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15 October 2020
Justice Department Announces $29 Million to Support Justice and Mental Health ProgramsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice today announced awards totaling more than $29 million to support adult and juvenile justice initiatives designed to reduce crime and recidivism associated with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
“More and more people with mental illness are coming into contact with the criminal justice system, straining law enforcement resources and placing exceptional demands on our jails and prisons,” said Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “By supporting partnerships between justice system professionals and treatment providers, we are making substantial investments in addressing the link between mental health and public safety.”
Through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program is providing $18.6 million to support innovative cross-system collaboration for individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with the justice system. The program funds collaborative projects between criminal justice and mental health partners to plan, implement or expand a justice and mental health program.
Through BJA’s Collaborative Mental Health and Anti-Recidivism Initiative, nearly $900,000 is being provided to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to establish a statewide pilot program that partners with the appropriate agencies within the state. The initiative will establish a collaborative prison anti-recidivism effort to provide comprehensive care before, during, and after incarceration for persons with serious mental illness, with a goal of reducing recidivism.
Through BJA’s Improving Justice and Mental Health Collaboration - Training and Technical Assistance to Grantees and the Field Program, $4.6 million is being awarded to the Council of State Governments in Lexington, Kentucky, to provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies and their partner mental health and substance abuse authorities to reduce crime and recidivism associated with people with mental illnesses.
OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is providing nearly $5 million through the Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to improve outcomes for youth with mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. The funding may be used for mental health courts, specialized training and collaborative efforts between juvenile justice and mental health agencies to promote public safety by offering mental health treatment services and substance abuse treatment services.
For a complete list of grant programs, amounts awarded, and recipients, click here.
Additional information about these awards and other FY 2020 grant awards made by the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Awards Data webpage.
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Justice Department and Indian Authorities Announce Enforcement Actions Against Technical-Support Fraud Scheme Targeting SeniorsRead the Press Release
A federal court has ordered an individual and 5 companies to stop engaging in a technical-support fraud scheme that is alleged to have defrauded hundreds of elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims, the Department of Justice announced today.
The temporary restraining order issued by the court follows the filing of a complaint by the United States, which seeks both preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent the defendants from further victimizing U.S. consumers. The complaint filed by the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida was coordinated through the Department’s Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, which Attorney General Barr established last year to combat foreign fraud schemes targeting older Americans.
According to the complaint filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the defendants’ scheme contacted U.S. consumers via internet pop-up messages that falsely appeared to be security alerts from Microsoft or another well-known company. The pop-up messages fraudulently claimed that the consumer’s computer was infected by a virus, purported to run a scan of the consumer’s computer, falsely confirmed the presence of a virus and malware, and then provided a toll-free number to call for assistance. When victims called the toll-free number, they were connected to India-based call centers participating in the fraud scheme. Call center workers asked victims to give them remote access to their computers and told victims that they detected viruses or other malware on their computers. Eventually, the call center workers would falsely diagnose non-existent problems and ask victims to pay hundreds of dollars for unnecessary services and software.
In an unprecedented collaborative effort, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India took actions in parallel with today’s filing against corporate and individual participants in the scheme located in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, and Jaipur. CBI, India’s federal investigative agency, took note of the international fraud being perpetrated by these companies operating from various locations in India. CBI registered a criminal case against five companies involved in the scheme and conducted an investigation to identify and locate the perpetrators of the crime. Coordinated search operations were conducted at the offices of these companies and at the residences of the directors of the entities. According to CBI, incriminating digital evidence related to the scheme was collected and seized during the searches.
“Today’s filing reflects the Department of Justice’s continuing commitment to use all tools available to protect seniors from fraud, especially schemes perpetrated by transnational criminal organizations,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Civil Division. “The Department of Justice sincerely appreciates the CBI’s efforts to disrupt and prosecute technical-support fraud, government imposter fraud, and all other schemes directed at the American public.”
“Fraud schemes that target the most vulnerable members of our society, including the elderly, will be not be tolerated in our district,” said U.S Attorney Ariana Fajardo-Orshan for the Southern District of Florida. “Our Office has and will continue to protect consumers through both civil and criminal prosecutions. We urge consumers not to click on any pop-up messages or links that appear on their computer devices claiming that the devices are infected by viruses and at risk of irreversible damage. Consumers should delete those pop-ups and instead contact their software provider or local computer consultant directly.”
“The FBI works with its local, state, federal and international partners to combat technical fraud schemes,” said Assistant Director of the International Operations Division Charles Spencer. “We will continue to collaborate with law enforcement partners in order to hold criminals who engage in this type of deceptive activity accountable. However, we cannot do this alone, therefore we encourage anyone who suspects that they may be a victim of internet related fraud to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.”
“Postal Inspectors are prepared to defend the U.S. Mail from anyone who attempts to use it to defraud American citizens,” said Inspector-In-Charge Delany De Leon-Colon of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “Through our partnerships with federal law enforcement agencies and our international counterparts, we’re able to extend our defense of the Nation’s mail across the globe. Today’s action marks a strong step forward towards stopping these ruthless scammers from using the mail to further their scheme,” said De Leon-Colon.
The complaint alleges that Michael Brian Cotter, 59, of Glendale, California, knowingly provided U.S. support for India-based accomplices in furtherance of the scheme. Cotter facilitated the scheme through several companies, including Singapore registered Global Digital Concierge Pte. Ltd., formerly known as Tech Live Connect Pte. Ltd., Nevada registered companies Sensei Ventures Incorporated and NE Labs Inc., New York registered Kevisoft LLC, and United Kingdom registered Kevisoft UK LTD. The temporary restraining order issued by the court today dismantles these defendants’ U.S. infrastructure, such as websites and payment processing relationships, and prohibits the defendants from continuing to facilitate the alleged scheme.
According to law enforcement officials with CBI, “as India’s premier federal investigative agency, CBI reaffirms its commitment for continued close collaboration with the FBI and promoting cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies on cybercrime and cyber security. CBI has been making concerted efforts to identify and rapidly dismantle any network of transnational cyber frauds operated out of India. This case further reinforces our continued commitment towards safer cyber space for all citizens globally.”
The filed complaint asserts that, since at least 2011, Cotter has worked with co-conspirators in India to operate the alleged scheme, including registering website domains, setting up shell companies, and entering into relationships with banks and payment processors to facilitate the collection of funds from victims of the scheme. Individual victims are alleged to have reported paying hundreds to thousands of dollars to the scheme for unwanted and unnecessary technical-support services.
The complaint seeks an injunction under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Statute immediately shutting down the defendants’ role in the fraudulent schemes in order to protect U.S. victims from further harm. The injunctions sought by the United States would authorize the immediate shutdown of websites used to contact and collect payments from victims, and would enjoin Cotter and the corporate defendants from engaging in telemarketing activity related to computer technical support or accepting payments related to any purported technical support service.
The widespread fraud allegedly committed in this case was brought to the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force’s attention by Microsoft, which often is impersonated by those engaged in technical-support fraud schemes.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Clark thanked the Postal Inspection Service for its investigation of the case, and the FBI’s Economic Crimes Unit and Legal Attaché’s Office in Delhi, India, for their substantial coordination efforts. He also expressed appreciation to Microsoft for apprising the Strike Force of the alleged offenses. The U.S. case is being handled by Trial Attorney Ann Entwistle of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Weinkle of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida.
The claims made in the complaint are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Since President Trump signed the bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (EAPPA) into law, the Department of Justice has participated in hundreds of enforcement actions in criminal and civil cases that targeted or disproportionately affected seniors. In January 2020, the department designated “Preventing and Disrupting Transnational Elder Fraud” as an Agency Priority Goal, one of its top four priorities. Later, in March 2020, the department announced the largest elder fraud enforcement action in American history, charging more than 400 defendants in a nationwide elder fraud sweep. The department has likewise conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach sessions across the country since the passage of the Act.
The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seek to halt the billions of dollars senior lose to fraud schemes, including those perpetrated by transnational criminal organizations. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors, and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
Glendale Payday Loan Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A payday loan company owner pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge for defrauding money transmitting companies by failing to remit to them, as promised, nearly $1 million of wire transfers sent on behalf of his customers over just two weeks.
Arsen Khumaryan, 41, of Glendale, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt has scheduled a January 28 sentencing hearing, at which time Khumaryan will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Khumaryan owns Ask Inter Inc. (AII), a Glendale-based company that does business as Monroe’s Payday Advance, a financial services and check-cashing store. AII was an agent of MoneyGram and Ria Money Transfer, businesses that quickly provide money for a fee to individuals and companies in need of it.
As part of AII’s contracts with MoneyGram and Ria, Khumaryan was required to deposit into a trust account the money he received from his customers. After the wire transfer requests were made, MoneyGram and Ria would use their own funds to wire money to the recipients. AII was then required remit the customers’ funds from the trust account to MoneyGram and Ria no later than one business day after the customer requested the wire transfer. In exchange for selling MoneyGram and Ria’s products, the companies paid AII a commission based on the fees collected from customers.
According to his plea agreement, on May 23, 2018, Khumaryan advertised on social media that customers at his store could wire money, using MoneyGram and Ria, anywhere in the world without paying any fees, and could cash checks from Ria without fees during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Khumaryan admitted he knew that MoneyGram and Ria had not agreed to waive their wire transfer fees, nor had Ria agreed to waive its check-cashing fees.
Between May 23 and June 6, 2018, Khumaryan caused MoneyGram to send approximately $795,338 to recipients through its money transfer system. He also caused Ria to send 376 wire transfers totaling approximately $130,328 to recipients through that company’s money transfer system. Khumaryan pocketed the customers’ funds rather than remit them to the companies per his contractual obligations, causing the companies to lose more than $925,000. No MoneyGram or Ria customers were affected by Khumaryan’s fraud. This case is MoneyGram’s largest loss in the United States involving an agent’s misappropriation.
In addition, Khumaryan knowingly caused 16 bogus checks totaling approximately $104,057 to be processed through Ria’s money check-cashing system, the plea agreement states.
Khumaryan also admitted to submitting approximately $137,303 in fraudulent payments on personal credit cards issued to him by a business identified in the plea agreement as Company 3 by drawing against accounts he knew had insufficient funds to cover his payments.
The total losses in this case are $1,167,026, Khumaryan admitted.
This matter was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section.
Ganado Man Sentenced to 50 Months in Prison for Sexually Abusing MinorRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Harlan Billie, 30, of Ganado, Arizona, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 50 months in prison for sexually abusing a minor. Billie was also sentenced to lifetime supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender. Billie previously pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor.
Billie sexually assaulted the teenage victim at a home in Sanders, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Both Billie and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Ducat Keller, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-18-08237-PCT-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-086_Billie# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Fugitive Charged with Leading Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme, Falsifying Evidence, and Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
An American citizen was charged in two indictments unsealed this week for his alleged participation in an investment fraud scheme in which he allegedly misappropriated $6.1 million in investor-funds, manufactured evidence to mislead an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and concealed the proceeds of his fraudulent scheme from the IRS.
Mykalai Kontilai, aka Michael Contile, 51, formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada and New York, New York, was charged by sealed grand jury indictment on June 3, 2020, in the District of Nevada with one count of securities fraud, six counts of wire fraud, six counts of laundering of money instruments, one count of money transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and four counts of willful failure to file tax returns. Kontilai was also charged by sealed grand jury indictment on March 10, 2020, in the District of Colorado with one count of conspiracy to obstruct proceedings, two counts of obstruction of proceedings, one count of tampering with documents, and two counts of false statements. Arrest warrants have been issued, however, Kontilai is believed to have traveled to Russia to avoid prosecution. The FBI has also released a “Wanted” poster to facilitate his arrest.
The District of Nevada indictment alleges that from 2012 through 2018, Kontilai lured investors into giving him money to start an e-commerce auction business. The indictment further alleges Kontilai falsely told investors that he invested millions of dollars of his own money in the business and was not taking “a dime of salary.” According to the filing, Kontilai led bank officials to believe that money he withdrew was for business purposes when in fact it was for himself. On one occasion alone he allegedly withdrew $770,000 in cash from a company bank account, not to purchase inventory for the company, but for his personal use. He also allegedly used investor funds to purchase a Cadillac with the vanity tag, “MYKALAI,” and to pay for private school tuition and rent on luxury homes throughout the country. Kontilai is also charged with failing to file tax returns for tax years 2015 through 2018 when he was engaged in this scheme.
The District of Colorado indictment alleges that Kontilai covered up his theft by providing false testimony, and altering and manufacturing documents in an SEC investigation. Among other things, Kontilai is alleged to have tampered with a bank statement to substantiate his testimony that he loaned the company five million dollars and was justified in taking investor money to pay himself back. The altered bank statement showed the company’s account with a balance of $4,999,065, when the actual balance at the time was $935.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Field Offices of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Washington and New York Field Offices of the FBI. Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Department of Justice’s fight against white collar crime around the country.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should contact the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office.
Fugitive Charged with Leading Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme, Falsifying Evidence, and Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – An American citizen was charged in two indictments unsealed this week for his alleged participation in an investment fraud scheme in which he allegedly misappropriated $6.1 million in investor-funds, manufactured evidence to mislead an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and concealed the proceeds of his fraudulent scheme from the IRS.
Mykalai Kontilai, aka Michael Contile, 51, formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada and New York, New York, was charged by sealed grand jury indictment on June 3, 2020, in the District of Nevada with one count of securities fraud, six counts of wire fraud, six counts of laundering of money instruments, one count of money transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and four counts of willful failure to file tax returns. Kontilai was also charged by sealed grand jury indictment on March 10, 2020, in the District of Colorado with one count of conspiracy to obstruct proceedings, two counts of obstruction of proceedings, one count of tampering with documents, and two counts of false statements. Arrest warrants have been issued, however, Kontilai is believed to have traveled to Russia to avoid prosecution. The FBI has also released a
“Wanted” poster to facilitate his arrest.The
District of Nevada indictment alleges that from 2012 through 2018, Kontilai lured investors into giving him money to start an e-commerce auction business. The indictment further alleges Kontilai falsely told investors that he invested millions of dollars of his own money in the business and was not taking “a dime of salary.” According to the filing, Kontilai led bank officials to believe that money he withdrew was for business purposes when in fact it was for himself. On one occasion alone he allegedly withdrew $770,000 in cash from a company bank account, not to purchase inventory for the company, but for his personal use. He also allegedly used investor funds to purchase a Cadillac with the vanity tag, “MYKALAI,” and to pay for private school tuition and rent on luxury homes throughout the country. Kontilai is also charged with failing to file tax returns for tax years 2015 through 2018 when he was engaged in this scheme.The
District of Colorado indictment alleges that Kontilai covered up his theft by providing false testimony, and altering and manufacturing documents in an SEC investigation. Among other things, Kontilai is alleged to have tampered with a bank statement to substantiate his testimony that he loaned the company five million dollars and was justified in taking investor money to pay himself back. The altered bank statement showed the company’s account with a balance of $4,999,065, when the actual balance at the time was $935.An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Field Offices of the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Washington and New York Field Offices of the FBI. Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.
The Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Department of Justice’s fight against white collar crime around the country.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should contact the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office.
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Founder and CEO of Iranian Financial Services Firm Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Violate U.S. SanctionsRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Shahidian, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shahidian, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on Nov. 11, 2018, and, on May 15, 2020, was extradited to the United States.
“Shahidian lied to U.S. suppliers, illegally transferred funds from Iran, used fraudulent passports and ids, and established a business whose entire purpose was to circumvent U.S. sanctions and to enable others to do the same,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Today’s sentence should discourage other would-be sanctions violators from following in Mr. Shahidian’s footsteps.”
“Mr. Shahidian was the founder and CEO of a financial services firm that employed fraudulent tactics designed to circumvent United States sanctions lawfully imposed on the Government of Iran. Such actions are criminal and threaten our national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “In Iran, based on his illegal business, Mr. Shahidian had been a high-profile executive and a millionaire. He is now a convicted felon who has lost everything. This prosecution holds Mr. Shahidian accountable for his crimes and sends a broader message to others considering violating sanctions laws that there are serious consequences for doing so.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who try to willfully violate U.S. sanctions against Iran will be held accountable,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “The FBI and our worldwide partners will continue to identify, investigate and pursue those who perpetrate these deceptive criminal schemes with a deliberate disregard for our nation’s safety and security.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, PAYMENT24 was an internet-based financial services company with approximately 40 employees and offices in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, Iran. The primary business of PAYMENT24 was helping Iranian citizens conduct prohibited financial transactions with businesses based in the United States, including the unlawful purchase and exportation of computer software, software licenses, and computer servers from United States companies. According to PAYMENT24’s website, the company charged a fee to circumvent “American sanctions,” and claimed to have brought in millions of dollars of foreign currency into Iran.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, Shahidian, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of PAYMENT24, co-conspirator Vahid Vali, and other individuals violated the restrictions on trade and exports from the United States to Iran. On its website, PAYMENT24 sold a package to assist its Iranian clients with making online purchases from United States-based businesses, which included a PayPal account, a fraudulent “ID card and address receipt,” a remote IP address from the United Arab Emirates, and a Visa gift card. The PAYMENT24 website also offered its clients advice on how to create accounts with a foreign identity and how to avoid restrictions on foreign websites, including advising clients to “never attempt to log into those sites with an Iranian IP address.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, Shahidian admitted to making material misrepresentations and omissions to United States-based businesses regarding the destination of the United States-origin goods. In order to accomplish the transactions, Shahidian obtained payment processing accounts from United States-based companies like PayPal using fraudulent passports and other false residency documentation to falsely represent that his customers resided outside of Iran. Shahidian admitted to opening hundreds of PayPal accounts on behalf of his PAYMENT24 customers who resided in Iran and to unlawfully bringing millions of U.S. dollars into the economy of Iran. As noted in recently unsealed court documents in the Northern District of California, Shahidian’s payment services were used to register domains targeted for seizure based on their association with Iranian Cyber Influence Operations.
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), unauthorized exports of goods, technology or services to Iran, directly or indirectly from the United States or by a United States person are prohibited.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Division of the FBI. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the United States Department of Justice National Security Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are grateful for the substantial assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom, including in particular the National Crime Agency and the London Metropolitan Police, in connection with the arrest and extradition in this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Charles J. Kovats of the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
Founder and CEO of Iranian Financial Services Firm Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Violate U.S. SanctionsRead the Press Release
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of SEYED SAJJAD SHAHIDIAN, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. SHAHIDIAN, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. SHAHIDIAN, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on November 11, 2018, and, on May 15, 2020, was extradited to the United States.
“Mr. Shahidian was the founder and CEO of a financial services firm that employed fraudulent tactics designed to circumvent United States sanctions lawfully imposed on the Government of Iran. Such actions are criminal and threaten our national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “In Iran, based on his illegal business, Mr. Shahidian had been a high-profile executive and a millionaire. He is now a convicted felon who has lost everything. This prosecution holds Mr. Shahidian accountable for his crimes and sends a broader message to others considering violating sanctions laws that there are serious consequences for doing so.”
“Shahidian lied to U.S. suppliers, illegally transferred funds from Iran, used fraudulent passports and ids, and established a business whose entire purpose was to circumvent U.S. sanctions and to enable others to do the same,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Today’s sentence should discourage other would-be sanctions violators from following in Mr. Shahidian’s footsteps.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who try to willfully violate U.S. sanctions against Iran will be held accountable,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “The FBI and our worldwide partners will continue to identify, investigate and pursue those who perpetrate these deceptive criminal schemes with a deliberate disregard for our nation’s safety and security.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, PAYMENT24 was an internet-based financial services company with approximately 40 employees and offices in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, Iran. The primary business of PAYMENT24 was helping Iranian citizens conduct prohibited financial transactions with businesses based in the United States, including the unlawful purchase and exportation of computer software, software licenses, and computer servers from United States companies. According to PAYMENT24’s website, the company charged a fee to circumvent “American sanctions,” and claimed to have brought in millions of dollars of foreign currency into Iran.
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, SHAHIDIAN, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of PAYMENT24, co-conspirator VAHID VALI, and other individuals violated the restrictions on trade and exports from the United States to Iran. On its website, PAYMENT24 sold a package to assist its Iranian clients with making online purchases from United States-based businesses, which included a PayPal account, a fraudulent “ID card and address receipt,” a remote IP address from the United Arab Emirates, and a Visa gift card. The PAYMENT24 website also offered its clients advice on how to create accounts with a foreign identity and how to avoid restrictions on foreign websites, including advising clients to “never attempt to log into those sites with an Iranian IP address.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, SHAHIDIAN admitted to making material misrepresentations and omissions to United States-based businesses regarding the destination of the United States-origin goods. In order to accomplish the transactions, SHAHIDIAN obtained payment processing accounts from United States-based companies like PayPal using fraudulent passports and other false residency documentation to falsely represent that his customers resided outside of Iran. SHAHIDIAN admitted to opening hundreds of PayPal accounts on behalf of his PAYMENT24 customers who resided in Iran and to unlawfully bringing millions of U.S. dollars into the economy of Iran.
Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), unauthorized exports of goods, technology or services to Iran, directly or indirectly from the United States or by a United States person are prohibited.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Division of the FBI. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the United States Department of Justice National Security Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are grateful for the substantial assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom, including in particular the National Crime Agency and the London Metropolitan Police, in connection with the arrest and extradition in this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Charles J. Kovats of the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
Defendant Information:
SEYED SAJJAD SHAHIDIAN, a/k/a “Soheil Shahidi,” 33
Shiraz, Iran
Convicted:
- Conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 23 months in prison
- 2 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Former Wilmington Doctor Receives 70 MonthsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews sentenced Charles Esham, a 61-year old former physician, to 70 months in prison for issuing illegal oxycodone prescriptions over a two-year period.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2015 and 2016, Esham issued oxycodone prescriptions that were outside the course of usual professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Many of the more than 4,000 pills covered by those prescriptions were diverted and sold. Following a week-long trial, a jury convicted Esham of 39 counts of unlawful distribution of oxycodone. He has been incarcerated since the completion of the trial in December 2019.
On learning of the sentence, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated, “Esham wrote oxycodone prescriptions as if he were taking orders at an ice-cream shop. He exercised almost no medical judgment or oversight when prescribing powerful opioids. In doing so, he effectively handed over his prescription pad to a drug trafficking ring and, worse, he papered his files to try to cover his tracks. Today, the Court sent a powerful message: doctors who violate their oaths and betray the trust that society places in them will answer for their crimes.”
"Medical professionals such as Dr. Esham have an ethical and legal obligation to prescribe powerful prescription painkillers such as oxycodone only for legitimate medical purposes," said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. "His conviction on 39 counts of drug distribution totaling over 4,000 pills of oxycodone shows his total disregard for these same obligations; Dr. Esham's conduct was criminal."
This case was investigated by the DEA Philadelphia Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher R. Howland and Dylan J. Steinberg prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 17-CR-71-RGA.
Former Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Solicitation of BribeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Robert Defreitas, formerly a sworn law enforcement officer with the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA), was sentenced to 41 months in prison for Travel Act Bribery and Solicitation of a Bribe by a Public Employee. Defreitas was convicted of these offenses following a jury trial in December 2019.
According to the evidence presented at trial, in August 2018 Defreitas assisted with a DLCA inspection of a St. Thomas business, during which time he discovered that one of the company’s workers had not entered the country by legal means. Defrietas attempted to use this information against the victim. The victim later recorded a phone call in which Defreitas sought sexual favors in return for not reporting the vicitm’s immigration status, and this recording was played for the jury during the prosecution’s case-in-chief.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.
Former Georgia correctional officer, boyfriend sentenced to federal prison for possession of drugs intended for prison distributionRead the Press Release
DUBLIN, GA: A Georgia Department of Corrections officer and her convicted-felon boyfriend were sentenced to federal prison for possession of drugs packaged for smuggling into prison.
Lekesia Lashea Harden, 23, of Dublin, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 10 years in prison by Judge Dudley H. Bowen, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. A jury in October 2019 convicted Harden on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Methamphetamine after a two-day trial. Tremayne O. Linder, 31, of Dublin, who pled guilty to the same charge, previously was also sentenced to 10 years in prison. After completion of their prison terms, Harden must serve five years on supervised release, and Linder must serve three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
“As a correctional officer, Lakesia Harden knew what she was doing when she engaged in drug trafficking and associated with Tremayne Linder, a convicted felon,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Both of them will now spend substantial time in federal prison for their crimes.”
According to court documents and testimony, Harden worked as a correctional officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) at Wheeler Correctional Facility, a medium-security, privately owned state prison in Alamo, Ga. Linder was on probation for a felony conviction on state charges when officers from the Dublin Police Department and Georgia Department of Community Supervision visited Harden and Linder’s residence April 9, 2018, to serve Linder with an arrest warrant for failing to complete the requirements of probation.
During a search of the residence, officers found 12 small packages, two of them containing methamphetamine and 10 containing marijuana. The marijuana was wrapped in electrical tape with some of the packages containing rolling papers, evidence that the material was packaged for smuggling into prison.
“Harden’s crime taints every law enforcement officer who takes an oath to uphold the law,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “She chose her relationship with a convicted felon over her oath and now she, too, is a convicted felon and will be held accountable along with her associate, convicted felon Tremayne Linder.”
“The GDC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety. We appreciate the support of our federal partners in our efforts to see that justice is served on this former officer,” said GDC Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. “The actions of this individual do not reflect the hundreds of officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities.”
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Dublin Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Marchman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Syms.
Former Baltimore Police Officer Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Federal Charge of Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced James Robert Wissmann, IV, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, formerly a police officer with the Baltimore City Police Department, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. Judge Russell also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Wissmann must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officials suspended Wissmann on July 31, 2019, after a search at his residence. Wissmann subsequently resigned from the BPD.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, starting no later than July 2017, using fake names and fake e-mail addresses, Wissmann created accounts on a mobile application that allows users to join a “room” where they can message, video chat, watch videos and images, and share files, and used those accounts to distribute and receive files of child pornography and to discuss the sexual exploitation of children. The application monitored the activity on its platform and identified Wissmann’s accounts as sharing contraband files, shut down Wissmann’s accounts, and subsequently submitted reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”). Each time Wissmann’s accounts were shut down, Wissmann created a new account, using fake names and e-mail addresses, and continued to share child pornography and discuss child exploitation.
In 2018 and 2019, Wissmann created at least seven separate accounts on the application after being banned based on trafficking in child pornography. On October 11, 2018, the application sent five reports to NCMEC relating to child exploitation activity in Wissmann’s account. All five reports contained images that depict naked prepubescent females.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Wissmann took a variety of steps to avoid detection by the online platforms and law enforcement. Those steps included the use of fake names and e-mail addresses when creating accounts; the purchase of a Virtual Private Network account (a service that lets a user access the web privately by routing the connection through a server and hiding the user’s online actions); the use of the Tor anonymity network (used to conceal a user’s location, usage, and identity); regularly deleting, reinstalling, and then deleting various applications; and by using a file-wiping utility to permanently delete files.
On July 31, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at Wissmann’s residence and seized Wissmann’s laptop computer, removable digital media, and mobile phones, which he used to commit the offense. During a forensic examination of the seized items, investigators found images and videos of child pornography on Wissmann’s laptop, including images depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case.
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Florida Resident Sentenced to 2 Years Probation after Previously Pleading Guilty to Accessing a Protected Computer without Authorization and Recklessly Causing DamageRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that CARLOS DAVID IRIAS, age 47, a resident of Cutler Bay, Florida, was sentenced to two (2) years probation by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after previously pleading guilty to a one-count bill of information charging him with intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization and recklessly causing damage resulting in loss to Company A, a company in New, Orleans, Louisiana that previously employed IRIAS, of more than $5,000 during one year, in violation of 18 U.S.C. '' 1030(a)(5)(B) and 1030(c)(4)(A). Judge Fallon also ordered IRIAS to pay restitution in the amount of $14,593 to Company A.
According to court documents, from about 2012 until August 14, 2017, IRIAS worked for Company A, which was in the business of developing and distributing specialized urological medical devices including scopes and laser fibers. IRIAS was responsible for designing marketing templates, coordinating sales, and developing client contacts. IRIAS terminated his employment with Company A on August 14, 2017, after which time he was no longer authorized to access Company A’s cloud-based server, which handled marketing-related functions, including storing email contact lists and marketing templates and brochures.
On November 2, 2018, IRIAS accessed Company A’s secured cloud-based computer system from his home in Cutler Bay, Florida without authorization and thereafter exported the contents to a server under his control. He then deleted the information from the cloud-based system. As a result of the unauthorized intrusion, Company A was unable to conduct marketing campaigns from about November 2018 until October 2019. Company A was also unable to contact and communicate with their customer base for approximately two or three months, which jeopardized Company A’s reputation in the specialized field in which it operated. As a result of such conduct, IRIAS recklessly caused damage to Company A, in the amount of approximately $14,593.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
Florida Man Who Financed and Patronized Child Sex-Trafficking Ring in the Philippines Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Christopher John Streeter (63, Land O’ Lakes) today pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 14. He faces a mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the
plea agreement , from September 2018 through June 2019, Streeter directly participated in a scheme that sexually exploited children in the Philippines in order to produce child sex abuse videos for his consumption. Over that period, Streeter communicated and transacted with Philippines-based facilitators to recruit children to engage in sex acts on camera. The child victims—some of whom were as young as 12 and 13 years old—were particularly vulnerable due to poverty and illness.Streeter sent payments to the Philippines in exchange for depictions of the victims engaging in sex acts. The money that Streeter remitted covered various recording and production costs, such as hotel rooms, transportation, and a commission for the recruiters. In return, Streeter received videos and images of minors involved in various sex acts. Streeter negotiated and paid a premium for videos and images depicting female minors losing their virginity. He also negotiated and paid a premium for media depicting female minors being placed at risk of pregnancy, including additional payment for emergency contraception pills, and, occasionally, for abortions.
One of Streeter’s victims was a 12-year-old female from Ozamis, Philippines. In 2018 and 2019, Streeter communicated with a Philippine recruiter in Ozamis named Analyn Tababini. On multiple occasions, while in the Tampa Bay area, Streeter paid Tababini to arrange for sex abuse videos to be made of the victim. The monies covered production costs, including the male abuser, money for the victim, hotel expenses, and a commission for Tababini. In return, Tababini sent Streeter several videos of the sexual abuse of the victim. At one point, Streeter voiced displeasure with the videos not depicting insemination of the victim and ordered Tababini to purchase emergency contraception and make the victim take it for future videos.
In addition to working for Streeter, Homeland Security Investigations Transnational National Criminal Investigative Unit in Manila discovered that Tababini has facilitated internet sex shows of minors in exchange for payment from an array of international clientele. In a recent, coordinated operation conducted by the Philippine National Police in Ozamis, Philippines, six of Tababini’s child sex-trafficking victims (including Streeter’s 12-year-old victim) were rescued by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development. Philippine authorities also arrested Tababini and executed three search warrants in support of their continuing investigation.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa and Manila), with assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray. The Philippines victim-rescue operation was conducted by the Philippine National Police (Manila), with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (Tampa and Manila), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (National Targeting Center), the Philippine National Police Woman and Children Protection Center (Mindanao Field Unit), and the Ozamis City Police Office.
Five Alleged Members of the Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering ChargesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Oxford, Mississippi, returned a six-count superseding indictment charging five alleged members of the Gangster Disciples gang, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar of the Northern District of Mississippi.
The superseding indictment charges Latroy Daniels, Gregory Moffett, Michael Willie, Derrick Houston, and Darrell Steele with conspiracy to commit racketeering acts and participating in several violent assaults in aid of a racketeering enterprise for their alleged involvement in violent crimes that occurred across the state of Mississippi, both inside and outside of prison facilities. The indictment additionally charges Steele with using a destructive device in furtherance of a violent crime. The superseding indictment was returned by the grand jury Wednesday and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Mississippi.
According to the superseding indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a violent national criminal gang, founded in Chicago, and now active in numerous states across the U.S., including Mississippi. The gang operates under the leadership of a corporate board, which is responsible for gang decisions at the national level. Each state has a state and regional leadership of “governors” and other subordinate gang leaders, who are responsible for the gang’s activities in specific geographic regions and specific substantive areas. The scope of the Gangster Disciples’ crimes is wide-ranging throughout their national operation. The gang protects its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, and arson. Notably, the indictment highlights the firebombing of a state prison official’s car and home by members of the Gangster Disciples in September 2019.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and investigators with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Mississippi.
Evans man admits possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: An Evans man awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.
Oludare Oluwabusi, 43, of Evans, pled guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography before U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, a requirement for registration as a sex offender, and a period of supervised release after completion of the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Each time they are created, stored, shared or viewed, images of child pornography represent the encapsulated, continual victimization of minors,” said U.S. Attorney Christine. “Possessing images of child pornography is a violation of the law, it is sickening and it is depraved, and with the collaboration of our vigilant law enforcement partners, we will not tolerate it.”
As outlined in court documents and testimony, in April, FBI agents acted on a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children when they searched Oluwabusi’s home in Riverwood Plantation. An agent later testified in court to finding graphic images of child pornography on multiple devices belonging to Oluwabusi that were seized from the home.
“The FBI will always make it a top priority to keep our children safe and work with our federal, state and local partners to track down anyone involved in this abhorrent behavior,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
The FBI is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.
Essex County Man Arrested for Stealing Checks and Cash from Post OfficeRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man working as a contract custodian at a U.S. Post Office in Maplewood, New Jersey, was arrested today for bank fraud and theft of government property, including stealing nearly $15,000 in checks and cash from the Maplewood Post Office and fraudulently depositing the checks, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Mark Gregory Jr., 27, of East Orange, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank fraud and two counts of theft of government property. He is scheduled to appear this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer.
According to documents filed in this case:
Between March 2019 and July 2019, Gregory stole certain checks placed into the stream of mail by customers at the Maplewood Post Office, and cash paid by customers and held at the Maplewood Post Office, and subsequently deposited those checks, in New Jersey and elsewhere, into bank accounts that he controlled.
The bank fraud charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The theft of government property charges are punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office, and postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Raimundo Marrero, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tazneen Shahabuddin of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eleven Individuals Charged in Red Lake Methamphetamine, Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced two separate federal indictments charging 11 individuals in connection with parallel methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution conspiracies on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Ten defendants are currently in custody and will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court over the next several days.
According to allegations in the indictment, between August 2019 and December 2019, KYLE DALE CLARK, JOSE ARCEGA-VEJAR, VALERIE ANN CLARK, VANESSA LOUISE COBENAIS, KATHI LYN DUDLEY, DREW WILLIAM GRAVES, and KALYSSA KAILANI DEANAH WHITE conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the surrounding area. Between April 15, 2020, through April 22, 2020, WHITE and ARCEGA-VEJAR also conspired with DAVID ALAN JOURDAIN, TARA MAE LUSSIER, and ANDREW JAMES NEADEAU to distribute fentanyl on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the surrounding areas.
According to allegations in the indictment, COREY LEE DONNELL and KYLE CLARK were charged with firearms violations for illegally selling and possessing a firearm, namely a Glock model 26gen5, 9mm pistol. Because he has a prior felony conviction in U.S. District Court, KYLE CLARK is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald thanks the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these indictments. Additional assistance during the arrests was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Fargo and the Metro Street Crimes Unit in Fargo, North Dakota.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina L. Allery and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad are prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
KYLE DALE CLARK, 29
City of residence unknown
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
- Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count
JOSE ARCEGA-VEJAR, a/k/a “Jos Ar,” a/k/a “Jose Robles,” 32
Baja, Mexico
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count
VALERIE ANN CLARK, 51
Redby, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
VANESSA LOUISE COBENAIS, 31
Bemidji, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
KATHI LYN DUDLEY, 42
Redby, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
COREY LEE DONNELL, 28
Redby, Minn.
Charges:
- Sale or transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person, 1 count
DREW WILLIAM GRAVES, 32
City of residence unknown
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
KALYSSA KAILANI DEANAH WHITE, 19
Red Lake, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count
DAVID ALAN JOURDAIN, 38
Red Lake, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count
TARA MAE LUSSIER, 20
Red Lake, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count
ANDREW JAMES NEADEAU, 28
Red Lake, Minn.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Dyer County Career Drug Offender Sentenced to over 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – William Frank Perry, 49, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, crack cocaine and marijuana. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on December 11, 2018, when officers with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Dyersburg Police Department and the United States Marshals Service attempted to execute an arrest warrant for Perry at his residence, he was not home. Officers observed the defendant's sister in the driveway getting into a vehicle and instructed her to contact Perry. When he arrived to the residence, he was immediately placed into custody. While searching the vehicle, officers observed a black bag in the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle. The defendant's sister denied ownership of the bag or knowledge of its contents.
Perry admitted to possessing the bag and provided a statement as to its contents. A search revealed 6.58 grams of crack cocaine, 5.57 grams of methamphetamine, 1.3 lbs. of marijuana and over $3,000 in U.S. currency on Perry’s person.
Perry has an extensive criminal history with prior convictions for multiple drug felonies, including possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; possession of marijuana with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver; attempt to distribute controlled substances; and possession with the intent to distribute and attempt to possess marijuana. As a result of these prior drug felony convictions, Perry is considered to be a career drug offender under federal law for purposes of sentencing.
On October 1, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Perry to 151 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This defendant has a long criminal history of felony drug convictions, yet continued his persistent pattern of drug trafficking. Mr. Perry has devoted his adult life to a career of repeated criminal conduct, and that prior history has finally caught up with him. This sentence removing him from the community for more than 12 years is well-deserved, and will make Dyersburg and West Tennessee a safer place."
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Dyersburg Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Dubuque Man Who Sold Opioids that Caused Fatal Overdose Sentenced to 20 Years’ Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who sold a fatal opioid cocktail was sentenced October 14, 2020, to 20 years in federal prison.
Carl Ravon Watkins, age 30, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 17, 2020 guilty plea to one count of distribution of controlled substances resulting in death.
In a plea agreement, Watkins admitted that in August 2019, a woman called and texted him looking for heroin. Watkins met with the woman and her boyfriend in on Wilson Avenue in Dubuque. Watkins got into the woman’s car and sold her what was supposedly heroin. The woman took the mixture home, used it later that night, and lost consciousness. Her boyfriend found her hours later, unconscious and not breathing. Emergency responders arrived, but were unable to revive the woman and she was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined that the woman’s death was caused by mixed drug toxicity, specifically from fentanyl and an analogue of fentanyl called acetyl fentanyl. During a search of the woman’s bedroom, officers found a chunky white substance that tested positive for fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
Watkins also admitted that the day after the woman’s death, the Dubuque Drug Task Force set up a controlled meeting with Watkins to attempt to purchase $80 of purported heroin from him. When Watkins arrived at the location on Wilson Avenue in Dubuque, officers arrested him. During his arrest, Wilson dropped a baggie containing about a quarter gram of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
Watkins was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Watkins was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $7,233 in restitution to the victim’s family for funeral expenses. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Watkins is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 19-CR-01043-CJW-MAR.
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Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Possessing A Firearm and DrugsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Juan Daniel Martinez (38, Arcadia) to 15 years and 1 month in federal prison for possessing approximately six ounces of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and for possessing a loaded pistol and additional ammunition. Martinez, a previously convicted felon for armed kidnapping, had pleaded guilty on June 30, 2020.
According to information presented during the sentencing hearing, in July 2019, Martinez was arrested after a law enforcement officer pulled him over for a traffic infraction and discovered that Martinez was driving without a valid driver license, an offense Martinez has been convicted of seven times. A subsequent search of Martinez’s car revealed a loaded gun stashed under the driver’s seat and approximately six ounces of 98% pure methamphetamine in a bag, along with other items used for drug distribution.
During an interview with law enforcement, Martinez admitted that, prior to his arrest, he had sold approximately a pound of methamphetamine daily or every other day. Martinez acknowledged that while engaging in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking, he carried the pistol to protect himself, his drugs, and his money. Martinez confessed that he had been working to expand his drug trafficking territory and before he was arrested, he was on his way to Nokomis to sell drugs.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
Driver from New Mexico Sentenced for 40 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Fuel TankRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A New Mexico man was sentenced today to 108 months in federal prison for concealing 40 pounds of methamphetamine in his fuel tank, said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Miguel Angel Ramirez, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
In his plea, Ramirez admitted he was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Highway 54 in Liberal, Kan. Troopers found 40 pounds of methamphetamine in the fuel tank of the Dodge Challenger he was driving. Ramirez had driven from New Mexico with orders to deliver the drugs to Wichita. He kept other conspirators advised of his progress by telephone.
McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.
Department of Justice Is Combatting COVID-19 Fraud but Reminds the Public to Remain VigilantRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice is reminding members of the public to be vigilant against fraudsters who are using the COVID-19 pandemic to exploit American consumers and organizations and to cheat disaster relief programs. In particular, the department is warning the public about scams perpetrated through websites, social media, emails, robocalls, and other means that peddle fake COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, and protective equipment, and also about criminals that fabricate businesses and steal identities in order to defraud federal relief programs and state unemployment programs.
“A pandemic is a time when people should come together to pursue the common good, but sadly there are some who instead use it as an opportunity to deceive and thieve,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen. “From the outset, the Justice Department has acted quickly to detect, investigate, and prosecute wrongdoing relating to this crisis. Pursuing these criminals and deterring would-be bad actors will remain a priority for the foreseeable future.”
At the direction of Attorney General William Barr on March 16, 2020, the Department of Justice mobilized to safeguard Americans from coronavirus-related fraud and other illegal activity. On March 18, Deputy Attorney General Rosen instructed the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) to take coronavirus-related complaints from the public and facilitate information sharing among law enforcement partners and regulators, like the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Drug Administration. The Deputy Attorney General also tasked U.S. Attorneys to appoint Coronavirus Fraud Coordinators in each judicial district, and many U.S. Attorneys also established state-wide and regional task forces to improve federal, state, and local law enforcement coordination. On March 24, following the President’s invocation of his authorities under the Defense Production Act, the Attorney General formed the DOJ Hoarding & Price Gouging Task Force, which is a nationwide effort to deter, detect, and prosecute hoarding and profiteering in the sale of health and medical resources essential to combatting the spread of COVID-19. Memoranda from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General prescribing these measures may be found at www.justice.gov/coronavirus/DOJresponse.
To date, the NCDF has received more than 76,000 tips concerning COVID-19-related wrongdoing. Similarly, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has also received more than 20,000 tips regarding suspicious websites and media postings. These tips, as well as reports made directly to the offices of U.S. Attorneys, FBI field offices, and other law enforcement agencies, have led to federal law enforcement opening hundreds of investigations.
The department charged its first COVID-19-related fraud case on March 25, and since then, the department has filed criminal charges in 33 cases across the country involving scam vaccines, treatments, or testing or price gouging in the sale of scarce medical supplies. Additionally, the department has initiated civil actions in 11 cases to enjoin fraudulent coronavirus schemes targeting consumers, including cases against defendants marketing ozone gas, silver-ion solution, and bleach-based solution as treatments.
The department has also focused on prosecuting bad actors who have exploited federal relief programs enacted on March 27 under the CARES Act that are intended to assist hard-hit Americans and businesses. In particular, the department has charged 65 defendants in 50 separate cases to date that relate to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The total intended loss to the PPP in those cases is more than $227 million. The defendants in these cases include those brazen enough to submit PPP loan applications for fabricated businesses named after “Game of Thrones” characters and to spend PPP loan proceeds on exotic cars, boats, and expensive jewelry.
The department has coordinated closely with the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) and various other federal law enforcement agencies to stand up the U.S. Department of Justice National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force.
(See /media/1093226/dl?inline.) This task force is charged with investigating numerous fraud schemes targeting the unemployment insurance programs of state workforce agencies, which have been distributing additional Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds provided for under the CARES Act. To date, the department has charged fraud or money laundering in 12 cases relating to unemployment insurance, and has also been supporting DOL-OIG’s efforts to mitigate the threats that transnational criminal organizations and other identity thieves continue to pose to the important benefits programs on which unemployed Americans rely. The department’s leadership has been crucial in organizing and focusing the whole of federal law enforcement on this important issue, including by leveraging the capabilities and resources of the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center and by hiring additional prosecutors to investigate and charge these schemes.
Moving forward, the department also is concerned about, and will aim to deter and prevent, attempts by wrongdoers to prey upon potential victims by leveraging news about anticipated approval of a COVID-19 vaccine or about the potential enactment of new disaster relief bills that extend or expand upon CARES Act relief.
The department encourages the public to continue to report wrongdoing relating to the pandemic to the NCDF and to remain vigilant against bad actors looking to exploit this national emergency. To report a scam relating to COVID-19, or if you have information on hoarding or price gouging of critical supplies necessary to respond to the spread of COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home by calling the NCDF Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form, available at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Department of Justice and United States Attorney's Office to Oversee November 2020 ElectionsRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry H. Piper 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 elections. AUSA Piper has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Tennessee and, in that capacity, 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.
“Every United States citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. Aggressive and prompt action will be taken by the Department of Justice to protect the integrity of the election process. While the COVID-19 pandemic may alter the way we vote this November, we nonetheless must ensure that voter integrity is maintained, and the votes counted as cast by the citizens. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey.
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 make their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
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 abuses on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Overbey stated that AUSA/DEO Piper will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. AUSA Piper can be reached at (423) 385-1332.
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 (865) 544-0751.
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-(855) 856-1247 or (202) 514 -3847, 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.
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DOJ Establishes Local Contacts for November 2020 ElectionRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – United States Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) JoAnna McFadden has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Middle District of North Carolina, 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.
“Fair and trustworthy elections are the cornerstone of our constitutional democracy. Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination, and to have that vote counted,” said United States Attorney Martin. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process, but we need public involvement to ensure that elections are both free and fair. If you have specific information about election fraud, discrimination, or interference with voting, please call the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the FBI immediately.”
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 McFadden will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at (336) 333-5351. 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 office can be reached by the public at (704) 672-6800 and callers should ask to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator.
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 during the early voting period and 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 also protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted in voting by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws also 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, citizens should 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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DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
Tampa, FL – This week, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“Fighting violent crime and keeping our citizens safe continues to be a paramount priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “Together with our dedicated and courageous federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we hope to continue to remain laser-focused on holding violent criminals accountable, reducing gun violence, and protecting our communities.”
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged, more than 200 cases have been brought by the Middle District of Florida, announced U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges result from the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
“Gun violence is a top priority for the Department and here in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Our office values the hard work of our partners, and we are proud of our work in protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms. Our office will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who use firearms to commit violent crimes within our communities,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if one falls into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses, and using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law-abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For examples of convictions of firearms related crimes within the Eastern District of Tennessee, please see the following press releases: Small and Johnson and Charles Edward Mason.
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DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendant with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY20Read the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, NY--The Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals, who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“In this District, we increased in the number of defendants charged with federal gun crimes during FY 2020 by over 50%,” stated James P. Kennedy, Jr., United States Attorney for the Western District of New York. “It has been more than a decade since that many defendants have been charged with federal gun crimes here in Western New York.”
Kennedy went on to explain, “the historic number of gun prosecutions being brought here this year is attributable to the historic number of shootings we have seen. The sad reality is that many residents in our District live in poor, violence–riddled neighborhoods in which the fear of gun violence is omnipresent. The leading cause of death for young black males in this country is homicide, and most often, those homicides involve illegal guns. Those of us working in law enforcement recognize that each of those lives lost—and the lives of all those living in these violent neighborhoods—matter. For that reason, we remain undeterred in our mission to hold accountable all those in our community who fail to meet societal expectations for behavior—as expressed in our Nation’s laws. But as we undertake that task with vigor, please remember, we are not focusing our policing efforts on the gun crimes because we are out to get anyone—rather, we are doing it because we are out to protect everyone.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
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DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in Fy20Read the Press Release
BILLINGS – The Department of Justice announced this week it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, including 170 cases in Montana, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
"Keeping Montanans safe from violent crime is even more important since COVID-19 arrived. Domestic violence offenders with access to firearms are much more likely to commit homicide. Keeping guns out of the hands of offenders is critical to reducing violent crimes," U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Of the more than 14,200 cases charged, 170 cases have been brought in Montana, U.S. Attorney Alme said.
Recent Montana cases include:
- Charles Bailey, of West Yellowstone, was sentenced to 48 months in prison in May for possession of an unregistered device. During an investigation into a violation of a protective order, law enforcement found three unregistered improvised bombs in his vehicle.
- Carlyle Ray Wells, of Great Falls, pleaded guilty in October to theft of a firearm from a federal firearms dealer. Wells was accused of breaking into a Great Falls business and stealing 27 firearms. Wells faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
- Maxie Arthur, of Anaconda, was sentenced to 48 months in prison in March for possession of an unregistered device. Law enforcement responded to a domestic violence call and found firearms and a homemade bomb.
- Robert House, of East Helena, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm while being a user of a controlled substance. Police officers responded to a call a man acting erratically and located House. House had a semi-automatic pistol in his backpack and a small amount of methamphetamine. House was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
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Crockett County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Christopher Ethan Webb, 24, of Crockett County, TN has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on December 3, 2019, Webb was released from a five-year state sentence on two counts of aggravated assault where the defendant shot an individual during an altercation. On January 24, 2020, the West Tennessee Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force was executing a search warrant at Webb’s residence in rural Alamo, Tennessee, when they recovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol hidden in an air duct. The defendant admitted that he had been in possession of that firearm.
On October 7, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Webb to 57 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Less than 2 months after being released from state custody for a violent gun offense, Webb was again found with a gun. Clearly, he did not learn a lesson from his prior state convictions, and continues to be a danger to the community. Now, he will be rightly punished for his recidivism and incapacitated in federal prison, where there is no sentence discount or sanctuary of parole."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the West Tennessee Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Lawler Parham prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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Conway Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Federal Prison on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Gabriel Santos-Canales, 37, of Conway, was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute the substances.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on October 31, 2019, the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) located Santos-Canales at a hotel in Conway. Upon leaving the hotel, Santos-Canales was arrested on outstanding warrants. DEU agents secured a search warrant for a room in the hotel, which was registered to Santos-Canales. A search of the room revealed 24.55 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 24.97 grams of methamphetamine, and several thousand dollars in cash.
Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Santos-Canales to 46 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fifteenth Circuit DEU.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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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.
Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Explosives Charges for Plotting to Blow up SynagogueRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that Richard Holzer, 28, pleaded guilty today to federal hate crime and explosives charges for plotting to blow up the Temple Emanuel Synagogue in Pueblo, Colorado.
Holzer pleaded guilty to intentionally attempting to obstruct persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs, through force and the attempted use of explosives and fire, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 247, and with attempting to maliciously damage and destroy, by means of fire and explosives, a building used in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 844(i).
“The defendant attempted to bomb the Temple Emanuel Synagogue to drive people of Jewish faith out of his community,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Violence motivated by religious intolerance strikes at the heart of a free society, and the Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute these violent acts of hate.”
“This is the most important work that we can do – protecting our communities by stopping an attack before it occurred,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn for the District of Colorado. “The people of Pueblo and the State of Colorado are safer as a result of today’s guilty plea and the outstanding work of prosecutors and the FBI.”
“Today Richard Holzer pled guilty for plotting to harm members of a religious organization in Pueblo, Colorado,” said FBI Denver Special Agent Charge Michael Schneider. “We remain committed to working with our partners to protect Colorado's citizens from those who plan to commit acts of violence, including that which constitutes a hate crime or domestic terrorism, and hold those individuals accountable. We would like to thank the Southern Colorado Joint Terrorism Task Force, Pueblo Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their dedication and perseverance in this investigation.”
In the plea agreement, Holzer admitted that he planned to destroy Temple Emanuel, a synagogue in Pueblo, Colorado, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Holzer, who self-identifies as a Neo-Nazi and a white supremacist, used social media accounts to promote white supremacy ideology and acts of violence and visited Temple Emanuel to observe Jewish congregants. After one such visit, Holzer told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to do something that would tell Jewish people in the community that they are not welcome in Pueblo, and they should leave or they will die. Holzer sent an undercover FBI agent pictures of himself holding automatic weapons and said he was “getting ready for RAHOWA,” shorthand for a racial holy war.
During a meeting with undercover agents to discuss his plans, Holzer repeatedly expressed his hatred of Jewish people and suggested using explosive devices to destroy the Synagogue. Holzer told the undercover agents that he wanted to “get that place off the map.” Holzer further admitted that he coordinated with the undercover agents to obtain explosives, including pipe bombs.
On the evening of Nov. 1, 2019, Holzer met with undercover agents, who provided Holzer with inert explosive devices that had been fabricated by the FBI, including two pipe bombs and 14 sticks of dynamite. Before taking custody of the explosives, Holzer removed a copy of “Mein Kampf” from his bag and told the undercover agents that “this is a move for our race.” Holzer admitted that he planned to detonate the explosives several hours later, in the early hours of Saturday morning, Nov. 2, 2019. The actions Holzer admitted in the plea agreement meet the federal definition of domestic terrorism, as they involved criminal acts dangerous to human life that were intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 20, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Raymond P. Moore. Holzer faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the hate crime charge and 20 years for the explosives charge, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Martinez and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Pueblo Police Department and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.
Colombian National Sentenced for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine distribution.
Diego Sanchez, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 27 months in prison. Sanchez pleaded guilty on May 15, 2020 to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Sanchez engaged in two sales of cocaine to a cooperating witness for the government on Sept. 10 and 27, 2019 in East Boston. Sanchez and his co-defendant, Ricardo Lopera-Arteaga, also conspired together to sell one kilogram of cocaine to the same cooperating witness. On Oct. 9, 2019, law enforcement agents observed both men walking towards the location for a planned drug transaction and arrested them near the pre-arranged meeting spot in East Boston. Lopera-Arteaga had one kilogram of cocaine in a bag he was carrying when arrested. Lopera-Arteaga pleaded guilty to similar charges on Aug. 12, 2020.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.
Carlsbad man sentenced to five years on gun and drug chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Kristopher Wade Parker, 36, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, was sentenced on Oct. 14 in federal court to five-and-a-half years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Parker pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2019. In the plea agreement, Parker admitted that on May 13, 2019, he possessed approximately 279 pills, or 30.911 grams, of fentanyl with the intent to distribute the drug to others in exchange for money. Parker also admitted that he possessed a .40 caliber handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Upon release from prison, Parker will serve three years of supervised release.
Agents from the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force investigated this case in conjunction with Drug Enforcement Administration agents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley H. Bartlett prosecuted this case.
CEO of Multibillion-dollar Software Company Indicted for Decades-long Tax Evasion and Wire Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in San Francisco, California, returned a 39 count indictment charging Robert T. Brockman, the Chief Executive Officer of an Ohio-based software company, with tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and other offenses, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Tax Division, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson for the Northern District of California, and Chief of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Jim Lee. The charges stem from an alleged decades-long scheme to conceal approximately $2 billion in income from the IRS as well as a scheme to defraud investors in the software company’s debt securities.
“Today’s indictment reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to finding and prosecuting the costliest and most sophisticated tax crimes in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Tax Division Richard E. Zuckerman.
“Complexity will not hide crime from law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Sophistication is not a defense to federal criminal charges. We will not hesitate to prosecute the smartest guys in the room.”
“As alleged, Mr. Brockman is responsible for carrying out an approximately two billion dollar tax evasion scheme,” said Jim Lee, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation aggressively pursues tax cheats domestically and abroad. No scheme is too complex or sophisticated for our investigators. Those hiding income or assets offshore are encouraged to come forward and voluntarily disclose their holdings.”
According to the indictment, Brockman, a resident of Houston, Texas, and Pitkin County, Colorado, used a web of offshore entities based in Bermuda and Nevis to hide from the IRS income earned on his investments in private equity funds which were managed by a San Francisco-based investment firm. As part of the alleged scheme, Brockman directed untaxed capital gains income to secret bank accounts in Bermuda and Switzerland. The indictment further alleges that to execute the fraud, between 1999 and 2019, Brockman took measures such as backdating records and using encrypted communications and code words to communicate with a co-conspirator, among other alleged actions.
In addition to the tax offenses, the indictment alleges that, between 2008 and 2010, Brockman engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $67.8 million in the software company’s debt securities. As CEO, Brockman was contractually restricted from purchasing any of the software company’s debt securities without prior notice, full disclosure, and amending the associated credit agreements. The indictment alleges that Brockman used a third-party to circumvent those requirements, to acquire the debt securities, and to conceal from the sellers valuable economic information. The indictment further alleges that Brockman used material, non-public information about the software company to make decisions about purchasing the debt. In addition, Brockman allegedly persuaded another individual to alter, destroy, and mutilate documents and computer evidence with the intent to impair the use of such evidence in a grand jury investigation.
Brockman is charged with conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; seven counts of tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201; six counts of failing to file foreign bank account reports, in violation of 31 U.S.C. §§ 5314 & 5322(b); 20 counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; two counts of concealment money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i)), and tax evasion money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(ii)); and one count each of international concealment money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(B)(i)); evidence tampering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(2)(B), and destruction of evidence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1).
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Brockman potentially faces a substantial period of incarceration, as well as restitution and criminal forfeiture. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Brockman is scheduled to make his initial federal court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins today.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Corey Smith of the Tax Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman, and Trial Attorneys Lee Langston and Christopher Magnani of the Tax Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division also provided extensive assistance in this matter.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
CEO of Multi-Billion-Dollar Software Company Indicted for Decades-Long Tax Evasion and Wire Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in San Francisco, California, returned a thirty-nine count indictment charging Robert T. Brockman, the Chief Executive Officer of an Ohio-based software company, with tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and other offenses, announced U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson for the Northern District of California, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Tax Division, and Chief of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Jim Lee. The charges stem from an alleged decades-long scheme to conceal approximately $2 billion in income from the IRS as well as a scheme to defraud investors in the software company’s debt securities.
“Complexity will not hide crime from law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Sophistication is not a defense to federal criminal charges. We will not hesitate to prosecute the smartest guys in the room.”
“Today’s indictment reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to finding and prosecuting the costliest and most sophisticated tax crimes in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Tax Division Richard E. Zuckerman.
“As alleged, Mr. Brockman is responsible for carrying out an approximately two billion dollar tax evasion scheme,” said Jim Lee, Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation aggressively pursues tax cheats domestically and abroad. No scheme is too complex or sophisticated for our investigators. Those hiding income or assets offshore are encouraged to come forward and voluntarily disclose their holdings.”
According to the indictment, Brockman, a resident of Houston, Texas, and Pitkin County, Colorado, used a web of offshore entities based in Bermuda and Nevis to hide from the IRS income earned on his investments in private equity funds which were managed by a San Francisco-based investment firm. As part of the alleged scheme, Brockman directed untaxed capital gains income to secret bank accounts in Bermuda and Switzerland. The indictment further alleges that to execute the fraud, between 1999 and 2019, Brockman took measures such as backdating records and using encrypted communications and code words to communicate with a co-conspirator, among other alleged actions.
In addition to the tax offenses, the indictment alleges that, between 2008 and 2010, Brockman engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $67.8 million in the software company’s debt securities. As CEO, Brockman was contractually restricted from purchasing any of the software company’s debt securities without prior notice, full disclosure, and amending the associated credit agreements. The indictment alleges that Brockman used a third-party to circumvent those requirements, to acquire the debt securities, and to conceal from the sellers valuable economic information. The indictment further alleges that Brockman used material, non-public information about the software company to make decisions about purchasing the debt. In addition, Brockman allegedly persuaded another individual to alter, destroy, and mutilate documents and computer evidence with the intent to impair the use of such evidence in a grand jury investigation.
Brockman is charged with conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; seven counts of tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201; six counts of failing to file foreign bank account reports, in violation of 31 U.S.C. §§ 5314 & 5322(b); 20 counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; two counts of concealment money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i)), and tax evasion money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(ii)); and one count each of international concealment money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(B)(i)); evidence tampering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(2)(B), and destruction of evidence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1).An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Brockman potentially faces a substantial period of incarceration, as well as restitution and criminal forfeiture. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Brockman is scheduled to make his initial federal court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins this morning.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman, Senior Litigation Counsel Corey Smith of the Tax Division, and Trial Attorneys Lee Langston and Christopher Magnani of the Tax Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division also provided extensive assistance in this matter.
Bristol, Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machinegun, a Silencer, and Other FirearmsRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Virginia – A Bristol, Virginia man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to three federal gun charges related to offenses occurring in both the Western District of Virginia and the Western District of North Carolina. Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia, United States Attorney Andrew R. Murray of the Western District of North Carolina, and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division made the announcement today.
Michel Andrew Houser, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of an indictment filed in the Western District of Virginia charging him with possession of an unregistered machinegun and possession of an unregistered silencer. In addition, Houser pleaded guilty to a one-count Information filed in the Western District of North Carolina charging him with illegal possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.
“When felons possess firearms, it produces violence in our neighborhoods. As today’s plea agreement demonstrates, we will continue to prioritize these cases,” Acting United States Attorney Bubar said today. “I am grateful to our partners at the ATF and United States Attorney Murray in the Western District of North Carolina for continuing to keep out communities safe.”
“Guns do not belong in the hands of felons,” said Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “Removing illegal firearms from our streets and prosecuting repeat gun offenders is a critical step toward tackling gun violence and building stronger and safer communities.”
“Aside from the fact that this defendant is a convicted felon and unable to lawfully possess a firearm, the nature of the weapons recovered – to include a machinegun – is of serious concern not only to law enforcement, but to all residents of Washington County,” said ATF Washington Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict. “His plea today on all charges is a testament to the excellent investigative work by both ATF and our law enforcement partners in Western Virginia and North Carolina. Their efforts resulted in overwhelming evidence against this defendant and led to his admission of guilt.”
According to court documents, on December 4, 2019 Houser was arrested at his home in Bristol, Virginia on state charges. Following his arrest, Houser called a friend and asked him to retrieve certain firearms and ammunition from Houser’s home. At Houser’s request, the friend retrieved several firearms, and silencer, and ammunition.
During an investigation, ATF examined a receiver from one of the firearms and determined that it met the definition of a machine gun. Houser had not registered either the machinegun or the silencer, as required by federal statute.
On or about January 23, 2020, Houser was convicted of two felonies in Washington County, Virginia. After his July 2020 federal indictment relating to the machinegun and silencer, law enforcement located Houser in Avery County, North Carolina. At the time of his arrest, Houser was found to be in possession of three firearms and ammunition, after having been convicted of the two prior felonies.
At sentencing, Houser faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 23, 2020.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Avery County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Whit D. Pierce, of the Western District of Virginia, and David Thorneloe, of the Western District of North Carolina, are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Big Spring Restaurateur Sentenced to 15 Months for Illegally Employing Undocumented WorkersRead the Press Release
A Big Spring restaurateur who illegally employed undocumented immigrants was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
In March, Voum Chhuon, 45, owner of the Texas Cajun in Big Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens and unlawful employment of illegal aliens, both felonies. He was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a tip from the Howard County Sherriff’s Office that Mr. Chhuon was illegally employing undocumented workers at the Texas Cajun restaurant. Agents obtained search warrants for Mr. Chuuon’s residence and the restaurant, where two illegal aliens were present.
During an interview conducted by law enforcement, Mr. Chhuon admitted that all his kitchen staff were undocumented workers, and that he had been unlawfully employing illegal aliens since he purchased the restaurant. To disguise the employment of unauthorized workers, Mr. Chhuon paid the kitchen staff in cash and others by paycheck.
In furtherance of the scheme, once Mr. Chhuon unlawfully hired the illegal aliens, he would then provide them with room and board at a Big Spring residence. Mr. Chhuon would also arrange transportation to and from the Texas Cajun restaurant for the illegal aliens living at the residence.
From March 2015 until his arrest, Mr. Chhuon’s restaurant made a total revenue of $2,985,631 with a monthly average of approximately $82,000 by operating with illegal labor. HSI forensic accountants determined Mr. Chhuon transferred approximately $140,000 from his business account to pay for personal expenses including to pay off a mortgage.
This investigation was conducted by HSI with assistance provided by the Big Spring Police Department and the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt prosecuted this case.
Avon Man Allegedly Involved in Wide-Ranging Health Care Fraud Schemes ArrestedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that CORTNEY DUNLAP, 36, of Avon, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters.
As alleged in court documents and statements in court, Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor, engaged in a scheme to defraud the Connecticut Medicaid program by submitting fraudulent claims for psychotherapy sessions that were never provided. Specifically, Dunlap billed Medicaid for having provided more than 24 hours of psychotherapy services on 67 different dates between January 1 and April 4, 2020. He also billed Medicaid for having provided 60-minute psychotherapy sessions to each of 44 patients every day from February 13 to March 19, 2020. In addition, he billed Medicaid for providing psychotherapy services while he was on a cruise to the Bahamas in July 2019.
It is also alleged that Dunlap billed Medicaid for fraudulent psychotherapy services for employees of Inspirational Care, Inc., a company Dunlap owns that has provided in-home and community-based services to individuals with disabilities. Through Inspirational Care and a subsidiary, KEYS Program, Inc., Dunlap has operated group homes in five locations in Connecticut, including residences for women and children who may be victims of domestic abuse or violence. Dunlap required residents of the group homes to provide copies of Medicaid identification cards for themselves and their children when they signed housing agreements. He then fraudulently billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided to residents of two group homes in Hartford, and their children.
It is further alleged that, in February 2020, Dunlap was employed as a guidance counselor at New Haven Adult and Continuing Education, a program administered by New Haven Public Schools. Dunlap accessed a computer database to obtain students’ dates of birth and Social Security numbers, then used that information to identify students who were insured by Medicaid. He then billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided to those students.
The complaint alleges that the Connecticut Medicaid program suspended Dunlap as a Medicaid provider on approximately April 28, 2020, and, on May 7, 2020, federal law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Dunlap’s offices located on Brainard Road in Hartford. Dunlap subsequently hired a licensed clinical social worker and used that person’s Medicaid provider number to bill for psychotherapy services that were not provided.
Dunlap appeared yesterday via video conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and was released on a $100,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office and the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and Avon Police Department for their assistance in arresting Dunlap.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon with the assistance of Auditor Susan N. Spiegel.
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Roger Mack Royal, 40, of North Wilkesboro, N.C., was sentenced to 188 months in prison today for drug and gun charges, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell also ordered Royal to serve five years under court supervision after he is released from prison.
According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in January 2019, Royal, his co-conspirator April Renee Hicks, and another defendant, Joshua Allen McCloud, trafficked methamphetamine in Wilkes and Caldwell counties and elsewhere in Western North Carolina. Law enforcement arrested Royal and Hicks on January 29, 2019, following a drug transaction that took place in a Walmart parking lot. Over the course of their arrest, law enforcement recovered a stolen firearm from Royal’s vehicle.
On May 19, 2020, Royal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Court records indicate that Royal has over 40 state felony convictions in North and South Carolina. Due to his prior criminal convictions, Royal qualified for a sentencing enhancement as an armed career criminal.
Joshua McCloud was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison for drug and firearm offenses. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement recovered from McCloud’s residence two firearms, a 60-round drum magazine, 39 rounds of assorted ammunition, narcotics and drug paraphernalia. April Hicks was sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Murray credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkesboro Police Department, the North Wilkesboro Police Department, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone Police Department, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Yadkin County Sheriff’s office for the investigation of this case, and thanked each agency for their cooperation and coordination.
Assistant United States Attorney David Kelly, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the cases.
* * *
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the Justice Department announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. Of the more than 14,200 individuals charged in FY20, 267 defendants were charged in the Western District of North Carolina.
“Gun crimes are often committed by people prohibited from having guns in the first place,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting our communities by keeping guns out of the wrong hands, taking violent criminals off our streets, and prosecuting those who violate federal gun laws.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.
Angola Woman Sentenced to 200 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE-Lauren Grant, age 36, of Angola, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Holly A. Brady after her plea of guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
Grant was sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in this case, Grant entered a plea of guilty to distributing more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and in her plea agreement, she agreed to being involved in the distribution of 1.5 to 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. In August through October 2019, Grant supplied multiple ounce of methamphetamine to co-defendant Aric Starnes and others.
Co-defendant, Aric Starnes, age 47, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced October 9, 2020, to 130 months in prison.
“Keeping dangerous drugs off the streets helps reduce violence,” said United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. “We work in coordination with DEA and other law enforcement agencies to continue to fight drug distribution through enforcement.”
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Gannon said, “The over 16 year sentence of Ms. Grant was just and necessary for the fine citizens of Fort Wayne and our surrounding communities. Individuals like Ms. Grant must be held accountable for their actions. The DEA Fort Wayne Post of Duty is committed to working with the Allen County Drug Task Force and our other federal, state, and local partners to investigate and arrest drug traffickers and keep our communities safe. The DEA appreciates the exceptional work, by all involved, to bring Ms. Grant to justice.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Drug Task Force, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
Albany Man Sentenced in Connection with Romance ScamRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – William Y. Asiedu, age 27, of Albany, was sentenced today to time served (5 days in jail) and 3 years of supervised release, and to pay $445,333 in restitution, for his participation in a romance scam.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In pleading guilty, Asiedu admitted that he agreed to receive the proceeds of a fraudulent scheme and to distribute the proceeds to his co-conspirators in Ghana in exchange for a 5 to 10 percent cut.
Between October 2018 and May 2019, two women, one from Arizona and the other from Switzerland, sent a total of $445,333 to bank accounts standing in the name of Community Youth Development Council Incorporated, an entity that Asiedu incorporated in New York. Asiedu’s co-conspirators falsely led each woman to believe that she was sending the money for the benefit of a man she met through an online dating web site. In fact, Asiedu’s co-conspirators posed as these fake paramours, and fraudulently induced the victims to send money to Asiedu. Asiedu sent most of the money to his co-conspirators in Ghana, keeping about 5 to 10 percent of it for himself.
Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered the forfeiture of $9,799 in U.S. currency seized from Asiedu, and that Asiedu perform 100 hours of community service.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Alabama Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
A Birmingham, Alabama, tax return preparer pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim F. Escalona.
According to documents and information provided to the court, Shuntan Rue owned and operated a tax return preparation business in the Birmingham, Alabama, area known as Rue Tax Service. Between 2013 and 2016, Rue prepared and filed false tax returns for her clients by claiming education credits and itemized deductions, among other items, to which her clients were not entitled. As a result of these false tax returns, Rue caused her clients to underpay their income taxes. In addition, Rue claimed similar false items on her own 2012 and 2013 federal income tax returns. Rue conduct caused a loss to the IRS of more than $250,000.
U.S. District Senior Judge Karon O. Bowdre scheduled sentencing for Feb. 3, 2021. Rue faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Escalona thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, Trial Attorneys Kevin Schneider, Jessica Kraft, and Michael Jones of the Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Posey, who are prosecuting the case.
Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.
Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Successful Conclusion of Agreement with Westchester County Jail to Remedy Constitutional Violations at the JailRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the successful conclusion of the United States’ long-running investigation into Westchester County Jail (the “Jail”) under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (“CRIPA”). After conducting an investigation and issuing a Findings Letter in January 2016, the United States entered into an agreement with Westchester County regarding the Jail’s use of force against inmates, its use of isolation as a method of discipline for minors incarcerated at the jail, and its provision of inadequate medical and mental health care to inmates. The Agreement required the appointment of an independent Monitor to ensure that the Jail complied with the agreement. The Monitor’s most recent compliance report concluded that the Jail is in full compliance with every provision of the Agreement, and recommends its termination. Today, the United States accepts the Monitor’s recommendation, agrees to terminate the Agreement, and commends the Jail on its achievement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Since the commencement of our investigation in 2007, Westchester County Jail has worked steadily and in good faith to implement sweeping reforms that have significantly improved the treatment of inmates at the facility. The Jail is a completely transformed institution, having implemented every provision of the agreement and even creating policies and programs that go beyond what the agreement requires. At every step along the way, the Jail’s leadership and staff have been a willing partner in creating lasting reforms that have significantly improved the quality of life for inmates and detainees within the facility. I commend Westchester County Jail for its efforts.”
The Jail, located in Valhalla, New York, houses pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. The Jail also housed minors before the State of New York enacted “Raise the Age” in October 2018, prohibiting minors from being housed in adult corrections facilities. The final minor housed in the Jail was transferred to a juvenile facility on November 8, 2019.
The successful conclusion of the Agreement between the United States and the Jail resolves a long-running investigation into the Jail. In 2009, the United States issued a letter setting forth the Government’s findings regarding constitutional violations at the Jail. Key findings included that the Jail had failed to adequately protect inmates from physical harm caused by inappropriate and excessive force used by staff and failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care, particularly with respect to minors housed in isolation in the punitive segregation unit, all resulting in unconstitutional living conditions.
Following extensive negotiations between the Government and Westchester County, on November 24, 2015, the parties entered into an Agreement with an effective date of January 1, 2016. The Agreement contains 25 provisions with 82 sub-provisions relating to protection from harm, medical care, mental health care, and minors. The Agreement requires the Jail to take measures designed to ensure that its use of force is not excessive and consistent with the law; to implement appropriate policies and practices concerning review of all uses of force, training of staff, and supervision of inmates; and to improve the provision of medical and mental health care for both minors and adults. In addition, the Agreement mandates the appointment of an independent Monitor to assist the County in achieving compliance with the provisions of the Agreement, to make reports concerning the status and progress of compliance, and to provide the County with technical assistance to comply with the provisions of the Agreement. Finally, the Agreement provides for termination once the United States agrees that the County is in substantial compliance with all provisions and has maintained substantial compliance with all provisions for 24 months.
Since the Agreement was enacted, the United States and the Monitor have had full access to the Jail and its records, staff and inmates. The Monitor has issued nine bi-annual compliance reports, reviewing the Jail’s non-, partial-, or substantial-compliance with each of the provisions in the Agreement, noting where the Jail has succeeded and where the Jail must improve. In the ninth and most recent compliance report, the Monitor determined that the Jail had achieved substantial compliance with each and every provision, and had maintained such substantial compliance for at least a 24-month period. Accordingly, consistent with the terms of the Agreement, the Monitor recommended its full termination.
The Jail has been transformed since the initiation of the Government’s investigation. For example, use of force incidents have plummeted and continued to decrease significantly each reporting period. Indeed, potential use of force incidents are de-escalated and resolved without resorting to any use of force the vast majority of the time – recently, more than 80% of the time. Moreover, staff are now consistently and routinely trained in de-escalation tactics; use of force incidents are immediately reviewed; and staff are swiftly disciplined for any deviation from reporting requirements and de-escalation procedures. Mental health care and medical care has likewise improved dramatically, and the Jail has placed particular emphasis on rehabilitative care for inmates with mental health issues, instead of focusing on purely punitive measures.
The Jail has also implemented changes beyond what was required by the Agreement. For example, in a joint venture with Legal Aid of Westchester County, the Jail opened a Legal Aid office within the facility, allowing inmates frequent access to legal resources. In addition, the Jail partnered with Westchester County Social Services to embed staff in the jail for discharge planning, which allows inmates to plan for their lives after being released from custody. Indeed, the Jail has focused extensively on rehabilitation and reentry and provides a number of programming options to inmates, including culinary, civil engagement, and college programs, as well as a nationally-recognized parenting program, “Parenting, Prison and Pups,” which pairs female inmates with foster dogs and garnered a National Jefferson Award. And on November 18, 2018, The Obama Foundation announced that Westchester County Jail, in partnership with the Nepperhan Community Center of Yonkers and the City of Yonkers, was selected as one of only ten nationwide winners – and the only one with ties to a jail or prison population – of the Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Community Alliance Challenge as one of the National Impact Communities awardees for its job readiness program.
The Jail’s leadership has been instrumental in making these changes. Ms. Strauss praised the work of Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Westchester County Department of Corrections Commissioner Joseph Spano, Westchester County Department of Corrections First Deputy Commissioner Louis A. Molina, and the entire staff at Westchester County Jail. Acting U.S. Attorney Strauss also praised the work of the Monitor, David Bogard, and his team at Pulitzer/Bogard & Associates.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Blain is charge of the case.
30 Charged in Meth Distribution RingRead the Press Release
Thirty members of an alleged methamphetamine distribution ring have been charged with drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Following a painstaking investigation led by DEA Dallas’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Group, 21 of the 30 defendants were arrested Wednesday in “Operation Ice Tank.” Five were bonded over from state custody and four remain fugitives. All 30 were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
During this week’s arrests, investigators seized 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, 9 ounces of heroin, and nine firearms.
“A highly-addictive and dangerous stimulant, methamphetamine has plagued North Texas communities for far too long. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA are determined to root out large-scale distribution operations like this one,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox.
“Methamphetamine trafficking has no place in Tarrant County,” stated Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chavez of the DEA Dallas Field Division. “Individuals and organizations who not only distribute this poison in our communities, but also endanger innocent lives by converting liquid meth to crystals in makeshift laboratories cannot be tolerated. The DEA and our partners from Fort Worth, Haltom City, and North Richland Hills, remain committed to neighborhoods free from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
According to a criminal complaint unsealed today, the ring was allegedly led by Johnny Ray Rodriguez, Jr., the 30-year-old owner of Funky Town Swag, a Fort Worth clothing store.
Mr. Rodriguez – aided by his cousin, 31-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez, Jonathan’s girlfriend, 31-year-old Chelsea Ann Pineiro, and 33-year-old Yvette Gonzalez – allegedly attempted to erect a meth conversion lab inside a residence in Fort Worth. Inside the kitchen of the home, agents discovered 27 igloo coolers, a bucket of methylsulfonylmethane (a horse vitamin often used as a cutting agent), three jugs of acetone, one container of liquid meth, and two containers of crystal meth. They also found several zip-top baggies of crystal meth stashed inside the washing machine and a loaded revolver in the master bedroom. Investigators collectively recovered 8 kilograms of methamphetamine from inside the residence.
Based on surveillance, multiple wiretaps, and interviews with cooperators, investigators determined that dealers working for Mr. Rodriguez allegedly distributed kilogram quantities of crystal meth out of Funky Town’s back office as well as several trap houses, a local motel, and a car wash.
Charged defendants include:
• Johnny Ray Rodriguez
• Jonathan Rodriguez, conversion lab operator
• Chelsea Ann Pineiro, conversion lab operator
• Yvette Gonzales, delivered equipment to conversion lab
• Norma Casio, meth courier for Jonny Ray Rodriguez
• Israel Rodriguez, meth courier for Jonny Ray Rodriguez
• Derrick Fannin, multi kilogram-customer and dealer
• Montreal Robinson, courier for Fannin
• Michael Johnson, multi kilogram-customer and dealer
• Nathan Cook, courier for Johnson
• Enrique Faz, multi-kilogram customer
• Roshua White, multi-kilogram customer
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Fort Worth Police Department, the Haltom City Police Department, and the North Richland Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith is prosecuting the case.
28 Members of A Violent Gang Charged for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations in Guayama, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On October 7, 2020, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 28 violent gang members with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD), Guayama Strike Force investigated the case.
The indictment alleges that from 2015 to the date of the return of the indictment, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), marihuana, and Oxycodone (Percocet) within 1,000 feet of the Luis Pales Matos Public Housing Project and other areas in the municipality of Guayama, all for financial gain and profit. Ten defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
As part of the conspiracy, the members of the drug trafficking gang established a drug point that would move within different areas inside the public housing project in order to avoid police detection. Some co-conspirators would travel to the municipality of Bayamón to pick up the narcotics that they would sell in Guayama and travel back to deliver the proceeds. The defendants had access to different vehicles in order to transport money, narcotics, and firearms. The leaders had final approval authority as to disciplinary action to be imposed upon members of rival drug trafficking gangs, and on the members of the conspiracy should they disobey the rules imposed by the drug trafficking organization. The members of the gang would use force, violence, and intimidation in order to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. The defendants indicted are:
Caleb Josué Toro-Negrón, a/k/a “Calembo”
Martín López-Torres, a/k/a “Barba”
David Nieves-Negrón, a/k/a “Frances”
Reinaldo Pérez-Marrero, a/k/a “Coco”
Luis G. Ortiz-Marrero, a/k/a “Muri”
Jesús E. González-Morales, a/k/a “Chino Monte Hatillo”
Jael G. Rodríguez-Colón
Pedro J. Rivera-Jiménez, a/k/a “Pedrito”
Hiram Pagán-Rabri, a/k/a “Pini”
Anthony O. Ramos-Sanabria, a/k/a “Lucero”
Elisaul Medina-La Santa, a/k/a “Panda”
Josniel M. Pérez-Ayala
Hilda E. Santell-Santiago
Michael A. Gutiérrez-Rodríguez
Ted William Rosario-Delgado
Miguel A. Santana-Negrón, a/k/a “Potro”
Anthony Morales-Vargas, a/k/a “Topo”
Richard Rodríguez-Figueroa, a/k/a “Bakery”
Kevin Contreras, a/k/a “NBA”
Héctor Omar Fontanez-Sanabria, a/k/a “Zombie/Omar”
Carlos J. Rodríguez-Vélez, a/k/a “Carlos Blunt”
Héctor H. Valentín-Pagán, a/k/a “Gaby Tatuaje”
José R. Vargas-Rivera
Angelica M. Santana-Negrón, a/k/a “Angie”
Jacqueline Álvarez-Rodríguez, a/k/a “Jacky”
Sheila Bonilla-Figueroa, a/k/a “La Gringa”
Jadiel Rodríguez-Colón, a/k/a “Checko”
Ángel Sánchez-Morales
“This indictment and arrests today are a reflection of our resolve to combat drug trafficking and violent crime,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will continue to investigate these criminal organizations with our state and federal law enforcement partners, and send a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods.”
A.J. Collazo, DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge, stated that: “The dismantling of this violent organization known as “LOS MENORES,” allows the residents of the Luis Pales Matos Public Housing Project to live in a safe community, especially during these times in which the effects of the ongoing Pandemic have made life challenging and difficult for us all. DEA is certain that with today’s arrests we have saved many lives that would have ended in tragedy. We won’t let our guard down. We will prevail.”
Gang Section Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corinne Cordero Romo and Enrique Silva Avilés are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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18-Month Multi-Agency Operation “Fury Road” Focused on Interstate 91 Results in 82 Federal Prosecutions; Seizure of 128 firearms, 1 Kilogram of Heroin, and 1 Kilogram of Cocaine BaseRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, Christina E. Nolan, announced today the results of an 18-month multi-agency enforcement operation targeting the illegal trafficking of firearms and drugs between Vermont and Western Massachusetts. “Operation Fury Road” was a sustained state-wide effort of numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies from Vermont and Massachusetts spanning from October of 2018 to February of 2020. The operation specifically aimed to interdict and deter gun and drug trafficking on Interstate 91 and in surrounding communities. The agencies’ efforts resulted in the prosecution of 82 defendants in federal court for charges related to drug trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms, using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and other federal criminal violations. Photographs of the firearms seized during Operation Fury Road can be found below.
U.S. Attorney Nolan stated: “Today’s announcement of the results of Operation Fury Road represents the pinnacle of sustained multi-agency cooperation focused on the dual threat of deadly narcotics and firearms trafficking. With every seizure of illicit firearms and drugs over the course of 18 months, Vermont families and communities were made safer. All of our federal, state, and local partners brought important resources, expertise, and insights to this effort. It is a reflection of their dedication to the people of Vermont and to the causes of justice and public safety. We will continue to collaborate with our all of our law enforcement partners to stem the flood of deadly poisons into Vermont and prevent firearms from being trafficked to drug-source cities in our neighboring states where they are employed in homicides, shootings, and other forms of violence.”
U.S. Attorney Nolan commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, and the Vermont State Police. Multiple local police departments and sheriff’s offices throughout the state assisted throughout the operation.
During the operation, law enforcement seized 128 firearms and 7,511 rounds of ammunition. Of those firearms, 57 were handguns. Several firearms were AR-15 style rifles and multiple seized items were short-barreled weapons which were not registered as required by the National Firearms Act. Many of the firearms had been stolen from local Vermonters, purchased illegally at Vermont gun stores, or otherwise illegally possessed. In addition to the firearms, law enforcement also seized approximately 40,200 bags of heroin (which equates to approximately 870 grams), 141 grams of bulk heroin, 1,489 grams of cocaine base, and 78 grams of powder cocaine. Much of the heroin seized during the operation was laced with fentanyl.The operation included three law enforcement surges around the state during which federal, state, and local resources were flooded into hard-hit Vermont communities experiencing the effects of the drug crisis and opioid overdose epidemic. The surges targeted drug and firearm trafficking in the Brattleboro area in April of 2019; the Northeast Kingdom in November of 2019; and the Rutland area in January of 2020.
“The conclusion of this large-scale, multi-year investigation is a good day for Vermonters,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady of the ATF Boston Field Division. “I am especially proud of the partnerships with our local, state, and federal law enforcement counterparts. Collectively, we have arrested and charged numerous individuals and groups whose actions have had a prolonged negative impact on Vermont communities. The arrests in this investigation led to the seizure of 128 firearms, over 7,500 rounds of ammunition, and large quantities of illegal narcotics; many of the firearms recovered in this case were stolen from local Vermonters. As we all know, even one firearm in the wrong hands can destroy countless lives. The fact that well over 100 firearms – either unlawfully possessed or part of the illicit market – are no longer in the wrong hands is great news for public safety throughout the region. This investigation proves that collaboration works, and it further demonstrates our commitment to combat gun violence and firearm trafficking wherever it occurs to improve the quality of life for all citizens.”
“This case reflects the continuing impact federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships have on illegal drug trafficking organizations,” said Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Albany Field Office. “Several coordinated operations resulted in over 100 arrests-more than 80 federal-of individuals using Interstate 91 to run large quantities of dangerous drugs through our Vermont communities. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate criminal organizations that target our communities with their drug-related activity and ensure they are brought to justice.”
“Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities here in Vermont,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Let this operation be a warning to those traffickers who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison, that DEA and its local, state and federal partners will do everything in our power to bring you to justice.”
“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this operation, stated Major Dan Trudeau, Vermont State Police. “The combined law enforcement surge efforts resulted in substantial seizures of guns and drugs, which certainly makes Vermont a safer place to live.”
“Operation Fury Road is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the law enforcement community in this region,” added U.S. Marshal Bradley LaRose. “The success of this ongoing endeavor in multiple locations simultaneously was made possible due to the focus and collaboration of our local, state and federal partners. Our joint commitment to pursue and bring to justice those who endanger our neighborhoods with drugs and violence will undoubtedly continue to be a top priority.”This operation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Prosecutions arising from the operation were 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 enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting firearm use and possession crimes; prioritizes prosecuting persons who make false statements when attempting to obtain firearms; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concerning persons who attempt to obtain firearms illegally; coordinates responses to persons prevented from obtaining firearms for mental health reasons; and ensures the use of modern intelligence tools and technology to focus on the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
Firearms seized during Operation Fury Road Firearms seized during Operation Fury RoadThe year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
10 Lubbock Cocaine Dealers ChargedRead the Press Release
Ten individuals in Lubbock have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and other related drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Nine members of a Lubbock drug trafficking organization were arrested on Wednesday, October 7 as part of Operation Los Perros De Nieve, a large-scale federal operation organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Operation Los Perros De Nieve targeted nine locations in Lubbock and resulted in the seizure of approximately $40,000 in cash; in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine; and 13 firearms. One defendant remains at-large.
In a 19-count federal indictment unsealed today, five defendants were charged with gun crimes, including possession of a firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession ammunition, in addition to the drug charges.
“I am proud of the work of this Task Force and the collaborative effort of all the agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “We are committed to disrupting the supply of illegal narcotics and to prosecuting those responsible for spreading deadly poison into our communities.”
“With these latest arrests, DEA Lubbock and our Caprock law enforcement partners have made a significant impact to the violent, cocaine trafficking networks in the area,” said DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chavez, who oversees DEA operations throughout the region. “Drugs and those who distribute them have no place in our neighborhoods. The DEA will never waver in our resolve to identify and hold those responsible for their actions.”
Those charged include:
• Ronnie Manuel Garcia, Jr., 28
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
• Jonathan Phillip Reyes, aka “J.P.,” 34
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and convicted felon in possession of ammunition.
• Raul Perez, III, aka “Raw’lo” and “Raulo,” 34
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
• Krystal Lynn Ramos, 35
Charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Amy Shawn Rodriguez, 40
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
• Juan Moncada, 35
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
• Jacob Anthony Molina, 28
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Jeremy Wayne Beck, aka “Lil Jay,” 34
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and convicted felon in possession of firearms.
• Michael Paul Perez, 38
Charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of up to 40 years, or life in some instances, in federal prison for the drug-related offenses and up to 10 years, or up to life in some instances, for the firearm-related crimes.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lubbock Police Department with assistance from the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, Homeland Security Investigations Dallas Field Office, and the Texas Department of Safety. This investigation was carried out as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program with the coordination of the Lubbock HIDTA group and Texas Anti-Gang initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is prosecuting the case.
14 October 2020
Utica Woman Charged with Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Cortny Biagini, age 28, of Utica, New York, was arraigned in federal court yesterday on an indictment charging her with federal fentanyl and methamphetamine charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.
The indictment charges Biagini in two counts: Count One alleges that she possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment, a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, a mandatory minimum term of four years’ supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000. Count Two alleges that Biagini possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, a mandatory minimum term of five years’ supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. 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. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Biagini was arraigned yesterday in Binghamton, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric, and detained pending a trial scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.
This case is being investigated the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Beaty.
Union County Man Admits Making Corrupt Payments to City of Orange Public OfficialRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man today admitted making corrupt payments to a public official of the City of Orange Township, New Jersey, as a reward for that public official’s favorable treatment in connection with an Orange municipal project, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Jeanmarie Zahore, 56, of Rahway, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to Count 1 of an indictment against him, charging Zahore with making corrupt payments to an agent of a local government receiving federal funds, whom Zahore identified as Willis Edwards III.
On Sept. 29, 2020, Edwards, the former acting business administrator for Orange, was charged in a superseding indictment in connection with payments allegedly made by Zahore, as well as other charges.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Zahore was the sole owner of JZ Nettech, a computer consulting business which he operated out of his residence in Rahway. On Sept. 15, 2015, the Orange City Council passed a resolution awarding JZ Nettech, without competitive bidding, a $350,000 emergency contract to install a computer networking system at a municipal complex that housed the Orange Municipal Court and the Orange Police Department (the “Municipal Complex Project”).
Edwards, as an Orange public official, assisted Zahore in obtaining the contract for the Municipal Complex Project and facilitated the payment of money from Orange to JZ Nettech in connection with the Municipal Complex Project.
Edwards agreed to arrange an advance on the money from Orange for Zahore because Zahore did not have the money to begin working on the Municipal Complex. At Edwards’s instruction, on Sept. 18, 2015, Zahore emailed an Orange employee an invoice for $115,000 in connection with Municipal Complex Project to obtain an advance payment for himself. Typically, vendors are not pre-paid by Orange to purchase supplies for a project.
On Sept. 18, 2015, Zahore received a check from Orange for $115,000 payable to JZ Nettech and deposited that check into JZ Nettech's bank account. Shortly after receiving the $115,000 Orange check, Zahore and Edwards went out together at night to celebrate the award of the $350,000 contract to JZ Nettech.
In October and November 2015, Zahore received two additional payments from Orange in connection with the Municipal Complex Project, one for $140,000 and the other for $95,000.
On more than one occasion Edwards told Zahore, in substance, that Edwards had taken care of Zahore and that Zahore should consider that and do something. Zahore understood those comments by Edwards to be solicitations and demands that Zahore pay Edwards to reward Edwards for Edwards’s assistance in connection with the Municipal Complex Project.
In November 2015, Zahore gave Edwards approximately $10,000 in cash. After accepting the cash payment, Edwards indicated that he was disappointed with the amount and expected more. Zahore made a second cash payment to Edwards for approximately $10,000. Zahore made those two cash payments with the intent to reward Edwards for his assistance.
The charge to which Zahore pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain to the defendant or loss to the victims. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cari Fais and J Fortier Imbert of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.
The charges and allegations against Edwards are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.