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12 November 2020
Getaway Driver Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Federal Prison on Charges Related to Two 2019 Bank Robberies in BaltimoreRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Richard Adams, age 60, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 90 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection with armed bank robberies committed in Baltimore on January 23 and February 1, 2019.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to Adams’ guilty plea, he served as the getaway driver in connection with two armed bank robberies committed by his two co-defendants, Richard Tingler and David Gollahon. On January 23, 2019, Adams drove Tingler and Gollahon to a bank in the 3600 block of Boston Street in Baltimore, in a car he had rented two weeks earlier. The robbers were each armed and wore masks and gloves when they entered the bank. The robbers told everyone to put their hands up. Tingler approached the victim teller, pointed his firearm at her, and demanded $100 dollar bills and “loose bills” from the bottom drawer of the till. Meanwhile, Gollahon held the customers and other bank employees at gunpoint in the lobby area of the bank. The victim teller handed over the cash and the robbers ran away. As they ran through a parking lot adjacent to the bank, they accidentally dropped more than $5,000 in cash. They then got into the gray car driven by Adams, who had been waiting for them, and Adams drove them away from the area.
On February 1, 2019, Adams drove his co-defendants to a bank located in the 2900 block of O’Donnell Street in Baltimore, in a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo that was registered to Adams. Tingler and Gollahon entered the bank armed with the same firearms they had used in the previous robbery and again wore masks and gloves to conceal their identities. The robbers pointed their firearms at the tellers and demanded money. After the tellers handed over cash from the till, the robbers demanded more cash. The tellers provided the robbers with cash from the bank’s vault and included a GPS tracker, which was activated. The robbers fled the bank and got into Adams’ car and Adams drove them away from the bank.
Baltimore Police Department (BPD) units responding to the robbery were provided with the GPS tracking information and located the vehicle with Adams and his co-defendants inside. All three were arrested. At the time of their arrests, Gollahon had the gun used in the robbery on his person. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered the second firearm used by Tingler in both robberies, and a blue backpack containing the cash stolen during the robbery and the GPS tracking device. Later that day, a search was executed at Adams’ residence which recovered clothing and a leather duffel bag used during the first robbery.
Adams’ co-defendants, Richard Tingler, age 56, and David Gollahon, age 59, both of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the federal charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. If the court accepts their guilty pleas, Gollahon is expected to be sentenced to between 12 and 15 years in federal prison and Tingler is expected to be sentenced to up to 18 years in federal prison. Judge Chasanow has scheduled Gollahon’s sentencing for December 10, 2020, and set Tingler’s sentencing for January 19, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. All three defendants remain detained.
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 commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the case.
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Former Massachusetts Man Indicted on Contempt Charges After Attempting to Flee the Country to Avoid Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Illinois man, who previously lived in Massachusetts, was charged in federal court in Worcester with contempt after attempting to flee the United States.
Ashokkumar Patel, a/k/a “Andy” Patel, 31, of Bartlett, Illinois, and formerly of Worcester and Plainville, Mass., was indicted on one count of contempt.
According to court records, Patel was convicted in June 2019 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. As part of that case, Patel was released from custody pending sentencing, and was subject to court-ordered conditions of release which included, among other things, that his travel was restricted to Massachusetts, as well as parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. In September 2020, Patel was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons on Nov. 3, 2020.
It is alleged that on Oct. 15, 2020, Patel was encountered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a ditch in an area of blueberry fields in Canada, just over the Washington state border. Patel was returned to the United States and arrested.
Patel faces a sentence of up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine on the contempt charge plus up to an additional year in prison for committing this offense while on release, which must be served consecutive to any sentence he receives for contempt. 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 Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Blaine Border Patrol Station in Washington. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Dineen Jerrett of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office 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.
Folsom Man Indicted for Sexually Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Matthew Goyder, 37, of Folsom, charging him with three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, between July 2017 and March 2020, Goyder engaged in the sexual exploitation of three minor victims using the internet. In addition, he distributed and received child pornography.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Pinellas Park Police Department, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Folsom Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, Goyder faces a mandatory statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison up to a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the receipt and distribution of child pornography counts, Goyder faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Florida Man Indicted for Selling Fentanyl on the Darknet in Exchange for CryptocurrencyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Florida man was indicted today for distributing heroin, oxymorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl as the narcotics vendor “chlnsaint” on Empire Market, a darknet hidden service, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
Chaloner Saintillus, 32, of Delray Beach, Florida, was charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and four counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
According to court documents, the vendor site for “chlnsaint” advertised the sale of fentanyl, carfentanyl, cocaine, oxymorphone, and other narcotics. From August 2019, when the vendor account was created, through August 2020, when Empire Market stopped its operations, “chlnsaint” completed over 1,100 narcotics sales and had a positive customer feedback rating of 98%. Saintillus also offered direct deals through the encrypted messaging app Wickr under the name “showstill.”
Through the course of the investigation, agents conducted numerous undercover buys of fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. Surveillance footage from the post offices from where the parcels were mailed revealed that Saintillus paid for the postage. Agents also conducted surveillance of Saintillus in Florida and identified him mailing a parcel that was later seized and found to contain fentanyl. Agents conducted a search of Saintillus’ residence on Oct. 26, and found a loaded handgun, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, large quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl, and approximately $25,000 in the cryptocurrency XRP.
This case was investigated by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) task force, which is comprised of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. NCIDE agents received assistance from the West Palm Beach, Florida offices of USPIS, HSI, FBI, and DEA, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Delray Beach Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant B. Rabenn is prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the conspiracy charge, Saintillus faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. If convicted of the drug distribution charges, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal Inmate Charged with Plotting to Hire Hitman to Kill Informant and then Kill ProsecutorRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate Richard Gilbert in connection with a murder-for-hire plot. According to the indictment, Gilbert, who was serving time at a federal prison in Edgefield for trafficking methamphetamine in Bowling Green, Kentucky, sought to hire a hitman to kill the federal prosecutor and a key witness from his Kentucky case.
The charges stem from an undercover operation during which Gilbert, from a contraband cell phone in prison, communicated with an undercover task force officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who was posing as a hitman. According to the indictment, following multiple recorded phone calls, Gilbert sent the undercover officer a $2,000 check from his prison canteen account as a down payment for the retaliatory murder-for-hire. Masking the true purpose of this payment, Gilbert attempted to mislead BOP officials by misrepresenting the payment as being for an “investment firm.”
“Those who seek violent retribution on law enforcement and individuals who assist law enforcement will held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “Violence is a plague on our society that can only be cured with the faithful commitment of dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors. We must remember that they put their lives on the line every day to ensure the laws of our society are applied.”
Gilbert is charged with murder-for-hire, retaliation against an informant, and money laundering. According to the indictment, Gilbert drew maps of where he believed the witness from Kentucky lived and provided direction to the undercover officer, posing as the hitman, on how to avoid detection by nearby surveillance cameras. The Indictment further alleged that Gilbert, who owns several pieces of real property in Kentucky, planned to use the income from two of his rental properties to facilitate the attempted murder-for-hire and retaliation plot—and additionally had plans to use the value of his ownership stake in other land to pay for the murder of the federal prosecutor from Kentucky.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and the BOP Special Operations Response Team and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May, Justin Holloway, and Will Jordan.
The United States Attorney stated all charges in this case are merely accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Federal Authorities Arrest 9 Defendants Charged in Relation to Scheme that Laundered over $30 Million in Fraud ProceedsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities this morning arrested nine defendants, most of whom allegedly were involved in a sophisticated money laundering scheme that moved tens of millions of dollars derived from tax fraud and health care fraud schemes.
Two indictments unsealed this morning allege that a total of 10 defendants participated in a large operation that laundered more than $30 million in tax refunds that had been obtained from approximately 7,000 fraudulent tax returns filed using identities stolen from thousands of American taxpayers. Seven of the 10 defendants named in these two indictments were arrested this morning, and three are still being sought by authorities.
Two additional defendants arrested this morning are charged in two other indictments that allege fraud, one involving a car leasing scam and one involving a short sale scheme involving a $2 million residence that was forfeited to the United States earlier this year. A second defendant in the real estate scam is also a fugitive.
The leader of the schemes outlined in the two money laundering indictments – Gagik Airapetian – directed other conspirators to use altered foreign passports, mostly from the Republic of Armenia, to rent mailboxes and open bank accounts to launder funds from tax fraud and health care fraud, according to the indictments. Members of the conspiracies allegedly altered Republic of Armenia passports by placing their photographs on top of the real passport holders’ photographs, and then using the altered passports to open more than 500 bank accounts.
The nine defendants were arrested this morning by special agents with the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
The defendants arrested pursuant to the money laundering indictments are: Gagik Airapetian, 62, of Woodland Hills; Tigran Galstyan, 48, of Sylmar; Moses Seraydarian, 54, of Northridge; Stepan Terakopyan, 35, of Granada Hills; Petros Terakopyan, 64, of Sun Valley; Karen Pogosian, 49, of Van Nuys; and Haroutioun Demirdjian, 54, of North Hollywood.
Authorities are continuing to search for three money laundering defendants: Davit Asoyan, 29, of Granada Hills; Nikoghos Petrosyan; and Albert Andriasov, 28, of Las Vegas.
Ara Sahakyan, 54, of Reseda, was arrested pursuant to the indictment alleging the car leasing scheme in which he leased three different vehicles by falsely claiming to be a CFO earning $189,000 per year.
In relation to the indictment that alleges the short sale scheme, Armen Oganesian, 56, of Los Feliz, was arrested this morning. Arsen Abrahamyan is also charged in this case, and he is believed to have fled the United States.
Members of the money laundering conspiracies used attorneys to try to unfreeze bank accounts that banks had frozen due to suspected fraud, according to court documents. Airapetian bribed a lawyer to use his attorney client trust account – which is supposed to be used by attorneys to segregate client funds from the attorney’s money – to launder more than $500,000 in tax fraud proceeds, the indictment states. Glendale lawyer Arthur S. Charchian previously pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration as he admitted laundering $549,000 for the scheme.
According to one of the indictments unsealed today, defendant Galstyan bribed bank managers to unfreeze bank accounts that contained funds suspected to have been derived from fraud. Last year, a former Wells Fargo Bank manager, Hakop Zakaryan, pleaded guilty to bank fraud for his role in the scheme.
The other money laundering indictment unsealed today describes a related conspiracy, also orchestrated by Airapetian, that laundered monies derived from health care fraud. Similar to the tax fraud money laundering scheme, members of this conspiracy allegedly opened bank accounts using fraudulent identities, and Airapetian allegedly charged a 30 percent laundering fee. As detailed in the indictment, the FBI also conducted an undercover operation where the schemers laundered funds they thought were from health care fraud.
The arrests this morning are part of a continuing multi-agency investigation into a Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) scheme – dubbed Operation “SIRF’s Up” – that involved conspirators who used false identities and fake Republic of Armenia and other former Soviet Republic passports to open hundreds of bank accounts that were used to launder tens of millions of dollars in tax refunds fraudulently received from the IRS. After the arrests this morning, federal authorities have now charged a total of 35 defendants linked to the scheme. So far, the investigation has resulted in 15 convictions, and the seizure of at least five residential properties worth millions of dollars and more than $700,000 from bank accounts. Five defendants remain fugitives from justice.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
f convicted of all charges, Airapetian would face a statutory maximum sentence of more than 400 years in federal prison. The other defendants in the money laundering indictments unsealed today each face prison statutory maximum sentences of more than 100 years of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell of the Santa Ana Branch Office.
Eranga Cardiology to Pay $500,000 to Resolve Health Care Fraud AllegationsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss announced today that Eranga Cardiology, P.A. and Dr. Eranga Haththotuwa have agreed to a $500,000.00 settlement with the government to resolve allegations of health care fraud arising under the False Claims Act. Eranga Cardiology is a cardiology practice with locations in Milford and Dover.
From April 2014 to March 2020, the practice submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare and Medicaid that required both performance of cardiology procedures and the generation of corresponding interpretive reports. The United States alleged that the practice submitted and received payment for these claims without generating the required interpretive reports. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of fault.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware is committed to combating health care fraud and protecting Medicare beneficiaries using all available remedies,” said U.S. Attorney Weiss. “When providers cut corners by failing to ensure that procedures are adequately documented, it cheats both the patients and the government.”
The settlement announced today resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act. The government’s claims are based on a whistleblower suit filed by a former employee of Eranga Cardiology. A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual, known as a “relator,” filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court, and providing a copy of the complaint and other evidence to the local U.S. Attorney. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides the whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Delaware Department of Justice.
“Providers should bill taxpayer-funded government health programs for services actually provided—no less and certainly never more,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue aggressively investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of these vital programs. Anyone suspecting Medicare or Medicaid fraud is urged to please contact our investigative hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).”
This matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shamoor Anis and Laura Hatcher.
Related court documents and information from the civil lawsuit are on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cv-1742-MN.
El Departamento de Justicia Llega a un Acuerdo con una Agencia de Transporte y Logística que Resuelve unas Acusaciones de Discriminación Relacionada con la InmigraciónRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo con IAS Logistics DFW, LLC, d/b/a Pinnacle Logistics (Pinnacle Logistics), una compañía de transporte y logística con sede en Fort Worth, Tejas. El acuerdo resuelve las acusaciones que Pinnacle Logistics había discriminado a un trabajador que era asilado con base en su estatus de ciudadanía al rechazar los documentos válidos de autorización para trabajar del trabajador y despedirlo cuando no pudo satisfacer la solicitud de la compañía de documentos migratorios específicos e innecesarios.
«Los empleadores no deben interferir en el derecho legal de un trabajador a presentar los documentos aceptables de autorización para trabajar para demostrar autorización para trabajar en los Estados Unidos», declaró Eric Dreiband, el Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles. «Felicitamos a Pinnacle Logistics por decidir trabajar con el Departamento de Justicia y ajustar sus prácticas para que cumplan con las protecciones antidiscriminatorias de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad».
Con base en su investigación, el Departamento concluyó que Pinnacle Logistics había pedido al trabajador asilado que presentara un documento adicional emitido por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional debido a su condición como no ciudadano de los EE. UU., aunque ya había presentado suficiente documentación que demuestra su autorización para trabajar. Cuando el trabajador no pudo producir el documento que Pinnacle Logistics le había pedido, a pesar de estar autorizado para trabajar, la compañía lo despidió.
La disposición antidiscriminatoria de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad («INA», por sus siglas en inglés) 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 conciliatorio, Pinnacle Logistics pagará una sanción civil a los Estados Unidos y pagos retroactivos al trabajador afectado, capacitará a sus empleados acerca de los requisitos de la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA y los procedimientos apropiados para E-Verify y se someterá a los requisitos de declaración del Departamento durante el plazo del acuerdo.
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.
Para más información sobre protecciones contra la discriminación en el empleo, llame a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llame a la línea directa para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); inscríbase a un seminario en línea gratuito; envíe en correo electrónico a [email protected]; o visite las páginas web de la IER en inglés y 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.
Des Moines Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, IA – On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Robert Joe Hennings, age 33, of Des Moines, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 240 months in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years of federal court supervision, for receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hennings was ordered to forfeit the electronic media used in the offense, pay $15,000 in restitution to victims, and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Hennings was also ordered to register as a sex offender after his release.
According to the record made at sentencing, Hennings collected in excess of 550,000 images of child pornography over a three-year period, including material involving sexual assaults on prepubescent minors, including an infant. The sentence was, in part, a reflection of the danger Hennings posed to children, based on the Court’s finding that he engaged in chats with others where he expressed his desire to have sex with boys younger than five years old and said he wanted to purchase a young prostitute under five years of age.
The case was a joint federal-state effort involving both the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Denver Man Charged with Aiming Laser Pointer at Denver Police Department Helicopter During Protest on November 4Read the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Logan Scott Debyle of Denver has been charged with aiming a laser pointer at a Denver Police Department (DPD) helicopter. According to the affidavit in support of the complaint, Debyle allegedly used a green laser pointer to illuminate the cockpit of a DPD helicopter called “Air 1” as the helicopter observed civil unrest during the evening of November 4, 2020. The flight crew of Air 1 viewed two men associated with the laser. The men were then detained by DPD ground officers.
Debyle made his initial appearance before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado today. Debyle is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 39A. If convicted, he faces a sentence of not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000. The charge contained in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Denver Field Office and the Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Tonini is handling the prosecution on behalf of the United States. The case number is 20-mj-180.
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.
Delaware County Attorney Convicted of Bank Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dory L. Sater, age 46, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was convicted on November 10, 2020, following a jury trial, of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft offenses. The six-day trial was held before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the jury returned the guilty verdict on both counts in the indictment after approximately one hour of deliberation. Sater was convicted of one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The evidence presented at trial showed that in August 2017, Sater forged a mortgage satisfaction piece and filed the instrument with the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds Office. The forged document erased a mortgage held by Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank on the Mountaintop, Pennsylvania residence of Sater’s parents. The mortgage had served as collateral for a $50,000 line of credit that Sater had withdrawn in its entirety. Evidence at trial established that Sater’s parents were considering selling their residence while the forged satisfaction piece was recorded. In the process of forging the mortgage satisfaction piece, Sater also forged the signatures of a Fidelity bank officer and of a public notary, whose notary stamp he stole to use on the forged document. Sater was a personal injury attorney in Delaware County, who ran The Sater Law Firm LLC.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and James Buchanan are prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the bank fraud offense is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory, consecutive two-year term of imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Danbury Man Who Embezzled $1.1 Million Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY TEIXEIRA, 51, of Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling $1.1 million from his employer.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, for more than 25 years, Teixeira was employed by Joseph Merritt & Company (“JMC”), a Hartford-based printing company. Teixeira most recently oversaw the JMC branch located in Danbury. Between approximately January 2012 and February 2019, Teixeira defrauded JMC and its customers by presenting sales orders, or test sales orders, to customers as though they were actually invoices. Customers, believing they were paying JMC for the work, then delivered payments into accounts that Teixeira controlled. Teixeira also stole printing-related inventory from JMC inventory and sold it online, but manipulated invoices to deceive JMC’s systems into thinking the company had sold the inventory. The loss attributable to Teixeira through these schemes is approximately $1.1 million.
Judge Bryant ordered Teixeira to make full restitution in an amount that is still to be determined.
Teixeira was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 12, 2019, and was subsequently released on a $50,000 bond. He has been detained since June 1, 2020, after Judge Bryant determined that Teixeira had violated the conditions of his release and revoked his bond. An investigation revealed that Teixeira spent more than $48,000 while released on bond, in violation of court-imposed restrictions on his financial activity.
On July 24, 2020, Teixeira pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Danbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Amanda S. Oakes.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – An Albany resident with at least two previous felony convictions was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine out of his home, announced Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Derry Marquez Brooks, 42, of Albany, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Tuesday, November 10 to 235 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
On December 13, 2018, a cooperating source (CS) placed a recorded phone call to Brooks to order two ounces of methamphetamine. The CS met with Brooks at the defendant’s home and acquired the methamphetamine. While there, the CS observed numerous firearms, and Brooks quoted a price for the sale of a rifle. The CS later returned to purchase a semi-automatic rifle from Brooks. Brooks has been previously convicted of aggravated assault and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the Superior Court of Dougherty County, Georgia.
“Selling drugs and illegal firearms is a dangerous business that breeds crime and violence in our communities. We will not tolerate it. We are working closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to crack down on this illicit activity across the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the many cooperating agencies involved in bringing Brooks to justice and working to make our communities safer.”
The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI), FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen 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.
Camden Man Admits Role in Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A member of a Camden drug-trafficking organization today admitted conspiring to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Jose Agron, 26, of Camden, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least one kilogram of heroin.
Fourteen other members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy based in the 500 block of Pine Street in Camden – Ronnie Lopez, Nelson Salcedo, Carlos Perez, Paul Salcedo, Waldemar Garcia, William Carrillo, Elisa Rivera, Ramon Velez, David Velez, Naeem Sadler, Jasmin Velez, Jameel Byng, Kaliel Johnson, and Meylin Troncoso – previously have pleaded guilty in this case. The charges against three other defendants remain pending.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
An investigation by led by the FBI used surveillance tactics, confidential informants, consensual recordings, over 40 controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and several court-authorized wiretaps to uncover the operations of the Camden drug-trafficking organization. Members of the drug-trafficking organization sold heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and fentanyl in and around Camden.
The count to which Agron pleaded guilty carries a mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of a lifetime in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll in Philadelphia; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Wysocki; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer; the Camden County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert L. Wilson; the Cherry Hill Police Department, under the direction of Chief William P. Monaghan; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Department of Homeland Security for their assistance.
This case is being conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara A. Aliabadi and Patrick C. Askin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
For the defendants whose charges remain pending, the charges and allegations are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
California Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Attempted Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A California man, Michael John Davidson, 31, was sentenced to 120 months in prison on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, after previously being convicted by a federal jury of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The jury reached its verdict after approximately one hour of deliberations, following a day and a half trial.
According to testimony at trial, on February 20, 2019, Davidson contacted an individual, who self-identified as a 15-year-old female living in Franklin County, Kentucky, using the KiK messenger internet application on his cellular telephone. The person Davidson contacted was, in reality, an investigator with the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Branch. From February 20-22, 2019, a conversation between Davidson and the investigator took place on the KiK messenger. Eventually, the Defendant turned the conversation sexual activity, and transmitted several images of himself.
The conversation between the Davidson and the investigator resulted in a planned meeting for sex, on February 22, 2019. On February 22, 2019, Davidson drove from Jamestown, Kentucky, to Frankfort, Kentucky, in order to meet the investigator and engage in criminal sexual activity. When the Davidson arrived at the agreed-upon meeting place, he was arrested by law enforcement.
Davidson was convicted in May 2020.
Under federal law, Davidson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years, following his release. In addition to the prison sentence, Davidson was also ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments.
“The importance of the law enforcement efforts to protect children from online sexual predators cannot be overstated,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The defendant used the internet to knowingly plan to have sex with someone he believed was a 15 year old girl. Fortunately, because of the excellent work of law enforcement, he was identified and arrested. His federal prison sentence is deserved, and serves as a warning for those who would engage in similar conduct.”
“Investigators with our Cyber Crimes Unit work to stay one step ahead of cyber predators who target children,” said Attorney General Cameron. “As children spend more time online during the pandemic, these efforts and partnerships with law enforcement are more important than ever. I appreciate the work of our Department of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Attorney Duncan, and the Louisville Field Division of the U.S. Secret Service in this case.“
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Ralph Gerds, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Louisville Field Division; and Daniel Cameron, Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Kentucky Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Branch. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin M. Roth and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Boston Man Sentenced for Being Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Naysaan Austin, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 66 months in prison and one year of supervised release. In August 2020, Austin pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On June 16, 2019, Austin was arrested in Dorchester for carrying a Sig Sauer .22 caliber Mosquito Pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition. The serial number on the gun was obliterated. Before he was arrested, Austin ran away from law enforcement officers, despite numerous orders to stop. At the time of his arrest, Austin was on probation and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Berkeley County woman indicted on drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jacqueline L. Krsul, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, was arrested today after an indictment charging her with cocaine possession, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Krsul, 30, is charged with one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base.” Krsul is accused of having cocaine base or “crack” in April 2020 in Morgan County.
Krsul 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 Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bedford Attorney Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Related to Theft of Client FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD - John Allen, 63, of Bedford, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Allen was a New Hampshire attorney who provided legal services related to, among other things, commercial real estate acquisition and development and secured lending transactions. As an attorney in New Hampshire who handled clients’ funds, Allen was required to maintain two Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (commonly known as IOLTA).
From approximately January of 2014 through October of 2019, Allen engaged in a scheme to defraud several of his clients of over $2.4 million. Allen’s clients gave him funds to hold in escrow for specific purposes, including private lending, real estate transactions, and particular business deals. Although Allen told his clients he would hold the funds in his IOLTA for these purposes, he transferred those funds between his IOLTAs and, without authority to do so, into another bank account he controlled. He then spent the funds on his own personal expenses and for unrelated business expenses. All the while, he misled these clients by representing that the funds were in one of his IOLTAs or were being used for their intended purposes.
For example, Allen caused one client to invest more than $1.5 million in fraudulent promissory notes that Allen created using other persons’ identities. Allen did not invest the money and instead kept it for himself. Allen also stole nearly $1 million from other clients by transferring money they had provided for specific real estate transactions from his IOLTA to other accounts he controlled. To hide the sources of the funds he stole from his clients, Allen comingled fraud proceeds and legitimate funds, made many transfers back and forth between accounts, and spent the funds in those accounts on unrelated business and personal expenses. In total, Allen stole at least $2,426,258 from his clients.
Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2021. His license to practice law in New Hampshire was suspended in 2019.
“When clients come to an attorney seeking assistance, they place their trust in that attorney,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “John Allen betrayed that trust, took advantage of his clients, and stole their money. These are the actions of a white collar criminal rather than a dedicated counselor at law. Accordingly, John Allen is being prosecuted for wire fraud and money laundering. To protect the public and seek justice for victims, we work closely with the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute white collar criminals who steal money from clients.”
“Today, John Allen finally accepted the blame for betraying his clients’ trust and lying to them, claiming he had more than $2.4 million of their hard-earned money safely tucked away, when in reality he was bleeding them dry to make up for his own bad business decisions,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This is a teachable moment for anyone who thinks they can take advantage of their position for personal gain. Don’t do it, because the FBI will do everything in our power to ensure you will be held accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Five Bank Robberies, Five Armed Robberies of Liquor Stores, and Related Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell today sentenced Anthony Eugene Wiggins, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a string of robberies, and for violating his supervised release from a previous federal conviction. Wiggins committed five bank robberies and five armed robberies at liquor stores, between September 24, 2018 and November 15, 2018, as well as an attempted robbery on November 15, 2018, all while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Chief Charles Moore of the Bel Air Police Department.
“Anthony Wiggins was a walking crime spree, endangering the lives of employees and customers at the banks and liquor stores that he robbed,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “As a convicted felon, Wiggins should not have been able to purchase a gun, but he was able to obtain a gun that had been assembled from firearm parts kits. So-called ‘ghost guns’ circumvent the laws designed to prevent felons from possessing firearms because they have no serial numbers and do not require background checks. We will continue working with our partners to keep guns out of the hands of people who cannot possess them lawfully.”
“Anthony Wiggins committed 10 armed robberies in less than 60 days,” said Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “As a convicted felon, he should have never been in possession of a gun, but because ‘ghost guns’ have become so easy to obtain, the lives of customers and employees were put in danger. We hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to bring these offenders to justice.”
According to his plea agreement, between September 24 and October 18, 2018, Wiggins committed robberies at five separate Maryland banks, including two banks in Baltimore, and one each in White Marsh, Bel Air, and Arbutus. Wiggins was on federal supervised release at the time of the robberies, having previously been convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As detailed in his plea agreement, between November 2 and November 15, 2018, Wiggins committed five armed robberies at four liquor stores in Dundalk, Middle River, and Baltimore, Maryland. Wiggins admitted that he discharged a firearm in two of those robberies, specifically, a robbery in Dundalk on November 2, 2018 and a robbery in Baltimore on November 13, 2018, and brandished a firearm in the other three robberies. Wiggins also attempted to rob a fifth liquor store, located in Dundalk, on November 15, 2018. In nearly all of the robberies, Wiggins threatened victim employees with physical violence and, during one robbery, fought with and assaulted a store customer and a victim employee.
As stated in the plea agreement and other court documents, the gun discharged by Wiggins in two of the robberies was an untraceable “ghost gun,” which was assembled from a firearm parts kit and did not have a serial number. These kits can be purchased from various kit manufacturers or secondary retailers, including Internet websites. Crucially, convicted felons, who are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition as a result of their convictions, can order such firearm kits and assemble an untraceable working gun in the privacy of their homes in as little as one hour with minimal effort.
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 commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Bel Air Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Mary W. Setzer, who prosecuted the case.
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Bakersfield Man Indicted for Scheme Creating Dozens of Fraudulent Accounts and Siphoning More Than $900,000 from Financial InstitutionsRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an eleven-count indictment today against Nahed Mishmish, 46, of Bakersfield, charging him with wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme that caused more than $900,000 in losses to the financial institutions, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to the indictment, between Jan. 1, 2015, and Jan. 15, 2020, Mishmish carried out a scheme to defraud Synchrony Bank, Capital One and other credit card companies and financial institutions. Mishmish obtained personally identifiable information (PII) of numerous individuals without their authorization and used the information to open credit card accounts. Mishmish allegedly used the cards to pay for personal expenses such as a vehicle lease and rent. The credit accounts were also being used to purchase large amounts of cigarettes at Rite Aid stores.
According to the criminal complaint, the FBI was tipped off that someone in Kern County was creating and using fraudulent credit card accounts, in part to buy large quantities of cigarettes from a Rite Aid store in McFarland. The FBI identified this individual as Mishmish. During a search of Mishmish’s residence, more than 60 cellphones were found and seized. The cellphones were marked with names, PII, and corresponding credit accounts.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and task force members: the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Bakersfield Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie L. Alsworth is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Mishmish faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of wire and mail fraud, a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison on each count of aggravated identity theft and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Attorney General William P. Barr Honors Department of Justice Employees and Others for the 68th Annual Attorney General’s AwardsRead the Press Release
Today, Attorney General William P. Barr 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. This year, 240 DOJ employees 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 here.
“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 68th Annual Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows.
The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the department’s highest award for employee performance. Attorney General Barr recognizes Justice Management Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Lee J. Lofthus.
The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are thirteen Distinguished Service Awards being awarded today.
The first Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agents Brad S. Brasher, Ryan C. Caudill, Russel R. King, Louisville Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and; Majors Richmond (Kentucky) Police Department William J. O’Donnell and Rodney O. Tudor.
The second Distinguished Award is presented to Section Chief Lynda K. Marshall, Assistant Section Chief Caldwell Harrop, Trial Attorney Timothy S. Longman, and Paralegal Specialist Jessica A. Rodriguez of the Antitrust Division, International Section.
The third Distinguished Award is presented to September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya and Deputy Special Master Stefanie G. Langsam, of the Civil Division.
The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Deputy Chief, Special Operations Leonard H. LeVine, Jr., Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose, and Trial Attorney Kaitlin J. Sahni Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; Trial Attorney Margaret N. O’Malley of the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Debora J. Wilson, Victim/Witness Specialist Dimple A. Smith, Legal Assistant Lori E. Daly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota; Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon; Special Agent Michael A. Buemi, Miami Division, Drug Enforcement Administration; Special Agent Steven J. Gilpin, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and; Special Agents Guy Gino, Alexis J. Gregory, and Jeremy L. Grube, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Deputy Chief Keith A. Becker and Trial Attorneys Ralph A. Paradiso and Lisa Marie Freitas, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Criminal Division; Senior Trial Attorneys Judith H. Friedman and Lynn C. Holliday, Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Michael J. Stawasz, Senior Counsels Jared S. Hosid and Nathan P. Judish, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristi N. O’Malley and Thomas M. Sullivan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; Supervisory Special Agents J. Brooke Donahue and P. Michael Gordon, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI; Supervisory Agent Steven A. Smith, Jr., Cyber Division, FBI, and; Supervisory Special Agent Daniel E. O’Donnell, Critical Incident Response Group, FBI.
The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Special Litigation Counsel Julia K. Gegenheimer, Trial Attorney Patricia A. Sumner, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Kimberly N. Lawrence, Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack E. Jenkins and Paralegal Specialist Adriana Abalos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; Supervisory Special Agent Randy R. Gonzalez, Criminal Investigative Division, FBI; Supervisory Special Agent Ramon C. Johnson, New York Field Office, FBI; and Special Agents Caroline A. Walling and Michael Richard Ramsey, Los Angeles Field Office, FBI.
The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Section Chief Lisa Lynne Russell, Principal Deputy Chief James D. Gette, Assistant Section Chief Guillermo A. Montero, Senior Litigation Counsel Frank J. Singer, Senior Attorney Marissa A. Piropato, Trial Attorneys Sean C. Duffy, Clare M. Boronow, and Erika D. Norman, Natural Resources Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and; Principal Deputy Chief Andrew C. Mergen, and Trial Attorneys Robert J. Lundman and Sommer H. Engels, Appellate Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Celia V. Cohen, Scott A. Hartman, Jaqueline C. Kelly, Alexandra N. Rothman, and Hagan Scotten, Special Agent John J. Carillo, and Paralegal Specialist Shannon N. Becker of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents Christopher J. Munger, Elizabeth Nygaard, Theodore J. Otto III, and Cindy A. Peil, New York Field Office, FBI; Supervisory Special Agent Luigi Mondini, Chicago Division, FBI; Detective Darrell J. Julien and Task Force Officer William E. Dionne, New York City Police Department.
The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Lazarus, Susan M. Poswistilo, Mark T. Quinlivan, Amanda P.M. Strachan, Fred M. Wyshak, Jr., K. Nathaniel Yeager, Victim Assistance Specialist Jessica M. Pooler, and Litigation Technology Specialist Helen R. Bower of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Massachusetts; Special Agents Vivian M. Barrios, Paul S. Baumrind, Staff Operations Specialist Stacey Schlender, and Forensic Accountant Bridget Horan, Boston Field Office, FBI; Special Agent Sharon L. Moorefield, Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Special Agent Scott T. Wisnaskas, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and; Senior Investigator Christine M. Tang, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
The tenth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisory Attorney-Advisors Alan M. Fisher and Sean S. Park, Office of Intelligence, National Security Division; Trial Attorney Adam L. Small, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney William N. Hammerstrom, Jr. of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; Supervisory Special Agent Ryan C. Gaynor and Special Agents Christine A. Botz and Christina M. Sun, Washington Field Office, FBI.
The eleventh Distinguished Award is presented to Special Counsel Paul P. Colborn and Attorney-Advisors Kevin J. Barber, Christine M. Buzzard, Nathan A. Forrester, Jared M. Kelson, David K. Suska, Ryan N. Watzel, Office of Legal Counsel.
The twelfth Distinguished Award is presented to Pro Bono Program Manager Laura F. Klein, Professional Responsibility Advisory Office.
The thirteenth Distinguished Award is presented to Chief Senior Litigation Counsel Dennis M. Donohue and Senior Litigation Counsel Kari Madrene Larson, Office of Civil Litigation, Tax Division; Senior Litigation Counsel Judith A. Hagley, Appellate Section, Tax Division; Trial Attorneys Matthew S. Johnshoy, Gregory L. Jones and Harris J. Phillips, Civil Trial Section, Tax Division, and; Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Farrior of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice. This year, one Excellence in Law Enforcement Award is presented to Supervisory Special Agent Clifford R. Swindell, Special Agent Kevin W. McDonald, Baltimore Field Office, FBI; Task Force Officers Joseph Landsman, Jeffrey Lilly, Mark Neptune, Baltimore Police Department, and; Task Force Officer Daniel DeLorenzo, Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Police Department.
The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by those who demonstrated the department’s commitment to fighting crime in Indian Country. This year, two Exceptional Service in Indian Country Awards are being presented.
The first Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey K. Starnes, Lori Harper Suek, Paralegal Tammy M. Farris, and Victim/Witness Specialist Keri B. Leggett of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins and Eric Kelderman and Paralegal Lori E. Climis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota; Special Agent Fred Bennett, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs; Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anissa D. Andrews, Special Agents Justin C. Christman and Justin W. Reedy, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and; Police Officers Frank Goings, Charlie Wolftail, and Sarah Wolftail, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Agency.
The second Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Special Agent Elizabeth A. Green, San Francisco Field Office, FBI; Special Agents Aaron D. Christensen, Larry J. McGrail II, Victim Specialist Michele L. Stewart, and Evidence Technician Susan L. Stephenson, Salt Lake City Division, FBI; Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori HarperSuek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, and; Special Agent John J. Grinsell, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements, which have significantly improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. This year, two Excellence in Management Awards are being presented.
The first Award for Excellence in Management is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Toscano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of New Jersey.
The second Award for Excellence in Management is presented to Deputy Assistant Inspector General Allison E. Russo, Evaluation and Inspections Division, Office of the Inspector General, and; Assistant Regional Audit Manager Elizabeth M. Smith, Auditors Gerardo Cartagena and Jessica M. Rivera, and Program Manager Jessica R. Brower, Audit Division, Office of the Inspector General.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve operations and productivity, reduce or avoid costs, and solve problems. One Excellence in Information Technology Award is presented to Supervisory Information Technology Specialists George A. Cramer, Omar S. Khan, Anmy D. Torres Lawrence P. Packard, Information Technology Specialists Dee A. Alkire, Natasha Gibson, Christopher M. Greer, Connie LaSalle, Darrell L. Lyons, Matthew K. Phillips, Eliot E. Schmidt, James W. Schreiner, Benjamin L. Schwarten, Jun B. Yun, Office of the Chief Information Officer, and; Supervisory Security Specialist Robert L. Mack II, Security and Emergency Planning Staff, Justice Management Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. National Security. One Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security Award is presented to Supervisory Attorney-Advisors Tyrone A. Brown and Loyaan A. Egal, Foreign Investment Review Section, National Security Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. One Equal Employment Opportunity Award is presented to Senior Trial Attorney Liza Zamd and Trial Attorney Stacey I. Young, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section, Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Eliza P. B. Dermody, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Colleen M. Phillips, Educational Opportunities Section, Civil Rights Section; Senior Trial Attorney Patricia L. Stasco, Employment Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Melanie Krebs-Pilotti, International Section, Antitrust Division; Trial Attorney Patricia L. Sindel, Technology and Financial Services Section, Antitrust Division; Trial Attorney Danielle Wolfson Young, Federal Programs, Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Lindsay C. Dunn, Allison Frayer, Stefanie Notarino Hennes, Office of Immigration Litigation, Appellate Section, Civil Division; Assistant Director Marc R. Salans, Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management, Justice Management Division, and; Supervisory Attorney-Advisor Shana N. Eaton, Office of Intelligence, National Security Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants. Three Excellence in Legal Support Awards are presented this year.
The first Excellence in Legal Support Award in the paralegal category is presented to Paralegal Specialist Minnie V. Becton, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The second Excellence in Legal Support Award in the paralegal category is presented to Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Christina J. Griffiths of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The third Excellence in Legal Support Award in the legal support category is presented to Legal Assistant Jennifer L. Goldbetter, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. Two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards are being presented.
The first Excellence in Administrative Support Award in the Administrative category is presented to Administrative Officer Elaine A. Thompson, Atlanta Regional Office, U.S. Trustee Program.
The second Excellence in Administrative Support Award in the Secretarial category is presented to Warden’s Secretary Rodell T. Fletcher, Federal Correctional Institution – Edgefield, SC Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The John Marshall Awards are the department’s highest awards offered to attorneys, which recognizes attorneys for their contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Thirteen awards in nine categories are being presented this year.
The first John Marshall Award in the Trial of Litigation category is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys David D. Leshner, Todd W. Robinson, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
The second John Marshall Award also in the Trial of Litigation category is presented to Trial Attorney Richard M. Rolwing, Northern Criminal Enforcement Section, Tax Division, and; Senior Litigation Counsel John E. Sullivan and Trial Attorneys Leslie A. Goemaat and Arthur J. Ewenczyk, Western Criminal Enforcement Section, Tax Division.
The third John Marshall Award in the Participation in Litigation category is presented to Assistant Section Chiefs Lisa A. Scanlon and Yvette F. Tarlov and Trial Attorneys Meagan K. Bellshaw, Lee F. Berger, Mona S.K. Haar, Sarah H. Licht, Craig D. Minerva, Media, Entertainment, and Professional Services Section, Antitrust Division.
The fourth John Marshall Award also in the Participation in Litigation category is presented to Associate Director Christopher J. Smith and Trial Attorney Rebecca A. Haciski, Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, and; Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Emery, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The fifth John Marshall Award in the Support of Litigation category is presented to Senior Counsel Wendy R. Waldron, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Criminal Division; Criminal Division Deputy Chief Sarah M. Kauke and Trial Attorney Molly S. Braese, Office of Enforcement Operations, Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Assistant General Counsel Christopher G. Bubb, Office of the General Counsel, FBI, and; Trial Attorney Jennifer Kennedy Gellie, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, National Security Division.
The sixth John Marshall Award also in the Support of Litigation category is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Hollie W. Reed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
The seventh John Marshall Award in the Handling of Appeals category is presented to Trial Attorney John M. Pellettieri, Appellate Section, Criminal Division.
The eighth John Marshall Award in the Providing Legal Advice category is presented to Appellate Litigation Counsel Mark B. Stern and Trial Attorneys Daniel Aguilar and Joshua M. Salzman, Appellate Staff, Civil Division.
The ninth John Marshall Award also in the Providing Legal Advice category is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Herbert L. Bunton III of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
The tenth John Marshall Award in the Preparation or Handling of Legislation category is presented to General Counsel Rafael A. Madan, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Justice Programs.
The eleventh John Marshall Award in the Preparation of Asset Forfeiture category is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Galatzan, Michael R. Sew Hoy, John J. Kucera, Poonam G. Kumar, and Steven R. Welk, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Duvall, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cardani, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon; Associate Director Jeffrey M. Olson, Senior Trial Attorney Colette L. Ford, Trial Attorney Erin E. Mikita, Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, and; Deputy Chief, International Unit Mary K. Butler, Deputy Chief Woo S. Lee, Senior Trial Attorney Jonathan T. Baum, Trial Attorneys Barbara Yu. Levy and Joshua L. Sohn, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division.
The twelfth John Marshall Award in the Preparation of Alternative Dispute Resolution category is presented to Acting Chief John R. Read, Trial Attorneys Thomas P. DeMatteo, James K. Foster, Catherine S. Montezuma, Samer M. Musallam, Blake W. Rushforth, Lowell R. Stern, Angela Y. Ting, and Bashiri B. Wilson, Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section, Antitrust Division, and; Trial Attorneys William H. Jones II and Ethan D. Stevenson, Media, Entertainment, and Professional Services Section, Antitrust Division.
The thirteenth John Marshall Award in the Interagency Cooperation category is presented to Senior Assistant Regional Counsel D. Henry Elsen, Region 8 – Montana Operations Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Claudia J. Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes department attorneys who have made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. This year’s Claudia J. Flynn Award is presented to Senior Legal Advisor Patrice M. Mulkern, Professional Responsibility Advisory Office; Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee; Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecil VanDevender, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, and; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony R. Arvin, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white-collar crimes, and official corruption. This year’s Fraud Prevention Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Joshua D. Rothman and Philip M. Toomajian, Investigator Luke M. Shoemaker, Consumer Protection Branch, Civil Division; Senior Trial Attorney John A. Beasley, Jr., Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luis M. Perez, Kimberly A. Selmore, Paralegal Specialist Maureen Booker, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and; Postal Inspectors Bryan Masmela and Luis F. Soler, Miami Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. Two Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety Awards are being presented this year.
The first Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety is presented to Special Agent Michael C. Coad, Tampa Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The second Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety is presented to Counsel Amy M. Markopoulos, Health Care Fraud Unit, Fraud Section, Criminal Division.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Wage Grade System Employee recognizes extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics, and skilled craft workers. One Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is presented to, Utility System Repairer – Operator Leader Allen B. Hudson, Finance and Facilities Division, FBI.
The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is presented to Trial Attorney Julie A. Finocchiaro, Organized Crime and Gang Section, Criminal Division.
The Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi. This award is presented to an individual whose career as an attorney, law professor and dean, and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. This year’s Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin R. Jones, Office of Legal Policy.
The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service, the top public service award granted by the department, recognizes the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the department in the accomplishment of its mission and objectives. Two Meritorious Public Service Awards are being presented this year.
The first Award for Meritorious Public Service is presented to, Phoenix 11, a group of 11 survivors whose child sexual abuse was recorded, and in the majority of cases, distributed online. This group has banded together to challenge the inadequate responses to the prevalence of child sexual abuse images on the internet.
The second Award for Meritorious Public Service is presented to the Middle East Media Research Institute and its President and Founder, Yigal Carmon.
The last award presented this year is the Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award, which recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. This year’s the Mary C. Lawton Award is presented to Supervisory Criminal Investigator Daniel P. Wertheimer, Investigative Operations Division, U.S. Marshals Service.
Albany Man Sentenced to 241 Months for Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Christopher J. Cohn, a/k/a “Wolf,” age 27, of Albany, was sentenced today to serve 241 months in prison for two armed bank robberies he committed in February 2019.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Keith M. Corlett, Superintendent of the New York State Police; Chief Eric Hawkins of the Albany Police Department; and Chief David M. Keevern of the Town of North Greenbush Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Cohn to serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his term of incarceration, and to pay $193,863.57 in restitution to his victims. Cohn was also ordered to forfeit $14,954 in recovered proceeds and $150,570 in unrecovered proceeds of the robberies.
Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon stated: “Christopher Cohn inflicted terror on everyone in the banks during the robberies and even fired a shot hitting an employee. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Cohn will now spend many years in prison. Our community is a safer place now that he has been held accountable for his shocking crimes.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Relford stated: “Mr. Cohn’s violent crimes terrorized bank employees, customers, and members of our community. The FBI is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to address violent crimes, including bank robberies, within our communities. This 20+ year sentence should send a clear message to criminals that we will never waiver in our pursuit of justice.”
As part of his March 2020 guilty plea to armed bank robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and related crimes, Cohn admitted to participating in two armed robberies. On February 6, 2019, Cohn and another man drove to a Trustco Bank branch in Albany, where Cohn declared he was about to “go do this,” meaning that he planned to rob the bank. Cohn and his accomplice then entered the bank wearing ski masks. In the bank, Cohn’s accomplice displayed a gun, and both men threatened to kill the bank’s employees, who surrendered $150,570 to the pair.
Cohn also admitted that on the morning of February 26, 2019, he and the same accomplice entered an M&T Bank branch in North Greenbush, each wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun. In the course of the robbery, Cohn fired multiple shots, including one that grazed a bank employee. According to court documents, law enforcement tracked Cohn, his accomplice, and their getaway driver to an Albany motel using a GPS device that a bank employee had secretly placed with the stolen money. Cohn was arrested by officers with more than $10,000 in cash and wearing red sneakers matching those depicted in bank surveillance footage. Cohn’s accomplice was arrested in the motel’s lobby, where officers found him with several bags containing approximately $3,800 in cash along with ski masks matching those worn by the robbers.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the New York State Police, the Town of North Greenbush Police Department, and the Albany Police Department, with the assistance of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Wayne A. Myers.
Airline Passenger Arrested at Cyril E. King Airport for Having 5 Kilos of Marijuana in Carry-On SuitcaseRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that a complaint has been filed against Christopher Lloyd Turnbull, charging him with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Turnbull made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller on Thursday, November 12, 2020.
According to the affidavit submitted in support of the complaint, upon Turnbull’s arrival to the Cyril E. King Airport on November 11, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers directed Turnbull to secondary inspection. Upon searching a black carry-on suitcase in Turnbull’s possession, which Turnbull admitted was his, CBP officers discovered approximately eight different sealed packages containing a green leafy substance that tested positive for the presence of marijuana. The parcels had a combined field weight of approximately 5 kilograms.
Turnbull, who originally departed from the Ronald Reagan airport in Washington, D.C., claimed that while he was waiting at the gate for his connecting flight in Charlotte, an unknown man approached him and offered him $15,000 to transport the black carry-on suitcase to St. Thomas. Turnbull also claimed that a friend of his (whose last name he did not know) paid for his one-way ticket to St. Thomas. Turnbull had no accommodations reserved for his stay in St. Thomas and did not know when he would be returning.
This case is being investigated by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.
A complaint is merely a charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
44 Charged Following 18 Month Investigation into Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FLORIDA – A total of 15 defendants have been indicted on federal drug-trafficking charges and an additional 29 co-conspirators face state drug-trafficking charges as a result of a multi-agency effort to bring down an organized drug trafficking operation in North Florida. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., and Mike Dubet, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Jacksonville District Office, made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
In May 2019, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the DEA Panama City Resident Office Task Force began investigating James Young and Shelley Johnson, a couple operating a methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) in Walton County, Florida.
Intelligence obtained during the investigation revealed Young routinely acquired multi-pound quantities of crystal methamphetamine and multi-ounce quantities of heroin and fentanyl from sources in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Young and Johnson distributed these controlled substances to other drug dealers and users in and around Walton County, Florida using Johnson’s waterfront residence in Freeport, Florida.
A variety of investigative techniques were utilized by investigators to identify the full scope of Johnson and Young's activities. These techniques included extensive physical surveillance, numerous purchases totaling more than 500 grams methamphetamine by a DEA undercover agent, and four federal wire intercepts of telephones used by Johnson, Young, and one of Johnson's local sources of supply for heroin, methamphetamine and diverted pharmaceutical pills.
On May 6, 2020, the wire intercepts lead investigators to information that Young and Johnson were returning to the Walton County area from Atlanta with a shipment of methamphetamine.
The DEA and WCSO coordinated a traffic stop of Young and Johnson shortly after they returned to Walton County, Florida. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of $25,049.00 in U.S. Currency, approximately three pounds of crystal methamphetamine, and over 500 grams of suspected GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate). Following this traffic stop, WCSO and DEA Task Force investigators executed search warrants at three different locations associated with Young, Johnson, and one of their DTO distributors, where more evidence of drug trafficking was discovered and seized, along with four firearms.
In June and October of 2020, a federal grand jury at the U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Florida, returned indictments charging Johnson, Young, and 13 co-conspirators with conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute. Johnson and Young were also charged with possessing firearms as convicted felons. A copy of the indictment with more information about the federal defendants and the charges against them can be found at the bottom of this page.
State drug charges have been obtained in the 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida in Walton County against 29 additional individuals in this investigation.
To date, this investigation and other accompanying investigations have resulted in the seizure of the following:
· Nearly 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine
· 672 grams of heroin
· 162 grams of carfentanil
· 32 grams of suspected fentanyl
· 533 grams of suspected GHB
· 5 motor vehicles valued at approximately $91,515.00
· Freeport waterfront property valued at $1.3 million
· $27,572.00 U.S. Currency
· Four firearms
The indictment and arrests resulted from an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a joint federal, state, and local cooperative. The OCDETF approach to combating drug trafficking is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt and dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize its assets.
These cases resulted from investigations by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Beach Police Department, the Panama City Police Department, the Springfield Police Department, the Lynn Haven Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the DeFuniak Springs Police Department. The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aine Ahmed.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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 available 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.
Press Release - Operation Mr. Clean Indictment - Operation Mr. Clean
11 November 2020
Statement by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division on Veterans DayRead the Press Release
The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and its Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative would like to wish a happy Veterans Day to our soldiers, both past and present. We owe you our thanks, but more than that, we owe you our freedom. As the head of the Civil Rights Division, I am entrusted with enforcing laws that protect the rights of the brave men and women of our nation’s armed forces, and the veterans who have served in the past. Enforcement of these very important federal civil rights laws helps ensure that these men and women can continue to safeguard our freedom.
Our nation’s servicemembers have been tasked with novel and difficult tasks this year. When COVID -19 reached our shores, tens of thousands of members of our National Guard in all 50 states responded to the pandemic. Many of these same servicemembers, as well as thousands of others, were also deployed in response to the public demonstrations in the past months. In March 2020, the Department of Defense issued stop movement orders on domestic and overseas travel for all military personnel and their families. These orders were necessary to slow the spread of the virus and to protect force readiness. Unfortunately, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act did not protect servicemembers who had to terminate their leases in order to comply with these orders. This meant that servicemember-lessees could have been forced to pay rent for a property that they were unable to occupy or to make car payments for a vehicle they were unable to drive due to military orders.
Upon learning about this problem, the Civil Rights Division and its Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative mobilized to work on a solution. Fortunately, on July 20, Congress passed S. 3637, a bill to allow for lease termination based on stop movement orders. On Aug. 14, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed the bill into law. As a result, servicemembers can rest assured that the law will protect them when stop movement orders related to COVID-19 – or any future local, national or global emergency – require them to terminate their leases.
While we maintain vigilance with respect to the deployments and orders related to COVID-19, we also continue to commit time and resources to protect the rights of servicemembers. The employees of the Department of Justice are proud to serve our nation’s men and women in uniform in this capacity. We at the Civil Rights Division ardently enforce three statutes that protect the rights of service members; the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).
The right to vote is among our most fundamental civil rights. Protecting the rights of servicemembers and their families to vote in our nation’s federal elections, whether they are serving here or abroad, is one of our highest priorities. Through the enforcement of the UOCAVA, the department ensures that servicemembers and overseas U.S. citizens have the opportunity to request and receive absentee ballots in time to vote and have their votes counted in federal elections. The department vigilantly monitored nationwide compliance with UOCAVA for all federal elections in the 2020 cycle. In 2020, the department also filed statements of interest in lawsuits in Georgia and Massachusetts to ensure that eligible military and overseas voters would have sufficient time to vote. In each case, the private lawsuits sought modifications to election-related dates, and the department’s briefs explained the importance of the UOCAVA requirement that states transmit absentee ballots no later than 45 days prior to any federal election.
Our Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, in collaboration with U.S. Attorney’s offices nationwide, enforces the SCRA, and has to date obtained over $474 million in remediation to over 120,000 service members whose financial rights were violated. These cases involved unlawful home foreclosures, vehicle repossessions, interest rate reductions, lease terminations, and default judgments. In 2019, the Division obtained a $3 million settlement against a Nissan Motors for repossessing vehicles owned by 113 qualified servicemembers. On Sept. 3, 2020, the division reached a $259,000 settlement with the City of San Antonio, TX to resolve allegations that the city violated the SCRA by auctioning, or otherwise disposing of, cars owned by protected servicemembers without first obtaining court orders.
The division’s Employment Litigation Section, also in collaboration with U.S. Attorney’s offices nationwide, continues to enhance its enforcement of USERRA against private, state, and local government employers, through litigation, facilitated settlements, outreach, and advocacy. Since the division assumed USERRA enforcement authority in 2004, it has filed 105 lawsuits and favorably resolved 193 complaints through consent decrees or private settlements.
The Civil Rights Division also continually looks for new ways to protect the rights of service members, veterans and military family members. For our veterans with disabilities, the division’s Disability Rights Section has focused on outreach to the veteran population about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensure equal access to all aspects of civic and community life. In recent months, the department resolved complaints from veterans who alleged that, because they use a service animal, they were denied access to restaurants, shops, and healthcare facilities.
America’s service members are willing to fight for us in the face of danger, and at great personal sacrifice especially in times like these.
While servicemembers carry the burdens of this nation, they should not have to worry that the financial sacrifices they are making will result in adverse actions, such as lenders foreclosing on their homes. They should not have to worry about facing employment discrimination due to their service. They should not have to worry about being able to vote while stationed away from home. They should not have to worry about being targeted for fraud and scams. And finally, our veterans should not face discrimination based on physical and mental disabilities.
We at the Department of Justice are committed to using all of the tools in our arsenal to fight for them. The violation of anyone’s civil rights is unacceptable and unlawful, and the Department of Justice will not tolerate any actions that violate the rights of service members or anyone else in our nation.
Bronx Man Charged with 2017 Murder of Joshua LopezRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), today announced a Superseding Indictment in United States v. Scales, et al. 19 Cr. 96 (JSR). In the initial indictment, unsealed on February 21, 2019, defendant SYDNEY SCALES, a/k/a “Sid,” a/k/a “Moe Black,” was charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire, as well as narcotics and firearms offenses. A second defendant on the Indictment, ERNEST HORGE, a/k/a “Ern,” a/k/a “Mac,” was charged with narcotics and firearms offenses. In the Superseding Indictment, SCALES is charged with causing another person to shoot at rival drug dealers on June 9, 2017, in the vicinity of 1135 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, New York, causing the death of Joshua Lopez. SCALES and HORGE are also charged in the Superseding Indictment with engaging in multiple specific drug sales between November 2018 and February 2019, in addition to the narcotics conspiracy charged in the initial indictment. The case is proceeding before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Sydney Scales was responsible for the murder of Joshua Lopez. Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners at HSI and the NYPD, Scales is now charged in federal court for this terrible crime.”
HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said: “The murder of a bystander during a drug-related shooting is a disturbing crime against the people of this City. Scales and Horge are charged with serious narcotics and firearms offenses that caused great harm the community, and ultimately resulted in the tragic loss of a young man’s life. HSI and its law enforcement partners remain committed to ridding our streets of armed and violent drug traffickers, and to doing justice for victims of such senseless violence.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment[1]:
Between in or about 2016 and in or about 2019, SCALES and HORGE participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana in the Bronx and elsewhere. SCALES and HORGE also used, carried, and possessed firearms, which were brandished and discharged, in connection with the narcotics conspiracy, and aided and abetted such firearms offenses. In addition, in or about June 2017, SCALES conspired to commit murder for hire, agreeing to compensate another individual in return for locating and killing at least one rival drug dealer. On the night of June 9, 2017, SCALES caused another person to shoot at rival drug dealers, but the shooter missed the targets and hit Joshua Lopez, causing Lopez’s death.
SCALES, 41, and HORGE, 50, face maximum sentences of life in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Sarah Krissoff, and Mathew Andrews are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
10 November 2020
York Man Sentenced for Attempted Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 5, 2020, Olvin Manuel Ventura-Rivera, age 21, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for attempted distribution of cocaine.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Ventura-Rivera pled guilty to attempted possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride on September 23, 2019, in York, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Clancy prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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West Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty in Coupon Fraud Scheme Targeting Kmart Stores in 25 StatesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tanya Thompson a/k/a Tanya Wetzel, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, between June 2017 and December 2017, Thompson possessed and used fraudulent mobile device coupons at numerous Kmart stores in approximately 25 states. Thompson used the fraudulent coupons to purchase third party gift cards and prepaid credit cards. The total loss to Kmart was approximately $94,977.50.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court permitted Thompson to remain free on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tanya Thompson a/k/a Tanya Wetzel.
Washington County Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – April Allen, age 30, of Fort Ann, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute cocaine. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of her guilty plea, Allen admitted that between July 2019 and November 2019, she agreed with another person to distribute cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2021, at which time the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum fine of $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the DEA, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.
Ulster County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nicholas Rockwell, age 26, of Hurley, New York, pled guilty today to distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Rockwell admitted that on October 11, 2019, he used a social media messaging application to send and receive numerous child pornography videos to another man over the Internet. Rockwell also admitted that at the time of his federal arrest on December 19, 2019, he possessed on his iPhone and in two cloud-based storage accounts approximately 281 images and 1,848 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2021, before Chief U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Rockwell, who has been ordered detained since his federal arrest, faces a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, with a maximum of up to 20 years in prison on each count, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Rockwell will also be required to register as a sex offender.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
USDA Contractor Admits to Giving Gifts to USDA Officials to Influence Award of Contracts and Obstructing Federal Grand Jury InvestigationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric Schneider, a 60-year-old Virginia resident and former Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Communications Resource, Inc. (CRI), pled guilty on November 6, 2020 in federal court in the District of Columbia to one count of conspiracy to violate the Procurement Integrity Act and one count of obstruction of justice.
According to court papers, Schneider admitted to giving gifts to multiple officials at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to influence the award of contracts worth over $19.2 million to CRI and another company he controlled. Schneider admitted to giving USDA officials Corvette wheels, concert tickets, PGA tour tickets, meals, alcohol, strip clubs, parking, concierge medical services, prescription drugs, and other cash tips. Schneider further admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, he drafted or instructed employees to draft procurement documents in such a way as to favor the award of a multi-million dollar contract to CRI. Schneider then provided the documents to a USDA official to whom he provided gifts, for use in the procurement process as if they had been prepared by the USDA. Schneider also admitted to directing two CRI employees to destroy documents responsive to a federal grand jury subpoena.
Schneider pled guilty in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. United States District Judge Carl J. Nichols is presiding over the case. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense. The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice is ten years of imprisonment.
The Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Beltsville Field Office of the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigated the case, along with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services OIG, the Department of State OIG and the Small Business Administration OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Aloi of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekRead the Press Release
FARGO – U.S. Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that on November 10, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota recognized individuals throughout the state who provide outstanding services to victims. Victim assistance awards were presented to the following individuals:
Assistant United States Attorney Victim Assistance Award – James Patrick Thomas, Assistant U.S Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bismarck.
Support Staff Victim Assistance Award – Fallon Clouse, Supervisory Probation Officer, U.S. Probation, Minot.
Victim-Witness Advocate Assistance Award – Gene Hughes, Victim Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Aberdeen, SD.
Special Agent Victim Assistance Award – Bruce Bennett, Special Agent (Retired), Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minot.
State Law Enforcement Victim Assistance Award – Sue Schwab, Detective, Devils Lake Police Department, Devils Lake.
Crime Victim Service Legacy Assistance Award – Joan Halvorson, Victim Specialist, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fargo.
Special Courage Victim Assistance Award – Denise Stevenson, Survivor.
The U. S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s observance in North Dakota was postponed from April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme, Seek Justice | Ensure Victims’ Rights | Inspire Hope, recognizes the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled the victims’ rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing.
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U.S. Attorney Observes Veterans Day HolidayRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. - U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft of the Southern District of
Illinois issued the following statement today in observance of Veterans Day:“On Veterans Day, we celebrate the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed
Forces. It is a day appropriately set aside to honor their heroism and recognize their sacrifices.
The peace and security we enjoy in this great nation could never be achieved without the honorable service of all who have donned a military uniform, and we are forever grateful.”Weinhoeft continued, “I especially want to thank the veterans who work in this office. Those individuals helped preserve our freedom while in uniform, and they continue to serve our country from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. To each of those men and women, we say thank you.”
U.S. Attorney Announces More than 30 Defendants Charged for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced that more than 30 individuals have been named in two separate indictments for their roles in heroin trafficking operations in Oklahoma. The indictments were unsealed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested 23 individuals in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. At least 18 of the 30 defendants named in the indictments are individuals known to be unlawfully in the United States.
“Two major indictments targeting organized crime and drug trafficking were unsealed in federal court today. Operations ‘Royal Flush’ and ‘Town Clown’ involved the takedown of massive heroin trafficking organizations in Oklahoma. Early this morning, the DEA orchestrated the simultaneous execution of search and arrest warrants at 14 different sites in Oklahoma, arresting 23 individuals and seizing approximately 4 kilograms of heroin and $120,000 in U.S. currency,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I commend the more than 200 law enforcement agents and officers who participated in today’s takedown and thank the DEA for their leadership throughout this investigation.”
“Today is another point in the win category for all Oklahomans who value safe and drug-free communities,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA operations in Oklahoma. “These individuals who spent their days delivering heroin can now spend nights in jail while the men and women of DEA Tulsa and our Eastern Oklahoma law enforcement partners continue their efforts to keep heroin off our streets.”
In the first indictment, 25 members and co-conspirators of the Rivera-Serna Drug Trafficking Organization were charged for their alleged roles in a continuing criminal enterprise that allegedly distributed more than 1 kilogram of deadly heroin into Oklahoma communities and laundered the proceeds.
Eleven defendants were arrested during Operation Royal Flush and made initial appearances in U.S. District Court Tuesday. An additional six individuals were also arrested as part of the operation, who are not named in the indictment, and will be charged by Criminal Complaint.
According to the indictment, Juan Carlos Rivera-Serna and Felipe Rios-Galicia are charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in Count 1 of the indictment. The two men worked in concert with other individuals and acted as principal administrators, organizers, supervisors and leaders of the enterprise. In Count 2 of the indictment, all 25 defendants are charged with drug conspiracy for possessing with intent to distribute and to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Thirteen of the defendants are further charged with money laundering in Count 3 of the indictment. The conspirators allegedly laundered the proceeds from heroin sales in order to conceal and fund their illegal drug operation.
In a second indictment, seven other defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute heroin and other violations. Six of the 7 individuals were arrested by law enforcement as part of Operation Town Clown. According to the indictment, the seven individuals are charged with drug conspiracy, allegedly conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin. Several of the defendants are also charged with distribution of heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and use of a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Miami Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department, Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Operations, Yukon Police Department, Moore Police Department, Canadian County Sheriff’s Office, El Reno Police Department, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma City Police Department, Duncan Police Department, District 18 Task Force, and from Arkansas, the Springdale Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office took part in the investigation and arrests today.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. 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 and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
Truck Driver Sentenced to 70 Months for Transporting FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Felipe Genao Minaya, 49, of Nagua, Dominican Republic, was sentenced on November 6, 2020 by Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Minaya received a sentence of 70 months’ imprisonment with a three-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
On April 26, 2018, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on an NNN Transport semi-truck hauling a refrigerated trailer for a traffic violation. The driver, Minaya, was an employee of NNN Transport, and the passenger, Nelson Nicholas Nunez-Acosta, was the company owner. During the course of the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. While inspecting the refrigerator unit inside the trailer, the trooper determined that there was a hidden compartment concealed behind the unit. After accessing the hidden compartment, the trooper discovered 42 bricks containing 118 pounds of fentanyl.
Minaya became suspicious when Nunez-Acosta flew from New Jersey to California to meet him regarding picking up a load. Minaya eventually learned that he was transporting something illegal, but wasn’t told what. Nunez-Acosta has also pleaded guilty to the same charge and sentencing is set for November 13, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Troy Man Charged with Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sherrod Johnson, a/k/a “Rod,” age 27, of Troy, New York, was indicted last week on multiple drug and firearms offenses.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
The indictment alleges that Johnson possessed and intended to distribute heroin on two occasions, first in March 2019 and then in April 2020, and that on each occasion he also possessed a handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also alleges that Johnson was subject to an order of protection when he possessed the handguns, which rendered his possession of the handguns unlawful.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Johnson was arrested on April 2, 2020, and charged by complaint with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He is detaining pending trial.
If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life; a minimum term of post-release supervision of 3 years and a maximum term of life; and fines of up to $1 million.
The case is being investigated by the ATF, DEA, and the Troy Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
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/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Stalking and Kidnapping WifeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today in connection with kidnapping and stalking his then wife, and his subsequent efforts to prevent her testimony in federal court.
Sunil K. Akula, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, one count of stalking, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of witness tampering. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2021. Akula was arrested and charged in September 2019.
On Aug. 6, 2019, Akula traveled from his home in Texas to Agawam, Mass. to confront his then wife, from whom he was living apart. A couple of days later, he physically assaulted his wife and forced her to leave her apartment and get into a car with him, stating that he was taking her back to Texas.
Akula then drove his wife south through many states, during which time he again assaulted her, forced her to send a resignation e-mail to her employer, and smashed her laptop and threw it on the side of the highway. Akula stopped at a Knox County, Tenn. hotel, where he again beat his wife. When Akula could not quiet his wife from crying loudly, he opened the door to leave the hotel room and was arrested by local law enforcement officers.
While Akula was held before trial, he made phone calls to family in India instructing them to contact his wife's father so that he would convince her to withdraw her statements to law enforcement and not to testify, not to go to court or to have the charges against Akula dropped.
The charge of kidnapping provides for a sentence of up to life prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of stalking provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of obstruction of justice provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of witness tampering 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Chicopee Police Chief William R. Jebb; Agawam Police Chief Eric Gillis; Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler; and Plano (Texas) Interim Police Chief Dan Curtis made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla, Chief of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley are prosecuting the case.
Taiwan Individual and International Business Organizations Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Violate Iranian SanctionsRead the Press Release
Chin Hua Huang, 42, a resident of Taiwan, was charged in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with participating in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran. Also charged was Taiwan business organization DES International Co., Ltd. (DES Int’l) and Brunei business organization Soltech Industry Co., Ltd. (Soltech).
Huang, DES Int’l, and Soltech were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSRs).
“The defendants are charged with conspiring to violate American sanctions on Iran by buying goods from the United States, concealing the origin of those goods and sending them to Iran for use by the government and business,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “Violations of the sanctions diminish their effectiveness and delay the day when Iran will cease its belligerent activity.”
“Individuals or business organizations that violate U.S. laws by providing U.S. goods to Iran without a license will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin.
“The FBI greatly appreciates the coordinated efforts with HSI, OFAC, DCIS, BIS, DC USAO, and DOJ CES to bring formal charges against DES International, it’s subsidiary Soltech Industry, and Ms. Chin Hua Huang. Together, they worked to relentlessly pursue every lead to ensure these individuals would face the charges detailed in the criminal complaint for their roles in illegally supplying U.S. technology to Iran,” stated FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “The items, which were allegedly delivered by DES International, its front companies and Ms. Huang to Iran, undermined our national security. For me, the most impressive aspect of this investigative team’s diligent work was not only the criminal charges against these three entities, but also the addition of four individuals and more than six companies to the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN) surrounding this proliferation network located throughout the Middle East and Asia.”
“Today’s action is a tremendous example of Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) collaborative commitment to enforce the export laws of the United States. These individuals and organizations are eroding our country’s national security and legitimate commerce by transshipping sensitive U.S. technology to Iran through various shell companies and affiliates,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “This effort demonstrates the U.S. Government’s enduring resolve to ensure significant consequences to violators. HSI is uniquely positioned to use its wide ranging investigative authorities and global footprint to mitigate weaknesses within the U.S. trade and financial sectors by utilizing the full authorities of the U.S. Government.”
"This investigation underscores the Defense Criminal Investigative Service's commitment to safeguarding our nation's most sensitive technologies and preventing those technologies from getting into the hands of our adversaries," said Michael Mentavlos, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. "DCIS, in consort with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who attempt to circumvent export control laws and threaten the integrity of U.S. military technology."
“Today’s action is the result of seamless coordination and collaborative counter proliferation efforts of a very dedicated multi-agency team of law enforcement professionals from the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Homeland Security Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and the Department of Justice. OEE and our partners will continue to prevent the illegal export of U.S. technologies and protect American businesses by combatting transnational criminal networks and violators of our export laws.” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Nonexclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce.
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint alleges that Huang was a sales agent for DES Int’l and Soltech, both of which procured goods from the United States for the benefit of Iranian government entities and business organizations. DES Int’l and Soltech were affiliated with one another by virtue of common directors, employees, and customers. Huang used her position as a sales agent to help an Iranian research center obtain U.S. goods without a license from the Department of the Treasury. These goods included a power amplifier designed for use in electromechanical devices, and cybersecurity software. Huang took steps to conceal the U.S. origin of the goods, including by removing serial number stickers with the phrase “Made in USA” from packages, and by causing the cybersecurity software to be downloaded onto a computer outside of Iran. Huang shared developments regarding this illegal conduct with other employees and directors of DES Int’l and Soltech.
A concurrent action was taken by the Department of the Treasury, sanctioning Huang, DES Int’l, and Soltech, and seven related individuals and entities.
If convicted, Huang would face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, and Des Int’l and Soltech would each face a fine of up to $500,000. The criminal charge in the complaint is an allegation, and criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Antonio, Texas, Field Office, HSI, DCIS, and DOC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman and National Security Division Trial Attorney William Mackie are representing the United States.
Taiwan Individual and International Business Organizations Charged with Criminal Conspiracy to Violate Iranian SanctionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Chin Hua Huang, 42, a resident of Taiwan, was charged in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with participating in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran. Also charged was Taiwan business organization DES International Co., Ltd. (DES Int’l) and Brunei business organization Soltech Industry Co., Ltd. (Soltech).
Huang, DES Int’l, and Soltech were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSRs).
“Individuals or business organizations that violate U.S. laws by providing U.S. goods to Iran without a license will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin.
“The defendants are charged with conspiring to violate American sanctions on Iran by buying goods from the United States, concealing the origin of those goods and sending them to Iran for use by the government and business,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. “Violations of the sanctions diminish their effectiveness and delay the day when Iran will cease its belligerent activity.”
“The FBI greatly appreciates the coordinated efforts with HSI, OFAC, DCIS, BIS, DC USAO, and DOJ CES to bring formal charges against DES International, its subsidiary Soltech Industry, and Ms. Chin Hua Huang. Together, they worked to relentlessly pursue every lead to ensure these individuals would face the charges detailed in the criminal complaint for their roles in illegally supplying U.S. technology to Iran,” stated FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “The items, which were allegedly delivered by DES International, its front companies and Ms. Huang to Iran, undermined our national security. For me, the most impressive aspect of this investigative team’s diligent work was not only the criminal charges against these three entities, but also the addition of four individuals and more than six companies to the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN) surrounding this proliferation network located throughout the Middle East and Asia.”
“Today’s action is a tremendous example of Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) collaborative commitment to enforce the export laws of the United States. These individuals and organizations are eroding our country’s national security and legitimate commerce by transshipping sensitive U.S. technology to Iran through various shell companies and affiliates,” said Special Agent in Charge, Shane Folden, HSI San Antonio. “This effort demonstrates the U.S. Government’s enduring resolve to ensure significant consequences to violators. HSI is uniquely positioned to use its wide ranging investigative authorities and global footprint to mitigate weaknesses within the U.S. trade and financial sectors by utilizing the full authorities of the U.S. Government.”
"This investigation underscores the Defense Criminal Investigative Service's commitment to safeguarding our nation's most sensitive technologies and preventing those technologies from getting into the hands of our adversaries," said Michael Mentavlos, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Southwest Field Office. "DCIS, in consort with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who attempt to circumvent export control laws and threaten the integrity of U.S. military technology."
“Today’s action is the result of seamless coordination and collaborative counter proliferation efforts of a very dedicated multi-agency team of law enforcement professionals from the Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Homeland Security Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and the Department of Justice. OEE and our partners will continue to prevent the illegal export of U.S. technologies and protect American businesses by combatting transnational criminal networks and violators of our export laws.” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Nonexclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce.
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint alleges that Huang was a sales agent for DES Int’l and Soltech, both of which procured goods from the United States for the benefit of Iranian government entities and business organizations. DES Int’l and Soltech were affiliated with one another by virtue of common directors, employees, and customers. Huang used her position as a sales agent to help an Iranian research center obtain U.S. goods without a license from the Department of the Treasury. These goods included a power amplifier designed for use in electromechanical devices, and cybersecurity software. Huang took steps to conceal the U.S. origin of the goods, including by removing serial number stickers with the phrase “Made in USA” from packages, and by causing the cybersecurity software to be downloaded onto a computer outside of Iran. Huang shared developments regarding this illegal conduct with other employees and directors of DES Int’l and Soltech.
A concurrent action was taken by the Department of the Treasury, sanctioning Huang, DES Int’l, and Soltech, and seven related individuals and entities.
If convicted, Huang would face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, and DES Int’l and Soltech would each face a fine of up to $500,000. The criminal charge in the complaint is an allegation, and criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Antonio, Texas, Field Office, HSI, DCIS, and DOC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman and National Security Division Trial Attorney William Mackie are representing the United States.
T&A Crips member who led Columbus-to-Portsmouth drug operation sentenced to 15 years in prisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – One of 19 defendants charged in a Columbus gang-related racketeering conspiracy was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison.
Eric Henderson, Sr., 41, participated extensively in planning and organizing the gang’s Portsmouth, Ohio, drug operation by recruiting accomplices and co-conspirators to carry out the trafficking.
T&A Crips derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside. T&A controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.
Specifically, the co-conspirators in this case are charged with five murders:
the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;
the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;
the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;
the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and
the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.
T&A engaged in a long-term operation of consistent transportation of heroin and crack from Columbus to Portsmouth, Ohio, for sale in various “trap houses.” In the summer of 2015, T&A, under the leadership of Henderson, Sr. began to deliver large amounts of heroin, crack and oxycodone from Columbus to Portsmouth on a weekly basis. Female associates and drug-addicted “mules” transported the drugs at the direction of T&A members and associates. The drugs were then sold on a daily basis out of a number of “trap houses” in Portsmouth controlled by T&A members.
Henderson, Sr., also known as “Easy,” pleaded guilty in March 2019 to conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan; United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
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Suburban Chicago Businessman Charged with Swindling Hospitals in Connection with Attempted Purchase of $2.6 Million in PPERead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago businessman has been charged with fraud for allegedly swindling more than $2.6 million from hospitals who paid for scarce personal protective equipment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges DENNIS W. HAGGERTY, JR., the president of Illinois-based At Diagnostics Inc., with one count of wire fraud. Haggerty, 44, of Burr Ridge, Ill., was arrested this morning. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance today at 2:45 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole in Chicago.
Also today, federal law enforcement executed a court-authorized search of Haggerty’s office in Willowbrook, Ill.
The complaint and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Eichenseer.
According to the complaint, Haggerty and two business partners formed At Diagnostics in March 2020 to sell personal protective equipment. Two large university hospitals – one in Chicago and the other in Iowa City, Iowa – ordered a combined one million N95 face masks from the company. As a deposit on the masks, the hospitals paid more than $3 million into a bank account that Haggerty falsely represented as an At Diagnostics account but which was actually solely controlled by Haggerty, the complaint states. The complaint alleges that Haggerty spent part of the hospitals’ funds for his own personal benefit, including purchasing two Maserati automobiles and a Land Rover sport-utility vehicle.
When At Diagnostics failed to deliver the masks on time, Haggerty allegedly falsely claimed to one hospital that his bank had no record of the payment being received. After his business partners confronted Haggerty about the whereabouts of the money, Haggerty altered a bank statement to make it appear as if the funds had never been received, the complaint states.
To date, Haggerty has failed to return more than $2.6 million paid by the hospitals for masks that were never delivered, the complaint states.
The charge in the complaint is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Staten Island Man Arrested in Connection with Threats to Kill Protesters, Politicians and Members of Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
A criminal complaint was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Brian Maiorana, a resident of Staten Island, with threatening to kill and ordering others to kill protestors, politicians and law enforcement in retaliation for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Maiorana was arrested this morning, and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara. Maiorana was ordered detained pending trial.
Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.
“The Department of Justice will not stand idly by when people like the defendant allegedly threaten to kill elected officials, lawful protesters and law enforcement simply because of animus towards the outcome of an election. Americans have a constitutional right to voice their opinions, but this Office will not tolerate violence or threats of violence used to intimidate others with whom they disagree,” stated Acting United States Attorney DuCharme.
“Mr. Maiorana’s online posts called for violence against our entire community—protestors, politicians, and law enforcement officers alike. His alleged threats are disturbing and far outside of acceptable norms, but they also violated federal law. A word of advice to those who haven’t yet figured this out—the FBI will carry out our mission to protect the public’s safety and our constitutional right to disagree with one another, but we will not tolerate threats and acts of violence. Any others who wish to follow the example set by Mr. Maiorana will be held accountable in the same way,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.
As set forth in the complaint, beginning in September 2020, Maiorana used a social media platform to post multiple threats to kill protestors, politicians and law enforcement officers and to encourage others to do the same. For example, on October 19, 2020, Maiorana posted that “[i]ts come to the point where pipe bombs need to be thrown into these mobs of potentially non violent violent protesters.” On November 8, 2020, Maiorana posted: “Soap Box, Ballot Box…that was fraudulently stolen from us, Now Cartridge Box,” a reference to ammunition or “cartridges.” On November 8, 2020, following the news media’s projection of the result of the 2020 Presidential Election, Maiorana posted that “The Turner Diaries must come to life. We blow up the FBI building for real. All the alphabet agencies assassination will become the new normal now . . . that the electoral process is finished.” The “Turner Diaries”—a 1978 novel influential among white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups—depicts an overthrow of the U.S. federal government, nuclear war, and ultimately, the extermination of non-whites. It has been cited as inspiration for numerous acts of terrorism, including the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Following Maiorana’s arrest, the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence and seized, among other things, a semiautomatic firearm and ammunition.
The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Maiorana faces up to five years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell and Jonathan E. Algor are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
BRIAN MAIORANA
Age: 54
Staten Island, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 20-MJ-1072
Spring Creek Man Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Spring Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on November 5, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Antonio Marshall, age 22, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on each count to run concurrently, three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200, and forfeiture of three firearms and ammunition.
Marshall was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2020. He pled guilty on August 17, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy that began in January 2017, continuing until March 2018, wherein Marshall conspired with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine on the Rosebud Indian reservation. Further, on January 16, 2018, law enforcement seized over 50 grams of cocaine and three firearms from a residence. At the time, Marshall was an unlawful user of a controlled substance and prohibited from possessing the firearms.
Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity. Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers. It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Marshall was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Southern California Man Sentenced to Ten Years in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 9, 2020, Richard Garner (age: 56) of Rancho Cucamonga, California, was sentenced to a term of ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).
According to court documents, on July 31, 2019, Garner had a suspected drug-laden package mailed from Redondo Beach, California, to a residence in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the suspicious package, which was later confirmed to contain approximately a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of N-Phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide, commonly known as fentanyl. During the same timeframe, Garner was also responsible for sending and further distributing controlled substances in other locations within the continental United States, including Ohio and Louisiana. Garner committed this offense while on federal supervised release for prior convictions for Operating a Criminal Enterprise and Money Laundering.
In pronouncing sentence, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman noted the serious nature of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant.
The case was investigated by the North Central HIDTA Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Brady, Jr.
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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Shiprock man pleads guilty to assaulting a federal officerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Derrick Begay, 33, of Shiprock, New Mexico, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque on Nov. 6 to assault on a federal officer involving physical contact.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Jan. 22, a federal special agent with the a Bureau of Indian Affairs made contact with Begay on the side of a road in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. The special agent requested that Begay get out of the vehicle, but Begay did not comply. At one point Begay lunged out of his vehicle and hit the special agent in the face. Begay got back into his vehicle and fled the scene with law enforcement in pursuit. Begay reached speeds in excess of 100 mph. The weather was poor and there were school buses on the roadway, so law enforcement called off the pursuit. Begay was later arrested on May 1.
Begay is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to eight years in prison.
The Farmington office of the FBI investigated this case along with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Cowen is prosecuting the case.
Seafood Company Pleads Guilty to the Illegal Sale of OystersRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOD COMPANY, LLC, ("INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOD") a Louisiana Limited Liability Company located in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty today to a one count Bill of Information for the illegal sale of oysters in violation of the Lacey Act.
According to court records, from January 1, 2017 through March 19, 2019, INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOD did knowingly sell and transport oysters in interstate commerce with a market value in excess of $350.00, when, in the exercise of due care, INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOD should have known that said oysters were acquired and possessed in violation of and in a manner unlawful under the laws of the State of Louisiana, specifically, Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 56:306.4; R.S. 56:306.5; R.S. 56:306.6. INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOOD failed to report to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries approximately 14,346 sacks of Louisiana oysters, valued at approximately $656,865.
INDIAN RIDGE SEAFOOD faces a maximum fine of not more than $200,000 and a special assessment of $125.00. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for February 18, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan.
“NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is dedicated to enforcing federal marine resource laws, including the Lacey Act, to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources,” Tracy A. Dunn, Assistant Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Law Enforcement said. “This investigation is an example of how we collaboratively work with other federal and state partners, such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.”
“Accurate and timely recordkeeping about the harvesting, holding, and sale of shellfish is not only required by law, but exists to protect the public health,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin C. Fielder, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Miami Field Office. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to investigate such matters and keep our food supply safe.”
U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.
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San Antonio Businessman Brian Alfaro Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison on Mail Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 51-year-old Brian Alfaro, owner of Primera Energy, LLC, to 121 months in federal prison for scheming to defraud investors in his company, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered that Alfaro pay $9,922,428.63 in restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
On February 13, 2020, a federal jury convicted Alfaro of eight counts of mail fraud. Evidence presented during trial revealed that from January 2012 to June 2015, Alfaro offered individuals the opportunity to invest in numerous oil and gas prospects, including the Screaming Eagle 4H Prospect in Gonzales County, Screaming Eagle 6H Prospect also in Gonzales County, and Black Hawk Horizontal Buda #1 Prospect. Investors mailed investment checks to Primera in San Antonio. Alfaro told investors their monies would be used for expenses related to operation of the prospects, however, Alfaro used investor funds to support his extravagant lifestyle to include purchasing a high-end Rolex watch and numerous luxury vehicles such as a Lamborghini, a Mercedes Benz and a Porsche. In addition, Alfaro purchased VIP season tickets to the San Antonio Spurs valued at approximately $100,000.
“Today’s ten-year prison sentence guarantees that Mr. Alfaro will not be driving his Lamborghini to his $100,000 VIP seats at the AT&T Center. Instead, he must work to pay back almost $10 million to the victims of his criminal scheme, while serving time in prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. “White collar crime undermines our economy and causes real damage to real people.”
Many of the victims in this case were retired or nearing retirement and the loss of the investment wiped out their retirement. One victim, a 76-year-old widow, had been using her investment to supplement her social security. She has now been forced to go back to work. A couple, who fell victims to Alfaro’s scheme, had saved up approximately $100,000 over 35 years. They have a daughter with disabilities that will require her to receive care for the rest of her life. The couple invested their entire savings hoping to expand the nest egg that they were building to provide care for their daughter after they pass away. That is all now gone. Many victims had to delay or rethink retirement plans as well as college plans for children and grandchildren.
“Alfaro convinced his victims to invest their hard earned money in profitable oil and gas ventures, but he stole their money and used it to finance an extravagant lifestyle,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “While some of his victims were wealthy investors, others trusted Alfaro with their entire life savings and will likely struggle financially for the rest of their lives. The sentence handed down today should serve as a warning to others who seek to victimize and betray investors in our community.”
USA Sofer commended the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation agents who investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory J. Surovic, Fidel Esparza, III, and Robert Almonte who prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Salinas Norteño Gang Member Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for His Participation in Federal RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SAN JOSE – Johnny Magdaleno, a/k/a “Soldier Boy,” was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his federal RICO conspiracy conviction, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. Magdaleno was a high-ranking Norteño gang member who orchestrated and participated in multiple attempted murders in the Monterey County Jail.Magdaleno, 33, of Salinas, pleaded guilty on February 13, 2020, to a RICO conspiracy charge and admitted in his plea agreement to being a member of the Nuestra Familia/Salinas Norteños, known legally as an enterprise. The enterprise consisted of members and associates of the Nuestra Familia prison gang as well as Norteño street gangs in Salinas and the surrounding areas. Norteño gang members pledge their allegiance and loyalty to Nuestra Familia and are instructed on its rules, rituals, and obligations. Members agree to commit crimes such as murder, narcotics trafficking, and other acts of violence as a pattern of their racketeering activity.
Gang rules and discipline are maintained by threatening and assaulting those individuals who violate the rules or pose a threat to the organization. Inside prisons and local jails, all members and associates of Nuestra Familia and the Norteños work together to maintain the structure and follow the rules of the enterprise.
In his plea agreement, Magdaleno admitted that while in jail he conspired with enterprise members to commit murder by approving “removals” of inmates as a means of enforcing the gang’s most important rules. The term “removal” refers to a weapons-based assault designed to remove (from both the custodial housing unit and the gang itself) a member of the gang who committed a serious violation of the gang’s rules. A removal is accomplished by having one or more “hitters” stab the victim and then having at least two “bombers” assault the target by punching and kicking the victim. The purpose of the subsequent bombers’ beating is to inflict maximum injury on the victim while giving time to the hitters to wash blood off of themselves and to get rid of the weapons.
Magdaleno admitted that during the RICO conspiracy period he was a high-ranking member of the Norteños group called La Casa. In that role, he had the power, authority, and responsibility to authorize removals in the Monterey County Jail. Magdaleno admitted that while in custody at the Monterey County jail he committed the following removals:o On December 2, 2012, Magdaleno orchestrated and directly participated in the removal of an inmate referred to as Victim-1 by stabbing Victim-1 in the chest and back over 20 times. Immediately thereafter two bombers punched and kicked the victim to inflict maximum damage and to allow Magdaleno to escape from being caught with the stabbing weapon by guards.
o On February 25, 2013, Magdaleno orchestrated and directly participated in the removal of Victim-2 by first giving marijuana to the victim so that he would let his guard down and then stabbing the victim in the head with a shank made from an electrical outlet plate sharpened into a stabbing instrument. Three bombers then punched and kicked the victim to allow Magdaleno to take the shank away. Magdaleno disposed of the shank and returned to join the bombers in beating Victim-2.
o On April 29, 2013, Magdaleno orchestrated the removal of Victim-3 by falsely assuring him that he would not be harmed if he returned to his housing pod and by directing others also to assure the victim of his safety. During the ensuing removal, Victim-3 was stabbed in the head several times by a hitter using a metal shank and punched and kicked by bombers to allow the hitter to dispose of the shank.
o On November 13, 2013, Magdaleno orchestrated the removal of Victim-6 that resulted in the hitter stabbing Victim-6 in the head, torso, and arms approximately ten times and two bombers setting upon the victim, punching and kicking him.
o On April 14, 2014, Magdaleno orchestrated and directly participated in the removal of Victim-7 in the Monterey County Jail Main Yard by stabbing the inmate in the head and thereafter joining two bombers in punching and kicking the victim.
Magdaleno further admitted to overseeing and actively participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy within Monterey County Jail.
Magdaleno and 14 other Norteño gang members were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 27, 2018. They were charged with one count of a RICO racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); one count of conspiracy to commit attempted murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5); and one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(6). In addition, some of the defendants, but not Magdaleno, were charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) and assault with a dangerous weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3).
To date, 11 of the charged defendants have pleaded guilty and nine have been sentenced, while four defendants remain scheduled for a trial set to commence on August 30, 2021. Each of the 11 defendants listed below pleaded guilty to a RICO conspiracy, and their status is as follows:
Defendant
Date of Sentencing
Sentence
JOHNNY MAGDALENO, a/k/a “Soldier Boy”
November 10, 2020
30 years in prison
RODNEY LUIS ROMERO,
a/k/a “Speedy”
November 17, 2020
TBD – pending sentencing
RAMON MONTOYA, a/k/a “Ray Ray”
October 27, 2020
10 years in prison
MICHAEL JAMES RICE,
a/k/a “Redwood”
March 3, 2020
156 months in prison
ALEJO ALEX ALEGRE, IV,
a/k/a “Chino”
October 13, 2020
10 years in prison
CARLOS CERVANTES, a/k/a “Lil Huero”
September 22, 2020
10 years in prison
ALBERTO MORENO,
a/k/a “Doughboy”
January 7, 2020
7 years in prison
STEVEN ANTHONY DORADO,
a/k/a “Castro”
July 14, 2020
7 years in prison
JEFFREY LOPEZ,
a/k/a “T-Bone”
May 11, 2020
7 years in prison
JUAN ALVAREZ,
a/k/a “Chucky”
January 5, 2021
TBD – pending sentencing
ERIK LOPEZ,
a/k/a “Bimbo”
August 18, 2020
10 years in prison
The sentence for Magdaleno was handed down today by The Honorable Beth Labson Freeman, U.S. District Court Judge, following a guilty plea on one count of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d). Judge Freeman also sentenced the defendant to a five year period of supervised release following release from prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia Quiroz and Stephen Meyer are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the Salinas Police Department, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Roma man heads to prison for transporting cocaineRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 43-year-old South Texas man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute a large amount of narcotics, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Andres Garza pleaded guilty Sept. 2.
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Garza to serve a 37-month sentence to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release.
On March 23, Garza attempted to enter the United States via the Roma Port of Entry, driving a GMC Sierra truck. The vehicle was referred to secondary inspection where a K-9 alerted to the presence of concealed narcotics. Authorities ultimately found cocaine, weighing approximately 4.06 kilograms, taped inside Garza’s vehicle.
At the time of his plea, he admitting he knew there were narcotics in his vehicle and expected to be paid money for transporting them.
Garza has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Blake Land prosecuted the case.
Rincon man faces federal charges for aiming laser at commercial aircraftRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: An Effingham County resident has been indicted on federal charges for aiming a powerful laser at commercial aircraft.
Roger Floyd Hendricks, 48, of Rincon, was indicted by a U.S. District Court grand jury on three counts of Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Each count carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison and substantial fines, followed by a period of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not a prank; it’s incredibly dangerous and stupid,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “The FBI did an outstanding job of locating and stopping this threat to hundreds of Savannah air travelers.”
The Federal Aviation Administration contacted the FBI in February for assistance in locating the source of three separate green laser strikes on aircraft inbound to the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. According to the indictment, those strikes included:
- A Nov. 27, 2019 strike on Commutair flight 4935 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-145, has a capacity of more than 50 passengers and crew and landed safely.
- A Dec. 8, 2019 strike on Delta flight 697 from Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta. The aircraft, an Airbus A321, has a capacity of up to nearly 200 passengers and crew and landed safely. And,
- A Jan. 14, 2020 strike on NetJets flight 385 from Chicago Midway International Airport. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation Sovereign, has a capacity of eight passengers plus crew and landed safely.
Hendricks was charged after he was identified in the FBI investigation.
In the past year, the FAA reports that nationwide there were more than 6,000 laser strikes on aircraft in United States airspace.
“Aiming a laser at an airplane is not a game, it’s a federal felony and something the FBI takes very seriously,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “These alleged actions placed the lives of innocent air travelers and commercial airline crews in danger and must be prosecuted.”
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer G. Solari and Joshua S. Bearden.