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Wednesday 2 September 2020
Former Tinker AFB Employee and Reserve Air Force Colonel Pleads Guilty to Accessing and Viewing Child Pornography on Government-Issued LaptopRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – BRIAN WADE EDDY, 49, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to accessing and viewing images of child pornography from his government-issued laptop.
On May 21, 2020, Mr. Eddy was charged by criminal complaint with using his laptop computer with the intent to view child pornography. The affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint indicates Mr. Eddy accessed websites suspected to contain child pornography on December 1, 2019. On June 17, 2020, a federal grand jury sitting in the Western District of Oklahoma returned a one-count Indictment that charged Mr. Eddy with knowingly accessing, with intent to view, child pornography.
This afternoon, Mr. Eddy pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton to the charge alleged in the Indictment. As part of his plea, Mr. Eddy admitted that he searched for and viewed images of child pornography from his government laptop in December 2019.
According to the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, at the time of the incident Mr. Eddy was a civilian employee at Tinker Air Force Base, and has since been terminated. He was also a ranking Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. Mr. Eddy currently remains in federal custody while he awaits sentencing. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, at least five years of supervised release, and a $22,100 special assessment. Sentencing will take place in approximately 90 days.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to court filings for further information. To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.
Former Luxury Car CEO and Luxury Watch Dealer Admit Tax Charges in Connection with Scheme to Misallocate Limited Edition Sports CarsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – The former chief executive officer of a New Jersey-based importer of Italian luxury cars admitted today that he failed to report to the IRS as income kickback payments he received for misallocating limited edition sports cars, Attorney for the United States Rachael Honig announced.
A luxury watch dealer also admitted failing to report to the IRS commission he received for helping facilitate the unauthorized sale of one of those limited edition sports cars.
Maurizio Parlato, 58, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging him with one count of subscribing to a false tax return and one count of failing to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Gigi Knowle, 69, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty by videoconference before Judge Chesler to a separate information charging him with subscribing to a false tax return.
“This defendant admitting rigging access to purchase high-end sports cars to line his own pockets, then failed to pay taxes on the money he made on his deals,” Attorney for the United States Honig said. “He tilted the playing field to his own advantage, cheating legitimate buyers and the government in the process. Our office remains firmly committed to prosecuting those who defraud the public and the government.”
“Today, the IRS told Mr. Parlato ‘not so fast’ when he failed to report almost $2.8 million on his tax returns for the kickbacks he received to misallocate the distribution of several supercars,” Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, said. “Mr. Parlato tried to hide the income by moving the funds around the world. Offshore tax evasion is a top priority for IRS - Criminal Investigation and, as was shown today, we are wholeheartedly committed to bringing these offenders to justice.”
“Today's plea is another example of the great investigative work done daily by the IRS, U.S. Attorney's Office and our agents,” FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. said. “It is a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those attempting to defraud the government.”
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Parlato was a resident of Florida and served as the CEO of a company (Company B) based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, from 2002 to 2009. Company B was responsible for distributing automobiles that were produced by a luxury automobile manufacturer (Company A) based in Maranello, Italy. Company B distributed Company A’s luxury automobiles in the Western Hemisphere through dealers based in the Americas.
Company A produced several highly desired automobile models in small quantities. Parlato had some measure of authority over the allocations of those limited edition automobiles. In 2013, Company A announced it was creating its most exclusive model to date: a “supercar,” limited to only 500 units and carrying a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $1.4 million. Company A and Company B established a formula to determine which customers would be placed on the approved list to buy a supercar.
After resigning as CEO of Company B, Parlato assisted Company B dealers and supercar purchasers in misallocating supercars in exchange for kickback payments. Between 2015 and 2017, Parlato received approximately $2.8 million from Company B dealers and supercar purchasers in exchange for, among other things, assisting them in misallocating supercars to customers who were not on the list of approved purchasers. Parlato admitted that he failed to report the $2.8 million in kickback payments he received as income on his federal individual income tax returns. Parlato also admitted that he attempted to hide some of these funds from the IRS by depositing them in a bank account in Spain and failing to disclose the existence of that bank account. Parlato admitted that he avoided paying more than $1.1 million in taxes.
Knowle also received payments in connection with his role in misallocating a supercar. In 2015, Knowle lived in Florida and worked as a luxury watch dealer. That year, Knowle assisted Parlato in facilitating the sale of a supercar to another individual who was not on the approved list. Knowle received approximately $560,000 as commission for his role in the sale, some of which Knowle distributed to Parlato and others who were also involved in misallocating the supercar to the unapproved purchaser. Knowle failed to disclose the commission on his personal income tax returns. Knowle admitted that he avoided paying approximately $175,000 in taxes.
The count of subscribing to a false tax return carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The count of failing to file a FBAR carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencings for Parlato and Knowle are scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021.
Attorney for the United States Honig credited special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen in New York, and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan, Chief of the Government Fraud Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine R. Murphy of the Economic Crimes Unit.
Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to drug conspiracy charges.
Xavier Valentin-Soto, a/k/a “King X,” 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel, who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2020. Valentin-Soto was charged in December 2019, while serving a related sentence in state prison. Prior to his incarceration on the state charges, Valentin-Soto was the Cacique (or second-in-command) of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.
During the plea proceedings, Valentin-Soto admitted that he conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders to distribute cocaine and cocaine base in and around New Bedford. As Cacique, Valentin-Soto held a leadership role in the drug distribution conspiracy that the Latin Kings maintained in and around multiple trap houses throughout the north side of New Bedford.
Valentin-Soto was arrested in July 2017, when local police executed a search warrant at a Latin Kings trap house in north New Bedford and located cocaine and materials for the packaging and distribution of controlled substances. Valentin-Soto was charged in state court, but released after posting bail. While on pretrial release for the state charges, Valentin-Soto sold a total of 160 grams of cocaine powder to a cooperating witness over the course of three recorded purchases in early 2019.
The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.
Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Valentin-Soto faces a sentence of 65 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Xavier Valentin-Soto is the tenth defendant to plead guilty in the case.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting 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.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Bank President Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A former bank president admitted in federal court on Wednesday that he embezzled from the Kentucky bank where he was the president.
Thomas Hinkebein, 59, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer, before United States District Chief Judge Danny C. Reeves. Hinkebein admitted that, between January 12, 2016 and August 13, 2018 and while he was the President of Whitaker Bank, he willfully misapplied assets of the bank. Specifically, he admitted stealing golf carts and other property of Andover Country Club, an asset owned by Whitaker Bank, and seeking reimbursement from Whitaker Bank for a variety of personal expenses, including cell phone plans, gym memberships, fuel purchases, vehicle repairs, technology purchases for his family members, shipping expenses, and landscaping at his home. To hide the personal nature of these expenses, the Defendant falsely reported many of the expenses to Whitaker Bank to make them appear to be legitimate work expenses.
Hinkebein was charged by way of information, waiving his right to indictment by a federal grand jury.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Crawford, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Investigations, Chicago Region; and Stephen Donnelly, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Eastern Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith.
Hinkebein is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2020. He faces up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal statutes.
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Former Asbestos Contractor Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Program FundsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MARC A. VICTORIANO (VICTORIANO), age 46, of Covington, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to one-count of theft from a program receiving federal funds before United States District Court Judge Lance M. Africk.
According to court documents from 2015 to 2017, VICTORIANO and his company, Professional Safety Consultants, LLC, ("PSC") provided asbestos inspections for the Terrebonne Parish School Board ("TPSB") as mandated by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act ("AHERA"). VICTORIANO submitted 56 invoices to TPSB with fraudulent asbestos laboratory reports including false air monitoring and false asbestos testing reports. VICTORIANO also submitted nine invoices to TPSB for AHERA reports with forged signatures and accreditation information. As a result, TPSB paid VICTORIANO approximately $212,618.26 to which he was not entitled, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A).
“The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) is designed to protect our schools from hazardous air pollutants”, said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Brooks of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Louisiana. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that individuals who intentionally violate federal laws will be held responsible for their crimes.”
VICTORIANO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, a fine of $250,000.00, and up to three years (3) years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division; the Louisiana State Police; Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Criminal Investigation Section and the Louisiana Environmental Crimes Task Force, for their investigation of the matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.
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Feds Prosecute Additional Louisville LootersRead the Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Three defendants are now charged by a federal Grand Jury as a result of civil unrest in Jefferson County during the period of Monday, June 1, 2020, through Wednesday, June 3, 2020. The defendants charged are alleged to have engaged in looting a neighborhood pharmacy for controlled substances and firearms from a licensed dealer. This indictment is additive to multiple charges recently announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the looting of neighborhood pharmacies for controlled substances, carjacking, and illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons. These indictments bring the total number of these defendants federally charged to 11.
“In Louisville we honor and protect lawful protest, but loot our businesses and expect to go to federal prison,” said United States Attorney Russell Coleman.
Kroger Pharmacy Burglary
According to the indictment, on or about June 2, 2020, Jordan K. Johnson and Frederick F. Reed conspired with one another to enter the Kroger located at 2710 West Broadway with the intent to steal controlled substances. Both Johnson and Reed are charged with conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances. The charge carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison.
Johnson and Reed are also charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for their possession with intent to distribute alprazolam (Xanax), a schedule IV controlled substance, between June 2, 2020 and July 1, 2020. The charge carries a maximum penalty of no more than 5 years in prison.
Johnson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. On July 1, 2020, Johnson possessed a Glock, model 42, .380 handgun. He had previously been convicted in Hart County Circuit Court, in case number 10-CR-0170 of facilitation of robbery in the first degree, a felony. The count carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison.
Stolen firearms
De’Aisjia S. Shrivers has also been charged via superseding federal indictment returned today. According to the indictment, on or about June 2, 2020, Shrivers aided and abetted by others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, stole three firearms from a business licensed to sell guns. The charge of stealing from a licensed dealer carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison.
Shrivers is also charged with a single count of possession of a stolen firearm, a Glock, model 30 Gen 4, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The charge carries a penalty of no more than 10 years in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Secret Service, and the Louisville Metro Police Department are investigating these cases.
The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Jury Convicts Two Buffalo Men of Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that following a two week trial, a federal jury has convicted Henry Lloyd, 34, and Roman Dunnigan, 41, both of Buffalo, NY, of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Lloyd faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years, while Dunnigan faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremiah E. Lenihan and Charles E. Watkins, Jr., who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on May 7, 2017, the defendants purchased last-minute airline tickets to travel from Buffalo to Houston, TX. Defendant Lloyd, who was on supervised release at the time as a result of a prior conviction, never sought permission from his probation officer to travel. The following day, May 8, 2017, Lloyd, along with two females, were stopped at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by TSA Agents and found to be in possession jointly of $64,000, which was seized by the DEA. Lloyd, Dunnigan, and the two females rebooked a flight for the next day, traveling from Rochester, NY, to Houston, TX. The DEA learned of this flight and notified the DEA Resident Office in Houston.
A narcotics surveillance unit monitored the travel of Lloyd, Dunnigan, and the two females upon their arrival in Houston. As part of the surveillance, on May 10, 2017, Houston Police Department detectives observed Lloyd and Dunnigan purchase an Intex Inflatable Chair at a nearby Walmart. The next day on May 11, 2017, Houston police officers pulled over a rental vehicle driven by Dunnigan with Lloyd in the passenger seat. The stop occurred next to a U.S. Post Office, which authorities believed Dunnigan and Lloyd would be utilizing to send cocaine. Upon stopping the vehicle and speaking with both Lloyd and Dunnigan, the defendants told multiple lies to the officer, and were unable to keep their story straight. A K-9 sniff of the exterior of the vehicle revealed the presence of narcotics. During a search of the trunk, police officers located the Intex Inflatable Chair box, which contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Lloyd and Dunnigan were arrested and charged locally by the Houston Police Department.
Approximately three weeks later, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, along with the DEA, executed a search warrant at 1807 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, investigators recovered 177 grams of cocaine, 344 grams of butyryl fentanyl, two empty Intex Inflatable Furniture boxes, paraphernalia used to package and process narcotics for distribution, $5,500 in cash, a receipt in Dunnigan’s name, and a firearm with Dunnigan’s DNA.
Defendants Lloyd and Dunnigan both have three prior convictions. Dunnigan has prior convictions for 2nd degree Robbery and 3rd degree Possession of a Loaded Firearm in NYS, and a federal conviction for structuring a financial transaction to evade reporting requirements. Lloyd has prior convictions for 4th degree Possession of a Firearm in NYS, and federal convictions for possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The guilty verdict is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; the Houston Police Department, under the direction of Chief Art Acevedo; the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police, under the direction of Chief George Gast; the Transportation Security Administration, under the direction of Brett O’Neil; the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, under the direction of Commissioner James Jancewicz; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; and the U.S. Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Anthony SanGiacomo.
Lloyd is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2020, and Dunnigan is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2020, both before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, who presided over the trial of the case.
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Federal Authorities Charge Nineteen with Voter FraudRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Nineteen individuals have been charged with voter fraud and, in some instances, related offenses, announced United States Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
According to court charging documents, each defendant voted in a federal election in 2016. One defendant also voted in 2018. Non-citizens are not eligible to register to vote or to vote in federal elections.
On August 31, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted seven individuals as follows:
Charged with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 611(a) (voting by non-citizen), 911 (claim of U.S. citizenship by non-citizen), and 1015(f) (false statement in a voter registration application):
- Francisco Antonio-Aguirre, age 64, of Dobson, NC (1:20CR351);
- Roob Kaur Atar-Singh, age 57, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR349);
- Rosalva Negrete-Toledo, aka Rosalva Cortes, age 65, of Winston-Salem, NC
- (1:20CR342);
- Dave Delano Virgil, age 57, of Winston-Salem, NC (1:20CR339);
- Eloy Alberto Zayas-Berrier, 70, of Pelham, NC (1:20CR348);
Charged with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 611(a) (voting by non-citizen), 1425(a) (procure naturalization contrary to law), 1546(a) (false statement in an immigration document), 1015(a) (false statement in naturalization proceeding), and 1001(a)(2) (false statement to federal agent):
- Emmanuel Olakunle Atoyebi, age 31, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR347);
Charged with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 611(a) (voting by non-citizen), 911 (claim of U.S. citizenship by non-citizen), 1015(f) (false statement in a voter registration application), 1425(a) (procure naturalization contrary to law), 1546(a) (false statement in an immigration document), and 1015(a) (false statement in naturalization proceeding):
- Mokhtar Qaid Ahmed Gulaimid, age 48, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR338).
In addition, on August 13, 2020, twelve individuals were charged by Information with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 611(a), a misdemeanor, which prohibits non-citizen voting in elections held to elect federal officials. They are:
- Ismay Prudence Kathleen James, age 54, of Burlington, NC (1:20CR317);
- Donald Christian Martyn, age 44, of Durham, NC (1:20CR318);
- Chaim Pinto, age 68, of Raeford, NC (1:20CR319);
- John Andrew Rapsky, age 54, of Chapel Hill, NC (1:20CR320);
- Baijoo Pottakulath Thomas, age 58, of Durham, NC (1:20CR321);
- Shuqin Yin, age 54, of Landis, NC (1:20CR322);
- Chirong Yin Billings, aka Chirong Cummings, age 56, of McLeansville, NC (1:20CR323);
- Henry Alberto Araya-Vega, age 52, of Winston-Salem, NC (1:20CR324);
- Rufina Concho-Locklear, age 82, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR325);
- Alberto Damaize-Job, aka Alberto Damaize, age 73, of Greensboro, NC (1:20CR326);
- Armando Nava-Juarez, aka Armando Nava, age 51, of Linwood, NC (1:20CR327); and
- Manuel Efrain Valladares, age 48, of Concord, NC (1:20CR328).
The charged offenses carry the following penalties upon conviction:
- Title 18, United States Code, Section 611(a) -- a maximum term of one year imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00, or both.
- Title 18, United States Code, Section 911 -- a maximum term of three years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both.
- Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2) -- a maximum term of five years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both.
- Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1015(a), (f) -- a maximum term of five years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both.
- Title 18, United States Code, Section 1425(a) -- a maximum term of ten years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both.
- Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a) -- a maximum term of ten years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00, or both.
Charging instruments such as Indictments and Informations merely allege that crimes have been committed. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These matters were investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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East Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Gun Possession ChargesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS MANUEL VALLE, also known as “LoLo,” 24, of East Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Valle’s residence on Charter Oak Avenue in East Haven as a hub of narcotics distribution activity. On February 5, 2020, investigators searched the residence and seized approximately 17 grams of heroin packaged for distribution, 35 grams of loose heroin, 17 grams of packaged cocaine, nine grams of packaged crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and a loaded Ruger .44 magnum handgun.
Valle pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for November 25, 2020.
Valle is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the East Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced for Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on September 2, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.
Cheyenne Brown, age 33, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, a $500 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 16, 2018. She pled guilty on June 16, 2020.
The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in January 2015, wherein Brown conspired others to distribute between 500 and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in and around the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Brown was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Driver of Getaway Car Sentenced for Wichita RobberiesRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced today to 115 months for driving the getaway car in a series of commercial robberies, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Shaiquille Harris, 27, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In his plea, Harris admitted participating in robberies at the following stores:
- Kwik Shop, 710 W. 29th, Wichita, Kan.
- Kwik Shop, 3959 S. Hydraulic, Wichita, Kan.
- Kwik Shop, 3601 E. 47th South, Wichita, Kan.
- QuikTrip, 2821 E. 31st South, Wichita, Kan.
Harris admitted that in each case he drove and a co-defendant entered the store to commit the robbery.
Co-defendant Brelen VonFange, 28, Wichita, Kan., is awaiting trial.
McAllister commended the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.
Dominican National Charged with False Identity CrimeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested and charged today in connection with fraudulently using the identity of a U.S. citizen.
Alexander Villalona Diaz, 34, formerly of Lawrence, was charged with one count of false representation of a Social Security number. Following an initial appearance, Villalona Diaz was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Sept. 4, 2020.
According to the charging document, Villalona Diaz used the Social Security number of a U.S. citizen on Aug. 16, 2016 to fraudulently renew a Massachusetts driver’s license and, between September 2012 and June 2018, to apply for MassHealth benefits.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; William B. Gannon, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Developer Admits to Conspiring with First NBC Bank President to Defraud First NBC BankRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that WARREN G. TREME (“TREME”), age 55, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud First NBC Bank, the New Orleans-based bank that failed in April 2017.
According to court documents, from in or around 2008 through April 2017, TREME had a banking relationship with First NBC Bank, individually and through various entities he controlled. TREME also co-owned several entities with Ashton J. Ryan (“Ryan”), President of First NBC Bank. Because of this conflict of interest, Ryan should not have been involved with TREME’s loans. However, Ryan exercised authority over TREME’s loans with William J. Burnell (“Burnell”), the Bank’s Chief Credit Officer. Throughout TREME’s borrowing relationship at First NBC Bank, TREME lacked sufficient income and cash flow from his businesses to pay his loans and personal expenses. Ryan and Burnell disguised TREME’s true financial condition by making new loans to pay TREME’s existing loans. TREME is the third person to be charged for defrauding First NBC Bank through a business relationship with Ryan, while hiding the fraud from the Bank’s Board, auditors, and examiners. Jeffrey Dunlap, a contractor on Ryan’s project with TREME, has already pled guilty to conspiring with Ryan to fund both that project and his lifestyle by defrauding the Bank. More recently, Arvind “Mike” Vira was charged with conspiring to defraud the Bank, with Ryan’s help, by submitting false financial documents to the Bank while Ryan was personally borrowing from Vira. In addition, on July 10, 2020, a grand jury indicted Ryan, Burnell, First NBC Executive Vice President Robert B. Calloway, and borrower Frank J. Adolph for their roles in the conspiracy to commit bank fraud against First NBC, including fraud involving the TREME loans.
Court documents further describe a scheme by Ryan and Burnell to take $400,000 from TREME’s business partners as part of a settlement. Rather than using the $400,000 to pay down an outstanding loan debt owed by TREME and his business partners, Ryan and Burnell gave $300,000 to TREME. TREME spent the money on gambling, a trip to the Caribbean, and expenses related to a real estate development company TREME co-owned with Ryan. During a subsequent Board meeting, Ryan and Burnell falsely stated that the $300,000 was used to pay down the outstanding loan debt owed by TREME and his business partners.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners have dedicated significant time and resources toward investigating the failure of FNBC, which resulted in nearly a billion dollar loss to the FDIC. Individuals like Mr. Treme who engage in fraudulent schemes that impact the security of financial institutions are being held accountable. His guilty plea today should be a deterrent to others who would attempt to defraud our nation's banking system,” said Bryan Vorndran, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge.
“We will hold accountable those wrongdoers whose fraudulent actions materially impact financial institutions regulated and supervised by the Federal Reserve Board. I commend our agent and law enforcement partners for their hard work that ultimately led to today’s guilty plea,” said Stephen Donnelly, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Eastern Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
“We are pleased to join our law enforcement colleagues in bringing Mr. Treme to justice,” stated Laurie Younger, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General.
TREME pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344 and 1349. The maximum penalties that may be imposed upon conviction are thirty years in prison; a fine of $1,000,000, or the greater of twice the gain to TREME or twice the loss to any victim; up to five years of supervised release; and a $100 mandatory special assessment.
Judge Sarah S. Vance set TREME’s sentencing on January 6, 2021, at 10:30a.m.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General; and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharan E. Lieberman, Nicholas D. Moses, Matthew R. Payne, and J. Ryan McLaren are in charge of the prosecution.
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Des Moines Man Charged with Sex Trafficking Eight VictimsRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – Marlin Santana Thomas, age 45, of Des Moines, has been charged in federal court with sex trafficking eight victims announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. In August, a United States Grand Jury filed a Superseding Indictment in the United States District Court charging Thomas with the offenses. Thomas appeared before a federal magistrate judge on September 2, 2020, and is currently detained in federal custody.
Thomas is charged with sex trafficking seven adult victims by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion, and is alleged to have sex trafficked one minor victim. Thomas is charged with trafficking victims over nearly a decade, from as early as September 2009, up until February 2018. Thomas is also charged with distributing heroin to two victims, who were under the age of twenty- one, and with several related offenses, such as transporting victims out of state for the purpose of prostitution. In late February 2018, Thomas was arrested as part of a separate federal drug investigation, for which he is currently serving a federal prison term.
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
If convicted, Thomas is subject to a fifteen-year mandatory minimum prison term for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, up to life imprisonment. Sex trafficking of children 14 years of age and older, without the allegation of force, fraud, or coercion, carries a ten year mandatory minimum, and a maximum term of life in prison.
Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If anyone has information about this defendant, Marlin Santana Thomas, they are urged to call the Des Moines Police Department Vice/Narcotics Office at 515-237-1516, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
This case is being investigated by the Des Moines Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Defendant Sentenced to 100 Months in Federal Prison for Smuggling MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 1, 2020
SAN DIEGO – Oscar Luna-Aquino was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 100 months in prison for importing methamphetamine into the United States. A jury found Luna-Aquino guilty after a two-day trial in February 2020.
At trial, the Government’s evidence established that Luna-Aquino drove a car into the United States at the San Ysidro, California, Port of Entry on October 16, 2019. An inspection of the vehicle revealed 95 pounds of 99% pure methamphetamine concealed under the windshield and in the front fenders, rear quarter panels, and spare tire. The wholesale value of the methamphetamine was at least $80,000. The Government also presented evidence from Luna-Aquino’s cell phone showing that he not only knew of the drugs in his car on October 16, but also that he had successfully smuggled narcotics into the United States on three prior occasions
When handing down the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Larry A. Burns emphasized the large amount of methamphetamine, the prior smuggling incidents, and the danger of methamphetamine and the personal destruction the drug causes.
“The extremely potent meth smuggled from Mexico contributes to more deaths in San Diego County than opioids. And many deaths result from poly-drug use, most of which involve meth as a significant aggravating factor,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “The sentence set forth today recognizes the severe harm meth inflicts on our community.” U.S. Attorney Brewer commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Olah and Seth Askins, as well as Homeland Security Investigations and Customs & Border Protection for their work on this case.
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 3:20-CR-439-LAB
Oscar Luna-Aquino Age: 34 Residence: Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
21 U.S.C. §§ 952/960
Maximum Penalties: life imprisonment; $10,000,000 fine.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Customs and Border Protection
Court Finds Individual and Company Liable for Violating the Clean Water Act when Filling Sensitive Tidal Channels and MarshRead the Press Release
In an order issued Tuesday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California agreed with the Justice Department that John Sweeney and his company, Point Buckler Club LLC, committed “very serious” violations of the Clean Water Act associated with the construction of a nearly mile-long levee in sensitive tidal channels and marsh without a permit.
The violations occurred on Point Buckler Island, an island in the greater San Francisco Bay that Sweeney had purchased in 2011. More particularly, Point Buckler Island is part of the Suisun Marsh, the largest contiguous brackish water marsh remaining on the west coast of North America. The Island is located in a heavily utilized fish corridor and is critical habitat for several species of federally protected fish.
When Sweeney acquired the Island, nearly 40 acres of it supported and functioned as a tidal channel and tidal marsh wetlands system. As the court found, at that time Sweeney knew that Solano County, California, had zoned it as “Marsh Land.” Sweeney had also, by that time, sought and obtained a Clean Water Act permit for activities in other areas of the Suisun Marsh.
Beginning in 2014, without a permit, Sweeney excavated and dumped thousands of cubic yards of soil directly into the Island’s tidal channels and marsh. This unlawful conduct, the court found, eliminated tidal exchange, harmed aquatic habitat, and adversely impacted water quality. The court noted that the Island’s waters are “extremely acidic and saline.”
As the court’s order provides, further proceedings will be conducted to determine the appropriate remedy.
“We are pleased the court agreed that defendants committed serious Clean Water Act violations,” said Jonathan D. Brightbill, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Point Buckler Island is part of a vital tidal marsh ecosystem, and the court’s decision serves to protect that. We look forward to the next phase of this important case.”
“We applaud the trial court’s decision to hold the defendants liable for their violations of the Clean Water Act, which resulted in serious damage and destruction to nearly 30 acres of tidal marsh located in the greater San Francisco Bay,” said Susan Bodine, Assistant Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The case is styled United States of America v. John Donnelly Sweeney and Point Buckler Club, LLC, No. 2:17-cv-00112-KJM-KJN (E.D. Cal.). The court’s decision is available through the court’s website, www.caed.uscourts.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Convicted felon sent to prison again for having illegal gunsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old resident of Houston has been ordered to prison for a second time following his conviction of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Joffre Cross III pleaded guilty Feb. 5.
Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal ordered Cross to serve 57-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court discussed additional information including his prior conviction pertaining to the theft and sale of controlled substances from a military hospital while Cross was in the U.S. Army. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal increased the term of imprisonment due to the number of firearms Cross had built himself.
On Feb. 20, 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the Cross residence. Upon entry, they located an AK-style rifle and approximately 2200 rounds of ammunition.
Having been convicted in April 2008 in North Carolina federal court for distribution of controlled substances, he is prohibited per federal law of possessing any firearms or ammunition.
At the time of the search they also found a homemade pistol and three homemade rifles.
“Preventing potentially violent criminal activity by intercepting illegally obtained firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition is at the core of the ATF mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Leveraging our partnerships to disrupt the shooting cycle remains our focus.”
Cross has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI and ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Schammel is prosecuting the case.
Columbia Man Sentenced for Arson at Planned Parenthood ClinicRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for the arson at the Columbia Health Center (operated by Planned Parenthood Great Plains).
“This defendant’s criminal behavior placed the community in an unacceptable risk of danger,” Garrison said. “We will not tolerate the use of violence and arson as a means to achieve personal political or policy goals. This attack is the antithesis of everything for which the best ideals of this nation have always stood.
“The FBI special agents on this difficult case exemplified outstanding investigative skills in locating and evaluating the evidence that enabled us to identify the arsonist and quickly bring him to justice,” Garrison added.
Wesley Brian Kaster, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to five years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 21, 2019, Kaster pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously using explosive materials to damage a building owned by an organization that receives federal financial assistance, and one count of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Kaster has remained in federal custody without bond since his arrest on March 2, 2019.
Kaster admitted that he manufactured a Molotov cocktail on Feb. 10, 2019. On the same day, he broke the glass in the north entry door of the Columbia Health Center at 711 N. Providence Road and threw the Molotov cocktail into the facility. At approximately 4:10 a.m., the Columbia Fire Department arrived on the scene, investigated the damage caused by the explosive device, and collected evidence. Kaster admitted that he took these actions because Planned Parenthood provided reproductive health services at the facility.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the FBI.
Colorado Man Found Guilty for Interstate Travel and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that on September 2, 2020, Nathan Lee Kempter of Highlands Ranch, Colorado was found guilty following a jury trial before Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard of enticement of a minor and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Kempter will be sentenced on December 11, 2020, and faces up to life in prison on the two counts.
In August of 2019, the Lincoln Police Department was contacted regarding the missing status of a 14-year-old female who had left a Lincoln, Nebraska residence through the back door and was no longer in the area. The reporting party indicated that the minor female had been overheard talking to someone on the phone. After a quick initial search of the neighborhood, the police were contacted. Reports to investigators indicated that the victim girl was observed getting into a smaller, red, four door SUV and leaving the area. Lincoln Police reviewed the victim’s phone for additional information and identified a Colorado telephone number that the victim had called. LPD was able to identify the number as belonging to Nathan Kempter who resided in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Kempter was also the registered owner of a red 2015 Nissan Versa. With assistance from the cellular phone company, LPD was able to track the movement of Kempter’s cellphone and determined it was located just across the Nebraska/Colorado border on Interstate 76. Lincoln Police contacted law enforcement authorities in Colorado.
On August 02, 2019 at 11:54 p.m., Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff’s deputies saw the red Nissan Versa driving toward Kempter’s residence in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Deputies stopped the vehicle in front of the residence and Kempter was arrested. At that time, Kempter informed the deputies that the young girl in his vehicle was 14 years old.
Later, the victim stated she met Kempter on the Reddit website, in a chat room for teen runaways. Her screen name indicated she was a 14-year-old female. After communicating with Kempter on Reddit, they moved their conversation to Tumblr, another social media platform, and exchanged message between July 23, 2019 and August 2, 2019. They exchanged e-mails. During these conversations, Kempter indicated he wanted to have sex with the minor victim and would bring her to Colorado to live with him.
The victim said that Kempter picked her up at her residence and began to drive west on Interstate 80. She was told to lay down in the front seat and cover herself so that she would not be seen. She said at some point while they were still in Nebraska, Kempter stopped at a Walmart so that he could buy her new clothes. Evidence obtained in a search of Kempter’s vehicle revealed the purchase of boy’s pants and shirt, and a blanket. The victim was told what to say and do if they were contacted by anyone in an attempt to avoid detection.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Clarksburg Federal Grand Jury indicts several on firearms chargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Five West Virginia residents are facing charges involving firearms, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.
A federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg indicted the following people on various firearms violations in separate indictments:
• Cheyann Ciarra Hammonds, 25, of Morgantown, West Virginia
• Andrew Douglas Packard, 30, of Morgantown, West Virginia
• Mark Allen Riffle, 31, of Clarksburg, West Virginia
• Willie E. Robinson, Jr., 62, of Fairmont, West Virginia
• Damon Sturgeon, 41, of Mannington, West VirginiaAssistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the Hammonds case on behalf of the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Wagner is prosecuting the Packard and Robinson cases on behalf of the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the Riffle ad Sturgeon cases on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated all five cases. The Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; assisted in the Riffle investigation. The Morgantown Police Department assisted in the Packard investigation. The Fairmont Police Department assisted in the Robinson investigation. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Mannington Police Department assisted in the Sturgeon case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Hammonds Indictment Sturgeon Indictment Robinson Indictment Packard Indictment Riffle IndictmentCivilian Navy Engineer, 3 Others Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging Theft and Sale of Government-Owned Technical InformationRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities this morning arrested four defendants across the country on charges alleging a civilian employee of the United States Navy downloaded technical drawings and manuals related to U.S. military weapons systems and sold the items to a Newport Beach company, which later resold the documents to domestic and foreign customers.
The arrests were made pursuant to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles that charges all four defendants with theft of government property. The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that the thefts have been occurring since at least 2012, and possibly since 2008.
The four defendants arrested this morning are:
- Mark Fitting, 53, of Berlin, New Jersey, an engineer employed by the Navy at a facility in Philadelphia;
- Melony Erice, 54, of Lighthouse Point, Florida, who formerly cohabitated with Fitting in New Jersey;
- George Posey IV, 36, of Costa Mesa, an employee of Newport Aeronautical Sales Corporation (NASC), a Newport Beach company that sells technical aircraft data; and
- Dean Mirabal, 52, of Costa Mesa, another NASC employee.
All four defendants are expected to make initial appearances in federal court in the districts in which they were arrested. For example, Posey and Mirabal are expected to appear this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana.
The investigation started when military investigators began looking at Fitting in relation to claims that he “was interfering with the quality assurance process for aircraft canopies intended for use in U.S. military aircraft,” according to the affidavit. The agents with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) discovered two dozen emails from Fitting’s Navy email account to Erice’s Gmail account, all of which contained government-controlled technical drawings or manuals related to various military weapons systems, including aircraft.
“[S]ome of those drawings and manuals were specifically labeled with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) distribution warnings related to export control and destruction, as well as DOD contractor proprietary markings,” the affidavit alleges.
Investigators have concluded that Fitting also had access to Erice’s Gmail account, which allowed both of them to sell the documents and drawings to NASC. “[B]etween September 21, 2012, and June 20, 2019, Fitting and Erice together unlawfully sold NASC at least 5,000 government-controlled technical manuals and drawings,” according to the affidavit.
Over the same nearly seven-year period, NASC issued Erice 150 checks totaling $509,845, but the two shared the proceeds of the sales, as evidenced by Fitting having access to one of Erice’s bank accounts and Erice being an authorized user on one of Fitting’s credit cards, according to the affidavit. Furthermore, the affidavit contains a lengthy email from Erice to Fitting obtained pursuant to a search warrant that outlines how Fitting was entitled to 75 percent of the proceeds, with the balance going to Erice.
The affidavit outlines how Fitting and Erice obtained documents and sold them to NASC, sometimes obtaining specific documents at the request of NASC. “In one such instance, on December 8, 2018, at the request of Mirabal, Fitting accessed and downloaded a government-controlled technical drawing for a military landing craft air cushion that he and ERICE sold to NASC, along with at least 16 other government-controlled technical drawings and/or manuals, for $5,025,” the affidavit states. “Knowing the drawing was unlawfully procured outside of official government channels, Posey paid Erice for the drawing,” which NASC sold to a customer.
The affidavit notes that Fitting was allowed to access military computer systems after promising to safeguard controlled data. The affidavit also notes that Posey and Mirabal “are aware of the appropriate processes to procure government-controlled technical manuals and drawings and, as a result, they know that the acquisition of such manuals and drawings from Erice and/or Fitting is unlawful.”
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The felony offense of theft of government property carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by DCIS; NCIS; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement. These agencies received assistance from the U.S. Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations and U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Keith Ellison of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.
Baltimore Man Indicted on Federal Charges for Possession and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury in Maryland has returned an indictment charging Gary Rocky Jones, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, with distribution and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned and Jones was arrested on September 1, 2020. Jones had his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Jones be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for September 9, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to the two-count indictment, on April 2, 2018, Jones distributed a video of an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent male. From January 22, 2020, through January 31, 2020, Jones allegedly used an internet-based file storage account affiliated with his e-mail addresses which contained one or more images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Jones has previous convictions for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor. Specifically, on July 21, 2004, and June 8, 2006, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Jones was convicted of two counts of assault in the second degree and two counts of sexual offense in the second degree, respectively.
If convicted, Jones faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
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 and the Baltimore Police Department Sex Offender Registry Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.
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Baltimore County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Related to His Impersonation of a Federal Officer to Commit Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Igor Cooper Rosensteel, age 29, of Middle River, Maryland, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Rosensteel admitted that he posed as a Secret Service Agent to gain the trust of his victims, then exploited them, stealing bank checks and credit cards, among other things. The guilty plea was entered on September 1, 2020.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Bo Keane of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office; and Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Anderson, Chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
According to his guilty plea, on August 3, 2018, Rosensteel was driving in Baltimore when he was pulled over by Maryland Transportation Authority Police for driving with a suspended license. When the patrol officer requested Rosensteel’s license and registration, Rosensteel instead pulled a law enforcement badge from his pocket, placed it on his lap and told the officer that he was a Secret Service Agent. The officer detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle and believed that Rosensteel was attempting to use his law enforcement badge to get out of a traffic ticket. Rosensteel was transported to the police station and continued to maintain that he was a law enforcement officer. Local police contacted the U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. A background investigation revealed that Rosensteel had never worked as an officer or employee of the U.S. government. After real Secret Service agents traveled to the police station in Baltimore, Rosensteel finally admitted that he had lied about being an agent and that the badge was fake.
As detailed in his plea agreement, additional investigation revealed that from approximately January 2017 through February 2019, Rosensteel falsely held himself out to be a federal law enforcement officer and he used this law enforcement status to defraud at least eight victims. Specifically, Rosensteel used his law enforcement status to get everything from free parking and food in restaurants, to gaining the trust of women he met online. Using his phony law enforcement persona to create a sense of security and trust, Rosensteel then exploited his victims by cashing out bank loans in the victims’ names, saddling them with resulting debt and fees. After being invited into victims’ homes, Rosensteel admitted that he surreptitiously searched their belongings, stealing keys, bank checks, and credit cards, then used those items to go on lavish spending sprees, with resulting losses of more than $20,000.
Rosensteel faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for access device fraud and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for November 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Secret Service, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police for their work in the investigation, and recognized the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Duey, who is prosecuting the case.
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Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Signs Antitrust Cooperation Framework with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United KingdomRead the Press Release
Today, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim signed a new competition enforcement framework between the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission, and competition agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The Multilateral Mutual Assistance and Cooperation Framework for Competition Authorities (Framework) aims to strengthen cooperation between the signatories, and provides the basis for a series of bilateral agreements among them focused on investigative assistance, including sharing confidential information and cross-border evidence gathering.
Building on the antitrust agencies’ existing cooperation arrangements, the Framework includes a memorandum of understanding designed to reinforce and improve existing case coordination and collaboration tools among the agencies, and a model agreement. The model agreement is expected to serve as a template for subsequent agreements among signatories that would permit enhanced cooperation in both criminal and civil non-HSR matters. The framework recognizes that signatories will use best efforts to negotiate and implement bilateral agreements with one another based on the model agreement.
“The Framework sets a new standard for enforcement cooperation, strengthening our tools for international assistance and evidence gathering in the increasingly digital and global economy,” said Assistant Attorney General Delrahim. “We hope that it will provide a model for agencies around the world interested in enhancing international cooperation. DOJ looks forward to continuing this important work through the negotiation of the bilateral agreements contemplated in the Framework.”
Joining Assistant Attorney General Delrahim in signing the Framework were Chairman Joe Simons of the Federal Trade Commission, Chairman Rod Sims of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell of Competition Bureau Canada, Chair Anna Rawlings of the New Zealand Commerce Commission, and Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli of the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the agreement was signed separately in each jurisdiction in near-simultaneous fashion, allowing the agencies to come together virtually to reaffirm the importance of international cooperation even in these extraordinary times.
The U.S. antitrust agencies are authorized to enter into such agreements under the International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994 (IAEAA), and the U.S. agencies already have an IAEAA agreement with Australia from 1999.
Armed Tenderloin Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than Three Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Brazil Harris was sentenced today to three years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing pills containing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute them, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett
Harris pleaded guilty on February 11, 2020, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. According to the plea agreement, Harris admitted that on October 19, 2019, he was driving his vehicle near the intersection of Golden Gate Avenue and Larkin Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, when San Francisco Police Department Officers stopped him for committing a traffic violation. At that time, Harris had in the glove compartment of his vehicle a Springfield XDS .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, which was loaded with three rounds of ammunition. Harris also possessed in his pants a bottle containing approximately 275 pills, some of which contained methamphetamine. Harris admitted that he possessed the pills with the intent to distribute them. Officers also found approximately $260 on Harris. Harris previously had been convicted of a felony punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and therefore he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Harris, 30, of San Francisco, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 23, 2020. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.
San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has been especially severely impacted by illegal drug dealing. “San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood is known to users and dealers throughout the Bay Area as a place to buy illegal drugs,” according to local law enforcement. Indeed, more than half of all the drug sales incidents booked or cited by the San Francisco Police Department took place in the Tenderloin district—specifically, “56 percent … by far the highest of any police district in the City” in fiscal year 2017–2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Green is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Morgan Byrne. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Francisco Police Department. This case is part of the Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin, a multi-agency effort spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office focusing on fighting crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
The sentence was handed down by The Honorable William H. Alsup, U.S. District Court Judge, following a guilty plea on two counts: felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); and possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Judge Alsup also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release. Harris has been in custody since February 3, 2020.
Kristina Green is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the San Francisco Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of Dominican Citizen for Narcotics Trafficking Through Sham Internet PharmacyRead the Press Release
Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Susan A. Gibson, the Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and James Buthorn, the Inspector in Charge of the New Jersey Office of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today that JOSE FRANCISCO GUZMAN-CABRERA, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited yesterday from the Dominican Republic. GUZMAN-CABRERA is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, the fentanyl analogue p-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and the synthetic opioid U-47700, distribution of controlled substances over the Internet, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with a large-scale drug distribution operation purporting to be an online pharmacy. GUZMAN-CABRERA was arrested on July 3, 2020, in the Dominican Republic, and was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. GUZMAN-CABRERA’s case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein.
Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Jose Francisco Guzman-Cabrera was the kingpin of a drug trafficking organization that distributed dangerous opioids to individuals throughout the United States through a website purporting to be an online pharmacy. Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and USPIS, Guzman-Cabrera is now in United States custody and facing prosecution in this District.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson said: “This investigation reinforces the dangers of purchasing narcotics through the internet. Mr. Guzman-Cabrera may have felt he was safe allegedly operating his drug trafficking organization from a foreign country, but great investigative work led to his arrest and extradition to the United States to face justice.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge James Buthorn: “As alleged, Guzman-Cabrera put citizens across the United States in harm’s way through his criminal syndicate, intentionally disregarding people’s safety. No border will stop the United States Postal Inspection Service from bringing alleged criminals like Guzman-Cabrera to justice. We are proud of our partnerships both domestic and international, as well as our technological and analytical advancements in the recent years that are bringing positive results, making cases like this possible. Illicit narcotics traffickers, utilizing the open web or dark web, should know we are coming for you. I would also like to stress to the public the need to research your online pharmaceutical vendors, ensuring the medicines you order are safe. I commend the agents and inspectors on the successful outcome of this case.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court,[[1]] other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:
Law enforcement agents began investigating an online pharmacy website (the “Pharmacy Website”) following an overdose death of a victim in Boise, Idaho, on or about March 17, 2017, whose death was caused by elevated levels of multiple prescription opioids as well as fentanyl. The victim’s computer showed that he had repeatedly ordered painkillers from the Pharmacy Website, paying thousands of dollars for these drugs. The subsequent investigation revealed that the Pharmacy Website was selling pills to customers located throughout the United States, and that GUZMAN-CABRERA led the drug trafficking organization that operated the Pharmacy Website. In the course of the investigation, undercover law enforcement agents conducted multiple purchases of controlled substances from the Pharmacy Website. The substances purchased by undercover law enforcement agents included oxycodone and hydrocodone.
The investigation has revealed that in some cases, customers purchased what they believed to be prescription drugs such as alprazolam or oxycodone from the Pharmacy Website, but instead received pills containing other substances. In 2018, law enforcement agents searched a residence in New Jersey that the Pharmacy Website used as a distribution center, and seized approximately 100,000 pills, including pills containing the fentanyl analogue p-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl and pills containing U-47700, both of which are powerful synthetic opioids that have no recognized medical use in the United States.
As alleged, GUZMAN-CABRERA, from at least 2013 through 2018, was the head of the drug trafficking organization that operated the Pharmacy Website. GUZMAN-CABRERA, who was based in the Dominican Republic, coordinated the purchase of pills and tablets from sources overseas, and shipped these drugs to co-conspirators who operated drug distribution centers located in the United States. After customers placed orders for drugs on the Pharmacy Website, GUZMAN-CABRERA directed his co-conspirators to mail the drugs to these customers. The drug trafficking organization then sent the proceeds from the sales, totaling millions of dollars, from the United States to the Dominican Republic through a variety of means, including money remitters, money couriers, and wire transfers between United States and Dominican Republic-based shell company bank accounts.
* * *
GUZMAN-CABRERA, 41, of the Dominican Republic, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of controlled substances over the Internet, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New Jersey Division, its Boise Division, and its Santo Domingo Country Office, and the USPIS. She also thanked the Dominican Government’s National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) and the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in the case, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division for its significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the Dominican Republic.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thane Rehn is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment and charges set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
10 Central Ohio men, 1 Canadian charged with conspiring to illegally smuggle guns to Canada for profitRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Federal agents arrested seven men today in connection with a conspiracy to illegally traffic firearms to Canada.
A federal grand jury charged the co-conspirators in an indictment returned on Aug. 19 and unsealed this afternoon.
According to the indictment, the defendants acquired firearms both legally and illegally, stockpiled the firearms, and smuggled them to Canada in order to re-sell them for a profit.
It is alleged the group bought guns both through private sales and through straw purchases at gun shows.
For example, in April 2019, co-conspirators allegedly caused two individuals to conduct straw purchases of four firearms at the C&E Gun Show at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
Defendants would allegedly recruit female drivers to smuggle firearms across the border or to bring money back from Canada through promises of a free trip to Canada, payment, and access to drugs and alcohol.
In July 2018, more than $11,000 was seized by law enforcement from two of the defendants on one trip back to Ohio from Canada. Two months later, according to the indictment, more than $25,000 in cash was seized from two other defendants at the John Glenn International Airport.
The indictment details that on various occasions in 2019, individuals related to the conspiracy attempted to travel to Canada and were stopped by law enforcement. During each incident, multiple firearms were discovered in the vehicles.
In total, it is believed that the defendants conspired to smuggle more than 30 guns from Ohio to Canada from approximately July of 2018 through about the middle of 2019.
Those charged in the conspiracy include:
Name
Also Known As
Age
City of Residence
Omar Sharif Mohamed Hassan
O-Bandz
25
Columbus, Ohio
Jamil Jamal Abdalla
21
Columbus, Ohio
Mohamed Abdulkadir Mohamud
Bash
22
Columbus, Ohio
*Mohamed Abdi Hirad
Mo Trippin’, Trippin’
20
Columbus, Ohio
Abdirahim Mahmoud Dualeh
A.D.
24
Columbus, Ohio
*Shamarke Igal
Marke
24
Columbus, Ohio
Ahmed Ahmed
Seven
21
Columbus, Ohio
Abdiaziz Said Ahmed
Breezy
25
Columbus, Ohio
Ibrahim Ali
Ebey
24
Columbus, Ohio
*Mohamed Sharif Ali Mohamed
MoMo
22
Columbus, Ohio
Hussein Ahmed
23
Toronto, Canada
* Currently a fugitive
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland Herndon, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan; United States Marshal Pete Tobin; Ohio Highway Patrol Superintendent Lt. Col. Richard Fambro; and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall and Kelly A. Norris are representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The United States Marshals Service asks anyone with information regarding the location of the fugitives to submit an anonymous tip via text message to the USMS Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team. Text keyword “SOFAST” along with your tip to 847411.
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Tuesday 1 September 2020
Volunteer and Former Employee of Minneapolis Charter School Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JOSIAH RAUL MOSQUEDA, 28, to 20 years in federal prison. MOSQUEDA, who pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on December 6, 2019, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“The defendant was a school employee with direct access to students. He presented himself as someone the students could trust and rely on,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Instead of being that trusted adult, he exploited that trust, groomed young and vulnerable victims, and preyed upon them for his own sexual gratification. I am grateful the Court recognized this egregious conduct and sentenced him accordingly.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, MOSQUEDA was a volunteer and former employee of a Minneapolis charter school and a volunteer at a different Minneapolis middle school. MOSQUEDA used social media and electronic communication platforms – specifically Skype, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, Kik, WhatsApp, and Snapchat – to communicate with at least ten minor male victims. MOSQUEDA repeatedly solicited the victims to send him naked images of themselves, or videos of sexually explicit acts. MOSQUEDA would suggest in-person sexual encounters and offered economic or other favors in exchange for sexual contact. MOSQUEDA also engaged the victims in sexually explicit conversations and sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to victims. In addition to his conduct involving known victims, MOSQUEDA sought out and curated a collection of additional images and videos containing child pornography on his laptops and cell phone.
In issuing today’s ruling, the Court described MOSQUEDA as a serial sexual predator and “a wolf who pretended to be a shepherd in order to gain access to the sheep.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser.
Defendant Information:
JOSIAH RAUL MOSQUEDA, 28
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
- Production of child pornography, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 20 years in prison
- 10 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Violent crime increasing in Yellowstone CountyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – Violent crime in Yellowstone County has increased significantly since COVID-19 appeared in Montana, a trend law enforcement attribute to methamphetamine and domestic violence, federal and local law enforcement officials announced today.
Yellowstone County has had 67 more victims of murder, robbery and aggravated assault this year for the months March through July than there were for the same period in the previous year, almost a 21 percent increase. The crimes include eight murders, more than occurred in all of 2019, along with numerous non-fatal shooting and stabbings. Robberies have also increased 44 percent.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder and Billings Police Chief Rich St. John discussed the increasing violence during a press conference on the Yellowstone County Courthouse Lawn.
“Those who push meth will be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In addition, those with a firearm after committing domestic violence or receiving a restraining order will be prosecuted federally. I want to thank our federal, state and local law enforcement for confronting this violence in spite of risks from COVID, and our prosecutors and staff for their hard work during this time. Now more than ever, I also urge our community to support our crisis and drug treatment services through Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
"Despite the efforts of our law enforcement we continue to see an increase in violent crime in Billings and Yellowstone County. COVID has added tremendous amounts of stress to this community, including the criminal justice system. We need the public's help. Please watch out for your neighbor, and if you see a crime, report it immediately," Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said.
“Since before the onset of COVID, we have seen a steady uptick in violent crime. Now that COVID has fully affected life in Billings, we continue to see increases, especially in domestic assault and weapons cases. There have been eight murders from March through July. And there was one murder in August. Most all of the homicides have one common denominator, methamphetamine. It continues to drive crime in Billings. We remain committed to work with our partners to aggressively pursue, investigate, and arrest offenders. COVID is a distraction, but it will not deter us from the very important work of keeping the community safe," Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said.
“Our jail may be crowded, but we will always make room for those who belong in jail," Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said. "I would just like to remind everyone that the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is open for business. Law enforcement officers in our community remain committed to investigating, arresting and prosecuting the violent criminals in our community. This would include those who continue to sell the drugs that are plaguing our community," Sheriff Linder added.
The law enforcement officials explained that both meth dealing and use have contributed to the increase in violent crime. A July report by Millennium Health showed that since March, positive meth urinalysis tests in Montana have increased almost 34 percent. The nationwide increase for positive meth tests is almost 20 percent. The report also found that nearly half of all Americans believe COVID-19 is harming their mental health.
In response to previous increases in meth-related violent crime in Yellowstone County, in 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement reinvigorated Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime.
Since PSN began in Yellowstone County, 270 individuals have been charged with meth distribution, armed robbery and firearms offenses in federal court, 333 pounds of meth and 343 firearms have been seized, including 78 semi-automatic rifles. In addition, the U.S. Marshal’s Service’s Violent Offender Task Force has arrested 1,334 offenders through July.
The officials also urged support for expanding drug prevention and treatment programs through the community plan created earlier this year by Yellowstone Substance Abuse Connect, a coalition of non-profit and governmental organizations working to reduce the demand for meth.
PSN Yellowstone County’s partners include the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office; Montana Department of Justice’s Prosecution Services Division, Highway Patrol and the Division of Criminal Investigation; Montana Department of Correction’s Adult Probation and Parole Division; Billings and Laurel police departments; Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshal’s Service.
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University Athletic Officials Charged in Superseding Indictment in College Admissions CaseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A federal grand jury in the District of Massachusetts returned a second superseding indictment today bringing additional charges against two university athletic officials in the college admissions case.
The second superseding indictment charges Gordon Ernst, the former Georgetown University tennis coach, with three counts of federal programs bribery and three counts of filing false tax returns and charges Jovan Vavic, former water polo coach at the University of Southern California, with conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment alleges that in addition to accepting bribes from William “Rick” Singer, Ernst also solicited and received bribes from three other prospective Georgetown applicants. Ernst then failed to report a significant portion of those bribe payments on his federal income tax returns. The second superseding indictment also alleges that Vavic conspired to commit federal programs bribery by soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate the admission of students to the University of Southern California. The new charges are in addition to those brought in an earlier indictment.
Singer previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government’s investigation.
Of the 12 coaches, administrators and employees charged in the initial indictment in March 2019, eight have pleaded guilty or agreed to do so. Defendants Gordon Ernst, Donna Heinel, Jovan Vavic and William Ferguson have pleaded not guilty.
Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.
The charge of federal programs bribery provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Join Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Officers for a Press Conference Tomorrow, September 2, in Kingstree at 11:30 a.m.Read the Press Release
Kingstree, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that a press conference will be held tomorrow, September 2, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Williamsburg County Public Service Administration (PSA) Building at 201 West Main Street, Kingstree, South Carolina 29556.
Represented at the press conference will be the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED); the United States Postal Inspection Service; the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office; and the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office.
WHEN: Tomorrow, September 2, in Kingstree at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: City Council Chambers of the Williamsburg County Public Service
Administration (PSA) Building
201 West Main Street
Kingstree, South Carolina 29556
NOTE: Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Derek A. Shoemake, 843-813-0982. Members of the media wishing to attend the remarks should gather outside the City Council Chambers of the Williamsburg County Public Service Administration (PSA) Building at 11:00 a.m., 30 minutes in advance.
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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.
Two Nigerian Nationals Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for Bank and Mail Fraud Conspiracy and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury in Maryland today indicted two Nigerian nationals, Johnson B. Ogunlana, age 24, of Middle River, Maryland, and Samson A. Oguntuyi, age 29, of Atlanta, Georgia, on the federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of mail by a postal employee and destruction of mail by a postal employee.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Imari R. Niles of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Special Agent in Charge J. Russell George of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
According to the indictment, Ogunlana was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in Brooklyn, Maryland. Ogunlana understood that his duties and responsibilities as a letter carrier included handling, sorting, collecting, and delivering letter and parcel mail to postal customers residing and conducting business on his assigned postal delivery routes, and preserving and protecting the security of all mail in his custody.
The 30-count indictment alleges that Ogunlana conspired with Oguntuyi and others to steal bank checks, credit cards, and debit cards from the mail, open fraudulent business banking accounts using the names of victim businesses and the stolen identities of victim postal customers negotiate the stolen checks by depositing them into the fraudulent bank accounts, and then conduct transactions with stolen payment cards and with money derived from the stolen checks.
As detailed in the indictment, members of the conspiracy would register fraudulent businesses with state government agencies using the names of victim businesses and the names and identifying information of postal customer identity theft victims as the agents and/or incorporators of the businesses. Ogunlana and others allegedly used stolen payment cards issued to identity theft victims to pay fees to register some of the fraudulent businesses. The defendants also allegedly obtained banks checks payable to the victim businesses by intercepting mail sent via USPS, endorsed some of the checks by forging the signatures of identity theft victims, and deposited the checks into the fraudulent business bank accounts the conspirators opened in the names of the victim businesses. The conspirators then withdrew the money from the accounts through cash withdrawals, debit card purchases and cash back transactions at retail merchants, wire transfers, and by writing checks drawn on the accounts.
The indictment alleges that at least $565,000 was stolen from two victim businesses and that at least eight postal customers were victims of identity theft.
If convicted, Ogunlana and Oguntuyi each face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud and for each of 10 counts of bank fraud. Ogunlana also faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for access device fraud; a mandatory sentence of two years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed for each of five counts of aggravated identity theft; a maximum of five years in federal prison for each of five counts of theft of mail by a postal employee; and a maximum of five years in federal prison for each of eight counts of destruction of mail by a postal employee. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants are expected to have initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, although no date has been scheduled..
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and TIGTA for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Maddox, who is prosecuting the case.
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Two Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking in Operation Dirty BirdRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA, Texas – Two Texas men have pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.
Rodolfo Javier Falcon, 36, of Titus County, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven on August 20, 2020. Falcon agreed to forfeit $5 million in drug proceeds.
Jose Armando Rosales-Bernal, 27, of Dallas County, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven on September 1, 2020. Rosales-Bernal agreed to forfeit $4 million in drug proceeds; $234,971.00 in U.S. currency; his home in Dallas, Texas; numerous firearms; two luxury watches; a gold necklace with a rooster-shaped pendant covered in jewels; and three vehicles, including a Dodge Charger Hellcat.
According to information presented in court, Falcon, Rosales-Bernal, and others conspired to distribute more than 150 kilograms of Mexican cocaine in Dallas, East Texas, and beyond. In fact, Falcon and others—including two children—were stopped in Tennessee carrying nine kilograms of cocaine to distribute in North Carolina. The organization was also responsible for shipping drug proceeds, in the form of bulk cash, back to Mexico. For example, law enforcement intercepted one bulk cash shipment of approximately $350,000.00. Rosales-Bernal and Falcon both occupied leadership roles in the drug trafficking organization, which also distributed methamphetamine. During the investigation, law enforcement observed several members of the organization—including Rosales-Bernal—carrying firearms. Rosales-Bernal admitted that he possessed multiple firearms because he knew that the large quantity of drugs being trafficked by the organization made their activities inherently dangerous. Rosales-Bernal also described how he spent his drug proceeds on lavish lifestyle items, including a Dodge Charger Hellcat, flashy watches, a jewel encrusted rooster necklace, and numerous pairs of shoes and boots.
Under federal statutes, Falcon faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing; Rosales-Bernal faces at least five years and up to 40 years in federal prison at sentencing. The statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Operation Dirty Bird is a long-term drug trafficking and money-laundering investigation that has already led to the seizure of more than $500,000.00 in U.S. Currency, almost 40 kilograms of cocaine, more than a quarter kilogram of methamphetamine, nine firearms, and multiple vehicles.
Rosales-Bernal, Julio Villarreal, Armando Moreno Jr., Falcon, Gerardo Cabrera Ramirez, Claudia Claribel Gardea, Jose Geraldo Ornelas-Pineda, Dalia Janes Campos Rosales, Eleazar Martinez Reyes, and David Martinez were previously charged and arrested as a result of this investigation. Ornelas-Pineda and Moreno have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Rosales-Bernal, Villarreal, Falcon, Ramirez, Reyes, and Gardea have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Campos Rosales and Martinez have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. This case is pending in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
If convicted, Campos Rosales and Martinez face a minimum of 15 years and as much as life in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Mount Pleasant office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Criminal Investigation Division and the Dallas office of Homeland Security Investigations SRT. In addition, the following agencies have played critical roles in this investigation: the Mesquite, Texas, Police Department SWAT team; the Texas National Guard; the Texas Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division and Aircraft Division; the George West, Texas, Police Department; the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force in Dickson, Tennessee; and the Mount Pleasant, Texas, Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.
Two Baltimore County Men Facing Federal Indictment for Murder-For-Hire, Extortion, and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Clement Robert Mercaldo, Jr., age 61, of Timonium, Maryland and Stepfen Gerard Gaither, age 29, of Randallstown, Maryland, for a murder-for-hire conspiracy, use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, collection of credit by extortion, and for interstate communications with intent to extort. Gaither is also charged for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to the 16-count indictment and other court documents, Mercaldo loaned money to a Baltimore County restaurant owner. The indictment alleges that from March 2019 through February 2020, Mercaldo and Gaither conspired to commit a murder in exchange for cash. Further, the defendants allegedly sent numerous text messages threatening harm to the restaurant owner, his business partner, and their families, related to non-payments of this loan. Mercaldo and Gaither allegedly discussed and planned the murder of one or both of the victims.
Finally, the indictment alleges that on June 23, 2020, Gaither possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.
If convicted, Mercaldo and Gaither face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the murder-for-hire conspiracy and for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for both collection of credit by extortionate means and for interstate communications with intent to extort. Gaither also faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore at a later date. Mercaldo and Gaither are currently detained on related federal charges.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.
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Troy J. McRath Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On August 31, 2020, Troy J. McRath, 43, of Elizabethton, was sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville.
On July 17, 2019, McRath was found guilty at trial of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. McRath is sentenced to serve 240 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
In the spring of 2017, multiple local and federal agencies worked together to develop suspects in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Through the investigation, McRath was determined to be involved in the drug conspiracy. McRath purchased methamphetamine and then redistributed the methamphetamine to drug users in Elizabethton.
This investigation was the product of a partnership between the DHS-HSI, DEA, and Elizabethton and Carter County Joint Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan L. Gomez and Andrew C. Parker represented the United States in court proceedings.
The investigation resulted from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.
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Third major takedown of drug trafficking ring nets 14 arrestsRead the Press Release
(Seattle) - The third major drug ring takedown in as many months resulted in 14 arrests today of members of the drug trafficking network. U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran and DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis announced the culmination of these three wiretap investigations. Those arrested today will appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 2:00.
“With this third law enforcement takedown in six weeks, we continue to root out those who seek to poison our communities with fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Moran. “Despite the challenges of tracking criminal activity during a pandemic, the dedicated men and woman of law enforcement continue to investigate and interdict drug shipments while building legal cases against these defendants.”
“Even during this Covid-19 crisis, these alleged drug traffickers preyed on Washingtonians, using extraordinary violence to increase their wealth and power,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea. “However, as this operation shows, DEA and our law enforcement partners will never stop working – even during a global pandemic – to protect the communities we serve. Operation Lockdown successfully removed a number of violent drug traffickers from the streets of the Seattle-Tacoma area, and will enable these communities to focus on what matters most – the health and safety of their loved ones.”
“With today’s operation we have surpassed 60 arrests of members of highly organized transnational groups with tentacles reaching from Mexico to Puget Sound. They profit by pushing extremely dangerous narcotics such as methamphetamines, heroin and the worst of the worst – fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis. “With our partners, even before today’s action, we took over 300 pounds of methamphetamine, 55 pounds of heroin, 41,200 fentanyl pills, 30 firearms; and more than $1. 3 million in drug trafficker assets off the streets. The dealers of these drugs are responsible for increasing levels of violence, addiction and overdose deaths in our communities.”
Today’s arrests come on the heels of two other major drug takedowns: On August 5, 2020, law enforcement rolled up a drug trafficking ring that distributed large amounts of fentanyl, heroin and meth in the Seattle area and North Puget Sound region. During that investigation law enforcement seized more than14 pounds of heroin and 15 pounds of methamphetamine.
On July 28, 2020, law enforcement arrested 13 people named in an indictment for drug trafficking connected to the violent CJNG Mexican cartel. Much of the drug trafficking activity in that case was in the South Sound region, including the Kitsap Peninsula. More than 100 pounds of meth were seized in that investigation, and law enforcement had to intervene at times when they heard threats being made over the wire to enforce cartel rules with violence.
Today’s takedown involves drug defendants who distributed fentanyl, meth and heroin in Seattle and North Puget Sound communities. They discussed or conducted their drug deals in a wide variety of locations, such as a Mexican restaurant in Kent, a bank parking lot at the Northgate shopping mall and a 7-11 in Snohomish County. The members of the drug distribution ring were frequently armed – one was pulled over after waving a firearm at another vehicle on I-5 North near Bellingham. In December 2019, law enforcement seized 10 kilos of methamphetamine, 1,000 fentanyl-tainted pills and a loaded firearm from the lead defendant in this case.
Those named in the indictments or taken into custody on criminal complaints week include:
Gonzalo Villasenor, 23, Lynnwood
Julio Cesar Ramirez-Meneses, 32, Kent
Jocelyn Leyva-Castellanos, 21, Lynnwood
Edgar Efren Olivas-Armenta, 43, Edmonds
Rozzy Marie McGee, 34, Everett
Emanuel Campos-Pantoja, 23, SeaTac
Francisco Javier Carrillo, 33, Marysville
Anthony Michael Shepherd, 33, Marysville
Julius B. Supnet, 27, Edmonds
Jesus Israel Tapia-Alvarado, 24, Bellevue
Bryan Michael Pollestad, 33, Everett
Travis Eugene Keel, 52, Everett
Laura Rodriguez-Moreno, 44, Marysville
Jose Morales-Flores, 39, Marysville
Omar Israel Morales, 18, Marysville
Joaquin Guerrero-Serrano, 34, Marysville
Gerardo Arias-Garcia, 32, Renton
Samantha Hernandez, 38, Lynnwood
Lionel Gonzalez-Torres, 24, Burlington
Jesus Daniel Lerma-Jaras, 40, Everett
Prior to today’s takedown law enforcement seized more than 8,000 pills tainted with suspected fentanyl, 22 pounds of heroin, 70 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilo of cocaine, two firearms and approximately $500,000 cash in drug proceeds. Today, law enforcement seized: 36 pounds of heroin, 1,600 suspected fentanyl pills, a pound of methamphetamine, and seven firearms.
“I’m grateful for the dozens of arrests and the seizure of many pounds of illegal drugs, including thousands of pills likely tainted with fentanyl,” Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz said Tuesday. “What’s far more difficult to count; the number of lives saved and the number of parents who have been spared the trauma of burying their child, thanks to the on-going partnerships between local and federal law enforcement agencies.”
“The Skagit County Interlocal Drug Task Force is pleased to have played a small role in this larger multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that will have a significant and sustained impact on the organized drug trade in Washington State,” said Tobin Meyer, Chief Criminal Deputy, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Due to the amount of narcotics involved in this case, some defendants face a mandatory minimum ten years in prison.
The charges contained in the indictments and complaints are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, Seattle Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Skagit Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit. The investigation was supported by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
In addition, to the agencies listed above, these law enforcement agencies assisted with arrests and search warrants executed today: Snohomish County Sherriff’s Office, Everett Police Department, Marysville Police Department, Skagit County Sherriff’s Office, Valley SWAT, Region 1 SWAT, North Sound Metro SWAT, Olympic Peninsula Narcotic Enforcement Team, Washington State Patrol, King County Sherriff’s Office, Auburn Police Department, Kent Police Department, Federal Way Police Department, Shoreline Police Department, Renton Police Department, Bothell Police Department, Lake Stevens Police Department, Mountlake Terrace Police Department, Arlington Police Department, Snoqualmie/North Bend Police Department, Burien Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, DEA Special Response Team, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen P. Hobbs and C. Andrew Colasurdo.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Announce Critical Reforms to Enhance Compliance, Oversight, and Accountability at the FBIRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation today announced key reforms that will empower the FBI to build a more robust internal compliance program and that will ensure, among other things, the accuracy of FISA applications, as well as the active oversight of applications targeting federal elected officials, candidates for federal elected office, and their staffs.
“Today, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation press forward with Foreign Intelligence Surveillance reforms. In consultation with FBI Director Wray, I issued two memoranda — one that authorizes the establishment of an FBI Office of Internal Auditing and directs the FBI to undertake aggressive compliance measures, and the other that establishes protocols to ensure the accuracy of FISA applications and the effective oversight of any surveillance applications targeting elected officials and political campaigns,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “FISA is a critical tool to ensuring the safety and security of Americans, particularly when it comes to fighting terrorism. However, the American people must have confidence that the United States Government will exercise its surveillance authorities in a manner that protects the civil liberties of Americans, avoids interference in the political process, and complies with the Constitution and laws of the United States. What happened to the Trump presidential campaign and his subsequent Administration after the President was duly elected by the American people must never happen again.”
“Since the Inspector General’s Crossfire Hurricane report was issued last December, I have made clear that it describes conduct that was unacceptable and unrepresentative of the FBI as an organization” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “That’s why I immediately ordered more than 40 corrective actions, including foundational FISA reforms, many of which went beyond those recommended by the Inspector General. The FBI has been working diligently to implement these corrective actions. The additional reforms announced today, which we worked on closely with the Attorney General’s office, will build on the FBI’s efforts to bolster its compliance program. FISA is an indispensable tool that the FBI uses to protect our country from national security threats, and Americans can rest assured that the FBI remains dedicated to continuously strengthening our FISA compliance efforts and ensuring that our FISA authorities are exercised in a responsible manner.”
The first memorandum issued by the Attorney General is entitled Augmenting the Internal Compliance Functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This memorandum makes significant improvements to the FBI’s internal compliance program. It authorizes the establishment of the Office of Internal Auditing to overcome a gap in auditing capability at the FBI and requires the development of compliance and oversight mechanisms, training, and internal controls to ensure the FBI’s compliance with applicable statutes, policies, procedures, and court orders that govern the FBI’s national security activities. The reforms also require the FBI to perform robust auditing functions, including, for example, routine audits of the FBI’s use of National Security Letters, compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), and adherence to FISA’s minimization, targeting, and querying procedures.
The second memorandum is entitled Supplemental Reforms to Enhance Compliance, Oversight, and Accountability with Respect to Certain Foreign Intelligence Activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The supplemental reforms in this memorandum build on the corrective measures undertaken by the FBI Director in his response to the December 2019 report of the Department of Justice Inspector General entitled Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation. These reforms are designed to ensure the accuracy and completeness of FISA applications targeting U.S. persons. The reforms also include oversight protocols to ensure that any use of FISA to surveil federal elected officials, candidates for federal elected office, or their advisors or staff is justified, non-partisan, and based on full and complete information. Finally, the memorandum requires the FBI to develop procedures to prevent United States persons from becoming unwitting participants in malign influence operations by foreign powers and to review its disciplinary policies and procedures to ensure appropriate disciplinary action for those who knowingly misrepresent facts to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Tenderloin Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Trafficking Heroin in A School ZoneRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Darwin Villatoro pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to two years and four months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute heroin, possessing with intent to distribute heroin in a school zone, and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux.
According to the United States’ sentencing memorandum, Villatoro, 29, of Honduras, was arrested three times between January 2019 and January 2020. The first arrest occurred on January 28, 2019, when San Francisco Police Department officers observed Villatoro in the 300 block of Golden Gate Avenue in violation of a previous order. The order required Villatoro to stay at least 150 yards away from the intersection of Golden Gate Avenue and Larkin Street. When officers attempted to approach Villatoro, he fled on foot and discarded his backpack. After a brief chase, the officers arrested Villatoro and searched his backpack, which contained 22 bindles of heroin, five bindles of methamphetamine, and 10 bindles of cocaine base.
The second arrest occurred on October 26, 2019. On that date, officers observed Villatoro at the intersection of Golden Gate Avenue and Larkin Street, which is within 1,000 feet of both the Tenderloin Community Elementary School and the N. Helen Diller Civic Center Playground. According to papers filed by the government, officers knew Villatoro was the subject of multiple outstanding felony warrants. When officers approached Villatoro, he fled and threw a plastic baggie to the ground. Officers arrested Villatoro and recovered 26 bindles of heroin and eight bindles of cocaine base from the plastic baggie.
The third arrest, on January 27, 2020, occurred after officers observed Villatoro walking on the 300 block of Golden Gate Avenue, in violation of an active stay away order from that location. Officers arrested Villatoro, who, on that occasion, possessed 75 bindles of cocaine base, 13 packages of fentanyl, 22 bindles of heroin, and 11 individually wrapped packages of methamphetamine.
On February 13, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Villatoro, charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or playground, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, all in violation of 21 U.S.C. § § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Villatoro pleaded guilty to all three counts. The defendant has been in custody since March 16, 2020 and will begin serving his sentence immediately.
San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has been especially severely impacted by illegal drug dealing. “San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood is known to users and dealers throughout the Bay Area as a place to buy illegal drugs,” according to local law enforcement. Indeed, more than half of all the drug sales incidents booked or cited by the San Francisco Police Department took place in the Tenderloin district—specifically, “56 percent … by far the highest of any police district in the City” in fiscal year 2017–2018.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Yoosun Koh is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Francisco Police Department. This case is part of the Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin, a multi-agency effort spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office focusing on fighting crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
Ten Men Arrested, Charged with Attempted Enticement of a Child to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – U.S. Attorney John Milhiser and FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Sean M. Cox announced that 10 men were arrested over the weekend in Springfield, Ill., and charged in separate criminal complaints with attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity. The complaints were unsealed on August 31, throughout the day, as each made their respective initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins via video teleconference. Each was ordered detained pending hearings scheduled for later this week.
According to the affidavits filed in support of the complaints, each of the men allegedly used various social media applications to contact and engage with individuals whom they believed to be minors, under the age of 18 with the intent of meeting to engage in sexual activity.
The charges are the result of investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; the Springfield Police Department; and, the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the federal government in the case prosecutions in coordination with Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Shaw of the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The defendants charged with attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity are:
- Charles E. Brinkley, 51, of Festus, Mo., presently working in Jacksonville, Ill.;
- Rafael Mercado Berrios, aka Jose Berrios, 41, of the 1200 block of N. 4th St., Springfield;
- Zachary Jones, 33, of the 200 block of S. Parker Ave., Springfield;
- James Simons, Jr. 28, of the 200 block of N. Illinois St., Springfield;
- Matthew Faubel, 49, of the 300 block of N. Lincoln Ave., Springfield;
- Jason King, 35, of Assumption, Ill.;
- Matthew Wetzel, 35, of the 800 block of W. Edwards St., Springfield;
- Shondell Hodges, 47, of Chicago;
- Stacey Furlow, 59, of the 3700 block of Peoria Rd., Springfield; and,
- James Hammonds, 20, of the 1800 block of Gregory Ct., Springfield.
If convicted, for the offense of attempted enticement of a minor, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Paul Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of BRANDON JAMES JOTBLAD, 29, to 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. JOTBLAD pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“Downloading sexually explicit images or videos involving children is not victimless crime. These are real children who are re-victimized every time the images are downloaded and shared,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Individuals who chose to participate in this type of victimization will face significant prison time.”
According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on July 30, 2019, JOTBLAD knowingly possessed video files containing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. During this time JOTBLAD was on probation for a prior Ramsey County felony conviction for possession of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Anoka County Attorney’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine.
Defendant Information:
BRANDON JAMES JOTBLAD, 29
St. Paul, Minn.
Convicted:
- Possession of child pornography, 1 count
Sentenced:
- 120 months in prison
- 15 years of supervised release
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
South Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Ringleader Sentenced to 25 YearsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Antoine Clark, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,700 fine by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for multiple narcotics offenses related to his role in leading an almost around-the-clock drug delivery service for several years in South Philadelphia.
Clark and his codefendants, Gerald Spruell, 33, and Daniel Robinson, 37, were convicted after more than two weeks at trial of charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and distribution or possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.
Between 2014 and 2016, the defendant and his co-conspirators, including Spruell, Robinson, and several others who pleaded guilty to similar charges before trial, were known as the “Friends” and the “7th Street” drug trafficking group. Members of the group delivered crack cocaine and heroin to customers along the 7th Street corridor in South Philadelphia using a shared drug phone to take orders and communicate with customers; they would pass the phone off in shifts to keep their operation going almost 24 hours per day. During the course of the investigation, FBI agents intercepted phone calls and text messages from the phone, which documented the defendants’ illicit activities.
“Drug trafficking is an insidious, dangerous activity that ruins neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Antoine Clark was an expert at it, and now he will pay the price -- to the tune of 25 years. That is the sort of just punishment that awaits drug dealers in federal court. My Office is determined to protect communities ravaged by the drug trade by investigating and destroying drug trafficking organizations like the 7th Street organization.”
“The FBI is committed to keeping communities safe from predators like Antoine Clark,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Today’s sentence sends the message to drug organizations and gang members that if you traffick in illegal drugs, we will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Newcomer and Jason Grenell.
Son of Drug Kingpin Sentenced to More Than Five Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who assisted a multinational drug trafficking organization was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison.
Jose Leonardo Alvarez, age 25, from Riverside, California, received the prison term after a March 13, 2020 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In 2013, Jose Maria Valencia, Alvarez’s father, was sent to California state prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. Despite his incarceration, Valencia continued to run his drug trafficking organization. He ultimately directed the distribution of more than 250 pounds of ice methamphetamine from his prison cell. Valencia relied on family members, such as Alvarez, to assist him with the drug trafficking. Alvarez traveled to Iowa on multiple occasions to serve as Valencia’s eyes and ears, and reported back to Valencia on the status of organization. Alvarez also collected money from the sale of methamphetamine in Iowa. Alvarez was a fugitive for more than two years until his arrest in September 2019.
Alvarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade. Alvarez was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Alvarez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid-Iowa Task Force, comprised of the Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Falls Police Department, Eldora Police Department and the Dysart Police Department; and the Tri-County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Falls Police Department, LaPorte City Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, University of Northern Iowa Police Department, Waverly Police Department and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-CR-2041.
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Sixth Nigerian Co-Conspirator Sentenced to Federal Prison in Nationwide Identity Theft and IRS Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—Oluwole Oluwaseun Odunowo, 37, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for his role in a nationwide conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, IRS-Criminal Investigation began a lengthy investigation into the fraud scheme when, in May 2013, a victim in Medford, Oregon notified the IRS that false federal and Oregon state tax returns were filed electronically using her and her husband’s personal identifying information including their social security numbers and dates of birth.
IRS determined the scheme required co-conspirators to amass a large supply of stolen U.S. taxpayer identities; obtain IRS filing PINs using victim identities; acquire prepaid debit cards in victims’ names; use fictitious email addresses; file fraudulent tax returns and conceal refund proceeds by wiring cash to Nigeria. Fraudulent tax returns were filed using the identities of thousands of Oregon and Washington taxpayers. In total, the scheme lasted several years and netted co-conspirators more than $11.6 million in fraudulent tax returns.
Using approximately 700 stolen identities he received from a co-conspirator, Odunowo filed fraudulent tax returns seeking over $1.5 million in refund payments. These returns resulted in nearly $403,000 in tax refunds paid by the IRS.
On September 6, 2018, Odunowo was indicted by a federal grand jury in Medford. On May 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Ann L. Aiken ordered Odunowo to pay $402,846 in restitution to the IRS.
This case results from a joint investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations with support provided by the Department of Treasury, Inspector General for Tax Administration, the U.S. State Department, and the Oregon Department of Revenue Policy and Systems Unit and was prosecuted by Byron Chatfield and Gavin Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
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.
Six Defendants Arrested, Charged with Narcotics Conspiracy; Two of the Defendants Charged in Triple Homicide Murder, While Third Charged with Helping Murderers to Burn the Bodies and Destroy EvidenceRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 24-count indictment charging six defendants with narcotics conspiracy, a conspiracy that ultimately led to the deaths of three individuals, and the burning of their bodies. Named in the indictment are:
• Jariel Cobb, a/k/a Doobie, a/k/a Black, 47, of Buffalo, NY;
• James Reed, a/k/a Fatts, 38, of Buffalo, NY;
• Jahaan McDuffie; a/k/a Wanka, 29, of Buffalo, NY;
• Destenee Bell, a/k/a K, 27, of Cheektowaga, NY;
• Deandre Wilson, a/k/a D, 49, of Buffalo, NY; and
• Deshema Clark, 42, of Buffalo, NY.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan T. Cullinane and Michael J. Adler, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2014 and September 25, 2019, the defendants are accused of conspiring to sell cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and fentanyl in the Buffalo area. In furtherance of this conspiracy, defendants Jariel Cobb, James Reed, and Destenee Bell are accused of maintaining a drug involved premises by utilizing residences at 211 Box Avenue and 973 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo, to facilitate their drug trafficking activities. Defendants Wilson and Deshema Clark are accused of utilizing 164 Parkridge Avenue, also in Buffalo, for drug trafficking activities. Defendant Jahaan McDuffie is charged with distributing significant quantities of marijuana and heroin.
The indictment further states that between September 15 and 16, 2019, defendants Cobb and Wilson committed murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy and Hobbs Act conspiracy. Cobb and Wilson allegedly murdered Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon, Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred and stole from them certain personal property, including cocaine, cellular telephones, and a white Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
Following the murders, Cobb, Wilson, and defendant Reed are accused of obstruction of justice for burning the bodies of Valentin-Colon and Merced-Plaud, and mutilating and burning the body of Roman-Audiffred. Cobb and Wilson are also accused of conspiracy to damage and destroy a vehicle used in interstate commerce by fire, and damaging and destroying a vehicle used in interstate commerce by fire. Defendant Reed is charged with being an accessory after the fact for assisting Cobb and Wilson.
“The Department of Justice has a capital case review process which culminates in a decision by the Attorney General regarding whether to seek, or not to seek, the death penalty against a particular defendant,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “That process is underway in this case as it pertains to defendants Jariel Cobb and Deandre Wilson.”
“For the families of Miguel, Nicole, and Dhamyl, we hope that the charges announced today will ease some of your suffering,” said Stephen Belongia, Special Agent- in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Office. “And to gang members and other violent criminals, if you choose to live a life fueled by greed and violence, you should know that the FBI and our law enforcement partners stand ready to do everything in our power to ensure you are held accountable for your crimes. While we can’t bring back Miguel, Nicole, and Dhamyl, we hope it brings the families some bit of peace to know that the Western New York law enforcement community came together and threw everything we had at this investigation.”
The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of currency and firearms which resulted from the drug trafficking activities of the defendants, including $16,900 in cash, two 9mm handguns, and 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, under the direction of Commissioner James Jancewicz. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Shreveport Man with Lengthy Criminal History Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Bobby Kirkendoll, 44, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 162 months (13 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote conducted the sentencing hearing. Kirkendoll previously pleaded guilty to the charges January 9, 2020.
According to information presented to the court, in April 2019, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop the vehicle Kirkendoll was driving for a traffic violation. Instead of stopping, Kirkendoll drove away and a car chase ensued. During the chase, deputies observed him throw a gun onto the roadway, as well as other items, from the car. Eventually, Kirkendoll stopped the vehicle and deputies arrested him. Deputies recovered the items that Kirkendoll threw from the car, which included a Ruger pistol, a Smith and Wesson revolver, and bags. Inside the bags were drug paraphernalia and a variety of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and Alprazolam. The narcotics were tested by the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory and it was confirmed that the substances included at least 5 grams of methamphetamine.
Kirkendoll was previously convicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm (2006). His state court convictions were for manslaughter and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (1994); second degree battery (1999); and aggravated incest (2008).
This case was investigated by the DEA and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten.
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Shelter worker admits to housing illegal teen after escape from facilityRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 24-year-old Brownsville resident has pleaded guilty for her role in an alien smuggling incident involving a juvenile resident of the Southwest Key facility, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Karla Izaguirre appeared in federal court today and admitted she harbored an underage undocumented boy from Honduras.
Izaguirre was an employee of Southwest Key, a government-sponsored shelter, where she had been professionally trained to work and care for illegal alien juveniles. The teen was an unaccompanied minor who entered the United States illegally and was under Southwest Key’s supervision.
On July 5, 2019, the facility sponsored an outing at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. While there, the juvenile fled on foot.
The investigation led to Izaguirre. Authorities subsequently arrested her, at which time she acknowledged knowing the minor boy was illegally present in the United States and helping to plan the escape. She also admitted she harbored him in her own home for approximately three months.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 8. At that time, Izaguirre faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette is prosecuting the case.
Shakopee Man Charged with Being an Armed Career Criminal in Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging MICHAEL ALLEN BURRELL, 40, with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. BURRELL was ordered to remain in custody following a detention and arraignment hearing held today before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung, in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to allegations in the indictment, on June 23, 2020, BURRELL possessed a .45 caliber Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol, model P250. Because BURRELL has multiple prior felony convictions he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was brought as part of the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, a multi-agency effort that brings together additional federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals responsible for gun violence in the Twin Cities. For more information about the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/united-states-attorney-announces-new-twin-cities-violent-crime-task-force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin A. Wesley is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
MICHAEL ALLEN BURRELL, 40
Shakopee, Minn.
Charges:
- Felon in possession of a firearm- Armed career criminal, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Serial Bank Robber from Philadelphia Sentenced to 12 YearsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Lamar Tindall, 45, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $2,955 in restitution by United States District Court Judge Joshua D. Wolson for robbing three separate BB&T Banks over a period of ten days in May 2019.
In January 2020, Tindall pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery, arising from his robberies of BB&T Banks in Philadelphia on May 14, 2019; Feasterville on May 17, 2019; and King of Prussia on May 23, 2019. During each robbery, Tindall handed a threatening note to a teller in order to receive money. For example, during the robbery on May 14, Tindall handed the frightened teller a note that read, “all 50’s and 100’s or ill shoot.” Tindall made off with a total of $3,650 as a result of these robberies. Philadelphia Police Department officers later arrested Tindall, who confessed to his crimes.
Tindall has a long rap sheet, which includes convictions for drug distribution offenses in 1999 and 2010, and a conviction for robbery of property of the United States in 2002. Because of his criminal history, the Court found Tindall to be a “Career Offender” under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
“Robbing any type of business – whether it’s a bank, a corner store, or anything in between – is a serious federal offense that can carry stiff penalties, as Tindall can now attest,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “And even the threat of having and using a firearm during a robbery, regardless of whether or not you actually have one, will multiply the penalty. I want people to know that committing a violent crime in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania carries a tremendous risk of a long prison sentence, which is the point of our anti-violence public awareness campaign. You can learn more about this campaign on our District website.”
“Serial bank robbers like Lamar Tindall terrorize our communities,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “I would like to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted in bringing Mr. Tindall to justice and making our community safer.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Abington Township Police Department, the Conshohocken Police Department, the Lower Southampton Township Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Upper Merion Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren R. Baer and Kevin Jayne.
Second Minneapolis Man Charged with Armed Robbery Spree of Twin Cities BusinessesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a criminal complaint charging DAIJON LEWIS MILES, 28, with three counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. MILES, who was arrested on August 27, 2020, made an appearance today before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, on July 28, 2020, between 2:16 p.m. and 8:55 p.m, MILES used force, violence, and fear of injury to commit three armed robberies of businesses located in St. Paul and Minneapolis, including one gas station and two liquor stores.
The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute individuals who commit armed robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Fridley Police Department, the Brooklyn Center Police Department, the New Hope Police Department, and the St. Paul Police Department. This case was brought as part of the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, a multi-agency effort that brings together additional federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals responsible for gun violence in the Twin Cities. For more information about the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/united-states-attorney-announces-new-twin-cities-violent-crime-task-force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin A. Wesley is prosecuting the case.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendant Information:
DAIJON LEWIS MILES, 28
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges:
- Hobbs Act robbery, 3 counts
- Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count
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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600
Rockford Man Indicted on Charges of Transmitting Threats to Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — GIANNI GASPARE ANTHONY CARDENAS, 25, of Rockford, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Rockford on two counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce to injure another person.
The indictment alleges that in February 2018 a federal law enforcement officer interviewed Cardenas at a county jail regarding whether Cardenas had any information about the whereabouts of a federal fugitive. According to the indictment, Cardenas told the law enforcement officer during the interview that Cardenas would “kick [the officer’s] [expletive]” when Cardenas got out of jail. The indictment alleges that in June 2019 Cardenas emailed the law enforcement officer seeking to arrange a meeting with the officer so that Cardenas could “clear [his] name.” The indictment further alleges that on or about Oct. 20, 2019, after the officer did not respond to Cardenas’s earlier emails, Cardenas sent two threatening emails to the officer. The first email allegedly stated, among other things, “Hopefully we can meet again this time with me not being in handcuffs[.]” The second email, sent less than 20 minutes later, allegedly stated, “I’ll kill you[.]”
Arraignment via videoconference is set for Sept. 16, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Iain D. Johnston.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Talia Bucci.
Each count in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.