park and observed an individual, who fit the physical description of the robber getting into and then driving away in a car. Law enforcement conducted a vehicle stop, determined that the driver, Da Silva, did not possess a driver’s license and detained him. During a later search of the car, a black semi-automatic BB gun was recovered under the vehicle’s seat, along with a gray knit cap.
A search of DaSilva’s home led to the seizure of a red jacket and other items consistent with the clothing worn by the robber. DaSilva was later interviewed and admitted to robbing Lanzilli’s and to his involvement in 11 other armed robberies between Jan. 4, 2020 and April 20, 2020 in Greater Boston.
The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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 Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Box Elder Woman Sentenced for Meth Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on November 12, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol.
Katera Ellen Greaves, a/k/a Tara, age 32, was sentenced to 46 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.
Greaves was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) by a federal grand jury on March 3, 2020. She pled guilty on August 18, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately February 2020.
On August 8, 2019, a vehicle Greaves was driving in, for the purposes of transporting methamphetamine, was stopped and searched by law enforcement. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement located over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
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.
Greaves was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Boston Man Indicted on Bank Robbery ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man, who is currently on supervised release for a 2010 bank robbery conviction, was indicted in connection with bank robbery.
Dennis C. Taylor, 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 12, 2020 on one count of bank robbery. He was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 4, 2020.
According to charging documents, on April 29, 2020, Taylor, dressed in a dark hooded jacket, blue latex gloves and a facemask entered a branch of the Santander Bank on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston, approached a teller and demanded the money. The teller handed Taylor cash, which he placed in a white plastic bag and exited the bank. Included within the cash was a red dye pack. Surveillance cameras on Massachusetts Avenue captured video of Taylor exiting the area and running towards a local parking garage as the red dye pack exploded into a plume of red smoke. During a subsequent search of the parking garage, law enforcement recovered a white plastic bag containing red dye stained money and a pair of blue latex gloves, which were found to match Taylor’s DNA profile.
The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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 Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Hacel Alfredo Alvarez, 36, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. In addition, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd ordered the forfeiture of Alvarez’s residence, which was used to facilitate his drug trafficking activities.
Alvarez pleaded guilty on Jan. 27. According to court documents, during the execution of a search warrant, officers found 21 pounds of methamphetamine and over 1 pound of heroin at his residence in Bakersfield. The officers also found over $10,000 in cash, which was previously forfeited. Alvarez admitted that he had been distributing methamphetamine for over one and a half years.
At sentencing, Judge Drozd stated that the sheer quantities of drugs involved are too significant to cast aside. Alvarez’s conduct was “serious” and his “ongoing criminal behavior” justified a lengthy sentence.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force, which consists of agents from Homeland Security Investigations and Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen A. Escobar and Kevin Khasigian prosecuted the case.
Atlanta woman charged with unemployment insurance benefit fraud and identity theftRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Kadeidra Ra'Shawon White has been arraigned on federal charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment benefits have provided a lifeline to many Americans facing economic hardships and job losses,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “This defendant lined her pockets with this money and drained critical resources when they were most needed to combat the financial impact of the pandemic.”
“An important mission of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance benefit programs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to pursue individuals who seek to undermine the integrity of the unemployment insurance program,” said Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“In a time of vulnerability in our country, Postal Inspectors are ever vigilant in bringing to justice individuals who exploit the Covid-19 crisis for their own financial gain,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “An important mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to protect the integrity of the U.S. Mail system and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold criminals accountable for their illegal activities.”
“This investigation and subsequent indictment demonstrates the commitment the Secret Service and our law enforcement partners have in aggressively pursuing those who commit access device fraud and identity theft,” said Steven R. Baisel, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office. “These charges prove our continuing resolve to eliminate corruption, particularly when the funds should have been used to help our neediest families.”
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act created a temporary federal program that provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits and also instituted a temporary additional unemployment benefit of $600 per week.
From at least June 2020, through October 8, 2020, White is alleged to have filed fraudulent online applications for unemployment benefits with the States of Arizona, Ohio, and Nevada. The online applications were filed in victims’ names without their permission and included the victims’ dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other personally identifiable information.
As a result of the online applications, unemployment benefits were issued in the victims’ names and transferred onto debit cards. The debit cards were then mailed to addresses within the Atlanta area that were associated with or accessible to the defendant. It is further alleged that on or about October 8, 2020, the defendant possessed at least fifteen unauthorized access devices, including Social Security numbers and debit cards.
Kadeidra Ra'Shawon White, 27, of Clarkston, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman, charged with seven counts of wire fraud, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices. White was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 28, 2020. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly K. Connors is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
14 November 2020
Pueblo Woman Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Connie Gill, of Pueblo, was sentenced to serve 66 months (over 5 years) in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone. Gill appeared remotely while in custody. She was remanded at the conclusion of the hearing. The DEA joined in this announcement.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, between February 8, 2019 and February 27, 2019, Gill possessed with intent to distribute Oxycodone. During this time period, she created dozens of fake prescriptions for Oxycodone, using the names of at least three medical practitioners without their knowledge or permission. She obtained the necessary supplies from local office supply stores and used a publicly available application on her cell phone to design the prescriptions.
Gill directed other individuals to fill or attempt to fill the fraudulent prescriptions at pharmacies in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. After obtaining the Oxycodone from the pharmacy, Gill and others would divide the pills. In some cases, Gill paid the other individuals in cash upon receiving the pills.
On February 27, 2019, a confidential informant arranged to purchase methamphetamine from Gill at her hotel room in Pueblo. The informant purchased 3.06 grams of methamphetamine from her. That same day, Pueblo Police officers executed a search warrant for Gill’s hotel room. Inside, officers found prescription bottles, printed fake prescriptions, blue prescription paper, a printer filled with prescription paper, a paper cutter, and multiple scales.
In all, based on the fake prescriptions that were filled and those which Gill created but were not yet filled, she either possessed with the intent to distribute or intended to possess with the intent to distribute at least 16.8 grams of Oxycodone.
“Opioids are killing people, and my office is doing everything possible to stop the illegal distribution of drugs like Oxycodone,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Thanks to the hard work of the DEA and the Pueblo Police Department, a drug dealer is behind bars.”
“I’d like to highlight the work that the Pueblo Police Department put into this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter of the DEA Denver Field Division. “It’s partnerships like this, with local and state agencies, that get these dangerous drugs off the street and out of our neighborhoods.”
Gill was sentenced on November 13, 2020 by U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez. She was first indicted by a federal grand jury on November 21, 2019 and then later charged by information and pleaded guilty on June 23, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Denver Division of the DEA and the Pueblo Police Department. Gill was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rajiv Mohan and Jena Rose Neuscheler.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-485.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
13 November 2020
Warsaw, Indiana Woman ChargedRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Heather Bentley, age 35, of Warsaw, Indiana was charged in a criminal Complaint with making false statements in connection with the purchase of firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
According to documents in this case, Heather Bentley purchased three firearms on November 4, 2020. When she purchased the firearms, she certified that she was the actual buyer of the firearms. However, it is alleged that other individuals had given her over $1,500 to purchase the firearms. Bentley indicated during a later interview that two individuals who she knew to be felons had asked her to buy guns because they were fleeing from the police. Bentley allegedly provided all three firearms to those individuals. Two days later, on November 6, 2020, two police officers in Delafield, Wisconsin responded to a call for service. Those officers encountered these same two individuals, one of whom shot both of the police officers. Both individuals were arrested in Wisconsin.
"The charges in this case allege the defendant made a straw purchase, which is when a person acquires a firearm from a federal firearms licensee for someone else, who is either ineligible to purchase the firearm or wishes to conceal their identity,” commented ATF Special Agent in Charge Kristen de Tineo of the Chicago Field Division. “ATF will continue to investigate these serious violations, which put not only the community at risk, but, as illustrated in this complaint, law enforcement as well.”
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the Judge after a consideration of federal statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Delafield, Wisconsin Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly Donnelly.
VA Meth Trafficker, Purchasing Drugs in GA, Sentenced to 12+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A Virginia man, tied to the purchase of approximately three kilos of methamphetamine in Georgia, has been sentenced to serve more than 12 years in a federal prison, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Joseph Williams, aka Lex Willie, 38, of Staunton, Virginia was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Marc T. Treadwell on Tuesday, November 10 to 151 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
Williams admitted to agents that between October 7, 2018 and October 9, 2018, he directed an individual to pick up two kilograms of methamphetamine in middle Georgia. After that person was arrested with $15,800 that was to be used to purchase the two kilograms of methamphetamine, Williams himself traveled to Georgia to pick up one kilogram of methamphetamine. Investigating agents then conducted a surveillance of Williams purchasing approximately one kilo of methamphetamine from a supplier at a Byron, Georgia hotel parking lot on October 9, 2018.
“The penalty is steep for those caught trafficking methamphetamine—federal prison without parole,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the many law enforcement agencies involved in shutting down this methamphetamine supply chain.”
The case was investigated by the Byron Police Department, Peach County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Two New York Men Charged with Passing Altered Postal Money OrdersRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ANTOINE MERCHANT, age 32, and ANTHONY SMALLS, age 32, both of New York, New York, were charged today in a four-count indictment by the Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana with conspiracy to pass altered U.S. Postal money orders, passing altered U.S. Postal money orders and possessing stolen U.S. government property.
According to court records, MERCHANT and SMALLS travelled from New York to Louisiana in October of 2019 to cash stolen U.S. Postal money orders that had been altered to show amounts worth hundreds of dollars. MERCHANT and SMALLS cashed two such postal money orders, each with an altered face value of $850.00, in Kenner and Metairie, LA. When arrested, the defendants also possessed 58 U.S. Postal money orders that they had stolen from an Ascension Parish U.S. Post Office the day before.
MERCHANT and SMALLS face a sentence of up to ten years in prison on the possession charge and up to five years in prison for the Postal money order charges, up to $250,000 in fines, up to three years of supervised release and a special assessment of $100 for each count per each defendant.
U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, along with assistance from the Louisiana State Police - Criminal Investigations Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.
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Tribal Law Enforcement expert hired to coordinate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Program in WashingtonRead the Press Release
Seattle - U.S. Attorneys Brian T. Moran and William D. Hyslop are pleased to announce the selection of David J. Rogers to serve as the program coordinator of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person program for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Washington State. David Rogers has an extensive career in law enforcement as a Police Chief, consultant, trainer, lecturer, and educator.
“I am so pleased to have David fill this important role, moving our state forward in investigations of missing persons cases involving our tribal communities,” said U.S. Attorney Moran. “As an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe, with deep experience and contacts in Pacific Northwest tribal communities, he is ideally qualified to work with our tribal partners to increase safety and security in Indian Country.”
“The problem of missing persons and murders occurring within our tribal nations in Washington State and in other parts of the Country is real,” said U.S. Attorney Hyslop. “David Rogers has broad experience in Tribal law enforcement. He will be working exclusively on the issue of missing and murdered indigenous persons. I expect him to have frequent contact with Tribal leaders, law enforcement officers, and victim/witnesses within Indian Country in the State of Washington as we all work together to address this problem.”
For the past four years, David Rogers has run his own consulting firm, Tribal Public Safety Innovations LLC, involved in the training of tribal police and probation officers across the country. From 2013 to 2016, Chief Rogers served as Chief of Police for the Nez Perce Tribal Police in Lapwai, Idaho. As Tribal Police Chief, he was responsible for a 24-person department covering a 1,200 square-mile-area of jurisdiction. From 2003-2013, Chief Rogers was the Tribal Public Safety Manager at the Criminal Justice Center for Innovation at the National Criminal Justice Training Center in Wisconsin. In that role he developed and implemented training for law enforcement officers in tribal police forces across the country and served as Director of the National Indian Youth Police Academy introducing Native American youth to careers in the Criminal Justice field.
Prior to his position with the Criminal Justice Center for Innovation, Chief Rogers served as a program manager at the Western Community Policing Institute at Western Oregon University. While there, he was a key trainer on U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing programs for more than 200 tribal communities across the country. Early in his law enforcement career, Chief Rogers served on police forces in Clark County, Washington; Multnomah County, Oregon; Latah County, Idaho; and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Enforcement, Hood River, Oregon.
U.S. Attorney William Barr announced the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Person Initiative in November 2019, and the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington joined forces to hire a coordinator who could lead the initiative in all 29 tribal communities in Washington. As the MMIP coordinator, Chief Rogers will work closely with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies to develop common protocols and procedure for responding to reports of missing or murdered indigenous people. Chief Rogers will work closely with the Tribal Liaisons in both the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, as well as state and local partners, working on the issue of missing and murdered indigenous persons.
Texarkana Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Connection with Hope Area Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Texarkana, Arkansas – David Clay Fowlkes, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that on November 12, 2020, James Earl Bradford, 61, of Texarkana, Arkansas, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for Possession of Cocaine Base with Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, in the United States District Court’s Texarkana Division.
According to court records, Agents with the 8th North Drug Task Force (“DTF”) began investigating Bradford after receiving information that he was distributing narcotics in Hope, Arkansas. On April 11, 2019, Agents located and made contact with Bradford in Hope. Knowing that Bradford was on state parole, and had an active search wavier on file, the agents searched Bradford’s person and vehicle. Inside Bradford’s vehicle, Agents found multiple bags of suspected cocaine base, or “crack,” several baggies of marijuana, items drug paraphernalia and several thousand dollars in cash. Bradford later admitted, following Miranda warnings, that he had been selling crack in Hope for some time.
The bags of suspected cocaine base were taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for analysis. The crime laboratory later determined that they contained over 29 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base.
Bradford was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2019, and entered a guilty plea in November of 2019.
This case was investigated by the 8th North Drug Task Force, Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
Syracuse Resident Sentenced to Nine Years for Drug Conspiracy and DistributionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Isidro De Los Santos, age 33, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve nine years (108 months) in federal prison for his convictions for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and Chief Kenton Buckner, City of Syracuse Police Department.
As part of his previous guilty plea, De Los Santos admitted that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and cocaine from a location on Syracuse’s west side. In pleading guilty, De Los Santos admitted that on six (6) occasions between December 2018, and January 2019, he and co-conspirator Anthony Moreno sold drugs during an undercover operation conducted by ATF, DEA, and the Syracuse Police Department. On January 31, 2019, ATF Agents assisted by DEA and the Syracuse Police Department Special Investigations Division, executed a federal search warrant at Isidro De Los Santos’s residence and recovered over twenty-one ounces (608 grams) of heroin mixed with fentanyl in two packages. A federal search warrant executed at the adjacent apartment of Anthony Moreno on the same day resulted in the seizure of over 18 ounces (521grams) of cocaine. Anthony Moreno pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Isidro De Los Santos was also sentenced to serve a five (5) year term of supervised release after he is released from prison and ordered to forfeit $15,740.00. He faces separate civil proceedings in Immigration Court concerning his removal from the United States to the Dominican Republic.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Six Indicted for Bribery Scheme at Federal Prison in PetersburgRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A federal indictment was unsealed today charging six individuals with conspiracy to bribe staff members and receive bribes as staff members at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg to introduce drugs, cigarettes, and cellular telephones into the federal prison and to allow the running of an inmate gambling operation in violation of Bureau of Prison regulations.
According to the indictment, Stephen Taylor, 48, and Shanice Bullock, 28, who were employed at the prison in Petersburg, sought and received tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the conspiracy from inmate Dontay Cox, 37, and associates of Cox, including his mother, Kim Williams, 56, and girlfriend, Rameesha Smith, 36, to facilitate the introduction of the controlled substances, cigarettes, and cellular telephones.
According to the indictment, Cox worked alongside other inmates at FCI Petersburg, including fellow FCI Petersburg inmate Travian Taylor, 29, to run his contraband scheme inside the prison. FCI Petersburg inmates and their associates would then pay Williams, Smith, and another co-conspirator using a variety of methods. Stephen Taylor and Bullock were paid thousands of dollars via wire transfers from Walmart-2-Walmart.
All six defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Additionally, Stephen Taylor, Bullock, Williams, and Cox are charged with multiple counts of offering bribes to and receiving bribes by public officials. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison per count. Cox is also charged with possessing marijuana in the prison. If convicted, Cox faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the indictment was unsealed.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Simon, Jr. and Michael C. Moore are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-125.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on November 9, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Gabriel Orlando Ramirez, a/k/a “Cheech,” age 43, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Ramirez was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2019. A federal jury found him guilty on July 23, 2020.
The conviction was the result of coordinated efforts of the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. “Cheech” Ramirez had been suspected of selling large quantities of methamphetamine in Sioux Falls as early as 2017. Through surveillance of Ramirez’s residence, law enforcement officers gathered information of suspected drug purchasers. In all, Gabriel “Cheech” Ramirez sold over 40 pounds of methamphetamine in Sioux Falls before he was arrested in May 2019.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer D. Mammenga and Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Ramirez was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sex Crime Fugitive Sentenced for Passport Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Kenneth Mark Pohlmann (65, Longwood) to three years and two months in federal prison for passport fraud and identity theft. This sentence will be served consecutively to Pohlmann’s Florida state sentence for lewd act upon a child and lewd act in the presence of a child. Pohlmann was found guilty of passport fraud and identity theft after a bench trial on August 18, 2020.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, Pohlmann applied for a passport in his brother’s name in May 2000 in order to flee the United States after having failed to appear for an Orange County jury trial in June 2000 on child molestation charges. In 2006, Pohlmann renewed the false passport using his brother’s name at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica.
In 2007, Pohlmann was arrested for cocaine trafficking in Italy using his brother’s name. In 2016, the U.S. Department of State discovered Pohlmann’s fraud as a result of another renewal application.
It is unclear when Pohlmann returned to the United States, but on January 2, 2018, more than 17 years after Pohlmann failed to appear for his Orange County jury trial, special agents with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), working with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, tracked down Pohlmann at his mother’s home in Longwood, Florida. Pohlmann was then arrested on the pending child molestation charges and was later convicted of those charges.
After Pohlmann was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months for lewd act upon a child and lewd act in the presence of a child in Orange County, he was transferred to federal court to face the federal charges for passport fraud and identity theft that led to his capture.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.
Serial Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft—All Committed While on Supervised Release for a Previous Federal Fraud ConvictionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Boaz Salmon Bratton-Bey, age 37, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty late yesterday to federal bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges, as well as to committing those crimes while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction for a similar scheme.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.
According to his guilty plea, Bratton-Bey and his co-conspirators committed numerous acts of bank fraud using the stolen personal identifying information (“PII”) of individual victims, without the victims’ knowledge or permission.
Specifically, on June 5, 2019, Bratton-Bey and his co-conspirators executed an “instant credit” scheme in which a co-conspirator, Terrell Meadows, used a fictitious driver’s license bearing the image of Meadows and the personal information of an individual victim to obtain a store credit card at a home improvement store. The credit application contained the name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and other personally identifying information (PII) of a real person who did not consent to the use of his PII. The credit application was approved and a credit card with a $12,000 line of credit was issued in temporary form instantaneously. Transaction records indicate that on June 5 and June 6, 2019, the account was used to make a total of four purchases at four different store locations. The purchases totaled $5,988.14. Bratton-Bey and Meadows used a U-Haul truck to load and carry away the fraudulently obtained goods. That U-Haul truck bore an equipment number on its front bumper, which was captured by store surveillance cameras.
As detailed in the plea agreement, approximately one month later a U-Haul representative contacted Baltimore County Police to report that the U-Haul truck was stolen because Bratton-Bey had stopped paying for the truck and had not returned it. The truck was located and Baltimore County Police officers conducted a traffic stop, briefing detaining the driver, who was Bratton-Bey. From Bratton-Bey’s pocket, officers retrieved at least 14 credit cards, which featured at least 14 different names of real persons on them. Bratton-Bey’s own name was not on any of these credit cards, though officers were able to identify Bratton-Bey using his real identification, which he produced for them.
Following the seizure of those credit cards, investigators obtained bank records from financial institutions which showed that these cards had been used to commit fraudulent transactions, totaling at least $6,822.03 in actual fraud and at least $1,046.85 in attempted fraud. Additionally, these bank records and surveillance images showed that Bratton-Bey had used at least three of these cards personally for ATM withdrawals. Investigators obtained records from U-Haul regarding the rental of the truck. These records showed that Bratton-Bey had rented the truck using his real name, address, and telephone number. However, Bratton-Bey had paid for the rental of the U-Haul truck using fraudulent credit cards issued to real persons. Bratton-Bey paid a total of $4,039.91 to rent the U-Haul truck through fraudulent transfers and attempted to pay an additional $743.94 using fraudulently obtained funds from one of the credit cards issued in another real person’s name. The total loss amount from the U-Haul rental and the cards recovered from Bratton-Bey following the traffic stop was $12,652.73.
On July 25, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Bratton-Bey’s apartment. Law enforcement located counterfeit identification documents bearing photographs of Bratton-Bey and other individuals, credit/debit cards issued to individuals or entities other than Bratton-Bey, mail and financial correspondence addressed to individuals other than Bratton-Bey, and several cell phones and other electronic devices. Investigators recovered at least 12 credit/debit cards issued to individuals other than Bratton-Bey. Investigators also found Bratton-Bey’s real driver’s license, along with a fictitious driver’s license that included Bratton-Bey’s picture and his alias, “Boa Salmon” and a fictitious social security card for the “Boa Salmon” alias. The items recovered from Bratton-Bey’s apartment also included four other counterfeit identifications in the form of fictitious driver’s licenses bearing the PII of real victims, including counterfeit driver’s licenses for Pennsylvania and New York, in addition to Maryland. The total loss amount from the accounts related to the cards recovered from Bratton-Bey’s apartment was $40,222.30.
Bratton-Bey was previously convicted in U.S. District Court in Maryland for bank fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. For that case, he was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison in July 2012.
Bratton-Bey faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud conspiracy; and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for Bratton-Bey on March 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.
Terrell Meadows, age 32, of Rosedale, Maryland, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy for his role in the scheme on November 5, 2020. Judge Russell has scheduled sentencing for Meadows on March 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Baltimore County Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel A. Loveland, Jr. and Tamera Fine, who are prosecuting the case.
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St. Croix Native Who Fled After a St. Croix Traffic Stop Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Malachi Benjamin, 25, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Gretchen Shappert announced today. Benjamin remains detained on separate drug conspiracy charges. His sentencing date will occur at a later date.
According to court records, on June 14, 2018, Virgin Islands Police Department (“VIPD”) officers conducted a traffic stop in Upper Love, Frederiksted, of a vehicle operated by Glenn David with Benjamin in the front passenger seat. After the traffic stop, officers approached Benjamin to advise him that he was a person of interest in recent double homicide on St. Croix, and Benjamin responded by immediately fleeing the scene on foot.
After Benjamin fled the scene, David, the driver and owner of the vehicle, granted officers permission to search his vehicle. A forensic team of VIPD officers later recovered three pre-packaged baggies of suspected cocaine hidden inside of a Pepperidge Farm container. The suspected cocaine weighed approximately 2 ounces and was recovered from the passenger side floor of the vehicle where Benjamin had been seated. A field test of the contents of the baggies yielded a positive test result for cocaine. The forensic team also collected buccal swabs from cocaine baggies hidden inside of the Pepperidge Farm container and submitted the swabs for DNA analysis. When compared with DNA previously collected from Benjamin, a DNA laboratory confirmed that Benjamin was the source of DNA collected from the cocaine wrappings.
This case was investigated by DEA and the VIPD, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Delia L. Smith and Donna Rainwater.
Repeat Offender Charged with Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man is scheduled to make his initial appearance today after being charged with possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Stephen Tisch, 36, of Minotola, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was arrested by FBI agents today and is expected to appear by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman.
According to the indictment filed in this case and statements made in court:
A law enforcement investigation revealed that Tisch, living in Ocean County at the time, and who previously had been convicted of child pornography offenses, had distributed images of child sexual abuse over an online social media chat forum. A search of Tisch’s residence found multiple images depicting the sexual exploitation of children on Tisch’s mobile phone.
Tisch was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child/possession of child pornography in Ocean County in 2014. The charge of possession of child pornography, for a repeat offender, carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distribution of child pornography, for a repeat offender, carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents with FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., New Jersey Regional Forensics Computer Laboratory, under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Steven J. Newman, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Gasparian and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Magee Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations against the defendant are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Providence Man Arrested for Trafficking FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Providence, R.I. man was arrested and charged yesterday with firearms trafficking.
Chiweze Ihunwo, 24, previously of Randolph, was charged by criminal complaint with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. Ihunwo will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing.
According to the complaint, Ihunwo acquired numerous firearms in North Carolina and then re-sold them for a profit. In addition, Ihunwo allegedly made arrangements to sell firearms to a person who was soon thereafter arrested in connection with a June 23, 2020 shooting incident on I-95 in Providence, R.I. According to the charging, Ihunwo also made numerous social media posts referencing firearms or ammunition.
During a search of Ihunwo’s residence in Providence, an AK-style handgun and various rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The charge of dealing in firearms without a license carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Randolph Police Department, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Prince George’s County Felon Sentenced to 81 Months in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Illegal Possession of a Loaded GunRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Renaldo Solomon Hayes, age 28, of Seat Pleasant, Maryland, to 81 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Judge Hazel also entered an order requiring Hayes to forfeit $1,468 in apparent drug proceeds, the .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition seized at the time of his arrest, as well as the Cadillac sedan which he was driving at the time of his arrest.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Chief Jarod J. Towers of the Cheverly Police Department.
According to his plea agreement, on the evening of March 7, 2018, a Cheverly Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop of the black Cadillac sedan owned and being driven by Renaldo Hayes. While talking to Hayes, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After Hayes was directed to get out of the car and the officer smelled burnt marijuana coming from Hayes, the officer searched Hayes and recovered two large folds of cash from his front left pants pocket. A search of the vehicle recovered approximately 54 grams of marijuana, in two plastic bags, hidden in a makeshift secret compartment under his vehicle’s rear seat. Two officers then attempted to arrest Hayes, but Hayes tried to run away, tensing, flailing, and pushing the officers to resist until the officers had to use their Tasers. Once Hayes was under control, the search of the vehicle resumed and officers recovered a loaded .357-caliber semi-automatic pistol, with a round in the chamber and a full 10-round magazine. Hayes also had two cell phones in the vehicle. Law enforcement located text messages on the phones referring to Hayes’ distribution of marijuana, including a planned sale that evening. The cash recovered from Hayes’ pocket totaled $1,468.
Hayes admitted that he possessed the firearm and ammunition in connection with his drug trafficking. Hayes was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition based on his prior felony convictions, including two separate convictions for attempted second-degree murder. Hayes was also on parole from a prior conviction at the time of this conduct.
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. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and the Cheverly Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Wright, who prosecuted the case.
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Previously Convicted Felon who Committed Shooting Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man who is a previously convicted felon was sentenced today to 75 months in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition in connection with an incident in which he shot another individual, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Andre Shoulars, 28, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti imposed the sentence by videoconference today.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Nov. 4, 2018, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the victim was in the area of 340 Hawthorne Avenue in Newark, speaking with another individual. Shoulars approached the victim, pulled out a semiautomatic handgun, and began firing several shots at the victim. Although the victim was able to run away as Shoulars fired the handgun, the victim was hit in the foot with one .40 caliber bullet fired by Shoulars. The victim was treated at a hospital for the bullet wound.
Newark police officers responded to the scene of the shooting and recovered five .40 caliber shell casings from the street. Officers also recovered videotapes from several surveillance cameras which were stationed in the area of the shooting. These videotapes showed Shoulars walking around in the area just before the shooting, and also showed Shoulars shooting at the victim and then running away.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Shoulars to three years of supervised release.
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 .
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan W. Romankow of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
Port Saint Joe Man Convicted of Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Pensacola has convicted Clark Downs, 71, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, on one count of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The guilty verdict, reached by the jury on Thursday at the conclusion of a 3-day trial, was announced today by Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Child exploitation is horrendous and affects the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “We will continue working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect our children from abuse by investigating and prosecuting criminals like Downs.”
In November 2014, Downs intentionally coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. In April 2018, Downs was found to be in possession of material containing child pornography.
“The teamwork approach from all law enforcement agencies involved led to the successful conclusion of this case,” said Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison. “I am proud of their hard work and dedication.”
Downs’ sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 28, 2021, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.
“I commend the fervent efforts of our members and our law enforcement partners in working to protect Floridians, especially the most innocent and vulnerable among us,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Pensacola Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “Let this serve as a warning to those who would exploit and abuse children in our state: we will be relentless in bringing you to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Spaven and Aine Ahmed.
“The crimes this child predator has committed cannot be undone,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “We hope this guilty verdict provides another step in recovery for his victim.”
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Press Release - U.S. v. DownsPoinciana Woman Indicted for Making False Statements to the Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Isis Baldwin (38, Poinciana) with three counts of making a false statement to a federal agency. If convicted, Baldwin faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count.
According to the indictment, Baldwin made false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in relation to her daughter’s receipt of Supplemental Security Income. Specifically, Baldwin made material misrepresentations regarding her daughter’s living arrangements during an interview with an SSA employee. Baldwin subsequently submitted a statement to SSA in which she falsely represented that her daughter had moved to a different address. Baldwin also provided a falsified lease agreement in support of her false claim regarding her daughter’s new living arrangements.
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 Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
Parolee Who Allegedly Stole Humvee from Army Reserve Facility in Upland Charged in Federal Court with Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Pomona man who allegedly went to an Army Reserve Center in Upland, drove away with a military Humvee worth more than $200,000, and briefly led police on a chase through residential streets in Pomona was charged today in federal court with theft of United States government property.
Armando Garcia, 29, who is currently on parole after being convicted last year in state court on theft and burglary charges, was named today in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. Garcia, who was taken into state custody following the police chase on Monday, is expected to be turned over to the federal authorities later this month.
The complaint alleges that Garcia stole a militarized High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle – commonly known as a Humvee – midday on Monday. Soon after Garcia drove off with the semi-armored combat vehicle with a turret mount, Pomona Police officers saw the Humvee and attempted to make a traffic stop of the unlicensed vehicle, according to the complaint.
“During the pursuit, which lasted approximately four minutes, the Humvee traveled at excessive speeds, drove on the wrong side of the street (in the direction of oncoming traffic), failed to stop at multiple red lights and stops signs, and failed to signal for turns,” according to an affidavit filed with the complaint. Garcia stopped the Humvee in front of a residence on East Kingsley Avenue in Pomona, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Inside the Humvee, police found a large pair of bolt cutters and an Army-approved padlock that appeared to have been cut, according to the complaint, which notes the padlock had secured a steel wire put in place to prevent the turning of the steering wheel inside the vehicle.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Garcia would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force. The Pomona Police Department is the sponsoring agency of the Task Force and has hosted the task force since its inception in 2008.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Har of the General Crimes Section.
Owner of Durable Medical Equipment Companies Admits Role in $16 Million Dollar Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The owner of a group of related durable medical equipment (DME) companies today admitted his role in a conspiracy to pay kickbacks in exchange for durable medical equipment, Attorney for the United States Rachael A. Honig announced.
Albert Davydov, 28, of Rego Park, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an indictment charging him with conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback statute.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Davydov, the owner of nine DME companies, participated in a scheme to pay kickbacks in exchange for doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary orthotic braces. Once Davydov and his conspirators received the completed doctor’s orders, they billed Medicare and other federal and private health care benefit programs for the braces. Davydov concealed his ownership of the DME companies by falsely reporting to Medicare that various straw owners owned the companies.
As part of his plea agreement, Davydov agreed that the improper benefit conferred was over $16 million for the charged conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback statute. The conspiracy charge to which Davydov pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross grain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2021.
Attorney for the United States Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri with the investigation leading to today’s plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Stephen Ferketic of the Opioid Abuse Prevention & Enforcement Unit.
Oshkosh Resident, Stopped by Operation Kick Boxer, Sentenced for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 12, 2020, Martin E. McKeever (age: 51) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach for distribution of child pornography.
According to court records, McKeever, a longtime youth hockey and lacrosse coach, possessed and distributed numerous digital images and videos of child pornography. McKeever’s indictment and subsequent conviction were part of Operation Kick Boxer, a collaborative effort involving the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. (https://go.usa.gov/xfPHh).
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charge and the need for just punishment. Following his release from prison, McKeever will spend five years on supervised release. McKeever also will be required to register as a sexual offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee and Green Bay Offices, as well as the Manitowoc and Winnebago County Sheriffs’ Offices. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales
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O'Fallon Man Charged with Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Dwayne E. Robinson, of O’Fallon, Illinois, has been charged with sexually exploiting a minor and possession of prepubescent child pornography. The 57-year old was arraigned on the two-count indictment late last month. According to the indictment, on July 26, 2018, Robinson (also known as
“Rob”) employed, used, persuaded, induced, and enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct so that he could produce a visual depiction of that conduct. The indictment further alleges that, on June 10, 2020, Robinson knowingly possessed a device that contained prepubescent child pornography. Robinson is also facing state charges related to these offenses.An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted of sexual exploiting a minor, Robinson faces 15-30 years imprisonment. Possession of prepubescent child pornography is punishable by as much as 20 years imprisonment. Both charges carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a possible lifetime term of supervised release. Trial is presently scheduled for Dec. 28, 2020, in East St. Louis.
Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been victimized by Mr. Robinson is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Nick Schmidt with the O’Fallon Police Department by calling (618)
624-9542.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May
2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”The case was investigated by the O’Fallon Police Department and the United States Secret Service
Central and Southern Illinois Financial and Cybercrimes Task Force, with assistance from the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.Nitro Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that Michael LeRose, 32, of Nitro, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
LeRose previously pled guilty and admitted that on June 9, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on his residence. Inside they recovered a .22 caliber rifle, a 5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle, two 9mm handguns, two AM-15 rifle receivers, and a full auto conversion kit for a semi-automatic rifle. They also recovered assorted ammunition, a homemade silencer, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. A tactical vest also was found in a separate search of his car. LeRose acknowledged that his addiction to drugs prohibited him from possessing firearms, as he was a user of multiple illegal narcotics.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.
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 (ATF) when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00097.
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Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Victims Using Online ScamsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Nigerian national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with defrauding victims using various online scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Esogie Osawaru, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2021. Osawaru was arrested in June 2020 along with a co-defendant, Nosayamen Iyalekhue.
Osawaru and, allegedly, Iyalekhue participated in a series of romance, pandemic unemployment insurance, and other online scams designed to defraud victims by convincing them to send money to accounts controlled by the defendants. To carry out the scams, the defendants allegedly used false foreign passports in the names of others, but with their photos, to open numerous bank accounts, and in turn directed the victims to send money to these accounts. Osawaru and, allegedly, Iyalekhue then rapidly withdrew the victims’ money from various bank branches and ATMs, often multiple times during a single day. It is alleged that the schemes included collecting unemployment insurance in the name of others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. The defendant is also subject to deportation proceedings. 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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New York Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Woodsburgh, New York, businessman pleaded guilty today to tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Irwin Jacobs, 68, was a 50 percent owner of J K Apparel Sales Co. Inc. and S&I Sales Co. Inc., which collectively operated out of New York, New York. Jacobs also held an ownership interest in Prestige Global Co. Ltd., a Taiwanese company. J K Apparel was the exclusive representative for Prestige Global in the United States.
Between 2006 and 2014, Jacobs received income from these businesses that he did not report to the IRS on his tax returns. Jacobs directed Prestige Global to wire more than $4.4 million to third parties to pay personal expenses for himself and members of his family, including travel, non-business-related legal bills, expenses associated with his personal residence, and personal credit card bills. During the years 2010 through 2014, Jacobs also used an S&I Sales credit card to pay more than $200,000 in personal expenses, including leisure travel for himself and his family, medical and dental bills, non-business legal fees, and household expenses.
Jacobs admitted that his failure to report this additional income caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $1.3 million.
U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen set sentencing for April 7, 2021. Jacobs faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, as well as supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind and Kathryn Sparks 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.
New Jersey Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Toscano Among Those Honored by the 68th Annual Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Attorney General William P. Barr has announced the recipients for the 68th Annual Attorney General’s Awards, recognizing Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws.
Among the honorees this year is Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Toscano, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey (USAO-DNJ). AUSA Toscano is one of 240 DOJ employees who received awards, while 27 non-department individuals are also being honored for their work. This year, due to coronavirus restrictions, Attorney General Barr is honoring recipients virtually.
“I am honored to recognize the recipients of this year’s Attorney General’s Awards, whose tireless work and steadfast dedication have proven critical to enforcing the rule of law and protecting all Americans,” Attorney General Barr said. “Those honored today have demonstrated exceptional efforts and made tremendous personal sacrifices throughout their time working at the Department of Justice, and for that, I am truly thankful.”
AUSA Toscano was one of two winners of the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management, which recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements that have significantly improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs.
In August 2017, the USAO-DNJ initiated a Violent Crime Initiative for the City of Newark in light of a serious and still-developing violent crime problem. AUSA Toscano, then the Chief of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit, was assigned to get the VCI off the ground and manage and supervise it. She rapidly put together a federal, state and local partnership led by herself; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office; Newark’s Department of Public Safety; and the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Drug Enforcement Administration, with the goal of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate, share intelligence, and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community.
AUSA Toscano has led the Newark VCI for over three years, during which Newark has seen a sharp decrease in overall crime and violent crime. Between 2017 and 2018, Newark saw a 30 percent reduction in the number of shooting victim. In 2019, the number of shooting victims and shooting incidents declined another 39 percent compared to 2018. In that same year, the number of murders in Newark reached its lowest level in nearly six decades.
“These successes simply would not have been possible without Ms. Toscano’s close management and careful direction,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. “The Newark VCI has not only improved community safety, but has strengthened the relationships among federal, state, county and city agencies. As a result of the trust developed among the participants, the Newark VCI has enjoyed not only success with respect to reducing violence, but also in improving relationships among the various stakeholders. Ms. Toscano’s management is key to this success as well.”
For her work on the Newark VCI, AUSA Toscano was honored in October 2019 with a Proclamation from the City of Newark, recognizing her considerable contributions to public safety in Newark. Mayor Ras Baraka’s proclamation stated that the VCI “has had a dramatic impact on crime in Newark,” and credited AUSA Toscano for her work “to make Newark a safer, more empowered, and more equitable City.”
In 2018, U.S. Attorney Carpenito asked Ms. Toscano to stand up a second VCI, this one focusing on Jersey City, New Jersey, which operates in much the same fashion. Ms. Toscano has managed and supervised both VCIs concurrently for over a year – in addition to her other duties as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. The results in Jersey City have been equally dramatic. Violent crime was down 30 percent in Jersey City in 2019, compared to 2018. The goal of the Mayor of Jersey City entering 2019 had been to obtain a 10 percent reduction; the VCI helped far exceed this goal.
AUSA Toscano has been a key advisor in helping her colleagues to establish more recent VCIs in Trenton, Camden, and Paterson, New Jersey. She has trained local police departments in these cities on the operation of the VCI model and has been invaluable as a resource to the AUSAs who are getting these VCIs off the ground. Her management has been critical to the USAO-DNJ’s efforts to combat violent crime across the entire State of New Jersey.
AUSA Toscano joined the DOJ in 2007 through the DOJ Honors Program, as a Trial Attorney in the Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Section. She first joined the USAO-DNJ as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, before being hired as an AUSA in 2012. She was promoted to Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Unit in 2015; became the Chief of that Unit in 2016; and later became the Chief of the OC/Gangs Unit. She has served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division since March 2018. In that capacity, she supervises the OCDETF/Narcotics, OC/Gangs, and Violent Crimes Units, in addition to managing the VCIs in Newark and Jersey City.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
NDTX Round-Up: November 6-12Read the Press Release
GUILTY PLEA – ENRIQUE BACA-TORRES
On November 10, Enrique Baca-Torres, 39, plead guilty to aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Undercover officers met with Baca-Torres and another coconspirator at Dallas gas station. Baca-Torres and the coconspirator loaded a speaker that contained approximately 13 kilograms of methamphetamine into their vehicle. As Baca-Torres departed the gas station, he was stopped by Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for a traffic violation. A law enforcement canine detected the drugs located in the vehicle. Baca-Torres faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his crimes. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Jones is prosecuting this case.
SENTENCING – MICHAEL ALLEN GIBBS
On November 12, Michael Allen Gibbs was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. During a post-arrest interview, Gibbs admitted to purchasing heroin from two individuals with the intention of distribution. Gibbs also was in possession of three handguns and multiple rounds of ammunition. This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl.
SENTENCING – MACLEAN MAFO
On October 22, Maclean Mafo, 41, was sentenced to 98 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,999,083 in restitution for wire fraud. Mafo devised a scheme to defraud the IRS and obtain money by fraudulent means. He unlawfully obtained personal identification information of U.S. taxpayers including names addresses and Social Security numbers. Mafo used the stolen taxpayer identification information to electronically file bogus individual IRS tax returns. He opened bank debit accounts to receive the fraudulently tax refunds and converted them to use for himself and others. This case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Bunch prosecuted this case.
SENTENCING – RAMON COSCOLLUELA
On October 8, Ramon Coscolluela, 42, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution for laundering of monetary instruments. Coscolluela met with an undercover officer in September 2017 at a purported investment office. The undercover officer explained that he had a large sum of cash which originated from cocaine sales that needed to be cleaned. In a subsequent meeting, Coscolluela agreed that, for a fee, he would disguise the source the drug sales through different monetary instruments and eventually return the drug proceeds back to the undercover officer. Over the course of the conspiracy, Coscolluela delivered six monetary instruments totaling $188,600. This case was investigated by IRS – Criminal Investigations and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney John De La Garza prosecuted this case.
Monongalia County man admits to his role in a drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Larry Bruce Heaster, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Heaster, 55, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Base.” Heaster admitted to working with others to distribute the drugs from March 2018 to September 2020 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.
Heaster faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Related press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/seventeen-people-charged-heroin-and-crack-cocaine-distribution-operation
Milledgeville Probationer Sentenced to Prison for Crack Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A Milledgeville, Georgia probationer who admitted possessing 445 grams of crack cocaine and cocaine was sentenced to federal prison for distributing the illegal drugs, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Yves Blake, 37, of Milledgeville, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. (Tripp) Self on Thursday, November 12 to 125 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. There is no parole in the federal system.
On July 19, 2017, law enforcement officers with the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant for a suspect at 150 North Jackson Street in Milledgeville, the suspect’s last known address. Blake, the caretaker of the home, consented to a search for the individual and agents saw, in plain view, illegal drugs, including crack cocaine. Blake was arrested and agents found more crack cocaine on his person. Blake told agents he had a significant amount of crack cocaine that he obtained from a source in Atlanta. Agents also found a stolen firearm, which Blake admitted he had obtained in Atlanta. According to the DEA crime lab, Blake possessed approximately 360 grams of crack cocaine and 85.65 grams of cocaine, which Blake admitted was his and that he intended to distribute. Blake was previously convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was on probation when he was arrested.
“Repeat offenders face significant federal prison sentences, without parole, for choosing to continue their criminal behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and our local and federal partners for their work in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts prosecuted the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Miami Man Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison for Plotting to Kill Federal Judge and Federal ProsecutorRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom has sentenced Matthew Alexander King (23, Miami) to 20 years in federal prison for retaliation against a federal judge and solicitation to commit murder.
King had pleaded guilty to these charges on February 10, 2020.
According to court documents, King conspired to kill a U.S. District Judge and a federal prosecutor in Miami who previously handled a 2018 case where King was found guilty of murder-for-hire. In the previous case, King was prosecuted by an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida for hiring a hit-man to kill several family members of his estranged wife. Following a conviction in that case, the federal judge sentenced King to 97 months in federal prison.
Unhappy with the outcome, King then attempted to hire another hitman to kill the judge, the prosecutor, and six others. King also offered money to the hitman to murder the FBI agent who had investigated his case, a witness who had cooperated with authorities, his defense counsel, and the same three family members of his estranged wife whom he initially tried to have killed. Unbeknownst to King, the person he attempted to hire for the murders was actually an FBI undercover agent posing as a hitman. King unwittingly shared his plans with the agent while being secretly recorded on video.
Judge Bloom ordered King’s sentence to run consecutive to the previous 97 months’ sentence that he is currently serving.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S Marshals Service. In light of the fact that one of the alleged victims was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, this prosecution was transferred to the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Manhattan Investment Fund Manager Convicted of Securities Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Investment Adviser Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DONALD LAGUARDIA was convicted yesterday following a five-day jury trial before the Honorable Lewis A. Kaplan. As the jury found, between 2013 and 2016, LAGUARDIA, the chief executive officer and co-founder of a New York-based investment firm, L-R Managers, LLC, lied to investors and misappropriated money from investment funds managed by LAGUARDIA through L-R Managers. The jury convicted LAGUARDIA of three counts: securities fraud, investment adviser fraud, and wire fraud.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As a jury unanimously determined, Donald LaGuardia lied to investors about how their invested money would be utilized, failing to disclose that much of it would be spent on business and personal expenses. Further, LaGuardia continued to lie in soliciting additional investors even after he was well aware his company was in financial distress. Now he awaits sentencing for his crimes.”
According to the Indictment, evidence presented during the trial, court documents, and statements in open court:
From in or about 2013 through in or about 2017, LAGUARDIA solicited millions of dollars from investors for the LR Global Frontier Master Fund and two related feeder funds (collectively, the “Frontier Funds”), which had a stated focus on investments in “frontier” markets in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Contrary to LAGUARDIA’s representations, and in breach of his duties to investors in the Frontier Funds, LAGUARDIA misappropriated more than $1.2 million in investors’ money to finance L-R Managers’ payroll, rent for its office space on Park Avenue in Manhattan, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges on the firm’s credit card, among other unauthorized expenses. At least $191,000 of the misappropriated money went directly to, or for the benefit of, LAGUARDIA personally.
In one example, in 2013, LAGUARDIA solicited an $800,000 investment in the Frontier Funds from an investor (“Investor-1”). Upon receipt of Investor-1’s money, an L-R Managers employee sent an email to LAGUARDIA and another person asking for approval to forward the $800,000 to the Frontier Funds. LAGUARDIA responded, “Dont [sic] wire anything yet!” LAGUARDIA then caused approximately $390,000 of Investor-1’s investment never to be transmitted to the Frontier Funds, but instead to be used to pay himself approximately $52,000 and for various other personal and business expenses.
By September 2015, L-R Managers faced substantial financial difficulties. On September 1, 2015, an L-R Managers principal sent an email to LAGUARDIA and others at the firm stating that it would be “ethically troubling to accept money into the [Frontier Funds] when [L-R Managers] can no longer support . . . payroll and mission critical services.” Nevertheless, just a few days later, a new investor solicited by LAGUARDIA (“Investor-2”) made a $2 million investment into the Frontier Funds. Prior to this investment, LAGUARDIA concealed his firm’s near insolvency from Investor-2 and did not disclose that the Frontier Funds had been paying substantial expenses for L-R Managers, contrary to the representations in the funds’ offering documents. LAGUARDIA then proceeded, over the course of several months, to use a substantial portion of Investor-2’s investment in the Frontier Funds to continue paying himself and subsidizing his firm’s business expenses.
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LAGUARDIA, 53, of Lavallette, New Jersey, was convicted at trial of one count of securities fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of investment adviser fraud. LAGUARDIA faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the securities and wire fraud counts and a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the investment adviser fraud count. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence imposed upon LAGUARDIA will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Ms. Strauss also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission, which previously brought a related civil action against LAGUARDIA.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Nicholas, Elisha Kobre, Margaret Graham, and Daniel Loss are in charge of the prosecution.
Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Fraud Involving Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Ashburn man was sentenced today to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal initiative designed to help businesses pay their employees and meet their basic expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During a time of national crisis, the federal government set aside money to help struggling businesses pay their hardworking employees and keep their doors open,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Tarik Jaafar planned and executed a scheme to steal money from this essential program. This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make sure that federal economic assistance provides relief for beleaguered businesses and not profits for devious criminals.”
According to court documents, Jaafar, 43, conspired with his wife, Monika Magdalena Jaworska, to create four shell companies. These companies conducted no legitimate business and existed solely as a means to execute the scheme to defraud. From April 13 to May 6, Jaafar and Jaworska applied for 18 separate PPP loans in the names of the four shell companies valued at approximately $6.6 million, falsely claiming, among other things, that the businesses had employees and they needed the loans to pay their employees’ salaries. Jaafar and Jaworska fraudulently induced banks to distribute approximately $1.4 million in loans which they intended to use for their personal benefit.
“The Paycheck Protection Program was developed to aide small businesses during these challenging times,” said Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Inspector General of the Small Business Administration. “Our office will remain relentless in the pursuit of bad actors who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
On June 20, Jaafar and Jaworska were arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as they attempted to flee to Poland. The majority of the funds were recovered by the banks and by law enforcement. On August 25, Jaafar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
“As we’ve seen in the aftermath of many disasters and crises, criminals will exploit any opportunity to take advantage of programs intended to help businesses and individuals confronted with hardship,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “In this instance, funds intended to alleviate the effects of the ongoing pandemic were illicitly converted to personal use. Today's sentencing demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and its partners to combatting fraudulent activity. The FBI will continue to investigate allegations of those who attempt to defraud the government and take money away from those who are in legitimate need.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar and William Fitzpatrick 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. 1:20-cr-185.
Man Charged with Offering to ‘Break’ Sex Trafficking VictimRead the Press Release
A 37-year-old man who volunteered to torture a sex trafficking victim for money has been charged with human trafficking crimes, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Billie Joe Sanford, of Eustace, Texas, was charged via criminal complaint on Friday, Nov. 6 with attempting to aid and abet sex trafficking. He made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David Horan on Monday, Nov. 9.
Today, a federal magistrate judge ordered Mr. Sanford released on conditions pending trial. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has vowed to vigorously appeal that decision. The Defendant will be held in custody pending the filing of the appeal.
“I shudder to think what could have happened had the ‘victim’ in this case been a vulnerable woman, rather than an undercover agent. The North Texas Trafficking Task Force, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is dedicated to stopping this sort of brutality in all its many forms,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “Allowing this defendant back into the community is unacceptable to us and we will do everything we can to keep him off the streets until we can bring him to justice.”
“Human trafficking is one of the most despicable crimes against humanity that HSI investigates. The vicious criminals that often manipulate or force their victims into unspeakable situations for profit will pay a price of their own,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Dallas. “We will use every resource available with our law-enforcement partners to identify and hold responsible anyone who thinks this behavior is worth the risk. Eradicating human trafficking and protecting the victims is one of HSI’s top priorities.”
According to the complaint, Mr. Sanford, using the screenname“MasterBill75751,” responded to an online advertisement for a sex trafficking victim who “needs breaking.” Unbeknownst to the defendant, the ad had been posted by an undercover agent.
“I am willing to help break her into a proper slave,” Mr. Sanford wrote on Oct. 9.
In subsequent messages, he asked for $5,000 a week to brutalize the victim, demanding “complete privacy” without neighbors nearby.
On Oct. 29, Mr. Sanford and the undercover agent met in person in Plano, TX.
Posing as the head of a sizable human trafficking ring, the agent told Mr. Sanford he planned to “make a fortune” pimping out the victim, but was concerned by her refusal to engage in commercial sex and her repeated attempts at escape. He stated he had resorted to handcuffing the victim and locking her in a bathroom.
In response, Mr. Sanford bragged that he had “broken” trafficking victims previously and outlined the methods of torture he planned to use: flogging, caging, shock therapy, blaring heavy metal music, whips, and black-out contacts. He explained that while he understood how to cause “excruciating pain,” he would not leave any scars that would affect the victim’s later sale.
“You want someone that when it’s done, if she gets just a smidgen out of line, then you can say, ‘hey, I’m going to call him back,’” he told the agent. “You want her to believe that whenever she leaves her job, if she does not report back to you, she is going back to Bill… I just make sure they understand they never want to experience this again.”
A week later, on Nov. 5, Mr. Sanford and the agent met again in Irving, TX. Mr. Sanford agreed to follow the agent to a nearby location, where a second undercover agent, posing as the victim, sat restrained in the back seat of a vehicle. When he arrived, Mr. Sanford unloaded a suitcase and bag containing leather restraints, flogs, spurs, and other equipment.
In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, the defendant said he’d been living the “kink” lifestyle for several years. Asked about the victim he’d offered to break, Mr. Sanford stated he was hard up for money and simply wanted to “help her enjoy life.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Sanford is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he faces up to life in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Investigator, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Colleyville Police Department, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebekah Ricketts and Andrew Briggs are prosecuting the case.
Local U.S. Department of Justice Employees Receive Attorney General Award for Distinguished Contributions to Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams congratulates District of Oregon Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Cardani and Scott Kerin, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Guy Gino, who were honored by United States Attorney General William P. Barr for their exemplary service. The awards were announced on November 12, 2020.
The Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. This year, 240 DOJ employees received awards, while 27 non-department individuals were also honored for their work.
AUSA Chris Cardani was recognized for his work to recover more than 1 Billion dollars’ worth of assets misappropriated from the Malaysian government through civil forfeiture actions. AUSA Scott Kerin and HSI Special Agent Guy Gino were recognized for their work on Operation Deadly Merchant/Operation Denial, a sophisticated Dark Net synthetic opioid drug ring operating in the United States, Canada, and China.
“I am honored to recognize the recipients of this year’s Attorney General’s Awards, whose tireless work and steadfast dedication have proven critical to enforcing the rule of law and protecting all Americans,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Those honored today have demonstrated exceptional efforts and made tremendous personal sacrifices throughout their time working at the Department of Justice, and for that, I am truly thankful.”
“The recognition of these local DOJ employees is well-deserved” said Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Their work represents the highest ideals of public service, partnership and dedication to public safety. Congratulations Chris, Scott and Guy!”
Local Basketball Coach Charged in Federal Court with Defrauding Covid-19 Relief Program out of Almost $1 MillionRead the Press Release
Miami, Fl. -- A Florida man, recently named one of Florida’s high school basketball coaches of the year, was arrested and charged with fraudulently obtaining $984,710 in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General (OIG), and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
Terrence Deshun Williams, 40, of Tamarac, Florida, was charged by criminal complaint in the Southern District of Florida with one count of bank fraud, one count of money laundering, one count of engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds, and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
The complaint alleges that Williams, the head coach of the boys’ varsity basketball team at a Fort Lauderdale high school, applied for and received $984,710 in a PPP loan from an insured financial institution on behalf of Williams Consulting Group LLC, a company Williams owned. The complaint alleges that although Williams claimed the company had 67 employees and an average monthly payroll of $393,884.00, the company in fact paid no such payroll and did not have any recorded employees with the State of Florida. The complaint alleges that after receiving the loan proceeds, instead of using the money for an approved purpose, Williams laundered the vast majority by transferring the proceeds to several accounts he controlled at a different financial institution. The complaint also alleges that Williams received into his company’s bank account Florida Unemployment Insurance benefits.
Williams is scheduled for an initial appearance today at 11:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow, who sits in Ft. Lauderdale.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted March 29, 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commends FDIC-OIG and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli S. Rubin of the Southern District of Florida is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
You may find related court documents and information on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 20-mj-6580.
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Last of 8 sentenced in Sandusky area drug trafficking operationRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that the final member of a drug trafficking organization operating primarily in the city of Sandusky was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary sentenced Patrick Brown, age 39, of Sandusky to 14 years imprisonment after Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
Brown and seven other defendants were charged in a 17-count indictment on June 26, 2019, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and one defendant, Darrius Martin, as a felon in possession of ammunition.
“This group of men will now face serious time behind bars for thinking they could bring deadly opioids and cocaine into Sandusky and make a quick profit,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Drug trafficking organizations like this one believe they can operate in communities like Sandusky and go undetected. Let these sentences show that this is not the case. If you traffic drugs in communities like Sandusky and elsewhere in the Northern District, you will be arrested and will serve time in prison.”
“This sentence should serve as a message to drug dealers that they will be held accountable for their crimes,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin.
“I would like to thank DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their cooperation and collaboration in making the city of Sandusky a safer place for our citizens,” said retired city of Sandusky Police Chief John Orzech.
Previously sentenced in this matter were:
- Siron Mills, age 42, of Sandusky. Mills was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and eight years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Gregory Boswell, age 45, of Cleveland. Boswell was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and eight years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Daryl Castile, age 50, of Sandusky. Castile was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and eight years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Timothy Johnson, age 41, of Sandusky. Johnson was sentenced to five years imprisonment and five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Jon Lippert, age 39, of Sandusky. Lippert was sentenced to three years imprisonment and five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Darrius Martin, age 28, of Sandusky. Martin was sentenced to six years imprisonment and five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances and felon in possession of ammunition.
- Eugene Nicholson, age 50, of Sandusky. Nicholson was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and eight years supervised release after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
From April 2017 through June 2019, Patrick Brown and the other named co-conspirators obtained large quantities of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine from various suppliers outside the city and worked together to distribute the drugs throughout the Sandusky area.
Siron Mills would obtain heroin from Daryl Castile and cocaine from suppliers in Columbus. Brown would then obtain his cocaine from Mills and Gregory Boswell. After securing their narcotics, members of the drug trafficking organization would work together, often using cell phones registered to fictitious names to conduct their activity. The organization used various residences and vehicles in the Sandusky and Cleveland areas to store, break down, package and distribute their drugs.
As a result of these charges, nearly $40,000 in cash, several firearms and ammunition were forfeited.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sandusky Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Ashley A. Futrell. Assistant United States Attorney James Morford assisted with the forfeiture.
Las Vegas Resident Who Discussed Setting Fire to A Synagogue with A White Supremacist Extremist Group Sentenced for Possession of Bomb-Making ComponentsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas resident who discussed setting fire to a synagogue with a white supremacist extremist group was sentenced today to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI.
“Our office is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and stop potential bias-motivated violence before it happens,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich. “Here, law enforcement in Nevada identified the defendant’s threats of violence — which were motivated by hate and intended to intimidate our faith-based and LGBTQ communities — and took swift action to protect our communities and ensure justice.”
“The primary mission of the FBI is to protect the American public from a terrorist attack,” said Special Agent in Charge Rouse. “The FBI’s Las Vegas Joint Terrorism Task Force is committed to protecting our community and I could not be more proud of the proactive work they did in this case. This is a great example of the best result in law enforcement by stopping violence before it can start.”
Conor Climo, 24, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan. Climo previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm — specifically, the component parts of a destructive device. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the Court ordered special conditions of supervised release, including mental health treatment and computer monitoring.
According to court documents, Climo communicated with individuals who identified with the white supremacist extremist group Feuerkrieg Division, which is an offshoot of the U.S.-based white supremacist extremist group Atomwaffen Division. Feuerkrieg Division members share a common goal of challenging laws, social order, and the government via terrorism and other violent acts. The organization encourages attacks on the federal government, critical infrastructure, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
As part of his guilty plea, Climo admitted that, during online conversations with Feuerkrieg Division members between May 2019 and July 15, 2019, he discussed setting fire to a Las Vegas synagogue, and making Molotov cocktails and improvised explosive devices. Climo further admitted that he discussed plans to attack the Anti-Defamation League. In addition, Climo conducted surveillance on a bar in Las Vegas that he believed catered to the LGBTQ community in preparation for a potential attack.
On August 8, 2019, the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) executed a search warrant at Climo’s residence. During the search, law enforcement located components that could be readily assembled into a destructive device, strong oxidizing agents that can be used as fuels, and numerous hand drawn schematics to construct improvised explosive devices. Law enforcement also seized an AR-15 rifle and a bolt-action rifle from Climo’s bedroom.
The Department of Justice is committed to combating acts of violence motivated by hatred or bias, such as anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ acts, on multiple fronts and in a multi-faceted approach, using both criminal and civil statutes. Acts of violence motivated by hatred or bias violate the personal security of individuals, threaten the freedom of communities to pursue their faiths and ways of life, and disregard the common ties that bind our nation together.
This case was investigated by the JTTF, which includes law enforcement partners from local, state, and federal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson of the District of Nevada prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the National Security Division.
This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Disruption and Early Engagement Programs (DEEP), a national strategy to disrupt potential mass shootings and other rapidly mobilizing threats and the need to implement timely, effective and efficient responses.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Straw Purchasing Ten RiflesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for making a straw purchase of ten FN M249S 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifles, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. The FN M249S rifle is a semi-automatic version of the FN M249 SAW machine gun used by the U.S. military.
Ethan Erhardt, 37, previously pleaded guilty to one count of illegal acquisition of a firearm. U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan presided over the hearing.
According to court documents, on February 16, 2019, Erhardt straw purchased firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Henderson, Nevada, on behalf of another individual. Erhardt bought ten FN M249S 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifles for approximately $88,000.00, using money provided by the other individual. At the time of purchase, Erhardt completed an ATF form representing that he was the actual buyer of the firearms — despite knowing that the rifles would actually be provided to the other individual, who in turn would then provide those firearms to a third party.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Clarkson prosecuted the case.
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 ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
For more information about Project Guardian, visit https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan.
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Jury Convicts Man of Receiving and Possessing Images of Child Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Virginia Beach man today on charges of receiving and possessing images of child sexual abuse.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in July 2018, the FBI executed a search warrant at the residence of Bradley Jeffrey-Moe, 28, after an online undercover operation identified Moe as having made available dozens of images of child sexual abuse for download over various peer-to-peer networks. During the search, the FBI discovered five electronic devices which contained thousands of images of child sexual abuse, as well as digital records reflecting the use of peer-to-peer software to search for and download such images. When questioned by the FBI, Moe waived his rights and confessed that he had downloaded and viewed the images.
Jeffrey-Moe is scheduled to be sentenced on March 25, 2021. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Karl Schumann, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Mozzi and Michael Gill are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-165.
Judge Sentences St. Louis Man Who Tried Taking Officer's Weapon During Arrest AttemptRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Darryl Maxie to 60 months in prison today. The 45-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty on August 5, 2020 to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On July 17, 2019, officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were investigating an assault in the 4000 block of Labadie. The victim identified Maxie as the shooter.
On July 30, 2019, officers were aware Maxie was wanted for the assault and learned he was in the 2200 block of Newstead. At that location, officers spotted Maxie who started running after he saw the officers. During the pursuit, Maxie tossed a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and continued to run. After an officer tackled Maxie, a struggle ensued during which Maxie attempted to gain control of the officer’s firearm. After several minutes, officers were finally able to take Maxie into custody. Maxie told officers he carried the semi-automatic pistol every day.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.