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22 October 2020
Belgrade man sentenced, fined for wire fraud in dumping of radioactive drilling wasteRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Belgrade man who admitted dumping radioactive contaminants from oil drilling at an abandoned gas station in North Dakota instead of properly disposing of the waste as hired to do was sentenced today to four months in prison, which was the time he had served in custody, and two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
James Kenneth Ward, 58, pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered Ward to pay a $2,500 fine and $9,977 restitution.
"Mr. Ward's actions not only defrauded a company that had hired him to properly dispose of oil drilling waste but they also put the environment and the public at risk by deliberately abandoning the contaminated materials at an unsecure, defunct gas station property. Those who poison the environment for personal gain will be caught and prosecuted," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
“The defendant in this case engaged in a fraudulent scheme that resulted in a serious threat to public health in the form of improperly disposed of radioactive waste.” said Lance Ehrig, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Enforcement Program in Montana. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the EPA’s commitment to protecting public health and holding accountable those who defraud consumers.”
The prosecution said in court documents that from 2011 until 2014, Ward contracted with Zenith Produced Water, LLC, to properly incinerate and dispose of filter socks, which are tubular nets that collect pollutants and radioactive materials from saltwater produced from drilling and developing oil. Zenith Produced Water, a Colorado company that owned and operated saltwater disposal wells, paid Ward $9,977 to properly dispose of the filter socks. Instead of disposing the filter socks as agreed, Ward dumped the filter socks at an abandoned gas station in Noonan, N.D. Zenith Produced Water would never have paid Ward the money if it knew he was going to dump the filter socks in an abandoned gas station. Ward deposited some of the checks he received from Zenith Produced Water in a bank in Deer Lodge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Weldon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric E. Nelson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division.
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Activity in the United States Attorney's OfficeRead the Press Release
Chief United States District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced codefendants Ashley Rose Yellowbear, 28, Kristen Jade Antelope, 27, Rusty Tso Tabaho, 28, and Samuel Harold Friday, 38, all of the Wind River Reservation or Riverton, Wyoming, on October 15, 2020 for kidnapping and aiding and abetting.
“The violence in this case is disturbing and unacceptable,” said US Attorney Mark Klaassen. “The victims were bound at the wrists, beaten, threatened, and held captive for hours at the hands of the defendants. This prosecution makes clear that such actions will not be tolerated, and affirms our commitment to reduce violent crime in Indian County and across Wyoming.”
Each codefendant’s sentence depended upon his or her role in the offense. Yellowbear was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment, Antelope was sentenced to 124 months of imprisonment, Tabaho was sentenced to 114 months of imprisonment and Friday was sentenced to 160 months of imprisonment. All codefendants’ prison sentences will be followed by five years of supervised release. All codefendants were ordered to pay restitution jointly and severally in the amount of $4,408.69 with the possibility of additional restitution being added on or before January 9, 2021. Each codefendant must pay a $100.00 special assessment.
"The FBI, along with the Wind River Police Department, worked diligently to investigate and gather evidence in this case," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. "The recent sentencing of Ashley Yellowbear, Kristen Antelope, Rusty Tabaho and Sam Friday demonstrates the commitment and dedication to our citizens and communities. The FBI, our law enforcement partners, and prosecutors work together every day to find justice for the victims of violent crime on our nation’s Indian reservations.”
These sentences were in connection with an incident in which the codefendants confined two victims in Yellowbear’s Ford Expedition on January 1, 2020, by cuffing their wrists using handcuffs and plastic zip-ties and activating child locks on the Expedition’s doors and windows. The victims were held for several hours, during which time they were repeatedly assaulted with fists, were struck in the head with a tire iron, strangled and kicked. The victims were eventually taken out of Yellowbear’s Expedition, thrown to the ground, kicked and left at an abandoned house in the St. Stephens area. One victim was able to run for help but could not direct law enforcement to where the second victim had been left unconscious. The second victim regained consciousness and crawled into the abandoned house in an attempt to find shelter, as temperatures were at or near freezing at the time The motive for the kidnapping and assaults was a series of text messages that angered Yellowbear. All codefendants were arrested on the Wind River Reservation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs
33 Latin King Members and Associates Convicted and Sentenced to Lengthy Federal Prison Terms for Racketeering OffensesRead the Press Release
In Del Rio, a federal judge has sentenced 33 members and associates of the Austin, San Antonio and Uvalde Chapters of the Latin King’s Central Region of Texas from 45 to 288 months in federal prison for their roles in a racketeering scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) Director Steven McCraw, and Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez.
According to court records, the defendants have operated a criminal enterprise in Central Texas for ten years beginning in 2005. Under the leadership of Texas-Central Region “Inca” Pete Perez in Austin (188 mos.), San Antonio Chapter “Inca” Joe Pierce (aka “Dro”) (252 mos.) and Uvalde Chapter “Incas” James Marty Long (aka “Whiteboy”) (264 mos.) and Jacob Mariscal (aka “Righteous”) (250 mos.), the defendants conspired to carry out unlawful acts including attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, robbery, various firearms offenses and drug distribution involving marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Charges included conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute to include ten attempted murders, approximately ten assaults and various other acts of violence committed as a result of a prospect initiation, leaking of sensitive information to a non-Latin King member, breaking an organizational rule, retaliation against rival gang members, and for unpaid drug distribution debts.
“Violent gangs like the Latin Kings are made up of members who wake up each and every day intent on committing violence, dealing drugs, breaking our laws and threatening our social fabric. Simply put, they cannot be allowed to run unchecked in our streets,” stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. “Thanks to the hard work of Assistant United States Attorney Amy Hail, and the extraordinary efforts of HSI, DEA, and the Texas DPS, our community is safer. The sentences announced today ensure that these gang members will no longer be in a position to shoot, rob, extort or peddle poison in the Western District of Texas.”
Among the overt acts described in court documents are:
- In 2008, Latin King members assaulted a rival gang member by beating about his head, face and body with rocks, bats, and glass bottles.
- In 2009, Latin King members conspired to shoot a rival gang member in retaliation for the stabbing of a Latin King member and supplied the gun for the retaliatory shooting.
- In 2009, Latin King members struck a rival gang member in the head with a brick, and then brandished a shotgun while stating “I’m going to kill you” over a gang related dispute. That individual suffered non-life threatening injuries.
- In 2009, Latin King members engaged in a fistfight with rival gang members at a gas station and during that fight one of the Latin King members drove a vehicle into a group of rival gang members.
- In 2010, Latin King members used two females to lure two rival gang members to a residence where they were stabbed, punched, kicked, and beaten with a baseball bat.
- In 2010, Latin King members assaulted a rival gang member by beating him, striking him with a beer bottle, and stabbing him.
- In 2011, Latin King members engaged in a fight with rival gang members at a bar over a gang dispute, which resulted in the death of a Latin King member.
- In 2012, Latin King members attempted to murder a rival gang member by shooting at individuals standing in front a residence, causing a non-gang member to be hit by a stray bullet.
- In 2013, Latin King members attempted to murder a rival gang member by shooting him with a shotgun, stabbing him with a knife, and hitting him in the head with a brick while beating him in retaliation for previous fight the individual had with a Latin King member.
“Violent gangs have no room here in south Texas,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Folden, San Antonio Division. “These significant sentences take dangerous gang members off the streets and weaken the larger illicit organization. HSI will continue to stand united with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal organizations in an effort to protect our communities.”
“These federal prison sentences sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to disrupt and dismantle gangs and rid our streets of these criminals and the violence associated with their activities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. “Communities and neighborhoods which this gang has impacted through drug dealing and violence deserve to be able to peacefully go about their daily lives without fear.”
“The sentencing of these 33 violent Latin King gang members sends a clear message to all who engage in violent criminal activity: DEA and our law enforcement partners will bring them to justice, no matter where they are or how long it takes,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Whipple, Houston Field Office.
HSI, FBI, DEA, TXDPS and the Uvalde Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy M. Hail prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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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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.
3 sent to prison for smuggling 24 in hidden compartmentRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – Two men and one woman have been sentenced for their part in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
A Laredo federal jury deliberated for eight hours following a one-day trial Jan. 16 before convicting Clarence James Lee, 61, San Antonio. Co-conspirators Ellis Levaughn Boston, 48, San Antonio, and Julie Perez, 34, Elmendorf, pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Lee to serve a total of 46 months in federal prison, while Boston and Perez were sentenced to respective terms of 24 and 15 months. They all must also serve three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including testimony detailing Lee’s knowledge of the scheme and how much he was to be paid for driving the truck. In handing down the sentence, Judge Saldana noted the trio appeared to be a “motley crew” who were easily convinced to take part in the scheme.
On Sept. 26, 2019, authorities at the Bruni immigration checkpoint on Texas Highway 359 stopped a Penske truck. Lee was driving. He said he lived in San Antonio and was moving furniture to Kingsville. During the initial inspection, a K-9 detected contraband in the cargo area of the truck.
Authorities conducted a search and discovered 24 illegal aliens hidden behind a false wall built into the truck. Furniture and appliances were blocking the door, leaving those inside with no means of escape. Upon their release, they were sweating profusely, gasping for air and immediately asked for water. A temperature reading inside the truck measured 94 degrees.
At trial, the jury heard Lee was to be paid cash and narcotics to drive the truck from Laredo to Kingsville. Testimony revealed he admitted he thought it contained contraband. However, Lee claimed he did not know people were in the back of the truck until he received a call about eight minutes prior to arriving at the checkpoint. He still decided to continue his trip.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that while Lee thought he was smuggling narcotics, he did not intend to transport persons. The jury was not convinced and found him guilty as charged.
Boston and Perez were in a scout car and admitted to their roles in the scheme. Perez admitted at today’s sentencing hearing that she knew the smugglers in Laredo and put them in contact with her boyfriend, Boston. Boston admitted to recruiting Lee to drive the truck in exchange for money.
All three defendants have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Harrison and Jennifer Day prosecuted the case.
2nd Austin-Based Nigerian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Furthering a Conspiracy to Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced a Nigerian National residing in Austin to 51 months in federal prison for his participation in a conspiracy that laundered more than $1.7 Million in Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam proceeds stolen from multiple companies, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer; Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Antonio; and, Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Houston Division
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ordered that 33–year-old Nosa Onaghise pay $1,639,419.57 in restitution; pay a $230,000 money judgment; forfeit $14,282.50 seized from a bank account; and, be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.
In a BEC scheme, scammers target businesses and individuals making wire transfer payments, often targeting employees with access to company finances. The scammers trick the employees into making wire transfer payments to bank accounts thought to belong to trusted partners—except the money ends up in accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Sometimes the scammers use computer intrusion techniques to alter legitimate payment request emails, changing the recipient bank accounts. Sometimes they send spoofed emails from email addresses similar to the real email accounts used by trusted partners.
On December 12, 2018, Onaghise pleaded guilty to one count of passport fraud admitting to attempting to use a false, forged or counterfeit passport to open several bank accounts in the U.S. in 2018, in furtherance of the fraud scheme.
On December 20, 2019, Joseph Odibobhahemen, a 28-year-old Nigerian citizen formerly residing in Austin and Onaghise’s co-defendant, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for his role in the fraud scheme.
Court records in this indictment (A18CR358), and the indictment also returned in Austin against four other coconspirators (A19CR78), show that between November 2016 and April 2019, over $10 million was allegedly sent by victims to accounts controlled by the conspirators, who were able to take in excess of $6 million before law enforcement or financial institutions stopped the fraudulent transfers. Onaghise, Odibobhahemen and the others acquired or controlled dozens of bank accounts opened in the U.S., including in Austin, utilizing fraudulent identification documents, including fraudulent foreign passports in fake names. Once the funds were fraudulently procured and deposited into these bogus accounts, the defendants worked quickly to withdraw or transfer the funds.
The four additional co-conspirators—Bameyi Omale, Chinonso Agbaji, Igho Calaba and Chibuzor Uba—have all pleaded guilty and are currently serving lengthy federal prison terms: Omale, 135 months; Agbaji, 78 months; Calaba, 30 months; and Uba, 36 months.
“Scammers and fraudsters beware! We will bring the full weight of federal law enforcement down on those who prey on the legitimate business community here in Austin and elsewhere in this district,” stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. “The sentence and restitution order handed down today demonstrate the serious nature of these offenses - offenses that damage our economy and harm innocent victims. If you are engaged in this shameful and illegal activity, you can expect to go to federal prison.”
“This federal investigation uncovered a sophisticated scheme to steal from U.S. businesses,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Folden. “These types of crimes cost U.S. citizens hundreds of millions of dollars each year to finance criminal organizations around the world. HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to do everything possible to stop this kind of fraud and to protect the citizens of the United States.”
“Technological advancements have led to the sophistication of fraudulent schemes,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Gonzalez. “However, no matter what their scheme may be, if criminals use the U.S. Mail in furtherance of it, they will face the full investigative force of the Postal Inspection Service. Postal Inspectors will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners, such as HSI, to ensure these fraudsters are brought to justice.”
Special agents with HSI and USPIS investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Galdo and Keith Henneke 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.
110 Gang Member Sentenced to 12.5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kemnorris Kinsey, age 33, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 150 months in federal prison for violating the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), announced 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), and Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner. Senior United State District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also ordered Kinsey to serve three years of supervised release following his term of incarceration.
In imposing sentence, Senior United State District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., found that Kinsey was personally involved in drug trafficking, gun possession, and at least one shooting, on behalf of the gang.
Kinsey was one of fourteen defendants charged in the case. All of the defendants have either pleaded guilty or been convicted following trial. Previously sentenced 110 Gang RICO defendants in this case include:
- Anthony Hopper was sentenced to 385 months in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release;
- Damani Prince was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Rashawn Wynn was sentenced to 92 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Davon Sullivan was sentenced to 68 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Qualik Vaughn was sentenced to 68 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Jason Lebron was sentenced to 92 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Javon Peterson was sentenced to 98 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Daquan Dowdell was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release;
- Terry Linen was sentenced to 110 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release; and
- Deshawnte Waller was sentenced to 80 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Syracuse Police Department, and the Gang Violence Task Force, which consists of members of the Syracuse Police, the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Corrections, the New York State Attorney General, and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Commandeur and Kristen Grabowski
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.
21 October 2020
Youngstown man charged with illegal possession of machine gunRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland has returned a two-count indictment charging Marlin Black, age 28, of Youngstown with illegal possession of a machine gun and receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm.
According to court records, on July 31, 2020, Youngstown Police were called to a domestic violence dispute involving gunshots. The victim of the dispute claimed that the defendant had allegedly fired a gun towards her. Officers later arrested the defendant and recovered four firearms, ammunition and narcotics. The defendant then allegedly placed a phone call from jail and mentioned additional firearms located at his residence. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and officers located a Glock model 17, with a machine gun conversion device attached. The firearm was not registered to the defendant in the National Forearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by law.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Youngstown Police Department and ATF. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper sentenced Christopher L. Childs (48), of Hartford, Wisconsin, to 27 years in prison for sex trafficking.
On October 3, 2019, Childs entered a guilty plea to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) & 1591(b)(1). According to court records and filings in the case, Childs: (1) operated as a trafficker in the Milwaukee area and elsewhere since approximately 1996; (2) recruited adult females and at least one minor female to work for him; (3) caused the females to perform prostitution dates using fraud, coercion, and, at times, force and threats of force; (4) required his victims to provide the proceeds of prostitution dates to him; and (5) transported victims to strip clubs and other locations inside and outside of Wisconsin, including clubs in Dodge County, Wisconsin, known as TNT and the Hardware Store.
Before imposing sentence, Chief Judge Pepper heard from six of the victims at the hearing or in written impact statements. In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Pepper noted that Childs destroyed and dehumanized others for a feeling of control and for his own financial gain. Chief Judge Pepper explained that this was one of the most serious offenses the court had seen, as Childs victimized “person after person” for an extended period. Chief Judge Pepper also expressed the need for the court’s sentence to deter other traffickers from similar conduct.
United States Attorney Krueger commented, “This 27-year sentence reflects that sex trafficking is a horrific, dehumanizing crime. The prosecution was only possible because some of Childs’s victims had the courage to bring the truth to light. This case also resulted from extraordinary cooperation among work of federal, state, and local law enforcement.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Racine Police Department, United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Hartford Police Department, United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Deposition Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, Milwaukee Police Department, and Wisconsin Department of Justice –Division of Criminal Investigation.
The case has prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica J. Lounsberry and Richard G. Frohling.
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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Wilmington Man Receives 85 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wilmington man was sentenced yesterday to 85 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Nathaniel McFarland, 40, was involved in the importation and distribution of methamphetamine into Wilmington between July and August 2019. On August 6, 2019, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detectives received information that McFarland was in the process of obtaining narcotics from a residence on Ovalberry Court in New Hanover County. Detectives followed the car and performed a traffic stop on an automobile being driven by McFarland in the parking lot of McDonalds on Gordon Road. McFarland had provided a female passenger 78 grams of pure methamphetamine as the police were approaching and a quantity of cocaine was found in the car. The investigation uncovered the source of the methamphetamine was from Greensboro.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case. This case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation “White Rabbit” focusing on a drug trafficking organization involved in the importation of heroin and methamphetamine into Eastern North Carolina.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:20-cr-00076-M-1
Wheeling man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Timothy Henry, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Henry, age 44, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Henry admitted to having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in November 2019 in Ohio County.
Henry faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000. 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 Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Wheeling Police Department and the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Warwick Man Detained on Charges of Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man who allegedly shared links of child pornography while participating in an online group chat was ordered detained in federal custody until a hearing on Friday following his arrest today by members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on child pornography charges.
It is alleged that Owen Batista, 26, posted links on a social media platform where members allegedly distribute videos and images of child pornography. It is alleged that Batista directed members of the platform to online digital storage folders that, a forensic review by FBI agents determined, contained 738 files. A forensic examination determined that seventeen of eighteen mp4 videos downloaded and viewed by FBI agents allegedly depicted the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest Batista allegedly told agents that he opened a social media account on the platform used for sharing child pornography by using a family member’s email address. A brief forensic review by task force agents of Batista’s iPad at the time of his arrest allegedly revealed a video depicting child pornography. Batista allegedly told agents that he thought the video contained “midget porn” and was unaware that the video depicted child pornography.
Batista appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was ordered detained until a Friday hearing on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of FBI agents and members of the Providence and Warwick Police Departments.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the FBI in Salt Lake City, Utah, for their assistance in this investigation.
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Wanted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement and of Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – Robert Black, 49, of St. Croix, appeared before Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon in District Court and entered a guilty plea to the charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Sentencing is set for February 19, 2021.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations initiated a law enforcement operation investigating online predators seeking to exploit children in St. Croix. Agents working online in an undercover capacity created personas in online forums and applications designed to facilitate interactions between individuals. On August 12, 2019, Black initiated contact with an undercover agent on the application Grindr by sending a picture of his naked torso and another of his genitals. A dialogue ensured during which the undercover agent stated that he was 14 years old. Later the defendant discussed the sexual activity that he wished to participate in with the undercover agent. A meet was arranged for August 16, 2019, at which time Black was arrested on the Boardwalk in Christiansted.
Black is a convicted sex offender from Missouri who failed to register locally when he moved to the Virgin Islands in 2018. In 2000, he was convicted in Missouri of Statutory Sodomy in the 2nd degree. As a result of this conviction, he was classified as a Tier 3 Offender who must register every 90 days for his lifetime under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Black has a parole violation warrant from Missouri for a sex offender registration violation and has an outstanding trafficking in methamphetamine parole violation warrant from Georgia.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Wagner Man Charged with MurderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Wagner, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Second Degree Murder.
Ronald Bohn, age 50, was indicted on October 7, 2020. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on October 15, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on September 15, 2020, Bohn unlawfully and with malice aforethought murdered a human being, by stabbing him.
The charge is merely an accusation and Bohn is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement, with assistance from the Charles Mix County Sheriff’s Office, Wagner Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.
Bohn was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for December 22, 2020.
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking Tulsa MayorRead the Press Release
A Virginia man who sent harassing and intimidating emails directed toward Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family pleaded guilty to cyber stalking, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Adam Maxwell Donn, 41, of Norfolk, Virginia, appeared today in federal court via video conferencing. At his hearing, the defendant admitted that he sent Mayor Bynum and his wife 44 emails and left 14 voicemails from June 11 through June 22, 2020, that were meant to harass, annoy, threaten and intimate the Bynum family. He also admitted that the threatening messages made numerous references to Bynum’s children and their home address. Donn believed the threats would coerce Bynum into cancelling President Donald Trump’s campaign rally scheduled for June 20, 2020.
“Cyberstalking can be a terrifying ordeal for victims. Adam Donn’s incessant harassment and threats to both the Mayor and his family more than crossed the line. They weren’t protected speech; they were criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Today, Mr. Donn admitted his guilt and will now face the possibility of federal prison time when sentenced. The Tulsa Police and FBI really did some top notch investigative work on this case. They identified the cyber stalker, protected the victims from harm, and ultimately arrested Mr. Donn in Virginia.”
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan accepted Donn’s plea and set sentencing for Jan. 25, 2021. The date could potentially be accelerated.
Initial charges were filed against Donn in July. You can find the press release here.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
Vero Beach Man Pleads Guilty to over $40 Million in FraudRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – David John Ridling (58, Vero Beach) has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud, 4 counts of bank fraud, 8 counts of money laundering, and 2 counts of aggravated identity theft. Ridling faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud count; 20 years’ imprisonment for each wire fraud count; 10 years in prison for each money laundering count; and a mandatory minimum of 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts. Ridling also will be ordered to pay restitution. In addition, the United States is seeking a forfeiture money judgment of over $40 million and the forfeiture of approximately $348,000, a Chevrolet Silverado truck, a Peterbilt truck, and a Featherlite trailer seized from Ridling as well as real property in St. Lucie County.
According to court documents, Ridling is a farmer. Over the course of three years, Ridling attempted to defraud five financial institutions, one financial services provider, and one local Orlando business out of over $50 million. Ridling’s scheme involved the use of false brokerage account statements, fabricated tax returns, and false financial statements, to obtain loans and lines of credit.
As part of his scheme, Ridling falsely claimed that three individuals were his account representatives at a financial brokerage company and set up fake email accounts for two of those individuals without their consent or knowledge. Assuming the identities of those two individuals, Ridling then sent emails from the fake email accounts in an effort to convince lenders that he had millions of dollars in his two brokerage accounts. In fact, Ridling only had one brokerage account, which never had more than $2,000 in it. During the last year of Ridling’s scheme, he was able to obtain three loans totaling over $25 million, based in part on his claim that his brokerage accounts had millions of dollars. During that timeframe, Ridling’s brokerage account had less than $2.00.
In total, Ridling was successful in receiving over $40 million in proceeds from his scheme. He used some of the proceeds that he obtained from his victims to pay amounts that he owed to other victims, prolonging his scheme.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko is handling the criminal forfeitures.
Urbana Woman Sentenced to Prison for Counterfeit Check SchemeRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid today sentenced an Urbana, Ill., woman, Stephanie Lemons, 43, of the 1200 block of South Vine Street, to serve 18 months in prison for engaging in a counterfeit check scheme that resulted in an estimated loss of more than $100,000. Lemons was ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons on March 2, 2021, to begin serving her sentence. Following her sentence, Lemons was ordered to serve two years of supervised release.
On Feb. 6, 2020, Lemons entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy and 19 counts of fraud as charged in the indictment. Lemons’ co-defendant, Tommie Slayton, of Champaign, Ill. is scheduled for a change of plea hearing and sentencing on Dec. 1, 2020, before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm. In addition to the conspiracy charge, Slayton is charged, along with Lemons, with seven counts of bank fraud.
Lemons and Slayton were charged with conspiring together and with others to engage in a scheme to pass more than 120 counterfeit checks from July through December 2018. As a result of the scheme, counterfeit checks were presented at Walmart Stores in Champaign and Bloomington, Ill., and forged checks at Heartland Bank of Champaign, Ill. At the sentencing hearing, the court found that Lemons purchased specialized equipment, including a printer, paper and ink, designed to print payroll checks, as an investment in the “infrastructure of her enterprise” to defraud others.
The charges are the result of investigation by the FDIC Office of Inspector General and the Champaign and Urbana Police Departments, in cooperation with the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson in the prosecution.
United States seizes more domain names used by foreign terrorist organizationRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – The United States has seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com,” two websites that were unlawfully utilized by Kata’ib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“We will be steadfast in protecting our electronic infrastructure and commerce system from use by terrorist groups,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak of the Northern District of Georgia. “This seizure shows that we will continue to leverage our national reach to stop these groups from using U.S.-based resources to further their terrorist agenda.”
“Seizures like these are critical to preventing designated entities and terrorist organizations from using U.S. websites to recruit new members and promote their twisted world views,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “While this case is a reminder that terrorists don’t need to step foot in our country to further their aims, today’s actions show that the Department will do what it takes to stop them.
“The internet is continuously updating with new threats to our nation’s safety, but we will continue to rise and meet this challenge,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The success of this seizure should serve as a message to others that would threaten the safety of our communities: We will continue to fight terror groups and their propaganda no matter the domain.”
“The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement will continue to aggressively disrupt Iranian backed terrorist organizations such as Kata’ib Hizballah from utilizing U.S. based online networks and services in violation of U.S. law,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce. “The Bureau of Industry and Security is committed to protecting our war fighters and Allied Forces from terrorist acts of violence inspired and directed via online networks.”
On July 2, 2009, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury designated Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq, as a Specially Designated National for committing, directing, supporting, and posing a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State designated Kata’ib Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for committing or posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
On August 31, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant in the District of Arizona, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org.” “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” acted as Kata’ib Hizballah’s media arm and published internet communications such as videos, articles, and photographs. These communications included numerous articles designed to further Kata’ib Hizballah’s agenda, particularly destabilizing Iraq and recruiting others to join their cause. They also functioned as a live online television broadcast channel, “Al-etejah TV.” Portions of the communications expressly noted that they were published by Kata’ib Hizballah.
Within weeks, federal agents located the content from “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org” on “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com,” including the Kata’ib Hizballah flag and the words “Islamic Resistance, Kataib Hizbollah.” The content even included false information about COVID-19 designed to damage perception of the United States in the minds of Iraqi citizens and to destabilize the region to the benefit of Iran.
Federal law prohibits designated entities like Kata’ib Hizballah from obtaining or utilizing goods or services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com” are domain names that are owned and operated by a United States company based in Reston, Virginia. Kata’ib Hizballah did not obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control prior to utilizing the domain names.
On October 14, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant issued in the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com.”
This seizure was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Atlanta Resident Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Eastern District of Virginia, and trial lawyers from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the seizure.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
United States Seizes More Domain Names Used by Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
The United States has seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com,” two websites that were unlawfully utilized by Kata’ib Hizballah, a Specially Designated National and a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Seizures like these are critical to preventing designated entities and terrorist organizations from using U.S. websites to recruit new members and promote their twisted world views,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “While this case is a reminder that terrorists don’t need to step foot in our country to further their aims, today’s actions show that the Department will do what it takes to stop them.”
“We will be steadfast in protecting our electronic infrastructure and commerce system from use by terrorist groups,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak of the Northern District of Georgia. “This seizure shows that we will continue to leverage our national reach to stop these groups from using U.S.-based resources to further their terrorist agenda.”
“The internet is continuously updating with new threats to our nation’s safety, but we will continue to rise and meet this challenge,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The success of this seizure should serve as a message to others that would threaten the safety of our communities: We will continue to fight terror groups and their propaganda no matter the domain.”
“The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement will continue to aggressively disrupt Iranian backed terrorist organizations such as Kata’ib Hizballah from utilizing U.S. based online networks and services in violation of U.S. law,” said P. Lee Smith, Performing the Non-exclusive Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the Department of Commerce. “The Bureau of Industry and Security is committed to protecting our war fighters and Allied Forces from terrorist acts of violence inspired and directed via online networks.”
On July 2, 2009, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury designated Kata’ib Hizballah, an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq, as a Specially Designated National for committing, directing, supporting, and posing a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. On the same day, the U.S. Department of State designated Kata’ib Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for committing or posing a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
On Aug. 31, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant in the District of Arizona, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org.” “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org,” acted as Kata’ib Hizballah’s media arm and published internet communications such as videos, articles, and photographs. These communications included numerous articles designed to further Kata’ib Hizballah’s agenda, particularly destabilizing Iraq and recruiting others to join their cause. They also functioned as a live online television broadcast channel, “Al-etejah TV.” Portions of the communications expressly noted that they were published by Kata’ib Hizballah.
Within weeks, federal agents located the content from “Aletejahtv.com” and “Aletejahtv.org” on “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com,” including the Kata’ib Hizballah flag and the words “Islamic Resistance, Kataib Hizbollah.” The content even included false information about COVID-19 designed to damage perception of the United States in the minds of Iraqi citizens and to destabilize the region to the benefit of Iran.
Federal law prohibits designated entities like Kata’ib Hizballah from obtaining or utilizing goods or services, including website and domain services, in the United States without a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com” are domain names that are owned and operated by a United States company based in Reston, Virginia. Kata’ib Hizballah did not obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control prior to utilizing the domain names.
On Oct. 14, 2020, pursuant to a seizure warrant issued in the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States seized “Aletejahtv.com” and “kataibhezbollah.com.” Visitors to the site received the following message:
This seizure was investigated by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Eastern District of Virginia, and trial lawyers from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the seizure.
United States Attorney William M. McSwain Announces Preparations to Preserve the Integrity of the 2020 General Election in the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Assistant United States Attorney Richard P. Barrett will lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the general election on November 3, 2020. AUSA Barrett has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and any other voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring ballot fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible ballot fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their direction. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being impacted by fraud,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process, but it is imperative that anyone with specific information about voter interference or election fraud report it immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. The federal government must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. U.S. Attorney McSwain stated that AUSA Barrett will be on duty in this District while the polls are open in order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities. AUSA Barrett can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (215) 861-8420 and (215) 861-8200.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (215) 418-4000.
Finally, complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
United States Attorney Murray Encourages Participation in DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 24, 2020Read the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray encourages the public to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2020. This event will be held at collection sites around the country, including many here in New Hampshire. This event is an important effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“One of the simplest ways that all citizens of the Granite State can help to combat the opioid crisis is to ensure that unwanted medications do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Far too many individuals started on the path to addiction by misusing prescription drugs. During the pandemic, individuals spending time at home may be tempted to misuse medication that they find in their medicine cabinets. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to dispose of any prescription drugs that they no longer need in order to help protect their families and their communities.”
“Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, members of the public also should be aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA-authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
During the Take Back Day, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.
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U.S. Department of Justice’s Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
BISMARCK: United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced today that he has appointed Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Rick Volk to lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. As the District Election Officer for the District of North Dakota, AUSA Volk is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Wrigley said, "Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process."
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure the free exercise of lawful voting. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA Volk will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at 701-530-2420.
The FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI Field Office can be reached by the public in North Dakota at 701-223-4875 or the FBI Field Office in Minneapolis, MN, at 763-569-8000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC, by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] , or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
United States Attorney Wrigley said, "Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. Those with specific information about discrimination or election fraud are asked to contact my office immediately."
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U.S. Attorney promotes National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Mark A. Klaassen wants to ensure that everyone knows how to rid their home of unused and unwanted medications.
The DEA is holding its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 at locations across the country. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.
“Many people don’t know how to properly dispose of old medications. They are either disposed of improperly, which damage the environment, or not discarded, which may allow medications to end up in the wrong hands,” said Klaassen. “I encourage everyone to get rid of their old and unused prescription medicine safely by taking advantage of the DEA-sponsored drug take back day”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com
U.S. Attorney promotes 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – U.S. Attorney Bill Powell wants to ensure that everyone knows how to rid their homes of unused and unwanted medications.
The DEA is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 at locations across the country. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
“Many people don’t know how to properly dispose of old medication. So, it is either disposed of improperly, which can seriously damage the environment, or not discarded, which can cause medications to all too often end up in the wrong hands,” said Powell. “DEA is providing an important public service. I encourage everyone to get rid of their old and unused prescription medicine in the proper way. DEA is making it easier for all of us and I thank them again for this yearly effort.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com
U.S. Attorney Wrigley Announces the Arrest of a Parshall, ND, Woman for Involuntary Manslaughter, Child Neglect and AbuseRead the Press Release
BISMARCK - United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Paige Howling Wolf, age 26, Parshall, ND, for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country; and three counts of Child Abuse in Indian Country. The Indictment was unsealed today, alleging that Paige Howling Wolf had custody of five young children and lived at a residence in Parshall, North Dakota, located on the Fort Berthold Reservation. On June 24, 2020, law enforcement and medical personnel responded to an emergency call of an unresponsive infant at the Parshall residence. One of the children, a nine-month-old infant, was found deceased. An autopsy of the deceased infant concluded that the child had died from chronic starvation. The remaining children were removed from Paige Howling Wolf’s custody and medical examinations of three of the children in the residence revealed they had methamphetamine in their system.
Grand jury Indictments are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Eric Lundberg assigned to the case.
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U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona Appoints Election Officer for the Northern District of AlabamaRead the Press Release
Birmingham, Ala. – United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jason R. Cheek will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Cheek has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Alabama, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our great democracy. Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination, and the Department of Justice will always protect that right and act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
“The FBI is the primary investigative agency responsible for election-related crimes, like voter fraud and voter suppression,” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr. “We will not tolerate criminal activity that threatens the sanctity of your vote or undermines public confidence in the outcome of the election.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Cheek will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at (205) 244-2001.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (205) 326-6166.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney Lelling Hosts Project Guardian RoundtableRead the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Andrew Lelling hosted a roundtable discussion today on reducing gun violence and enforcing firearms laws. As part of this effort, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently charged 21-gun related cases in support of local police departments across the state and their efforts to curb violence.
Project Guardian is a Department of Justice initiative that emphasizes close coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement to enforce federal firearms and background checks laws, including illegal possession of a firearm, straw purchasing (lie and buy), attempted straw purchasing (lie and try), firearms trafficking and dealing firearms without a license.
“Even amidst a global pandemic, our local law enforcement partners are working harder than ever in major cities like Boston, Brockton and Springfield. However, despite their best efforts, repeat offenders continue to mock the criminal justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling. “COVID has almost certainly emboldened violent offenders who think that the criminal justice system is closed. My office will be working closer than ever with our local and state partners to combat the surge in violent crime.”
“Public safety is at the forefront of ATF’s mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady. “Our focus is removing crime guns from our communities. The focus of Project Guardian is to enhance our crime gun intelligence. This enhancement will encompass identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.”
U.S. Attorney Lelling hosted today’s Project Guardian Roundtable to discuss law enforcement’s collective efforts to reduce gun crime in Massachusetts. Law enforcement leaders participating in the event included Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; and Brian Kyes, Chelsea Police Chief and President of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police.
U.S. Attorney Lelling highlighted law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to focusing on individuals and groups who represent the greatest threat of violence to our communities, and announced that his office has charged 24 defendants on firearm-related charges:
- Kyle Evans, 34, of Everett, charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition;
- Herbert Palmer, 39, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Caio Costa, 25, of Tewksbury, charged with armed bank robbery/using a firearm during commission of a crime of violence;
- Victor Morales, 25, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Jose Montanez, 23, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Nicholas Mendes, 38, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Joseph McCarthy, 33, of Plymouth, charged with dealing firearms without a license;
- Jeffrey Ambroise, 34, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Ronney Fullard, 30, and Jerrod Lee, 27, both of Taunton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Jamaraeh Allen, 25, of New Bedford, charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine;
- Diamondez Pierre, 22, of Brockton, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Tevin Abercrombie, 25, of Boston; charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
- Daiquan Lucas, 28, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
- Tyrone Goforth, 40, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
- Kenji Ingram, 42, of Boston, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Tykeam Jackson, 25, of Avon, charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer;
- Tevon Ngomba, 27, of Somerville, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute;
- Jason Valliere, 42; Orrin Guidry, 25; and Nyell Nascimento, 18, of New Bedford, charged with drug conspiracy;
- Ramon Martinez, 26, of New Bedford, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition;
- Charles Baker, 44, of Charlestown, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition and dealing in firearms without a license; and
- Tylor Szaljeski, 24, of Charlestown, charged with dealing in firearms without a license.
To learn more about Project Guardian, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian
U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe Appoints Election Officer for the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA –Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Andrew J. Grogan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Grogan has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of Florida, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the right to vote exercise it if they choose. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Keefe stated that AUSA/DEO Grogan will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. The public may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the following telephone numbers:
850-942-8430
850-216-3845
850-216-3829
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (904) 248-7000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Press Release - 2020 Election SecurityU.S. Attorney Jason Dunn Announces over $11 Million in Justice Department Grants to Combat Addiction CrisisRead the Press Release
DENVER – U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced awards of $11,281,830 in Department of Justice grants to fight drug abuse and addiction in Colorado. The grants were awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and are part of more than $341 million going to communities nationwide.
“The opioid crisis in Colorado is real and getting worse, and it is affecting too many Coloradans during these tough economic times,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Combining these grants with our efforts to target both local and transnational drug traffickers with criminal prosecution allows us to have a real impact on both the supply side and the demand side of the problem.”
“The addiction crisis has taken an enormous toll on America’s families and communities, eroding public health, threatening public safety and claiming tens of thousands of lives year after year,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through comprehensive measures taken by this administration, we have been able to curtail the opioid epidemic, but new and powerful drugs are presenting exceptional challenges that we must be prepared to meet. The Justice Department’s substantial investments in enforcement, response, and treatment will help us overcome these challenges and work towards freeing Americans from abuse and addiction.”
Illegal drugs and illicit drug use have claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 Americans since the turn of the century. Powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl are exacting an enormous toll on families and communities, and an emergence in the use of methamphetamines and other psychostimulants is drawing drug traffickers and driving up overdose rates. Three years ago, President Trump declared a Public Health Emergency and initiated a whole-of-government approach dedicated to ending this national tragedy. The Department of Justice has invested unprecedented levels of funding in combating the addiction crisis. The awards announced today build on those earlier investments.
“If we hope to defeat an enemy as powerful, persistent and adaptable as illicit drugs, we must be at least as determined and versatile, focusing our ingenuity and resources on curbing abuse and fighting addiction,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will enable criminal justice officials and substance abuse, mental health and other medical professionals to pool their assets and bring the full weight of our public safety and treatment systems down on this epidemic that has already caused so much harm.”
Funding is made available through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Institute of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The following grants are being funded:
- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will receive $6,000,000 to implement, enhance or evaluate responses to the opioid and stimulant crises.
- The Colorado Judicial Department will receive: $498,080 to enhance their existing fully operational veterans treatment courts; $750,000 to support their statewide efforts to enhance or expand adult drug court or veterans treatment court services; and $453,445 for the expansion of parental substance use disorder treatment services in existing family drug courts.
- The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice will receive $452,616 for their residential substance abuse treatment program for state prisoners.
- The City of Alamosa will receive $599,997 and Boulder County will receive $884,014 to expand access to supervision, treatment and recovery support services, support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for non-violent drug offenders, promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by the opioid and stimulant epidemics.
- The Boulder Municipal Court will receive $400,000 to develop effective responses to low-level and non-violent offenses involving opioids.
- Partners in Routt County will receive $1,243,678 to address opioid and other substance abuse by building a youth mentoring program.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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
- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will receive $6,000,000 to implement, enhance or evaluate responses to the opioid and stimulant crises.
U.S. Attorney Brady Appoints Election Officers for the Western District of PennsylvaniaRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – United States Attorney Scott W, Brady announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Eric G. Olshan and Lee J. Karl will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSAs Olshan and Karl have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
U.S. Attorney Brady said, "To maintain ordered liberty and the consent of the people, we must ensure that our elections are free and fair. Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will be active and vigilant this election season to protect the integrity of the election process."
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Brady stated that AUSAs/DEOs Olshan and Karl will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. AUSA Olshan can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 412-644-3500 or 412-894-7446. AUSA Karl can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 412-644-3500 or 412-894-7488.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 412-432-4000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
United States Attorney Brady added, "Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division."
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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
U.S. Attorney Announces 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank announced today that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at locations throughout the State of Maine. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
“This is a great opportunity for Maine citizens to help ensure they are not contributing to the State’s drug addiction crisis,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “The misuse of prescription drugs contributes greatly to the addiction problems we are seeing in this state. Disposing of them in a controlled environment is an excellent way to ensure they are not abused, so I encourage everyone to take part in Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
“Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement agency to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site in Maine, visit www.deatakeback.com.
Two Charged in Federal Court for Personal Protective Equipment Theft from Federal Law Enforcement Training CenterRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Frank Smail, Jr., 49, of Round O, and Mike Pellegrini, 58, of North Charleston, were charged in a multi-count federal indictment alleging conspiracy to steal personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston. Smail was also charged with PPE theft, obstruction of justice, and lying to federal agents. According to the indictment, both Smail and Pellegrini worked for FLETC. The case was brought as part of the District of South Carolina’s Hoarding and Price Gouging (HPG) Task Force, and led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
“It is tragic that, at a time when PPE is most needed and in short supply, someone would steal this vital equipment from those who train our front-line federal law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “This office will always stand up and protect our law enforcement partners. I appreciate the hard work of the FBI and our HPG Task Force, which worked tirelessly to investigate this case.”
"These charges reflect an alleged betrayal of colleagues and fellow citizens for selfish gain," said Jody Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Columbia. "The FBI and our partners within the HPG Task Force will not rest in our efforts to identify and hold accountable all those who seek to use this global pandemic to commit criminal acts."
“I thank U.S. Attorney McCoy for his diligence in bringing the charges forward. I am extremely disappointed in the allegations that individuals who are part of the FLETC community may have been involved in the theft of any item,” said FLETC Director Thomas J. Walters. “I am grateful that we discovered the items missing and that the FBI’s Task Force worked with FLETC’s Office of Professional Responsibility in the investigation.”
According to the indictment, FLETC – which provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals in more than 90 Federal agencies – had a student and instructor test positive for COVID-19 on March 20, 2020. Just three weeks later, the indictment alleges that Smail stole a large amount of FLETC’s PPE supply after he and Pellegrini developed a plan to do so. According to the indictment, the large number of boxes stolen would have required a vehicle to transport and numerous trips to load the boxes. The indictment further alleges that Smail lied to Federal investigators and obstructed the Federal investigation into the PPE theft.
Pellegrini and Smail face up to five years for the conspiracy charge, and Smail faces up to 10 years for the PPE theft charge, up to 20 years for the obstruction charge, and up to five years for the charge of lying to Federal investigators.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and FLETC’s Office of Professional Responsibility as part of the District of South Carolina’s HPG Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johanna Valenzuela and Derek A. Shoemake.
U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr created the COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force to investigate and prosecute illegal activity involving protective personal equipment. The Secretary of Health and Human Services issued a notice designating categories of health and medical supplies that must not be hoarded or sold for exorbitant prices.
Anyone wishing to report COVID-19 fraud, hoarding, or price-gouging can do so by contacting the National Center for Disaster Fraud’s National Hotline via phone: (866) 720-5721, or e-mail: [email protected].
U.S. Attorney McCoy stated that all charges in this case are merely allegations at this stage and that the defendants are 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.
Three More Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accidents in Order to Defraud Insurance and Trucking CompaniesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced RODERICK HICKMAN (“HICKMAN”), age 49, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; BERNELL GALE (“GALE”), age 43, of Raceland, Louisiana; and TROY SMITH (“SMITH”), age 56, also of Houma, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.
According to today’s guilty plea, on March 27, 2017, HICKMAN along with four defendants who have also been charged by indictment, intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road. HICKMAN intentionally struck the 18 wheeler and then fled the scene with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), who pled guilty to a previous indictment charging him and seven others with staging automobile accidents.
On May 17, 2020, Labeaud participated in another staged accident in the vicinity of Louisa Street and Chickasaw Street. The participants in the Louisa Street staged accident were GALE, SMITH, Francois, and another passenger. Again, Labeaud fled the scene. Francois falsely reported to the NOPD that she had been driving and that the tractor-trailer had struck her vehicle.
According to documents filed in federal court, the passengers were referred to attorneys who paid HICKMAN and Labeaud to stage the accidents. In some cases, the attorneys knew that the participants were uninjured but referred them to medical providers for treatment to increase the value of subsequent lawsuits. In total, the victim trucking and insurance companies paid out $277,500.00 for these fraudulent claims.
HICKMAN, GALE, and SMITH face a maximum sentence of five (5) years. Upon release from prison, HICKMAN, GALE, and SMITH also face a term of supervised release up to (3) three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to each defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for February 10, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni.
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Three Men Charged with Drug Trafficking in Connection with Largest Seizure of Methamphetamine in the History of DEA’s Philadelphia DivisionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 20, 2020, Emmanuel Roman-Figueroa, age 38, of Hazleton, David Jusino Ramirez, age, 64, a New Jersey resident, and Julio Romero-Mancebo, age 28, also a resident of New Jersey, were indicted on October 20, 2020, for drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment charges Roman-Figueroa, Jusino Ramirez, and Romero-Mancebo with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl.
On October 8, 2020, law enforcement agents seized 130 kilograms of methamphetamine, and three kilograms of fentanyl, and $28,000 in cash ($371,000 in cash was seized on a previous occasion during the investigation) during a drug transaction involving the men in Luzerne County. The wholesale value of the drugs seized is approximately $2.5 million and the estimated street value is between $8 million to $10 million.
U.S. Attorney Freed lauded the work of DEA agents and their state and local partners in taking huge quantities of potentially deadly illegal drugs off the streets. “There can be no more clear evidence of the efforts of transnational drug trafficking organizations to establish a market for methamphetamine in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the United States than the seizure of this massive amount of drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “Of course, the related seizure of a substantial amount of fentanyl is just as clear a reminder that we cannot let down our guard in the battle against opioids. Time and time again, we have noted that the transportation networks that make the Keystone state a national leader in the logistics industry lend themselves also to the movement of massive amounts of contraband through our Commonwealth. Thankfully our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police and the DEA clearly understand this dynamic and are on the job. It is impossible to calculate the number of lives saved by this outstanding investigation.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan A. Wilson stated that the October 8th seizure of drugs is the largest methamphetamine seizure on record for the DEA’s Philadelphia Division.
“This seizure of 300 pounds of methamphetamine clearly shows the prevalence of this highly addictive and extremely dangerous drug in the region” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “This seizure and arrests are the result of DEA’s partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Hazleton Police Department. The coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners undoubtedly saved countless lives across our region.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, and Hazleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Camoni is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Each charge also carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ 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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Three Felons Appear in Federal Court for Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that three felons appeared in federal court for gun crimes this week.
Jordan Kinney, 23, of Charleston, was sentenced to 100 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kinney previously admitted that on June 14, 2019, he was present at the Go-Mart on Washington Street, West, in Charleston, and possessed a loaded Taurus 9mm caliber handgun, which he used to shoot approximately six times at another individual. He then fled the location and discarded the handgun in the front yard of a residence a few blocks away. The following day officers with the Charleston Police Department responded to the residence and recovered the same handgun. Ballistics information provided by NIBIN was critical to the success of the prosecution. Kinney was not allowed to possess the firearm because he had previously been convicted of robbery in the second degree. The Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders and Assistant United States Attorney Nowles H. Heinrich handled the prosecution.
Dakota Santonia, 24, of Marmet, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. His federal prison sentence will be served consecutively to a previously imposed state sentence Santonia received in Kanawha County Circuit Court for a first degree robbery conviction. Santonia previously admitted that on January 20, 2019, he knowingly possessed a stolen loaded Smith and Wesson Model 60-7 .38 special revolver and 79 rounds of ammunition in Charleston, although he knew he had been previously convicted of a felony and therefore was prohibited from possessing that weapon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentenced. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani and former Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders handled the prosecution.
A member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, John Brady Studenic, 33, of Parkersburg, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Studenic admitted that he was riding a motorcycle on 7th Street in Parkersburg when an officer with the Parkersburg Police Department attempted to perform a traffic stop on him for running a red light at the intersection of 7th Street and Park Avenue. Once the officer activated his overhead lights and siren, Studenic fled eastbound on 7th Street toward Core Road. In the process, he was travelling approximately 90 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. Studenic passed multiple vehicles using either a turning lane or the oncoming lane, and ran an additional red light at the intersection of 7th Street and Fairview Avenue during the pursuit. Eventually, he wrecked the motorcycle on Core Road and was taken into custody. Upon being apprehended, his person was searched and a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol was located in his waistband. Additional ammunition as well as approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana were also found in Studenic’s possession. Studenic was not legally permitted to possess a firearm due to a previous conviction for the felony offense of malicious assault on September 22, 2010, in the Circuit Court of Wood County. That prior conviction is the result of Studenic shooting another individual. Studenic faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on February 4, 2021. The Parkersburg Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.
These cases are 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. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted these cases with support from the Project Guardian partners referenced above. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:19-cr-00291 (Kinney), 2:19-cr-00165 (Santonia), and 2:20-cr-00165 (Studenic).
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Theryn Jones and Arius Hopkins Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2014 Murder in the BronxRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that THERYN JONES, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Old Man Ty,” a/k/a “Tyballa,” and ARIUS HOPKINS, a/k/a “Scrappy,” a/k/a “Scrap,” were sentenced today to life in prison following their conviction for the January 2, 2014 murder of Shaquille Malcolm. A jury convicted JONES and HOPKINS on December 18, 2019, following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who also imposed today’s sentences.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Jones and Hopkins were responsible for the murder of 20-year-old Shaquille Malcolm over six years ago in a Bronx apartment lobby. Now they have been sentenced to serve the rest of their lives in federal prison for this heinous crime.”
According to the evidence presented during the trial:
THERYN JONES was a high-ranking leader within the Mac Balla gang and the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine out of a residential building in the Allerton section of the Bronx. Because Malcolm and others were encroaching on JONES’s drug territory, JONES directed HOPKINS and another person to murder Malcolm. On January 2, 2014, HOPKINS shot Shaquille Malcolm multiple times in the lobby of an apartment building located at 2818 Bronx Park East in the Bronx, New York. Malcolm died at the scene.
For their participation in the Malcolm murder, JONES, 43, and HOPKINS, 25, of the Bronx, New York were each convicted at trial of using a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and murder while engaged in a conspiracy to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine.
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Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael K. Krouse, Danielle R. Sassoon, Margaret Graham, and Jessica Fender are in charge of the prosecution.
Suwannee County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Submitting A False Claim for FEMA Benefits Related to Hurricane IrmaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger today sentenced Deannajo White (39, Suwannee County) to 24 months in federal prison for disaster assistance fraud. The Court also ordered White to pay $15,331.74 in restitution to FEMA. White, a 19-time convicted felon, had pleaded guilty on January 24, 2020.
According to court documents, on September 27, 2017, White, while in Suwannee County, made an application for disaster assistance benefits to FEMA over the internet. In the application, White falsely claimed that her primary residence in Branford, Florida had suffered storm damage due to Hurricane Irma, when a tree fell through the roof, forcing her to leave the residence and begin living at a rental property in Branford. White subsequently contacted FEMA and falsely stated that she had moved to a different rental property with a higher rent. White submitted multiple documents to FEMA in support of her application, including rent receipts, leases, and letters.
On August 13, 2019, law enforcement officers interviewed White about her disaster assistance application. During the interview, she repeatedly lied to agents. When confronted with evidence showing that she had lied on her disaster assistance application, White admitted to making false statements on her application. She also admitted to submitting multiple false documents to FEMA to include fraudulent rent receipts and leases.
“It is especially offensive for someone to commit disaster assistance fraud because so many in our communities were in desperate need of that relief,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “This case highlights the importance the Department of Homeland Security places on the integrity of disaster assistance programs.”
This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at (866) 720-5721 or complete the online complaint form by visiting www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Sureno Gang Member Sentenced to over 4 Years in Federal Prison for Being A Felon in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Clinton White, age 30, of Colorado Springs, and a member of the Sureno gang, was sentenced to serve a total of 53 months (just under 4.5 years) in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for violating the terms of his supervised release. Following his prison sentence, White was ordered to serve 3 years on supervised release. The defendant appeared in custody. The Denver Field Division of the ATF joined in this announcement.
According to the stipulated facts contained in White’s plea agreement, on December 7, 2019, a Colorado Springs police officer observed a suspected hand-to-hand drug transaction between occupants of a black Chevrolet Suburban and a white motorcycle. An officer conducted a traffic stop of the Suburban which was being driven by White.
After a search of the vehicle driven by White, officers found a 12 gauge shotgun, 12 gauge shotgun shells, .40 caliber ammunition, firearm magazines containing ammunition, six bulletproof vests, suspected drugs, and drug paraphernalia. White was a multi-time felon, including a prior federal felony conviction for assault on an officer.
“This case is a perfect example of our ongoing effort to help local communities rid themselves of the worst violent offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Thanks to the great work of the ATF, the CSPD, and our team, an armed gang member is off the streets for years.”
“This investigation is another example of the strength of our law enforcement partnerships,” said David Booth, Special Agent in Charge of the Denver Field Division of the ATF. “ATF will continue to work with our local partners to keep our communities safe.”
White was under federal supervision for assaulting an officer when he was caught with the firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced to 48 months for the felon in possession of the firearm case, and was given an additional consecutive 5 months for the supervised release violation.
He was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Treaster. The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore. The case was investigated by the Denver Field Division of the ATF and the Colorado Springs Police Department.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER. The defendant’s case number is 20-cr-29.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
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.
St. Thomas Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Bank Robbery and Shooting in Scotia Bank IncidentRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Melik Petersen pleaded guilty to first degree assault with the intent to commit robbery.
According to court documents filed in the case, on the morning of September 11, 2019, Ranger American Armored Services guards were attempting to pick up $951,000 from a Scotia Bank branch in the Altona area in St. Thomas. Petersen and another individual, both armed and masked, attempted to rob the guards and a gunfight ensued, during which one of the guards suffered a bullet wound in his leg. The two assailants and the getaway driver then fled the scene without the money.
Petersen faces up to 15 years in prison and will be sentenced at a later date. This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Sleeper and Nathan Brooks.
St. Louis man pleads guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey accepted a plea, today, from Richard Enloe, Jr. The 39-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On September 1, 2019, St. Louis County Police responded to a 911 call regarding a possible drug overdose at a gas station on Butler Hill Road. An officer arrived and found Enloe, Jr. and a woman asleep inside a running vehicle at a gas pump. The officer also noticed drug paraphernalia and controlled substances on the vehicle’s console.
After the officer knocked on the window, Enloe, Jr. and the woman woke up. The officer searched the vehicle and found three pistols, 223 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a scale, and multiple plastic bags. Enloe, Jr. admitted possessing the firearms and intending to distribute the drugs.
The charge of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of no more than 40 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $5,000,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of ten years and a fine of no more than $250,000.
Judge Autrey has set sentencing for January 20, 2021.
The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) Jen Szczucinski is handling the case as part of the Safer Streets Initiative, which was launched by Attorney General Schmitt and U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen in January of 2019 as an unprecedented state and federal partnership to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis.
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South Bend Man Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND –Eric Lauderdale, 37, of South Bend, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jon DeGuilio upon his plea of guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Lauderdale was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents filed in this case, in October 2019, Lauderdale sold approximately ¼ pound of methamphetamine to another person in South Bend, Indiana. In December 2019, agents executed a search warrant on the house Lauderdale left during the October transaction. During the warrant, investigators found loaded firearms and other items that were indicative of drug dealing.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the South Bend Police Department and the St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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Smuggler imprisoned after rolling vehicle multiple timesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Laredo man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for knowingly conspiring to transport an undocumented alien resulting in serious bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Oziel Rodriguez pleaded guilty Nov. 4, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered him to serve a 72-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted this was one of the worst cases she has seen.
On Aug. 2, 2019, Rodriguez was driving a truck in Laredo near the Rio Grande River. Authorities observed several people trying to hide in the truck’s bed and attempted to stop the vehicle. However, Rodriguez attempted to flee and soon hit a curb which rolled the vehicle multiple times. He then fled the scene.
Law enforcement apprehended Rodriguez a short time later as well as a total of 11 undocumented aliens, eight of whom suffered injuries such as multiple fractures and head injuries.
Rodriguez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney April Ayers-Perez prosecuted the case.
Sherman, Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Transport of Stolen GoodsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Danny Mahurin, age 45, of Sherman, Texas entered a guilty plea to Interstate Transportation Of Stolen Goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2314, punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 10, 2017, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and elsewhere, the defendant, did unlawfully transport, transmit, and transfer in interstate commerce from the State of Oklahoma to the State of Texas, goods, wares, and merchandise, that is, a stolen Kubota vehicle, of the value of $5,000 or more, knowing the same to have been stolen and converted.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Kimberly E. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States at the plea hearing.
Schenectady Woman Charged with Supplemental Security Income FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jenelle L. Plumadore, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, was arraigned last week on an indictment charging her with concealing her assets and resources, and making false statements, in connection with obtaining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for her and a relative.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and John F. Grasso, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.
The indictment alleges that Plumadore failed to disclose her assets and resources to the SSA from March through September 2016, and that as a result she and a relative in her care were able to receive SSI benefit payments to which they were not entitled. SSI is a needs-based program, available to elderly, blind, and disabled individuals, that provides money to pay for living expenses. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Plumadore was arraigned on October 14 in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and ordered released pending trial.
The charges against Plumadore carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. 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 is being investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle.
Santa Fe man pleads guilty to possession of firearms stolen from the Bureau of Indian AffairsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Derek Padilla, 29, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque on Oct. 16 to a charge of possession of stolen firearms.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, Padilla committed the offense in Santa Fe County on or about May 20, 2020. Padilla stole firearms, drug evidence, Meals Ready-to-Eat, and a utility truck, from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Padilla stole the property from a Bureau of Indian Affairs complex located on Nambe Pueblo.
Padilla faces up to 10 years in prison and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Protective Service investigated this case with assistance from the Pojoaque Police Department, the New Mexico State Police, and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros is prosecuting the case.
Santa Fe man gets 85 years for multiple child pornography convictionsRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 40-year-old Houston-area man has been ordered to federal prison for the statutory maximum on all convictions for production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography as well as attempted destruction of evidence, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Keith Prescott Gace had pleaded guilty to all but the production charges. He proceeded to trial on that allegation in November 2019. A jury sitting in Galveston returned a guilty verdict on that charge after a two-day trial and approximately one hour of deliberation.
Today, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown sentenced Gace to 360, 240, 240 and 120 months for the production, distribution, receipt and possession convictions, respectively. He also received 60 months for the attempted destruction of evidence. Each sentence is the statutory maximum for the crime of conviction. The sentences will all run consecutively for a total 1,020 months of imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard trial testimony and was given additional information including child victim interviews detailing Gace’s sexual abuse. In handing down the sentence, the court noted how Gace victimized one of the victims and that the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offense, provided just punishment, protects the public and hopefully sends a message of deterrence to such criminal conduct. Gace will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
"This individual preyed on the innocence of our most vulnerable population," said Mark Dawson, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. "With today's sentencing we have removed this predator from the community and sent a resounding message that we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who seeks to exploit our nation's children."
During the trial, the jury heard testimony from multiple law enforcement officers and Gace’s ex-wife and her husband.
In October 2016, law enforcement learned that images and videos of child pornography had been posted to a file sharing network. Through investigation, the email and IP address of the account was associated with Gace.
When law enforcement arrived to search his home, Gace attempted to immerse his cell phone under water to prevent access to its contents. That failed and authorities were able to conduct a forensic analysis which revealed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. It also revealed that Gace used a messaging site to chat with others to receive and distribute images and videos of child pornography and that he had another file sharing account.
Gace’s second account revealed hundreds more images and videos of child pornography, including images that Gace produced of a minor girl under the age of 10. Gace first captured images of the victim fully clothed, but progressed to producing photographs of her sleeping nude, seated naked on the floor with a vibrator next to her leg and an adult hand on her shoulder then finally to posing while nude in Gace’s bathtub. Along with the bathtub photographs, there were also images of Gace naked, standing and seated in his bathtub on the same day.
At trial, the jury also heard Gace had sent a link to a child pornographic image to the cell phone the minor girl and two other children had used.
Gace attempted to convey that the images taken of the minor girl were not lewd and lascivious and, therefore, not child pornography. The jury was not convinced and convicted him for sexual exploitation of a child, otherwise known as production of child pornography.
Gace has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
HSI- Galveston conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; police departments in Pearland, Galveston, Santa Fe, Webster and La Marque; and Jones Creek Marshals Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zahra Jivani Fenelon and Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Retired Administrative Law Judge Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Making a False Statement on a Firearms Purchase FormRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – On October 17, 2020, a resident of Grove City, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to two years (24 months) in prison on his conviction of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Karl Alexander, 79.
According to information provided to the court during the plea hearing, on Sept. 29, 2019, Alexander, an attorney and administrative law judge, knowingly made a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer when purchasing a Ruger AR556MPR AR-15 style rifle. Alexander admitted that he expressly lied on the ATF Form 4473 and answered "Yes" to the question: "Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm listed on this form?" In fact, Alexander was purchasing the firearm for a convicted felon, Dennis Alan Riggs. Alexander admitted that Riggs was with him for the purchase and that Riggs picked out the firearm and paid Alexander for the firearm. Alexander also admitted he agreed to purchase the weapon because of their personal relationship.
Riggs pleaded guilty in May to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2020.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Colville stated that Mr. Alexander should have known better than to purchase the firearm for a known felon, especially in light of Mr. Alexander’s prior lengthy tenure as an Administrative Law Judge. In addition to 24 months in prison, Alexander was also sentenced to one year of supervised release and a fine of $10,000.00.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Lieber Smolar and Brian M. Czarnecki prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in the case. Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force who were directly involved in this investigation include: FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Probation, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
This case was brought as part of Project Guardian. Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department of Justice’s highest priorities. Project Guardian serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Registered Sex Offender Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man is scheduled to make his initial appearance today after being charged with possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Robert Klemt, 34, of Wayne, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In June 2020, agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, approached Klemt at his residence after receiving information suggesting that Klemt had accessed a website containing child pornography. Law enforcement subsequently discovered over 70 images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children on Klemt’s laptop computer.
Klemt was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child/distribution of child pornography in Essex County in 2014. The charge of possession of child pornography, for a repeat offender, carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Puerto Rico CPA Indicted and Arrested on Wire Fraud Charges in Relation to Act 20 and Act 22 SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – On October 14, 2020, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Gabriel F. Hernández, with ten counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, District of Puerto Rico and Tyler R. Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement. The indictment was unsealed today after the arrest of the defendant by federal law enforcement officers from IRS-CI.
“As I have said in the past, persons who are involved in committing fraud are encouraged to come forward to authorities – that includes individuals that are fraudulently using Puerto Rico’s tax laws to evade federal taxes,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “This case should also serve as a warning to anyone considering seeking to evade taxes by illegally exploiting federal and Puerto Rico tax laws.”
“Federal and Puerto Rican tax laws have been put in place to invigorate the economy and provide financial relief to Puerto Rico. IRS Criminal Investigation will vigorously pursue any individuals and professionals that fraudulently enrich themselves by abusing government tax incentive programs,” said Tyler R. Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI Miami Field Office.
According to allegations in the indictment, Hernández, a CPA who served as Tax Manager and Partner-in-Charge of the Tax Division of a large public accounting, tax, consulting and business advisory firm, devised a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury. The scheme involved the submission of false information to the government of Puerto Rico in an attempt to fraudulently provide Company A with federal tax relief via the provisions of Act 20.
Act 20, also known as the Export Services Act, offers tax incentives for Puerto Rican companies to export services to other jurisdictions. The tax benefits on income derived from customers outside Puerto Rico in relation to services rendered from Puerto Rico included a fixed income tax rate of 4% for eligible export services, a 100% tax-exemption on dividends from earning and profits, and a 60% tax-exemption on local municipal taxes.
In December 2018, Hernández formed Company A under Puerto Rico law for an undercover special agent of the IRS-CI posing as a wealthy United States taxpayer from Arizona. In December 2019, Hernández caused to be prepared and filed a fraudulent tax-exemption application with the Office of Industrial Development and fraudulently obtained Act 20 tax exemption status for Company A.
In December 2019, Hernández also determined that Company A would report $500,000 in business earned income in Puerto Rico, which would reduce Company A’s federal taxes. Then in July 2020, Hernández caused a Puerto Rico corporate tax return for Company to be prepared and filed with the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda), falsely claiming that $500,000 was earned in Puerto Rico by Company A.
Hernández also caused the preparation and filing of false 2020-2021 Business Volume Declarations with the Municipality of San Juan based on the false earnings. The defendant unjustly enriched himself and others by receiving fees in exchange for these false and fraudulent acts.
The indictment further alleges that, as part of the scheme, the defendant defrauded the IRS, and unlawfully evaded the assessment and payment of taxes, by engaging in financial transactions devoid of any economic substance (sham transactions). The transactions were intended to create the illusion of a consulting business earning income from services performed within Puerto Rico, rather than within the mainland United States. The defendant and others communicated by e-mail and telephone with undercover special agents of the IRS-CI in interstate and foreign commerce as part of the scheme. The defendant and others misrepresented, concealed, and hid, acts done in furtherance of the scheme.
If found guilty, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for charges relating to wire fraud. An indictment is a charging document containing allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow commends the investigative efforts of IRS-CI’s Miami Field Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe and Department of Justice Assistant Chief Gregory E. Tortella and Special Attorney Francesca L. Bartolomey.
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Project Safe Neighborhoods Result in Arrest of Six Members of “Killas with Aggression” in TempleRead the Press Release
In Temple, Texas, this morning, federal, state and local law enforcement arrested six members and associates of Killas With Aggression (KWA), announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Kam, and Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds.
A federal grand jury indictment, unsealed today, charges three individuals who were arrested today, along with six other KWA members who were already in custody, with racketeering, Hobbs Act violations and federal drug trafficking charges. Those indicted defendants arrested today without incident include: Jason Mayse, age 39; Christopher Meyers (aka “CJ”), age 24; and, Reginald Williams (aka “Reggie”), age 27. The six indicted defendants already in custody prior to today include: Desmond Wilkerson (aka “Mookie”), age 27; Atorius Marquis Williams (“Lil Man”), age 23; Demonta Daniels (aka “Tado”, “Tato”), age 21; Trashawn Lamar Alexander (aka “Mad Max”), age 26; James Roy Whitfield, Jr. (aka “Snoop”, “Snoopy”), age 27; and, Jyraciel Whitfield (aka “Raci”), age 24. A seventh indicted defendant, 25-year-old Dominic Johnson (aka “Dumbway”). Johnson, is considered a fugitive.
Defendants Wilkerson, Atorius Williams, Daniels, Whitfield and Meyers are charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. The indictment alleges that those five conspired with others to commit five murders, multiple violent assaults, extortion, drug trafficking and armed robberies in furtherance of the criminal enterprise. Specifically, the indictment alleges five overt acts to include murder—one committed on November 26, 2015, by Williams in Hearne, Texas; the second, committed by Williams and Daniels on September 30, 2017, in Belton, Texas; the third, committed by Williams and Alexander on December 10, 2017, in Temple; the fourth, committed by Williams and Daniels on January 16, 2018, in Temple; and the fifth, committed by Williams, Daniels and Alexander on January 31, 2018, in Temple. The RICO conspiracy charge also alleges the defendants committed multiple assaults resulting in serious bodily injury and armed robberies against various individuals for not using KWA as their source of supply for narcotics distribution.
The indictment also charges all of the defendants with the exception of Mayse, with conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act, or affect commerce by robbery. The indictment alleges that since September 2017, the nine defendants conspired to affect commerce by robbery, committing acts of physical violence and threatening to commit acts of physical violence to steal controlled substances and proceeds from persons engaged in illegal drug distribution. Several of the defendants, including Atorius Williams, Meyers, Reginald Williams, Daniels, Whitfield and Alexander are also charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of crime of violence, namely robbery. Atorius Williams and Whitfield are also charged with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The indictment further charges Johnson, Wilkerson and Mayse with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. According to the indictment, the three KWA gang members are responsible for trafficking over 100 kilograms of marijuana throughout Central Texas since 2014.
A related federal criminal complaint unsealed today, charges 25-year-old KWA affiliate and Temple resident Christopher Kelso (aka “Money Montana”), 21-year-old KWA associate and Temple resident Emanuel Padilla and 22-year-old KWA member and Temple resident Darius Hellums (aka “Bighomie Dlove”) with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act. The criminal complaint alleges that on July 14, 2019, Kelso, Padilla, and Hellums, whom federal, state and local authorities arrested today, robbed a Temple residence which resulted in an occupant being shot by one of the defendants causing serious bodily injury. The complaint alleges that the defendants targeted the occupants of the house due to the sale of marijuana and firearms at that location.
“The unsealed indictment reveals a reign of terror, perpetrated by a violent enterprise, resulting in death and suffering on a frightening scale. We will use all of our federal resources and the full force of federal statutes like RICO to prevent violent criminals from running unchecked and undeterred throughout our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Sofer.
“The indictments and arrests announced today come after years of hard work,” said FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “These self-proclaimed ‘Killas With Aggression’ committed numerous violent acts to control the distribution of illegal drugs in East Temple through fear and intimidation. Families and children deserve to live peacefully in their neighborhoods and not be poisoned and victimized by violent groups. Our message is clear. The FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will find dangerous criminals and hold them accountable.”
“The City of Temple and central Texas area is a safer place with these violent offenders off the streets. Organized crime and crime that victimizes the community should not be tolerated and it is my hope that this operation sends a message that this type of activity will not be tolerated in the City of Temple,” stated Temple Police Chief Reynolds.
The defendants remain in federal custody. Upon conviction of the RICO conspiracy charge, the defendants face up to life in federal prison. Upon conviction of the Hobbs Act conspiracy, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison. Upon conviction of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, the defendants faces between five and 40 years in federal prison. Upon conviction of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, the defendants face not less than seven years in federal prison consecutive to any other prison term. Upon conviction of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the defendants face a mandatory ten years in federal prison consecutive to any other prison term.
The FBI, Temple Police Department, Belton Police Department, Bell County Organized Crime Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Cameron Police Department, and Hearne Police Department are conducting this investigation. The Killeen Police Department and Bell County Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
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.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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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.
Postal Supervisor in Middletown Admits Stealing PackagesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, announced that ZOHEB A. DEURA, 34, of Stratford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between February and April 2020, while he was employed as a supervisor at the U.S. Post Office in Middletown, Deura stole numerous packages, including packages containing an Apple computer, PlayStation and Nintendo gaming devices, an iPhone, footwear, and clothing items.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2021, at which time Deura faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Deura is released pending sentencing. He has resigned from the U.S. Postal Service.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.
U.S. Attorney Durham encouraged individuals who believe they are a victim of theft related to this case to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.